Nikon Inc. has rolled out new digital cameras for just about every segment of the market these past couple of days. The company has also announced promotions that might catch some consumers’ eyes too.
Nikon is going on a nationwide, 18 city “Twist Across America” tour to promote its Coolpix 2500, a 2.0 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens. The camera features what Nikon calls an “inners-swivel lens” design, making it possible to shoot from various angles or even self-portraits. As part of the promotion Nikon is offering users a chance to win a Coolpix 2500 bundled with an iMac, too. Visit the official Nikon Coolpix Web site for details.
The company has also added three new Coolpix models to the line — The 5700, 4500 and 2000 models now occupy different segments of Nikon’s digital camera product matrix.
The 5700 is the new flagship Coolpix digital camera. It sports a 5 megapixel CCD and an 8x optical zoom Nikkor ED lens. The Coolpix 5700 also features an electronic viewfinder and the ability to capture images in RAW data recording mode. It can record up to one minute of full-motion video with sound (using QuickTime, of course).
The Coolpix 4500 sports a 4.0 megapixel CCD combined with a 4x optical zoom Nikkor lens. The 4500 uses a derivative of the same swivel-body design introduced with Nikon’s popular Coolpix 995 model, and features a pop-up flash. The 4500 also features 16 different Scene modes and a Sound feature that enables users to attach up to 20 seconds of recorded notes to photos or 35 seconds of sound and video together.
The Coolpix 2000 is a new low-end consumer camera with 2.0 megapixel resolution and a 3x optical zoom Nikkor lens design. It sports five automatic Scene modes, a compact body design, one-touch upload button and more.
Each of the cameras incorporates USB 1.1 interfaces for uploading images to Macs or Windows PCs, and they store files locally using CompactFlash media.
All of the new cameras are expected to hit store shelves in July. Retail prices remain to be determined at this time.
In other digital camera news, Nikon also introduced the Cool-Light SL-1 macro light. The new peripheral provides portable lighting for CoolPix 4500 and 900 series cameras using eight high-luminance white LED bulbs. Nikon explained that the device has been created to give Nikon Coolpix camera users more versatility when they’re using the digital cameras in studio, work and documentation environments.
The device works with Coolpix 5000, 885, 880 and 775 models with a lens adapter ring. It measures 2.8 x 3.6 by 0.8 inches and weighs about 2.8 ounces. It too will be available this July.
Finally, Nikon also announced that it would establish a new manufacturing facility in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China to help meet the increased demand for digital cameras and imaging products.