Nikon has today announced its first ultra-slim digital camera, the Coolpix S1. The S1 has a five megapixel CCD, a three times folded-optics zoom lens (a first in a Coolpix) and a 2.5" LCD monitor (another Coolpix first). The S1 also features some Coolpix technology such as Face Priority AF, in-camera red-eye fix and D-Lighting. The (admittedly pretty stylish) Coolpix S1 will be available in three colors; black, silver and white, it will be out in April at about US$ 380. Additionaly there will also be a waterproof case available.

Jump to:

• Press Release
• Specifications
• Additional images

Press Release:

NIKON INTRODUCES NEW COOLPIX S1 DIGITAL CAMERA –
THE SMALLEST AND THINNEST NIKON CAMERA AND THE FIRST
WITH A 2.5” LCD SCREEN

Sophistication Made Simple through Exclusive Nikon Technology

MELVILLE, NY, MARCH 16, 2005 – Some digital cameras are very stylish. Others simply take great pictures. Those looking for the best of both worlds will enjoy the latest addition to Nikon’s award-winning line-up of Coolpix digital cameras. Nikon today introduced the new ultra-slim Coolpix S1 - a 5.1-megapixel camera featuring state-of-the-art technology like the exclusive new Face Priority AF (Auto Focus) feature, enhanced image quality and improved speed, within a smooth, compact design. Along with the line’s first, bright 2.5-inch LCD screen, the ¾-inch thin Coolpix S1 is perfect for the customer who values style and sophistication on par with traditional Nikon performance.

“The new Coolpix S1 is a breakthrough for Nikon in terms of its advanced technology designed to take better pictures, easier than ever,” said Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing ¬¬¬for Nikon, Inc. “The Coolpix S1 would be a perfect choice for digital photographers who want a sleek slim companion camera to capture memories whenever and wherever they happen.”

Beautiful Pictures in Three Simple Steps!

With improved designs and exciting new exclusive technology, Nikon has narrowed the picture-taking process down to three simple steps – turn on the camera, frame the shot and snap the picture. It’s that simple!

Imagine a camera smart enough to find a face in a portrait shot. Nikon’s new Face-priority AF function can do just that when selected through the Portrait Scene Mode. As its name suggests, Face-priority AF ensures that faces remain in focus when shooting portraits by automatically sensing the presence of a human face within the frame and setting accurate focus accordingly. The result is a sharp portrait with the press of a button.

Beyond faces, the Nikon Coolpix S1 can also automatically detect and fix red-eye directly within the camera. The S1 boasts Nikon’s renowned In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ technology, which detects and corrects red eyes in most typical situations without the need to press buttons or select and highlight the eyes in playback. Without the hassle of additional software, photographers will experience less red-eye photos yielding print-ready portraits.

The new Coolpix S1 also uses intelligent technology to help ensure a balanced exposure and sharpness. Nikon’s exclusive new D-Lighting function is another addition that can literally turn throwaway shots into frame-able memories. The D-Lighting feature can be selected in Playback mode — automatically compensating for insufficient flash or excessive back lighting in order to obtain balanced exposure throughout the frame. The S1 is also equipped with Blur Warning, another feature unique to Nikon which alerts the user when a shot is compromised by camera or hand shake, allowing another shot to be taken before leaving the scene.

Nikon has engineered the new Coolpix S1 with more features that improve the image directly within the camera and streamline the process of receiving great prints using a favorite retailer, online service or home printer. Furthermore, with its incredible, bright 2.5-inch LCD screen, images are easier to review and share than on most consumer digital cameras.

To further address a common need among digital camera users, Nikon has also focused its technology to reducing power consumption, allowing the Coolpix S1 to take significantly more shots per battery charge, using the camera’s rechargeable EN-EL8 lithium-ion battery.

To add speed to precision, the Coolpix S1 offers continuous shooting at 1.8 fps. The blazing speed even continues into the startup time, with the Coolpix S1 starting up in less than 2 seconds.

More Features in a Sleek, Compact Design

• 5.1 effective megapixels
• 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED Glass lens with a focal range equivalent to that of a 35-105mm lens in 35mm format
• Compact dimensions of (W x H x D – 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.8 inches)
• Light weight of approx 4.2 oz. (without battery and memory card)
• COOLSTATION MV-11 cradle included for easy downloading images and recharging the battery in the camera
• AF-assist illuminator can be switched on and off
• 256-segment Matrix Metering with Center-weighted, Spot, or Spot AF metering
• 7 manual white balance settings and White Balance Bracketing
• Direct printing with PictBridge compatibility
• 4 of the 17 Scene Modes offer Scene Assist (Portrait, Night Portrait, Sports, Landscape)
• World Time function allows local time to be set easily anywhere
• USB compatibility enables swift transfer of image data to computers
• Voice memo function records up to 20 seconds of sound that can then be attached to an image
• 4x digital zoom capability
• Choice of Single AF and Continuous AF
• Options for playback: Single, 4- and 9-segment thumbnail, Slideshow, 10x magnification
• Built-in Speedlight: features settings for Auto, Red-eye Reduction by pre-flash, Anytime flash, Flash cancel and Slow sync.

Like all the other models in Nikon’s popular Coolpix line, the Coolpix S1 makes shooting in a range of common situations even simpler through the incorporation of Scene Modes. This camera offers four Scene Modes that feature Scene Assist, and even a new Underwater Scene Mode and Voice Recording Mode that brings the total choice of Scene Modes up to 17. Intended for use with the Waterproof Case WP-CP5, the Underwater Scene Mode enables true-to-life colors to be captured when taking shots while snorkeling or scuba diving. Like all the other Scene Modes, operation is extremely easy. Simply select the Scene Mode that best matches the subject, then point and shoot for optimal results.

The Coolpix S1 also makes it easy to capture action in an expressive manner with the power to record VGA-size movies with sound at a smooth rate of 15 frames per second. The S1 can easily be connected to a TV, using the included video cable, to share the fun with friends and family.
With a redesigned graphic user interface (GUI), the S1 user can now navigate functions by either menu item list or the all new icon view and the all new Help function. Now the camera enables the total beginner to find the right mode at the right moment to achieve the best results, time after time. It’s all part of Nikon’s dedicated effort to give users what they demand in a top quality digital camera.

The announcement of the Nikon Coolpix S1 digital camera is targeted toward making a great picture easy through the use of automatic in-camera features, from the compact design to the host of time-saving features. The PictBridge compatibility makes it possible to print directly to a printer, without the need for a computer. For those who enjoy organizing and sharing their photographs on a computer, all Nikon Coolpix cameras ship with Nikon’s proprietary PictureProject software, a user-friendly photo management software designed expressly for use by Nikon Coolpix photographers that offers a broad selection of cataloguing, editing and sharing functions. This software package is aimed at providing a central location that is simple, intuitive and seamless for Coolpix digital photographers.

The Coolpix S1 will be available at retail nationwide in April 2005 at an MSRP of $379.95. For more information about this and other Coolpix cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.

Nikon Coolpix S1 specifications

Additional images