NewsAugust 2007

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Nikon Coolpix S51c / S51

Nikon has a pair of updates to its S-series of wave-like internal zoom compact digital cameras. The COOLPIX S51c and its non-identical twin the S51 share 7.99 megapixel sensors and VR-stabilized 38-114mm equivalent optics along with a 3.0" anti-reflective screen. The S51c incorporates Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless image transfer. The COOLPIX S51c and COOLPIX S51 will be priced at £229.99 and £199.99 respectively from Sept 2007.

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• Press Release
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Press release (UK):

Nikon is pleased to announce the COOLPIX S51c/S51

Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX S51c and COOLPIX S51, a pair of outstanding new compact digital cameras combining Nikon's distinctive wave-surface design with advanced features that make it easier to take beautiful photos and to share them with friends and family. Built on a custom application of Nikon's innovative EXPEED digital image processing concept and incorporating the precision optics of a NIKKOR lens, the COOLPIX S51c is built to realise optimum performance and maximum image quality.

The COOLPIX S51c and COOLPIX S51 team 8.1 effective megapixels of sharp resolution with a new high-performance digital image processing engine and the precision optics of the built-in “right-angle” optical lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction) 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens to produce photos with clarity and true-to-life colour. Extended light sensitivity as high as ISO 1600 prevents blurred shots when shooting in lower light, or when capturing fast-moving subjects.

Built-in Wi-Fi support brings Internet connectivity to the COOLPIX S51c for even greater fun and freedom. Upload shots directly from the camera to Nikon's my Picturetown server for anytime access using Nikon's Picture Bank function, upload them directly to a blog, or use Picture Mail to trigger an email notification to friends anywhere when new pictures are available to view and download. Both models include Pictmotion which allows users to create audiovisual shows anywhere by simply selecting favourite images and movies and adding music and visual styles.

The 3.0-inch LCD monitor offers a bright and large image that eases composition and viewing, even out in the sun. Control buttons and the user-friendly rotary multi selector are carefully positioned to provide intuitive operation. The smooth contours and refined finish of the aluminum face panel fit comfortably in the hand - both models feature a metallic finish with ultra-violet coating providing a brilliant outer sheen. The COOLPIX S51c will be available in Silver and Black while the COOLPIX S51 will be available in Silver, Black, Blue, Brown, Red and Vivid Magenta*.

* Colour availability may vary according to region.

Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.

RRP: S51c: £229.99
S51: £199.99
Sales start date: Autumn 2007

Nikon COOLPIX S51c/S51 Feature Highlights

Proven optical lens shift VR image stabilisation
Field proven technology originally developed for interchangeable lenses used in Nikon SLR camera systems, optical lens shift VR image stabilisation provides the ability to shoot at shutter speeds as much as three steps slower without blurring the image, while also realising a smoother viewfinder image that aids composition. A thin VR unit was specially designed to fit the slim dimensions of the COOLPIX S51c and COOLPIX S51.

ISO 1600 capability for extended shooting range
Manual sensitivity settings as high as ISO 1600 make it easier to take great-looking pictures in lower lighting conditions or to capture fast moving subjects with outstanding clarity, while the high-performance image processing engine preserves high image quality even when shooting with high ISO settings. Also available is AUTO ISO control, which automatically selects the optimal sensitivity for the shot across a range between ISO 100 and ISO 800, and up to ISO 1600 in High-Sensitivity mode.

my Picturetown for wireless sharing (COOLPIX S51c)
The Picture Mail button makes it easy to send shots directly from the camera to Nikon’s my Picturetown server, allowing instant sharing to friends anywhere. Utilise Picture bank to upload and save pictures with ease onto my Picturetown’s secure server.

Expansive 3.0-inch LCD monitor for quality viewing and menu operation
The bright, large 3.0-inch LCD monitor almost defying the compact body proportions features 230,000 dots of high resolution, a wide vertical and horizontal viewing angle of 160 degrees and anti-reflection coating for better display in bright situations, and a new acrylic panel that prevents scratches and fingerprints.

Nikon COOLPIX S51c/S51 Other Features

• Three Unique Nikon Image Innovations
  • Improved Face-priority AF
  • In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
  • and D-Lighting
• Light weight with highly compact dimensions
• Macro shooting from as close as 4 cm (1.6 in.)
• 4x digital zoom extends compositional freedom
• Improved menu interface, available in a choice of 23 languages
• Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations
• Approx. 13 MB of internal memory
• SDHC card compatibility
• USB connectivity
• PictBridge compatibility
• Stop-Motion animation for more creative fun

Nikon COOLPIX S51c/S51 specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.5"-type Interline CCD • 8.28 million pixels total • 7.99 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 3264 x 2448 • 3072 x 1728 (16:9) • 2592 x 1944 • 2048 x 1536 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 30fps • 320 x 240 30fps • 160 x 120 15fps • 640 x 480 10fps (Pictmotion 640) • Stop-Motion mode
File formats	• JPEG EXIF 2.2 • Quick Time Motion JPEG (AVI)
Lens	• 6.3-18.9mm (38-114mm equiv.) • 3x zoom • f/3.3-4.2 maximum aperture
Optical image stabilization	Yes (Lens-shift)
Conversion lenses	No
Digital zoom	Up to 4x
Focus	Contrast-detect TTL AF
Focus modes	• Single AF • Continuous AF • Face-priority AF
AF area modes	• Auto : 5 points , Center • Manual select : 99 points
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	• Standard: 30cm - infinity (11.8 in - infinity) • Macro: 4cm - infinity (1.6 in - infinity)
Metering	• 224-segment matrix metering • Matrix-pattern, Center-weighted (digital zoom)
ISO sensitivity	• Auto (ISO 100-800) • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
Exposure compensation	-2.0 to +2.0 EV in steps of 1/3 EV
Exposure bracketing	No
Shutter speed	4-1/2000s
Modes	• Shooting mode: Auto, High sensitivity, Scene, Voice recording, Movie, SET UP • Playback mode: Playback, Pictmotion, Calender, List by date, Voice recording playback , COOLPIX CONNECT, SET UP
Scene modes	Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close Up, Museum, Fireworks Show, Copy, Back Light, Panorama assist
White balance	• 5-mode manual (Daylight,Incandescent,Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash) • Auto, White bal. Preset
Self timer	10s, 3s
Continuous shooting	Single, Continuous (approx.0.8fps), Multi-shot 16 (approx.0.8fps (TBD), Only available at image size of 3200 x 2400)
Image parameters	Standard, Vivid, Black-and-White, Sepia, Cyanotype
Flash	• Built-in • Range: (W) 30cm - 6.0m (11.8 in - 19.7ft), (T) 30cm - 4.0m (11.8 in - 13.1ft) • Auto, Red-eye reduction by pre-flash, Anytime flash, Flash cancel, Slow sync.
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 3.0" TFT LCD with Anti-reflective coating • 230,000 dots • Approx 100% coverage (record mode) • 5-step brightness adjustment
Connectivity	• Wi-Fi wireless LAN (S51c only) • USB 2.0 High-Speed • AV out (NTSC/PAL)
Print compliance	• PictBridge • DPOF • ImageLink
Other features	• Time zone function • D-Lighting • In-camera Red-Eye Fix
Storage	• SD / SDHC card (optional) • Approx 13MB internal memory
Power	• EN-EL8 Li-ion rechargeable battery • AC Adapter EH-64 (optional)
Weight (no batt)	125g (4.4 oz.)
Dimensions	• S51c : Approx. 97.5 x 59 x 21 mm (3.8 x 2.3 x 0.8 in.) excluding projections • S51: Approx. 92.5 x 59 x 21 mm (3.6 x 2.3 x 0.8 in.) excluding projections