Nikon Updates Coolpix Lineup

2013.01.29

For the CP+ Show starting today in Japan, we have received a deluge of press-releases. First up is Nikon with 10 new digital cameras.

These are all slight upgrades from models launched last year. Here they are, in no particular order:

• Nikon Coolpix AW110 - The successor to Nikon's first under-water camera goes almost twice as deep, reaching 18m below the surface for a maximum of 60 minutes. The casing is now drop-proof to 2m and remains freezeproof to -10C. This tough camera is equipped with a GPS, including electronic compass and world-map, plus built-in WiFi. The same 16 MP CMOS sensor and 5X wide-angle optical zoom lens as the AW100 round off this digital camera. Expected next month for $349 USD or $379 CDN.
• Nikon Coolpix AW110s - That is the AW110 without the world-map. Probably to sell where world maps are not allowed. Who knows? Looks identical externally and it still has the GPS and WiFi inside.

• Nikon Coolpix L820 -Budget ultra-zoom with an extremely wide 30X optical zoom, equivalent to 22.5 to 675mm. Features a 16 megapixels high-speed CMOS sensor. It can shoot continuously at 8 FPS and capture full 1080p HD video. There is no viewfinder on this one but it has a very sharp 3" LCD with 920K pixels. Unfortunately, the view is cropped at 97%. Runs on a pair of AA batteries for an estimated 870 shots-per-charge, something unmatched by its Lithium-Ion-powered cousins. Expect it next month for $279 USD or CDN.

• Nikon Coolpix P520 - New flagship prosumer ultra-zoom with the same incredible 42X optical zoom lens as the P510 reviewed last year. Keeps the built in GPS and adds WiFi compatibility. The sensor now has a whopping 18 megapixels and shoots at 7 FPS for up to 7 images. Full 1080p HD video with stereo sound is included as well. Keeps the same minuscule EVF with 100% coverage and increases the rear LCD to 3.2" with 920K pixels and 100% coverage. Expect it next month for $449 USD or CDN.

• Nikon Coolpix S31 - An updated low-cost rugged camera, the S31 has the same internal components as the older S30 but in a new body. It can be taken down to 5m underwater, survive drops of 1.2m and used below freezing down to -10C. Expected next month for $199 USD or CDN.

• Nikon Coolpix S5200 - WiFi makes it appearing in this slim ultra-compact featuring a 16 megapixels CMOS sensor paired with a stabilized 6X wide-angle optical zoom lens. Can shoot at up to 10 FPS for 7 frames and capture full 1080p HD video. Scheduled to appear next month for $299 USD or CDN.

• Nikon Coolpix S9500 - Very compact travel-zoom which squeezes a ultra-wide-angle 22X stabilized optical zoom lens in a 31mm (1.2") thick body. Uses the same state-of-the-art 18 megapixels CMOS sensor as the P520 except that this one is strictly point-and-shoot. The S9500 also features a built-in GPS and WiFi connectivity. Scheduled to appear next month for $349 USD or CDN.

• Nikon Coolpix S9400 - Nearly identical to the S9500, this one sports a slightly shorter stabilized 18X ultra-wide-angle optical zoom lens. Most importantly, this one does not feature a GPS or WiFi. Scheduled to appear next month for $299 USD or CDN.

• Nikon Coolpix L28 - This tiny entry-level camera is one of the smallest ever made to use AA batteries and manages a class-leading 890 shots-per-charge! The headline surprise though is a new 20 megapixels CCD sensor. This is decidedly odd considering that remaining specifications are minimal: 5X wide-angle optical zoom, 2.7" LCD 230K pixels, 720p HD video and strictly point-and-shoot operations. Scheduled to appear next month for $119 USD or CDN.
• Nikon Coolpix L27 - An L28 with a more common 16 megapixels CCD instead. Scheduled to appear next month in Canada for $99 CDN. No US availability was announced yet.


• Digital Camera