Nikon Refreshes Coolpix Line, Releases 9 New Cameras

Nikon released several new cameras today in a bulk refresh of the entire Coolpix line. Many of the new models boast GPS functions and improved optical-stabilization hardware, as well as higher-resolution image sensors.

The Coolpix P510 has a 42X optical zoom, one of the highest we’ve ever seen in a non-SLR camera, although it supposedly can also focus on objects as little as 0.4 inches away. You won’t be throwing the P510 in your back pocket as you walk out the door, but it does provide several manual modes for users who aren’t ready to make the jump to a DSLR. The Coolpix P510 is due to arrive this month and the MSRP is $430.

Nikon’s Coolpix P310 is opposite in appearance from the massive P510. Its lens has a maximum aperature of F/1.8, allowing for enhanced low-light performance as well as artsy shallow depth-of-field images. The P310 includes a 16MP sensor and several manual modes to help users take advantage of its advanced features. It’s supposed to be available in March and will cost $330.

Nikon announced several other cameras, including the Coolpix S9100, which provides an 18X optical zoom in a 1.5” thick body, and the Coolpix S4300, which is a pocket-sized camera selling for only $170. And one of the most interesting releases is the S30, which is advertised by Nikon as being a “family camera”, meaning it’s designed to withstand the abuse of a toddler throwing it in a pool or trying to feed it to the family dog. It’s said to be waterproof to 9.8 feet, drop-proof at a distance of 2.6 feet, and still has a 10MP image sensor. It will cost only $120.

Look for these new cameras in stores later this month.

Read More