Digital Camera News and Reviews

Nikon Coolpix S600

Digital Camera Review has reviewed the 10 megapixel, wide angel zoom camera from Nikon, the Coolpix S600.
Some key features for the Nikon Coolpix S600:
-10 megapixel sensor
-4x wide angle optical zoom (28-112mm equivalent)
-2.7″ LCD screen
-Image stabilization
-ISO sensitivity up to 3200
-“Fastest start-up time for any camera in its class”

Digital Camera Reviews ends up giving the Coolpix S600 an ok rating. The camera is able to take pictures of very good pictures, the image stabilization works good and it has good ISO performance.
But the Nikon Coolpix S600 has some shutter lag which seems a bit weird since Nikon claims the camera to be “the fastest start-up time for any camera in its class”.

Nikon Coolpix S210

Digitalcamerareview.com has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S210 compact camera. This Nikon camera is a priced pretty low (at about $160), but got some nice features.
Some key features for the Sony Cybershot DSC T300:
-8.1 megapixels
-3x optical zoom lens (38-114mm equivalent)
-Image stabilization
-ISO 64 to 2000
-2.5″ LCD screen

Digital Camera Review ends up giving the Nikon Coolpix S210 a pretty good rating as the camera is able to produce good pictures, got easy controls and the metal body is of good quality.
The only cons are that the image stabilization system doesn’t seem to work as good as on other Nikon cameras, the camera got no viewfinder and no manual controls.
Overall the Coolpix S210 seems like a good camera in its price-class.

Read the full review of the Nikon Coolpix S210 camera here.

Nikon D3 DSLR

Nikon has updated the firmware for their professional DSLR, the Nikon D3, to version 1.10. Among all the updates are:
-New vignette control for most G and D type lenses
-Faster minimum shutter speeds to trigger Auto ISO


What Nikon had to say about the firmware update:
The following improvements have been made in version 1.10:
– A Vignette control item has been added to the shooting menu. For information regarding supported lenses, see the supplemental manual.
– A Focus point brightness item has been added to the a6: Focus point illumination setting in the Autofocus category of Custom Settings.
– The Highlights playback display option has been moved from Display mode>Basic photo info>Highlights in the playback menu to Display mode>Detailed photo info>Highlights.
– When shutter speed and/or aperture are locked with shooting in live view mode, using the “L” (command lock) button, an “L” icon is now displayed in the camera monitor.
– The size and colour of “Demo” displayed in the monitor with playback, when No memory card? in the Custom Settings is set to Enable release, have been modified.
– The range of settings available for ISO sensitivity settings>ISO sensitivity auto control>Minimum shutter speed in the shooting menu has been increased from 1/250–1 s to 1/4000–1 s.
– When a compatible Speedlight or Wireless Speedlight Commander is used, the AF assist illuminator now lights regardless of the focal length.
– When shooting in hand-held live view mode and the frame is magnified prior to autofocusing, the display now returns to the magnified display rather than full-frame display.
– In some rare cases, the image area visible through the viewfinder and the image area actually recorded differed when Image area>Choose image area in the shooting menu was set to DX format (24×16). This issue has been resolved.
– In some rare cases, white balance was not accurately calculated for images captured at a shutter speed of around 1/4 s in P and A exposure modes. This issue has been resolved.
– When attempting to crop images at an aspect ratio of 4:3 using the Trim option in the retouch menu, the cropped image did not have an accurate 4:3 aspect ratio. This issue has been resolved.

Please visit the links below to access the firmware updates:
PC users can download here.
Mac users can download here.

Nikon Coolpix S52c

Nikon has announced two new digital cameras in their Style series, the Nikon Coolpix S52 and Coolpix S52c. The main difference between the two cameras is that the Coolpix S52c got Wi-Fi connectivity. The lack of Wi-Fi makes the S52 a tad smaller.
Here are some features of the Nikon Coolpix S52 and S52c cameras:
-9 megapixel sensor
-3x optical zoom (38-114mm)
-Wi-Fi for the S52c
-3″ LCD screen
-Optical Vibration Reduction technology and EXPEED image processing
-ISO up to 3200


Press release:
10 April 2008: Nikon UK today announces the S52 and S52c, two new additions to the successful COOLPIX S series of digital compact cameras.

The new cameras feature an elegant design that combines style and versatility with ease of use, and incorporate Nikon’s industry-leading standards of innovation and quality. They are intended to appeal to consumers who believe that style and advanced technology should come hand in hand.

Both cameras feature a 9.0 megapixel resolution for crisp, clear results and a space-saving vertically-mounted NIKKOR lens that offers 3x zoom and VR image stabilisation. The S52c continues Nikon’s innovative Wi-Fi compatibility in the COOLPIX range, with built in capability for connection to the internet, allowing users to share pictures instantaneously with their friends and networks.

Kazuhiro Okano, Assistant Manager Consumer Products, at Nikon Europe says: “The COOLPIX S52 offers a unique combination of style and technology. Fast image processing and responsive operation is guaranteed with Nikon’s EXPEED technology., and we have also ensured that the high exterior quality of these cameras matches the advanced innovations inside. We hope that the choice of colours will appeal to both men and women alike, and we are confident that those looking for advanced features will love the S52c’s WI-FI connectivity. ”

COOLPIX S52c
With its sophisticated wave-surface design, smooth curves and beautiful finish, the S52c is a joy to use. Despite being lightweight and compact, the S52c is packed with features. Its 9.0 megapixel resolution, EXPEED image processing concept and NIKKOR 3x optical zoom lens with lens-shift VR stabilisation ensures top-notch image quality.

Photos can be shared instantaneously using the built-in Wi-Fi connection and are sent at the single touch of a conveniently-located button. Internet users can take advantage of my Picturetown, Nikon’s own photo and video storage site, which offers free storage and sharing of up to 2 Gigabytes of images and movie files. Great pictures can be shared immediately with those around you thanks to the large 3-inch LCD monitor that offers a wide viewing angle and a high contrast level for easy, all-round visibility.
The S52c incorporates three unique Nikon innovations – Face-Priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and D-Lighting. In addition, the high ISO sensitivity means that the S52c is fully-equipped for taking pictures of individuals and groups, both indoors and outdoors when lighting levels are low,. That’s not all. The movie recording mode, 15 scene modes for optimised shooting in various settings as well as a macro mode that allows objects to be photographed from as close as 4cm completes the picture.

COOLPIX S52
The S52 is equipped with the same exciting features as the S52c, but is intended for those who do not require internet connectivity. This allows for a slightly smaller body (93 mm wide) and is available in two colours: silver and plum black (depending on country of sale).

Both cameras offer convenient, user-friendly controls and an easy-to-follow set of on-screen menus for access to advanced functions.

S52
RRP £: exclusive
RRP €: exclusive
Colours: Silver, Plum Black
Available from: 25th April 2008 (exclusive)

S52c
RRP £: 229.99
RRP €: 343.00
Colours: Plum Black
Available from: 16th May 2008