PMA 2007: The Nikon Coolpix L12 is a 7.1 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens (35-105mm), Vibration Reduction to combat camera shake, Face-priority AF, D-Lighting and Red-Eye Fix, and a 2.5 inch LCD monitor. The Nikon L12 will cost £149.99 / €219 / $199.95 and be available at the beginning of April.

Nikon UK Press Release

Achieve professional results in challenging conditions with Nikon’s new COOLPIX L12

Nikon has a reputation for being the pioneer of photography technology, and is constantly striving to develop new, better cameras for professionals and amateurs alike. The new COOLPIX L12 is the latest addition to the COOLPIX range, which has earned a reputation within the photography community of delivering excellent results through simple camera operation.

In this model Nikon has taken every possible measure to ensure that the user is able to achieve perfect pictures, whatever the conditions. The Vibration reduction feature compensates for camera shake to produce clearer, steadier images. This function operates whenever the camera is switched on, making it possible for the user to select the best moment to take the shot by viewing the image on an ample 2.5-inch screen.

The combination of a full 7.1 megapixels of resolution and the powerful 3 x Zoom-Nikkor lens with a healthy range of 35-105mm enables the COOLPIX L12 to deliver excellent picture detail whether the subject is a close-in portrait or a broad panorama. Light sensitivity up to ISO 1600 guarantees high image quality in low-light conditions, and also enables the faster shutter speeds that are essential when photographing fast-moving objects.

Three unique Nikon innovations make it possible to manipulate the images in-camera, enabling amateurs to achieve results that a professional would be proud of. Face-priority AF detects people’s faces to achieve sharp focus on them, no matter where they happen to be located in the frame; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix tackles this effect by providing automatic compensation for more flattering, natural-looking portraits in low light. Finally, Nikon’s unique D-Lighting function, available in playback mode, improves underexposed images or shots taken with too much back light by creating a copy of an image with added light and detail wherever necessary, leaving well-exposed areas untouched.

Nikon’s exclusive PictureProject software allows the user to further manipulate images once they have been uploaded onto a computer. This is an easy-to-use programme which makes it a joy to edit, organise, transfer and share the photographs taken with the COOLPIX L12.

Nikon COOLPIX L12 Feature Highlights

VR image stabilization corrects camera shake
The COOLPIX L12 offers the advantage of optical lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction), which cleverly detects any camera shake and accurately compensates for it to produce sharper, steadier images. And because the VR system remains active whenever the camera is on, images also appear more stable on the LCD monitor, making it much easier to judge the right moment to take the shot. The same effect is also available when shooting movies, while a handy Anti-Shake button located on the top panel can be pressed to activate three functions for sharper shooting – VR, High-Sensitivity mode and BSS.

Compatible with AA-size batteries
The COOLPIX L12 is compatible with AA-size batteries, which are widely available around the world. As a result, users can shoot as they like without having to worry about recharging or running out of power on an important day.

One-touch portrait button
A handy standalone button offers direct access to three Nikon innovations that produce more satisfying images – Face-priority AF* that automatically detects and achieves sharp focus on people’s faces wherever they are in the frame, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix that can automatically overcome the red-eye effect sometimes caused by flash, and Nikon’s D-Lighting that can rescue underexposed images or shots taken with too much backlight.

• Face recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.

Nikon COOLPIX L12 Other Features
? Light weight with compact dimensions
? Choice of 15 Scene modes
? Selection of movie recording modes
? BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest image automatically from ten sequential shots
? SDHC memory card compatibility
? Voice recording capability
? Colour Options add to creative freedom
? 21MB of internal memory (approx.)
? PictBridge and ImageLink compatibility
? Menu available in a choice of 20 languages
? Time zone function allows setting of home town and new city time zone for easy image sorting after traveling
? USB connectivity enables swift data transfer to computers and other peripherals
? Macro shooting enables shooting from as close as 15cm (5.9 in.)
? 4x digital zoom extends compositional freedom
? Choice of White Balance
Auto with TTL control, 7-mode manual (Direct sunlight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Shade, Flash and White Bal. Preset)

Nikon Digital Camera COOLPIX L12 Specifications

Effective pixels:
7.1 million

Image sensor:
1/2.5-in. CCD; total pixels: approx. 7.41 million

Lens:
3x Zoom-Nikkor; 5.7-17.1mm (35mm [135] format picture angle: 35-105mm); f/2.8-4.7; 5 elements in 5 groups; Digital zoom: up to 4x (35mm [135] format picture angle: approx. 420mm)

Focus range (from lens):
50cm (1 ft. 8 in.) to infinity (?), Macro close-up mode: 15cm (5.9 in.) to infinity (?)

Monitor:
2.5-in., 115,000-dot, TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating

Storage media:
Internal memory (approx. 21 MB) and SD memory cards

Movie:
With sound: TV movie (640) at 30fps, Small size (320) at 30fps/15fps, Smaller size (160) at 15fps; Stop-motion (640)

Image size (pixels):
3072 x 2304 (High: 3072*, Normal: 3072), 2592 x 1944 (Normal: 2592), 2048 x 1536 (Normal: 2048), 1024 x 768 (PC screen: 1024), 640 x 480 (TV screen: 640), 3072 x 1728 (16:9)

Vibration Reduction (VR):
Lens shift VR

ISO sensitivity
Auto (auto gain ISO 50-1600)

Built-in flash:
Range: (W) 0.5-8.0m (1 ft. 8 in. – 26 ft. 3 in.), (T) approx. 0.5-4.5m (1 ft. 8 in. – 14 ft. 9 in.)

Interface:
USB

Languages:
Czech, Danish, German, English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Finnish, Swedish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Thai ?

Power sources:
Two AA alkaline, oxyride, or lithium batteries, two EN-MH1 rechargeable NiMH batteries (optional), EH-65A AC adapter (optional)

Battery life:
Approx. 150 shots with alkaline, 600 shots with lithium, or 370 shots with EN-MH1 batteries (based on CIPA standard)

Dimensions (WxHxD):
91 x 61 x 26 mm (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.0 in.) excluding projections

Weight:
Approx. 125 g (4.4 oz.) without battery and SD memory card

Supplied Accessories*:
Two 1.5V LR6 AA-size alkaline batteries, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP14, Strap, Dock Insert PV-13, PictureProject CD-ROM

Optional Accessories:
Battery Charger MH-71, Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery EN-MH1, AC Adapter EH-65A

* Supplied accessories may differ by country or area.
 
PictureProject System Requirements  
OS
Macintosh: Mac® OS X version 10.3.9, 10.4.x

Windows:
Windows® Vista (32bit), Windows® XP Home Edition/Professional, Windows® 2000 Professional pre-installed models

Note
CD-ROM drive required for installation. Only built-in USB ports are supported.

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