The Nikon Coolpix P1 and Nikon Coolpix P2 are announced. The Nikon Coolpix P1 and Nikon Coolpix P2 both offer Wi-Fi capability. The The Coolpix P1 and Coolpix P2 have 8.0 and 5.1 effective megapixels respectively. The Nikon Coolpix P1 will cost £349.99/€519.00 and is exlusive to Jessops. The Nikon Coolpix P2 will cost £279.99/€419.00. Both the P1 and P2 are available at the end of September 2005.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the new COOLPIX P1 and P2, two revolutionary compact digital cameras with Wi-Fi capability, excellent imaging performance and an array of advanced features.

The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 have built-in Wi-Fi LAN support to allow picture-taking without wires and cables. In addition the cameras have USB connectivity which makes it easy to hook them up to a computer or other peripherals. Wireless transfer allows the photographer to send pictures from the memory card or the camera’s internal memory (32MB for the COOLPIX P1; 16MB for the COOLPIX P2) direct to a selected computer on command. Wireless shooting automatically transfers each picture to a selected computer as soon as it is shot and can be viewed with Nikon’s powerful PictureProject software. Wireless printing also delivers the convenience of cable-free direct printing to PictBridge-compatible printers.

The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 have excellent image quality with 8.0 and 5.1 effective megapixels respectively; they offer ample resolution for enlargements and opportunity for creative cropping. The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 feature a 3.5x zoom capability and powerful 36-126mm Zoom-Nikkor lens (35mm equivalent).

A selection of 16 handy Scene Modes make it easy to take pleasing pictures in a wide range of common situations. All the user has to do is select the one best suited to the scene and the camera automatically selects the optimal settings for great-looking results. The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 offer a selection of new Advanced Scene Modes for 11 of the Scene Modes. Comprising three different effects (Normal, Effect 1, Effect 2), these Advanced Scene Modes enable users to produce pictures better suited to their personal tastes. What’s more, the COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 offer even closer control still with an Aperture-priority Auto Mode that offers 10-step manual control over aperture settings in 1/3EV increments.

Both cameras allow the user to correct images in-camera, thanks to the incorporation of three unique Nikon features. The D-Lighting function has the power to improve images taken with excessive back light or insufficient flash— automatically creating a copy of the selected shot, but with enhanced detail and light applied exactly where necessary.

The Portrait (Face AF) Mode has the ability to detect a human face in the frame achieving sharp focus for it when the subject is facing the camera from a typical portrait distance.

The cameras feature In-Camera Red-Eye Fix which corrects the red-eye effect to produce more attractive portraits at night. In addition to these functions, the COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 also feature a useful Blur Warning function that alerts users when a shot may have been compromised by camera shake.

Taking photographic enjoyment beyond ‘still’ shooting, both cameras can also record high-quality movies at a rate of up to 30fps. There are a total of seven movie modes to choose from, comprising six with the capability to record sound as well as a Time-lapse mode that enables the user to capture events occurring over an extended period of time.

The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 are compact (with a depth of approx. 39mm, 1.5 inches) and lightweight (approx. 170g, 6 oz.), making them comfortable to shoot with and easy to carry virtually anywhere. They also feature a newly designed grip for more confident shooting and the advantage of a large, bright and easy-to-view 2.5-inch LCD.

The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 are also highly responsive, offering swift start-up and continuous shooting at up to 2.5 and 2.3 frames per second respectively. The newly updated version of PictureProject comes as standard to make it easy to organise and edit images, create slide shows, make movie presentations with music and special effects, and share images.

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

Nikon COOLPIX P1/P2 Feature Highlights

Wireless LAN support (IEEE802.11b/g)
Offering built-in Wireless LAN support (IEEE802.11b/g), the COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 present new potential in the field of compact digital photography and offer unprecedented photographic freedom. Supporting wireless transfer, the COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 are able to transfer pictures from the memory card to a computer at the user’s command. Enabling wireless shooting, both cameras can transfer each individual picture to a computer literally as soon as it is shot. The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 also offer wireless printing, (requires optional Wireless Printer Adapter), which combines the advantages of wireless transfer and PictBridge direct-printing technology to achieve simple printing of pictures without the inconvenience of cables.

Advanced Scene Modes
Providing users with much closer control over the appearance of the final image, the COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 offer a selection of Advanced Scene Modes in addition to their ample range of conventional Scene Modes. Giving a choice of three different effects (Normal, Effect 1, Effect 2), these Advanced Scene Modes can produce results that match personal preferences more closely.

Aperture-priority Auto Mode
The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 also come with the advantage of Aperture-priority Auto Mode. Offering 10-step manual control in 1/3EV increments, it lets the user decide depth of field while the camera automatically ensures optimal exposure.

Features for in-camera improvement
The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 even feature a range of functions that give users the ability to refine images in-camera. Nikon’s unique D-Lighting Function is available in Playback Mode for the correction of images with insufficient flash or excessive backlight. Just select the image you want to improve and D-Lighting creates a copy with automatically added detail and light wherever necessary. Portrait (Face AF) has the unique ability to detect human faces in the shot, providing sharp, appropriate focus, when the subject is facing the camera from a typical portrait distance. There’s also In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which corrects for the unfortunate red-eye effect that can be caused by flash to make for more pleasing portraits in low light.

High image quality
In addition to offering such an impressive array of capabilities that go beyond the norm, the COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 deliver excellent imaging quality. Equipped with a 1/1.8-inch CCD featuring 8.0 and 5.1 effective megapixels respectively, they offer outstanding resolution that can stand up to significant enlargement. What’s more they are also both equipped with a powerful, high-quality 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens, which delivers 36-126mm (35mm equivalent) performance for broad compositional freedom.

PictureProject
The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 both come bundled with a complimentary copy of Nikon’s PictureProject software. As well as offering accelerated speed, this latest version of PictureProject also offers support for the Wi-Fi functions of both cameras and includes a handy setup utility as well as intuitive control. It also offers intuitive controls over the various wireless image transfer options and features improved speed and an enhanced set of functions. Whether you are new to digital photography or a seasoned user, PictureProject fulfills your desire by complementing your picture-taking experience with in-computer activities that are fun, easy, and productive. PictureProject software is a convenient tool to help you Transfer, Organize, Edit, Design and Share your images.

Nikon COOLPIX P1/P2 Other Features
- Highly portable dimensions of 91 x 60 x 39mm (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.5 in.) (W x H x D)
- Minimized weight of approximately 170g (6 oz.) (without battery and memory card)
- BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the best exposure automatically from ten sequential shots
- Choice of Graphic User Interface (GUI) lets users select functions by either name or icon
- Handy HELP button displays easy-to-understand explanations for functions on the main menu
- Menu available in a choice of 12 languages (German/English/Spanish/French/Italian/Dutch/Swedish/Japanese/Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese/Korean/Russian)
- In addition to a selection of 16 Scene Modes, Nikon adds a new level of fine control by providing Advanced Scene Modes for 11 of the Scene Modes.
- Rechargeable EN-EL8 lithium-ion battery is capable of shooting approximately 180 shots on a single charge*
- Macro mode lets the user compose as close as 4cm from the subject
- e-VR (Electronic Vibration Reduction) automatically compensates for camera shake during movie shooting
- Noise Reduction produces clearer images at shutter speeds slower than 1/4 second (in Programmed Auto Mode or Aperture-priority Auto Mode)
- Time zone function lets users set the camera clock to local time, anywhere in the world
- All buttons are positioned on the camera back for easy, intuitive access
- 4x digital zoom provides further compositional freedom
- Single AF and Continuous AF are available for selection in Movie Mode
- Choice of White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 5-mode manual (Direct sunlight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Shade and Speedlight) and White balance preset
- Playback options: Single, 4- and 9-segment thumbnail, Slideshow

* Approx. 180 shots with the COOLPIX P1/ approx. 190 shots with the COOLPIX P2; figures based on CIPA standard, image mode set to Normal, image mode at 8M for the COOLPIX P1/ 5M for the COOLPIX P2