PMA 2006: The Nikon Coolpix P3 and Nikon Coolpix P4 are announced. 8.1 megapixels, 3.5x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD. Coolpix P3 available end of February for £349.99 / €459. Coolpix P4 available mid March for £329.99 / €399.

Nikon Press Release

Higher performance, further functionality and extended photo enjoyment in attractive body.

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX P3 and COOLPIX P4. Two compact digital cameras combining an exceptional 8.1 megapixels of resolution with an array of advanced features, the COOLPIX P3 and P4 take picture-taking enjoyment a step ahead. The COOLPIX P3 and P4 feature a 1/1.8-inch CCD. And because they offer 8.1 effective megapixels of image resolution, both cameras deliver outstanding imaging power that’s not only enough to show beautiful skin texture and capture the myriad colors of the human eye, but also enough to ensure shots stay breathtakingly clear even when significantly enlarged. They also each incorporate a 36-126mm (35mm equivalent) Zoom-Nikkor lens that offers ample freedom to zoom in for close compositions, zoom right out to capture breathtaking scenery and even enjoy macro shooting from as close as 4cm.

Perhaps the most exciting element of the COOLPIX P3 and P4, however, is the innovative VR (Vibration Reduction) capability. Originally developed for Nikon SLRs, lens shift VR capability is available in two modes that compensate for camera movement to realize a shooting experience akin to shooting at shutter speeds three stops faster. VR Normal compensates for the minor movements that can happen all too easily during handheld shooting, while VR Active compensates for more pronounced movements – so you can even achieve rock-steady results while shooting from a moving vehicle, for example. Allowing photographers to shoot without blurring in lower light and keeping subjects clear during pan shooting, VR also extends to movie shooting and even helps support faster framing on the large 2.5-inch 150,000-dot LCD.

Delivering further photographic fun and freedom through built-in Wi-Fi capability, the COOLPIX P3 offers IEEE 802.11b/g LAN support. Surprisingly easy to set up and use, it lets users send images instantly to a computer as soon as they’re taken, or alternately send all images stored on memory to a computer in one go. Wireless freedom also extends to printing too, so users can carry out cable-free printing to PictBridge-compatible printers*.

A range of advanced imaging features make the COOLPIX P3 and P4 stand out from other compact digital cameras, giving photographers greater control to produce shots more aligned with discerning personal tastes. 11 wide-area AF achieves more accurate autofocus through analysis of a larger area of the frame. As a result, photographers can experiment with more imaginative compositions, with main subjects positioned away from the center or multiple subjects, and still be assured of crisp, sharp results.

Both cameras offer Aperture-priority Auto mode to let photographers benefit from aperture control in 1/3EV steps, so they can select large apertures for attractive background blurring or stop down to small apertures to extend crisp focus into the distance – all while the camera automatically selects the most appropriate shutter speed for optimized exposure. And for all kinds of shooting, an on-screen histogram provides analytical assistance for exposure. Surprisingly easy to understand, it displays shadow levels on the left and highlight levels on the right on the large LCD, so users can avoid under- and overexposure before even pressing the shutter.

Helping photographers capture the action as it happens, the COOLPIX P3 and P4 also feature continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second. This capability is also complemented by 5 shot buffer shooting that allows users to keep shooting in a continuous burst and have the camera record the last five images taken. Such functionality can be great when trying to capture an event that could happen at any imminent moment.

The COOLPIX P3 and P4 make it easy to shoot movies with sound, with a choice of three modes offering up to 30fps performance. There’s also a Time-lapse movie mode that uses pictures shot with the Interval timer shooting function to create a movie in which the action appears speeded up.

Images can even be improved in-camera through the use of three innovative Nikon functions. Face-priority AF** cleverly 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 helps users make red-eye a thing of the past. Detecting the annoying red-eye effect that can sometimes occur in flash photography, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix provides automatic compensation for more flattering, natural-looking portraits in low light. There’s also Nikon’s unique D-Lighting function available in playback mode, which can improve underexposed images or shots taken with too much back light by creating a copy of an image with added light and detail wherever necessary and well-exposed areas left exactly as they were.

Operation of the COOLPIX P3 and P4 is exceptionally smooth and user-friendly. Icons are clearer and have optimal proportions, users can opt to select functions by either name or icon, and all menus and icons have been created with a new color scheme that’s easier on the eye. The COOLPIX P3 and P4 have also been made even more desirable through attention to sophisticated design. In fact, the exteriors have been created to convey a distinct air of quality, with attractive yet simple lines that also make the camera fit more comfortably in the hand. The use of aluminum throughout the exterior builds on this sense of quality, while the lens and grip sections have been given a flatter, space-efficient form. Furthermore, various different materials have been incorporated into the design to provide visually appealing contrast.

Like all COOLPIX cameras, the COOLPIX P3 and P4 come bundled with Nikon’s complimentary and exclusive PictureProject software. Now featuring special Wi-Fi functions for use with the COOLPIX P3, PictureProject adds even more possibilities to digital photography. Complete with an interface that’s easy for virtually anyone to use, it makes for simple image editing and supports easy image organization and sharing, while compatibility with a range of plug-ins lets users add exciting new capabilities on demand.

* Requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
** Face recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.

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

Nikon COOLPIX P3/P4 Feature Highlights

Vibration Reduction
The COOLPIX P3 and P4 feature the VR (Vibration Reduction) system originally developed for Nikon SLR cameras. Comprising two modes, it allows selection of VR Normal mode that compensates for the minor camera movement commonly encountered when taking handheld shots, and VR Active mode that compensates for more pronounced movements, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle. Providing a shooting experience akin to shooting at shutter speeds three stops faster, it enables photographers to shoot without blurring in lower light, keeps subjects clear when panning, and also helps support faster framing on the LCD. What’s more, the benefits of VR (Normal mode) assurance also extend to movie shooting so users can capture action with welcome stability.

Built-in Wi-Fi capability
The COOLPIX P3 comes with built-in Wi-Fi capability that’s easy to set up and virtually effortless to operate. Adding greater freedom and versatility to compact digital photography, such IEEE 802.11b/g support means users can send individual images from the camera to a computer the moment they are shot. Users can also send a whole batch of images to a computer simultaneously and even carry out cable-free printing with PictBridge-compatible printers*.
* Requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.

Advanced imaging features
The COOLPIX P3 and P4 also offer a range of imaging capabilities extending beyond the norm. Covering a broader area of the frame, 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in more diverse compositions – leaving photographers free to concentrate on the shot while the camera automatically achieves superior, sharp focus. Advanced Scene modes allow photographers to produce pictures better suited to their own personal tastes – offering a choice of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, sharpness, noise reduction and more so that the same scene can be captured to convey entirely different moods. The COOLPIX P3 and P4 also offer the versatility of Aperture-priority Auto mode, which gives photographers control over aperture while the camera automatically selects the optimal corresponding shutter speeds, so users can choose larger apertures to achieve attractive background blur, for example, or select a smaller aperture to extend sharp detail into the distance.

Features for in-camera image correction
The COOLPIX P3 and P4 feature a selection of three Nikon innovations that give the photographer the ability to actually improve the quality of images in-camera. The Face-priority AF* function has the ability to cleverly locate the presence of human faces in the frame and then provide optimized focus accordingly for sharper portraits time after time. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix helps to eradicate the annoying red-eye effect that can sometimes be encountered during flash photography by detecting red eyes in the shot and compensating automatically. There’s also D-Lighting, which can improve underexposed images or shots taken with too much back light by creating a copy of a selected image with light and detail automatically added wherever necessary and well-exposed areas left exactly as they are.
* Face recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.

Nikon COOLPIX P3/P4 Other Features

  * Highly compact dimensions of (W x H x D) 92 x 61 x 31mm (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.) excluding projections
  * Carry-anywhere light weight of approx. 170g (5.6 oz.) (without battery and SD memory card)
  * USB connectivity enables fast data transfer to computers and other peripherals
  * Battery Charger MH-61 supplied
  * Ample 23MB (approx.) of internal memory, SD Card compatibility
  * BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest image automatically from ten sequential shots
  * Date Search function makes it easy to locate a desired shot
  * Menu available in a choice of 20 languages
    German/ English/ Spanish/ French/ Italian/ Dutch/ Swedish/ Japanese/ Simplified Chinese/ Traditional Chinese/ Korean/ Russian/ Thai/ Portuguese/ Polish/ Indonesian/ Finnish/ Danish/ Norwegian/ Czech
  * Rechargeable EN-EL5 Li-ion Battery (supplied) can shoot approx . 200 shots on a single charge
  * Direct printing with PictBridge-compatible printers via USB cable
  * Macro Mode lets users compose as close as 4cm from the subject
  * Noise Reduction produces better results when shooting in low light
  * Time zone function enables the camera clock to be set to local time, anywhere in the world
  * 4x digital zoom extends compositional freedom
  * Continuous shooting at up to 1.8fps
  * Choice of White Balance
    Auto with TTL control, 7-mode manual (Direct sunlight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Shade, Flash and White Bal. Preset)
  * Voice memo appends 20 seconds of audio to a selected photograph

Nikon Digital Camera COOLPIX P3/P4 Specifications

Type Compact digital camera
Effective pixels 8.1 million
CCD 1/1.8-inch high-density CCD (8.3 million total pixels)
Image modes 8M (3264), 5M (2592), 3M (2048), PC (1024), TV (640), 3:2 (3264)
Lens 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor; 7.5-26.3mm (35mm [135] format equivalent to approx. 36-126mm); f/2.7-5.3; 7 elements in 6 groups; Digital zoom: up to 4x
Focus range 30cm (1 ft.) to infinity (?), 4cm (1.6 in.) to infinity (?) in Macro mode
LCD monitor 2.5-inch type, 110,000-dot TFT LCD monitor with brightness adjustment
Storage Media Internal memory (approx. 23MB), SD memory card
Shooting Modes Auto, Programmed Auto, Aperture-priority Auto mode, 9 Advanced Scene modes (Portrait [Face AF], Portrait, Night Portrait, Landscape, Night Landscape, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Fireworks Show, Close Up), 7 Scene modes (Party/Indoor, Panorama Assist, Beach/Snow, Back Light, Museum, Copy, Sports), BSS (Best Shot Selector), Date Imprint, Self-timer (3, 10 sec.)
Movie With sound: TV movie (640) at 30fps, Small size (320) at 30fps, Smaller size (160) at 30fps; Without sound: Time-lapse movie at 30fps, lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction) Normal available
Vibration Reduction (VR) Lens shift VR (Normal/Active/Off)
Capture modes 1) Single, 2) Continuous (approx. 1.8fps), 3) Multi-shot 16 (approx. 1.7fps, only available at image size 8M), 4) Ultra HS (approx. 30fps up to 100 shots), 5) 5 shot buffer (approx. 1.8fps), 6) Interval timer shooting
Number of frames
(w/ internal memory)
8M: FINE approx. 6, NORMAL approx. 12, BASIC approx. 23
Built-in flash Range: Approx. 0.4-4.0m/1 ft. 4 in. - 13 ft. 1 in. (W), Approx. 0.4-2.0m/1 ft. 4 in. – 6 ft. 7 in. (T); Flash modes: Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Flash Cancel, Anytime Flash and Slow sync.
Interface P3: IEEE 802.11b/g, USB, Audio Video output
P4: USB, Audio Video output
Wireless capability P3: IEEE 802.11b/g, wireless range up to 30m (depending on environment)
Supported languages Total of 20 languages:
German/ English/ Spanish/ French/ Italian/ Dutch/ Russian/ Swedish/ Japanese/ Simplified Chinese/ Traditional Chinese/ Korean/ Thai/ Portuguese/ Polish/ Indonesian/ Finnish/ Danish/ Norwegian/ Czech selectable in menu display
Power requirements Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5 (supplied), AC Adapter EH-62A (optional)
Battery life (approx.) 200 shots with EN-EL5 (based on CIPA standard)
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 92 x 61 x 31mm (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.) excluding projections
Weight (approx.) 170g (5.6 oz.) without battery and SD memory card
Supplied Accessories** Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5, Battery Charger MH-61, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP14, Strap, PictureProject CD-ROM
Optional Accessories AC Adapter EH-62A, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5, Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10 (P3 only)

*Supplied accessories may differ by country or area.

PictureProject System Requirements
OS Macintosh: Mac® OS X version 10.1.5 or later (version 10.2.8 or later required for Burn Disc option)
Windows: Windows® XP Home Edition / Professional, Windows® 2000 Professional, Windows® Me, Windows® 98SE pre-installed models
RAM Macintosh: 64MB or more recommended
Windows: 64MB or more recommended (128MB with Pictmotion option)
Hard disk 60MB required for installation
Display 800 x 600 or more with 16-bit color (full color recommended)
Others CD-ROM drive required for installation
Only built-in USB ports are supported

Microsoft® and Windows® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Macintosh® and QuickTime® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The FotoNation logo is a trademark. The SD logo is a trademark. PictBridge is a trademark. D-Lighting technology is provided by Apical Limited. Face-priority AF technology is provided by Identix®. Pictmotion contains patented technologies provided by muvee Technologies Pte. Ltd. Products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. February 2006