Nikon Coolpix S2 is announced today. The Nikon Coolpix S2 is an updated version of the S1 digital camera (which is only just starting to appear in stores). The main changes to the 5 megapixel Nikon S2 are the addition of a weather-proof body and a sliding lens mechanism. The Coolpix S2 is also slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessor. Release date for the Nikon COolpix S2 is 10th June 2005 and price £299.99 / €448.00 / $429.

Nikon UK Press Release

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX S2 which boasts stylish, slim dimensions (it’s just 22mm deep), a bright 2.5 -inch LCD screen and a range of innovative, highly intelligent Nikon functions. 

Great images, whatever the weather
The aluminum exterior of the COOLPIX S2 is both stylish and practical, it provides a splash-proof* water resistance facility for outdoor use which ensures great photographs, even in the rain. Thanks to the 5.1 megapixels and a versatile 35-105mm 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor ED† lens (35mm equivalent), the COOLPIX S2 guarantees sharp, clear results and faithful colour.

Making the most of your images
The COOLPIX S2 contains a range of unique Nikon features which enable the user to get better results when shooting in difficult conditions.  Nikon’s exclusive D-Lighting function automatically compensates pictures taken with excessive backlight or insufficient flash. D-Lighting adds light and detail to darker parts of images while leaving areas with desirable exposure exactly as they are. Nikon’s in-camera Red-Eye Fix function automatically detects the red eye effect that can be caused by the flash when taking a photograph and then digitally corrects it in-camera.

The camera features the clever face priority AF function, which has the ability to detect human faces in the frame and then provide optimal automatic focus for sharper, more satisfying portraits. Another handy feature is the Blur Warning function which lets the user know when an image has been compromised by camera shake, enabling re-composition for better results.

Easy to use
The COOLPIX S2 features a “right-angle” optics system, allowing the lens to function without protruding from the camera body.  The inclusion of a large, bright 2.5-inch LCD monitor makes it easy to compose shots and play back the results - eliminating the need for a viewfinder. 

The COOLPIX S2 has also been specially designed for easy operation, with a Graphic User Interface (GUI) that allows the user to select functions by either name or icon and a handy help button that displays explanations for functions on the main menu.

Not only is the new COOLPIX S2 attractive, but technical innovation has ensured that the camera is also energy efficient, allowing it to take up to 190 images with an EN-EL8 rechargeable battery (based on CIPA standard‡). The camera has also been designed to allow swift continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second (approx.).

In the box
The COOLPIX S2 COMES complete with the COOLSTATION MV-12, which allows batteries to be charged without removing them from the camera body and can connect the camera to a television or computer vis USB. 

Like all the cameras in the successful COOLPIX range, the COOLPIX S2 offers a selection of handy scene modes that makes it easy to get good results in every day situations.  The camera has sixteen scene modes, four of which feature Scene Assist, to allow the user to select the one best suited to the subject, be it sunset or portrait, and then leave the camera to select the best settings automatically.

Despite its ultra slim dimensions, the COOLPIX S2 can also be used to record movies with sound, offering a choice of four movie modes with shooting at up to 15 frames per second and VGA resolution. The COOLPIX S2 contains 12MB of internal memory and is compatible with SD memory cards.

The COOLPIX S2 is PictBridge compatible, which allows the user to connect the camera directly to a compatible printer, eliminating the need for a computer. The camera also comes complete with Nikon’s PictureProject software, which makes it easy to edit, organize and share images.

*According to Nikon test results, the body of the COOLPIX S2 offers “splash-proof” water resistance equivalent to IEC 60529 IPX4. It is not waterproof and should never be immersed in water.
† Nikon’s ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass offers superior sharpness and optimal COLOUR correction.
‡ Industry standard for measuring life of camera batteries. Measured at 25ºC (77ºF); zoom adjusted with each shot, built-in flash fired with every other shot, image mode set to Normal.

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

Nikon COOLPIX S2 Features

  * Highly portable dimensions of 91.9 x 59 x 22mm (3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.) (W x H x D)
  * Minimized weight of approximately 140g (4.9 oz.) (without battery and memory card)
  * BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the best exposure automatically from ten sequential shots
  * 4 of the 16 Scene Modes offer Scene Assist (Portrait, Night Portrait, Sports, Landscape)
  * 3 movie modes with sound and Time-lapse movie mode
  * Noise Reduction achieves more faithful colour reproduction when used in combination with some Scene Modes
  * Time zone function enables local time to be set regardless of where you are in the world
  * Voice Recording Mode saves up to 30 minutes of audio, or up to 5 hours with a 256 MB SD card
  * All buttons are thoughtfully located on the camera back for easy access
  * 4x digital zoom
  * Single AF and Continuous AF are selectable in Movie Mode
  * Choice of White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 5-mode manual (Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy and Speedlight) and Preset
  * Playback options: Single, 4- and 9-segment thumbnail, Slideshow
  * Built-in flash: features settings for Auto, Red-eye Reduction by pre-flash, Anytime flash, Flash cancel and Slow sync.

Nikon Digital Camera COOLPIX S2 Specifications

Type:
Digital camera COOLPIX S2

Effective pixels:
5.1 million

CCD  
1/2.5-inch type (5.36 million total pixels)

Image modes: 
High (2592*), Normal (2592), Normal (2048), PC (1024), TV (640)

Lens: 
3x Zoom-Nikkor ED; 5.8-17.4mm (35mm [135] format equivalent to 35-105mm); f/3.0-5.4; 12 elements in 10 groups; Digital zoom: up to 4x

Focus range:
30cm (12 in.) to infinity (∞) 4cm (1.6 in.) to infinity (∞) in Macro Mode

LCD monitor:
2.5-inch type, 110,000-dot Amorphous silicon TFT LCD monitor with brightness adjustment

Storage media: 
Internal memory: approx. 12MB, SD memory card

Shooting modes: 
Auto, Scene Assist (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night portrait), Scene (Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night landscape, Close up, Museum, Fireworks show, Copy, Back light, Panorama assist, Voice recording), BSS (Best Shot Selector), Blur Warning, Date imprint, Self-timer (10 sec.)

Movie: 
With sound: TV movie (640) at 15fps, Small size (320) at 15fps, Smaller size (160) at 15fps; Without sound: Time-lapse movie at 15fps

Capture modes: 
1) Single, 2) Continuous (approx. 1.8fps), 3) Multi-shot 16 (16 frames 1/16 in size)

Number of frames (w/ Internal memory):
5M: High (2592*) approx. 5, Normal (2592) approx. 10, 3M: Normal (2048) approx. 17

Built-in flash: 
Range: 0.3-2.5m/ 1’ - 8’2” (W), 0.3-1.4m/ 1’ - 4’7” (T); Flash modes: Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Anytime Flash, Flash Cancel and Slow sync.

Interface: 
USB (via COOL-STATION MV-12)

Water resistance:
Equivalent to IEC 60529 IXP4 (“splash proof”)*

Supported languages:
German/English/Spanish/French/Italian/Dutch/Swedish/Japanese/Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese/Korean/Russian selectable in menu display

Power requirements: 
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL8 (supplied), AC Adapter (supplied)

Battery life (approx.): 
Approx. 190 images with EN-EL8 Rechargeable Battery (based on CIPA standard†)

Dimensions (W x H x D):
Approx. 91.9 x 59 x 22mm (3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.)

Weight: 
Approx. 140g(TBD) (4.9 oz.) (without battery and memory card)

Supplied Accessories‡: 
COOL-STATION MV-12, Strap, USB Cable UC-E10, Audio Video Cable EG-E5000, AC Adapter EH-63, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL8, PictureProject CD-ROM

Optional Accessories: 
COOL-STATION MV-12, USB Cable UC-E10, Audio Video Cable EG-E5000, AC Adapter EH-63, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL8, Battery Charger MH-62

* The body of the COOLPIX S2 offers “splash proof” water resistance equivalent to IEC 60529 IPX4. It is not waterproof and should never be immersed in water.

† Industry standard for measuring life of camera batteries. Measured at 25°C (77°F); zoom adjusted with each shot, built-in flash fired with every other shot, image mode set to Normal.
‡ 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: Minimum 64MB /
Windows: Minimum 64MB (128MB with muvee option)

Hard disk
60MB required for installation

Display
800 x 600 or more with 16-bit COLOUR (full COLOUR 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®. 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.
©2005 NIKON CORPORATION