Nikon launches Coolpix S2

Nikon today launched the Coolpix S2 5.1 megapixel ultra-slim digital camera. The camera has a slim, splash-proof compact design with a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The Coolpix S2 benefits from Nikon's Exclusive Feature System made available through its Coolpix line of products and even incorporates a 16th Scene Mode -- Voice Recording Scene Mode -- to its arsenal of on-board technology. These features include Nikon's exclusive Face Priority Auto Focus, which ensures that faces remain in focus when shooting portraits by automatically sensing the presence of a human face within the frame and setting accurate focus points accordingly.

The result is a sharp portrait with the press of a button. The S2 also boasts Nikon's renowned In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM) technology, which detects and corrects red eyes in most typical situations without the need to press buttons or select and highlight the eyes in playback. The D-Lighting feature can be selected in Playback mode - automatically compensating for insufficient flash or excessive back lighting in order to obtain balanced exposure throughout the frame.

Nikon Coolpix S2 specifications:
-- 5.1 effective megapixels
-- 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED Glass lens with a focal range equivalent to that of a 35-105mm lens in 35mm format
-- Compact dimensions of (W x H x D - 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 inches)
-- Light weight of approx 4.9 oz. (without battery and memory card)
-- COOLSTATION MV-12 cradle included for easy downloading of images and recharging the battery in the camera
-- AF-assist illuminator can be switched on and off
-- 256-segment Matrix Metering with Center-weighted, Spot, or Spot AF metering
-- 7 manual white balance settings and White Balance Bracketing
-- Direct printing with PictBridge compatibility
-- 4 of the 16 Scene Modes offer Scene Assist (Portrait, Night Portrait, Sports, Landscape)
-- World Time function allows local time to be set easily anywhere
-- USB compatibility enables swift transfer of image data to computers
-- Voice memo function records up to 20 seconds of sound that can then be attached to an image
-- 4x digital zoom capability
-- Choice of Single AF and Continuous AF
-- Options for playback: Single, 4- and 9-segment thumbnail, Slideshow, 10x magnification
-- Built-in Speedlight: features settings for Auto, Red-eye Reduction by pre-flash, Anytime flash, Flash cancel and Slow sync.


The Nikon Coolpix S2 will become available this spring for $449.95.