How many times have you marveled at the full moon on a clear night, swore you’d get that shot that would have rivaled Melies in personality, and NASA in clarity?

You pull out your longest lens (300mm?), get the tripod set, aim and shoot. OK, you change exposure and shoot again. In post you intend to blow up that pup till it looks large and looming. And you kinda get it. Sharpen it to death, add contrast and you’re close. But no cigar.

Nikon is about to release a camera that will get that shot and more. The P600

I first saw one of their high power zooms at CES a couple of years ago. Pointing up at the ceiling at LVCC, the grid around a bulb could be picked out. This new camera with a 24- 1440mm lens equivalent, may just get you a clean snap of the filament burning inside.

This incredibly powerful, zoom lens camera, has built in VR. It better have , with lens lengths like that.
But when I talked about the moon, I wasn’t kidding.

For the first time, there is a MOON mode in the scene selection. Fine, maybe the Cosmos isn’t your thing.
Did the bird photographers out there just realize what they could get in a compact camera that shoots RAW, and has a 1440mm lens?? Of course they did.

Plus there is a new improved digital zoom, called Dynamic Fine Zoom, which will give you and equivalent of a 2880mm zoom.I haven’t seen this so I wont comment. It sounds pretty cool, but we have all shyed away from digital zooms, and Nikon promises to have taken the curse off of this iteration.

Love the vari-angle LCD for getting that Hail Mary shot above the crowd. Perfect when you are 5’8″ like me.
HD video with 1080/60i FOCUS PEAKING!!!which allows for a color outline to appear on your subject to help you insure focus (yes, we like this especially with the extreme zoom lengths)Sony has had this feature in the NEX camera and it is uber helpful in critical focusing.
Finally built in wi-fi, and the price? a shocking $499.00 . At that kind of price, I’ve got to get one. Too convenient and versatile not to. Yes, it does come in RED or BLACK.
There are other new models being released, and you’ll get varying combos of features: less megapixel for less dollars; wi-fi dongle instead of built in; less lens throw.
The only thing they haven’t published yet is the ISO range.

Here is the official word and other new release info.
New High Power Zooms Allow Users to Get Closer Than Ever Before
COOLPIX P600: Pushing NIKKOR optics to great lengths, the new COOLPIX P600 boasts an impressive 60x optical zoom from a wide-angle 24mm to an unbelievable 1440mm (35mm equivalent) range with the capability to reach even further using 120x Dynamic Fine Zoom*. Lens Shift Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization is also incorporated to help reduce the effects of camera shake, allowing users to capture clear photos from incredible distances. With built-in Wi-FiⓇ connectivity1, users can show off these amazing photos with family and friends immediately by transferring images to a compatible smart device and uploading them to their social networks.

In addition to photographing from a distance, the P600 also lets the user compose the ideal photo or video from any angle with help from a high resolution (921k-dot) 3.0-inch (7.5cm) Vari-angle LCD display. Users can shoot above a crowd at a sold-out concert or get low to capture a baby’s first steps. With a 16.1-megapixel backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, the COOLPIX P600 is capable of capturing detailed photos and Full HD 1080/60i video, even in challenging lighting conditions. The P600 also sports advanced features that appeal to serious photographers including full manual controls (P, S, A, M), an electronic viewfinder and an improved battery life that allows up to approximately 330 shots per charge. What’s more, the new Moon and Bird Watching Scene modes make it easier than ever to enjoy the extreme zoom range.

COOLPIX P530: The new COOLPIX P530 also demonstrates the capabilities of NIKKOR optics through an astounding 42x optical zoom with a 24-1000mm range (35mm equivalent) and 84x Dynamic Fine Zoom* that gets the user even closer. This long-zoom offering affords the ability to capture subjects at otherwise unreachable distances in clear detail thanks to Lens Shift VR image stabilization, which helps minimize camera shake. At the core of the P530 is a 16.1-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor that delivers beautiful photos and Full HD 1080/60i videos. Whether a user is looking to grow their photography skills or wanting more control over every shot, the P530 includes full manual controls (P, S, A, M). To help frame stunning photos and HD videos, the COOLPIX P530 sports a 3.0-inch (7.5cm) LCD monitor and a built-in electronic viewfinder, while users can also share their creations with friends and family when connected to the optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter.

COOLPIX S9700: With a 30x optical zoom (25-750mm, 35mm equivalent) and 60x Dynamic Fine Zoom* packed into a compact body, the new COOLPIX S9700 is putting the power of NIKKOR optics into the hands of users who demand high quality images from a camera small enough to keep up with their active lifestyle. To help eliminate camera shake when utilizing this impressive zoom range, the S9700 incorporates Lens Shift VR image stabilization for share-worthy portraits or action shots. Sharing can happen immediately with the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi1 capability by transferring images to a compatible smart device and uploading them to social networks. Further enhancing the sharing of memories on an exciting trip, the COOLPIX S9700 also includes built-in GPS technology that lets the user see the exact longitude and latitude of where an image or video was captured.
A 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor contributes to the amazing image quality by producing breathtaking photos and Full HD 1080/60i videos. The COOLPIX S9700 also implements Hybrid VR image stabilization for stable video recording, even while handheld. From composing the perfect shot to viewing the photo in crisp detail, the COOLPIX S9700’s high resolution (921K-dot) 3.0-inch (7.5cm) bright OLED monitor helps the user do it all accurately.
Powerful Performance in a Compact Camera
COOLPIX P340: With a versatile 5x (24-120mm, 35mm equivalent) wide-angle to telephoto zoom range plus 10x Dynamic Fine Zoom*, and a super-fast f/1.8 maximum aperture lens with Lens Shift VR image stabilization, the COOLPIX P340 utilizes the strength of NIKKOR optics to capture super-sharp photos and Full HD 1080/60i videos with low noise and amazing color. The wide and bright f/1.8 lens gives users the ability to control depth of field and shoot in a wide variety of lighting conditions. This powerful compact camera also incorporates a large 1/1.7-inch, 12.2-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor for superior image quality, and a host of advanced features including full manual controls (P, S, A, M) and RAW (NRW) image capture.
Composing and capturing photos, when inspiration strikes, is simple with the P340’s high resolution (921K-dot) 3.0-inch (7.5cm) LCD monitor and sleek, portable design that fits comfortably in any handbag or shirt pocket. Sharing that inspirational image can also happen on the fly with the built-in Wi-Fi connectivity1 where users can transfer images to a compatible smart device and upload them to their social networks. Proving that great things can come in small packages, the new COOLPIX P340 is a sophisticated camera option for demanding photo enthusiasts who seek more power and versatility in a compact camera. Composing and capturing photos, when inspiration strikes, is simple with the P340’s high resolution (921K-dot) 3.0-inch (7.5cm) LCD monitor and sleek, portable design that fits comfortably in any handbag or shirt pocket. Sharing that inspirational image can also happen on the fly with the built-in Wi-Fi connectivity1 where users can transfer images to a compatible smart device and upload them to their social networks.
Price and Availability
The COOLPIX P600 will be available in February 2014 in Black and Red for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $499.95**, while the COOLPIX P530 will be available in February 2014 in Black for a SRP of $449.95**. Additionally, the COOLPIX S9700 will be available in February 2014 in Black and Red for a SRP of $349.95**. Lastly, the COOLPIX P340 will be available in March 2014 in Black for a SRP of $379.95**.
Additionally, the COOLPIX S9700 will be available in February 2014 in Black and Red for a SRP of $349.95**. Lastly, the COOLPIX P340 will be available in March 2014 in Black for a SRP of $379.95**.

In order to give consumers a more effective way to understand the benefits of each COOLPIX camera and to help users determine the best camera to fit their lifestyle, Nikon has segmented the COOLPIX series into five categories: Advanced Performance, Fun & Innovative, Ultra-Slim Zoom, Comfort Long Zoom and Budget Friendly. For more information about these and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikonusa.com.