OK, these guys at Nikon have been very, very busy.
We had the DSLR’s announced last week, and now this new line-up of Coolpix point and shoots.
And some pretty amazing cameras, with features we did not expect.

First up is the S1000pj, and the pj doesn’t stand for pajamas.

We were blown away when the Nikon dude pulled out a piece of white card and PROJECTED the snaps he had taken onto it.
Seriously.
After being at a birthday party last Saturday, how much fun would it have been to have projected the photos of the event at the last place we ended up?

image is a simulation or for illustrative purposes only.

Project up to 40 in. with a throw of between 10in and 6ft, 6 in. This is too cool.
Battery life is listed at 1 hour but I’d get an extra if you’re going to be doing a lot of this. And you should.
Or plug into the wall. But imagine a camping trip with some extra entertainment? No more crowding around an LCD screen.
Sweet.

6400 ISO max, 12.1 megapixels, 5 way stabilization system including motion detection that knows when an object is moving and auto adjusts the ISO and shutter speed.

Oh, did we say there is a remote control AND a camera stand? Plus slideshow effects?
And a new Smart Portrait system that has a skin softening feature that will keep the eyes and teeth sharp and soften the face.
Yep, we dig this one for sure. About $430 list price.USD

Next up is the S70, (don’t worry, it does come in black) which takes on a lot of the same specs, plus effects AND is a touch screen camera. Kinda like my iPhone. They pioneered this with the famous Ashton Kutcher camera, the S230 and have added megapixels, Smart Portrait system, OLED screen, HD Movies at 720P, and a whole lot more.
Big diff here is, like an iPhone, it is completely run by a touch screen. And it was smooth as silk when we used it. Or touched it.
Nice and thin, with no “sticky-outy” lens. Yes, that is a technical term.
To us, anyway. Just under $400 MSRP. USD

On down the line is the S640. Full-tilt boogie on the same spec features as the other models above, but this one has incredibly fast start up time 0.7 secs! Claims to be the worlds fastest, actually. 4 Stabilization features on this one. Coming in at $250. USD

To save you some dough, the S570 will give you everything you need in a slim package, plus that 28mm lens. Goes up to 3200 ISO, yet still has all of the same Smart Portrait features as the rest of the new line-up. But electronic stabilization instead of optical. about $200. USD

All four have 28mm lens equivalent at the widest. 12 – 12.2 megapixel range, Smart Portrait functions, stabilization features.
Now, we were only able to handle these cameras for a short time bit, and haven’t shot with them, but sometimes a good gut feel is worth it.

Here’s is our 2 cents after seeing these in the flesh:

The S70 is the slickest, stylish one in the group. Slim, nice finish, full touch screen, hits all of our makes. Will slip into a pocket or suit jacket just fine.
Oh yeah, the pictures we saw were quite good. Of course.
The S1000pj has enough unique factor to make a strong consideration. If you’re a social being, and can’t wait to share the photographic love, you’ll get enough wow factor out of this for a good long while. Just get that extra battery.

The lenses on these two are slower at the wide end, yet faster on the long end than the next two. Go figure.

The other 2 new units in the line have great upgrades and share a lot of the same software features just added, so if bells & whistles aren’t a key factor, you will get a ton of great photos, and simply, with these 2 units.
And a snappy f/2.7 lens on the widest part of the zoom on these. Good for your low light needs.

We are convinced that with so many choices, you can go nutty choosing the right point and shoot.
The best method is to figure out what features you wanted in your current camera that are not there. Best place to start.
Necessity is the mother of decision, in our book.
That and the old wallet.

And we promise to do a video showing the new projector unit, when we get our hands on it.
You really have to see this.

All 4 will be available this September.

And here is the official Nikon pr release:

NIKON INTRODUCES FOUR NEW COOLPIX CAMERAS OFFERING SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE, DESIGN AND INNOVATION

Nikon Continues to Lead in Innovation with a New Touch Camera and First Compact Digital Camera with Built-in Projector*

MELVILLE, NY (Aug. 4, 2009) – Nikon Inc. continues its tradition of innovation, design and performance with the introduction of four new COOLPIX Style Series compact digital cameras. Building on the success of Nikon’s previous touch-screen models, the ultra-stylish COOLPIX S70 features an enhanced interface and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology for a new user experience, housed in a stylish, camera body. The COOLPIX S1000pj features the world’s first built-in projector, which enables consumers to share their images and videos in an all-new fun way. Additionally, the COOLPIX S640 and COOLPIX S570, leaders in speed and affordability, respectively, complete the new smarter, cooler, simpler COOLPIX line.
“These latest Nikon COOLPIX digital cameras reflect hallmarks of the COOLPIX line: performance, design and innovation,” said Bill Giordano, general manager marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. “With new features such as a built-in projector and new touch controls for viewing, shooting and zooming, these COOLPIX cameras will appeal to users of every level.”
The Nikon COOLPIX cameras incorporate Nikon’s world-class NIKKOR lenses, delivering accurate detail and brilliant color, as well as Nikon’s EXPEEDTM digital image processing concept, which ensures high-quality pictures with stunning color and sharpness. A new enhancement to Nikon’s Smart Portrait System that helps create beautiful portraits includes an all new Skin Softening feature designed to both smooth and even skin tones. Other COOLPIX features include Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization, minimizing blur that may appear in pictures, even in low-light or unsteady conditions; and Scene Auto Selector, which automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts camera settings accordingly.

NEW COOLPIX S70 FEATURES SUPERIOR STYLING AND OLED TOUCH-SCREEN INTERFACE

Built on the success of Nikon’s previous touch-screen models, COOLPIX S70 features Nikon’s newly developed 3.5-inch Clear Color Display and a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience. In addition to its photographic technology and stylish dual-texture design, the S70 captures stunning HD-video at 1280×720 pixels (720p).
New to the COOLPIX line, OLED technology offers the benefits of vivid color reproduction, sharp contrast and the absence of afterimages. The capacitive touch-screen provides an immediate response at the lightest touch of the display for a fun and intuitive feel to every camera operation. For example, using the Touch Shutter feature, users can have a completely “button-free” experience and focus on and photograph a subject by simply touching it on the camera’s display. The touch-screen also makes viewing and retouching images more fun and efficient. With the swipe of a finger, users can scroll through images and use a pinching motion with two fingers to zoom in or out on displayed images, switching between thumbnail and full screen views. Additional new touch-screen controls include on-screen sliders for adjusting brightness and Scene Effect Adjustment, which offers controls specific to the scene mode in use.
The COOLPIX S70 features 12.1 megapixels; a 5x wide angle zoom NIKKOR lens; ISO 6400***; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and an ultra-stylish design.
The S70 will be available in September 2009 for $399.95 MSRP in a choice of colors and textures including Red & Red, Champagne & Beige, Black & Black, or Champagne & Light Brown.

NEW COOLPIX S1000pj FEATURES WORLD’S FIRST BUILT-IN PROJECTOR, YOUR PERSONAL THEATER ON THE GO
Providing consumers with new exciting ways to share images, the COOLPIX S1000pj transforms photo-sharing into a multimedia experience. With the touch of a button, users can project images and videos as large as 40 inches, and with the camera’s unique slideshow function, playback pictures with music, effects and creative transitions. Additional features of the S1000pj include: 12.1 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens; ISO from 64-6400***; a 2.7-inch Wide Angle LCD display; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S1000pj will be available in Matte Black, in September 2009, for $429.95 MSRP.

NEW COOLPIX S640 IS SLEEK, FAST AND FULLY-LOADED WITH ENHANCED SPEED CAPABILITIES

For consumers who never want to miss a moment, the all-new COOLPIX S640 is Nikon’s performance leader in the S-Series lineup. High performance features include ultra-fast auto-focus, the fastest start up time in its class** of a mere 0.7 seconds and short shutter release time lag. Additional features of the S640 include: a slim, stylish all metal body; 12.2 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle NIKKOR lens; ISO from 100-6400 at full resolution; a 2.7-inch Clear Color LCD display; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S640 will be available in September 2009 for $249.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors including: Calm Black, Velour Red, Precious Pink, and Pearl White.

NEW COOLPIX S570 OFFERS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
AT AN ECONOMICAL PRICE POINT

Where style meets simplicity, the new COOLPIX S570 is ideal for entry-level consumers looking for a carefree shooting experience. The S570 features 12.0 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens; ISO 3200 at full resolution, a bright 2.7-inch LCD Display; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S570 will be available in September 2009, for $199.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors including Black, Red, Blue, and Pink.