“It’s the time, of the season for lo-o-v-ing” Zombies
And apparently, also the time of the season for the top 2 manufacturers to release a plethora of new compact cameras.

Including this one with a F/1.8 lens:

Today, Nikon Inc. announced the new COOLPIX P300, Nikon’s first compact digital camera to feature a super-fast Wide-Angle 4.2x Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens (24mm-100mm, 35mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 for capturing stunning, tack-sharp images and Full HD (1080p) video in a variety of lighting conditions. In addition to the widest aperture NIKKOR lens ever seen in a Nikon COOLPIX camera, the P300 also comes equipped with a 12.2-megapixel backside illumination CMOS sensor as well as a complement of other Nikon core technologies designed to prevail in even the most challenging light.

Created for the photo enthusiast who seeks creative control but will not compromise image quality for portability, the versatile P300 features manual controls, Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, and ISO sensitivity up to 3200. These features help create low noise images and faster shutter speeds, which minimize motion blur in low-light conditions like night portraits, even when handheld.

“The COOLPIX P300 reflects decades of optical experience and NIKKOR heritage that culminate to create this exciting compact camera offering for users yearning for more creative freedom,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. “The P300 is an excellent choice for the photographer who is looking for a compact camera with all the manual controls and advanced features that challenges them to take their creativity to new heights.”

Stunning Image Quality in Low-Light Conditions
Demanding low-light conditions and creative barriers are no match for the new COOLPIX P300. Superior image quality in low-light settings is achieved because of the P300’s powerful combination of a 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, High ISO Sensitivity, and the fast wide-angle f/1.8 lens. The CMOS sensor in the P300 is designed so that each pixel receives light more efficiently for superior performance. ISO performance of up to 3200 helps to ensure that images have low noise and amazing clarity while the wide aperture increases the amount of available light to the sensor. Nikon’s EXPEED C2 Image processing engine also participates in this phenomenal feat, enhancing overall speed and performance to deliver images that burst with vivid clarity and color.

Taking Creativity to New Heights
Designed to give users even more creative freedom in a compact body, the P300 comes equipped with several features commonly found in D-SLR cameras such Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Priority (S) and Full Manual (M) Control. Easily accessed through a top mounted control wheel, users are able to capture images missed by other cameras, while obtaining a desired look and feel to images by creatively adjusting shutter speed, depth of field, white balance and other settings. Users can also apply special effects to colors, and filter effects such as a cross screen or fisheye lens. The P300 also includes Nikon’s new Easy Panorama mode, to simply create vertical or horizontal panoramic shots automatically in-camera. Users can quickly and easily apply these settings, as well as review and share photos on the P300’s high resolution 921,000-dot 3-inch, LCD screen.

The new COOLPIX P300 also features several improved scene modes including Advanced Night Portrait mode, Night Landscape mode, and Backlight high dynamic range (HDR) mode. When Advanced Night Portrait mode is engaged, the camera captures the essence of night scenes by combining multiple background shots along with a subject flash shot. In Backlight HDR mode, the P300 combines multiple shots at different exposures while Night Landscape mode combines multiple shots taken with a faster shutter speed for reduced noise and improved tonal range throughout the photo.

While image quality and low-light shooting are main facets of the COOLPIX P300, the camera also has incredible video capabilities. The P300 records high quality Full HD 1080p movies at 30 frames-per-second (fps) with autofocus, stereo sound and the ability to use the optical zoom. With the P300, users will be able to easily access the camera’s video controls through its one-touch operation. Additionally, the Special Effects mode and a Creative Slider mode will allow ever more creative freedom when recording both movies and still images. Users can also adjust the recording speed of their movies to apply slow motion or high-speed special effects.

Additional COOLPIX Cameras Join the Low Light Fight
In addition to the launch of the COOLPIX P300 today, Nikon also launched several other COOLPIX low light all stars today, including the COOLPIX P500 and the S9100. Like the P300, the P500 and S9100 capture sharp, crisp images in demanding low-light conditions with accurate detail with the assistance of their backside-illumination CMOS sensor and VR technology. The P500 also features Nikon’s first 36x wide-angle optical Zoom NIKKOR ED glass lens with side zoom control and is versatile enough to capture photos that other cameras would miss. The S9100 is a full featured camera with a high-power 18x wide-angle optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens packed with high performance in compact, sophisticated designs for superior portability, which is equally stylish and useful.

and the full monty highlights

Highlights of the COOLPIX P500 include:
· 12.1-Megapixels and a 36x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens (22.5mm wide-angle to 810mm super-telephoto)
· Backside Illumination (BSI) CMOS sensor and EXPEED C2 dual image processors enable high-speed continuous shooting, exceptional low-light quality and advanced performance
· Quick autofocus, fast start-up, high speed performance and Full HD (1080p) recording
· Available in March 2011 for $399.95 in Black and Red

Highlights of the COOLPIX P300 include:
· 12.1-Megapixels and a 4.2x Wide-Angle, f/1.8 maximum aperture NIKKOR glass lens
· Backside Illumination (BSI) CMOS sensor, High ISO Sensitivity, and fast wide-angle f/1.8 lens result in superior image quality in low-light conditions
· Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Priority (S) and Full Manual (M) Controls easily accessed by the camera’s convenient Mode Dial
· Available in March 2011 for $329.95 in Black

Highlights of the COOLPIX S9100 include:
· 12.1-Megapixels and a 18x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens (25mm wide-angle to 450mm telephoto)
· Full HD (1080p) movie recording with one-touch operation, optical zoom, stereo sound and the ability to capture still images during recording
· Huge, Bright 3.0-inch high-resolution VGA (921,000-dot) Clear Color Display
· Available in March 2011 for $329.95 in Black, Red, and Silver

Highlights of the COOLPIX S6100 include:
· 16.0-Megapixels and a 7x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens (28mm wide-angle to 196mm telephoto)
· Touch Panel operation on huge, bright 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD
· HD Movies (720p) with HDMI connectivity
· Available in March 2011 for $199.95 in Silver, Red, Black and Violet

Highlights of the COOLPIX S4100 include:
· 14.0-Megapixels and a 5x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens (26mm wide-angle to 130mm telephoto)
· Ultra slim (0.8-inches) camera body, with One-Touch recording and moviemaking of HD Movies (720p) with sound
· Intuitive Touch Panel operation on bright 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD
· Available in February 2011 for $179.95 in Champagne Plum, Silver, Black and Red

Highlights of the COOLPIX S3100 include:
· 14.0-Megapixels and a 5x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens (26mm wide-angle to 130mm telephoto)
· Sleek camera design (0.8 inches, 4.2 ounces), 2.7-inch LCD and ISO Capability up to 3200
· Features 19 Scene Modes, including Portrait, Party, Landscape and Sunset – all of which automatically adjust camera settings to specific scenes
· Available in February 2011 for $139.95 in Silver, Red, Black, Yellow, Purple, Blue and Pink

Highlights of the COOLPIX L120 include:
· 14.1 Megapixels and a 21x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens (28mm wide-angle to 420mm super-telephoto)
· Advanced One-Touch HD (720p) Movie recording capabilities with Stereo Sound and Sports Continuous Shooting
· Features a 3.0-inch high-resolution HVGA (921,000-dot) LCD Color Display, Five-way VR Image Stabilization, Motion Detection and 17 Scene Modes
· AA-battery power
· Available in February 2011 for $279.95 in Black, Bronze and Red

Highlights of the COOLPIX L24 include:
· 14.0 Megapixels and a 3.6x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens (37mm wide-angle to 134mm telephoto)
· Incredible 3.0-inch LCD and ISO 1600 Capability
· Easy Auto Mode automatically selects the best settings for a photograph and a Scene Mode system that allows the user to choose from 16 scenes to find the best one for the situation
· AA-battery power
· Available in February 2011 for $119.95 in Red, Black and Silver