Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4 Digital Cameras

Feb 21st, 2006.

Nikon has today introduced the Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4 compact digital cameras, both offering 8.1 megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD monitor. The most exciting feature about the Coolpix P3 and P4, however, is that they are the first Nikon Coolpix compact digital cameras to include Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) capability.

Note: The Nikon Coolpix 8800, a considerably larger camera, was the first Coolpix prosumer camera to incorporate an image stabilizer.

The Coolpix P3 and P4 feature the VR (Vibration Reduction) system originally developed for Nikon SLR cameras. Comprising two modes, both cameras offer selection of either VR Normal mode that compensates for the minor camera movement commonly encountered when taking handheld shots, and VR Active mode that compensates for more pronounced movements, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle. Providing a shooting experience similar to shooting at shutter speeds three stops faster, VR enables photographers to shoot without blurring in lower light, keeps subjects clear when panning, and also helps support faster framing on the LCD. VR (normal) also applies to movie shooting.

The main difference between the Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 is that the Coolpix P3 also offers the option of wireless transfer. Similar to the feature found on the Nikon Coolpix P1 and P2, the Wi-Fi option on the Coolpix P3 allows the photographer to send pictures from the memory card or the camera’s internal memory direct to a selected computer on command. Another option on the Nikon Coolpix P3 allows for the automatic transfer of each picture to a selected computer by Wi-Fi as soon as it is shot. Images can be viewed in a full screen slideshow with Nikon’s included easy-to-use PictureProject software as they are being captured.

Nikon PD-10 Wireless Print Adapter

The Nikon Coolpix P3 also deliver the option of cable-free direct printing to PictBridge-compatible printers with the optional Nikon PD-10 wireless print adapter, eliminating the need for having the printer connected to a computer.

The Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4 offer a selection of Advanced Scene shooting modes (same as Coolpix P1 and P2), which cover the most common picture taking situations. Comprising three different effects (Normal, Effect 1, Effect 2), these Advanced Scene Modes enable users to produce pictures better suited to their personal tastes.

The Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4 also provide an Aperture-priority Auto Mode that offers 10-step manual control over aperture settings in 1/3EV increments.

Major Features
Specifications
Press Release

Advanced Scene Modes
Providing users with much closer control over the appearance of the final image, the Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4 offer a selection of Advanced Scene Modes in addition to their ample range of conventional Scene Modes. Giving a choice of three different effects (Normal, Effect 1, Effect 2), these Advanced Scene Modes can produce results that match personal preferences more closely.

Wide 11-Area Autofocus (AF)
Covering a broader area of the frame, 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in more diverse compositions - leaving photographers free to concentrate on the shot while the camera automatically achieves superior, sharp focus.

Aperture-priority Auto Mode
The Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4 also come with the advantage of Aperture-priority Auto Mode. Offering 10-step manual control in 1/3EV increments, it lets the user decide depth of field while the camera automatically ensures optimal exposure.

Features for in-camera improvement
The Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4 even feature a range of functions that give users the ability to refine images in-camera. Nikon’s unique D-Lighting Function is available in Playback Mode for the correction of images with insufficient flash or excessive backlight. Just select the image you want to improve and D-Lighting creates a copy with automatically added detail and light wherever necessary.


Image Taken in Back Light Situation		Image After D-Lighting Fix In Camera

Portrait (Face AF) has the unique ability to detect human faces in the shot, providing sharp, appropriate focus, when the subject is facing the camera from a typical portrait distance. There’s also In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which corrects for the unfortunate red-eye effect that can be caused by flash to make for more pleasing portraits in low light.

Wireless LAN support (IEEE802.11b/g)
Supporting wireless transfer, the Nikon Coolpix P3 is able to transfer pictures from the memory card to a computer at the user’s command. Enabling wireless shooting, the camera can transfer each individual picture to a computer as soon as it is shot. The Nikon Coolpix P3 also offer wireless printing, (requires optional Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10), which combines the advantages of wireless transfer and PictBridge direct-printing technology to achieve simple printing of pictures without the inconvenience of being attached to a computer.

The Wi-Fi transfer options on the Nikon Coolpix P3 include:

Easy Transfer: Transfer all images from memory (internal or SD card)
Transfer by Date: Transfer all images taken on a specific date
Transfer Selected: Transfer selected images from memory
Transfer Marked: Transfer marked images from memory
Shoot and Store: Transfer images direct to computer as they are taken. Images are saved on the computer. User can select to have the camera store the image on the memory card as well.
PC Mode: Use Pictureproject software (from the computer) to instruct camera to transfer images by Wi-Fi.

Nikon Coolpix P3 Wi-Fi Side

Top blue LED flashes when Wi-Fi active on the P3

PictureProject Software
The Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4 both come bundled with a complimentary copy of Nikon’s PictureProject software. As well as offering accelerated speed, this latest version of PictureProject also offers support for the Wi-Fi functions of the Coolpix P3 and includes a handy setup utility as well as intuitive controls. Whether you are new to digital photography or a seasoned user, PictureProject fulfills your desire by complementing your picture-taking experience with in-computer activities that are fun, easy, and productive. PictureProject software is a convenient tool to help you Transfer, Organize, Edit, Design and Share your images.

Nikon Coolpix P3 Top

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Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4
Specifications

Press Release, Feb 21st, 2006 - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the Nikon Coolpix P3 and Coolpix P4. Two compact digital cameras combining an exceptional 8.1 megapixels of resolution with an array of advanced features, the Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 take picture-taking enjoyment a step ahead.

The Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 feature a 1/1.8-inch CCD. And because they offer 8.1 effective megapixels of image resolution, both cameras deliver outstanding imaging power that's not only enough to show beautiful skin texture and capture the myriad colors of the human eye, but also enough to ensure shots stay breathtakingly clear even when significantly enlarged. They also each incorporate a 36-126mm (35mm equivalent) Zoom-Nikkor lens that offers ample freedom to zoom in for close compositions, zoom right out to capture breathtaking scenery and even enjoy macro shooting from as close as 4cm.

Perhaps the most exciting element of the Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4, however, is the innovative VR (Vibration Reduction) capability. Originally developed for Nikon SLRs, lens shift VR capability is available in two modes that compensate for camera movement to realize a shooting experience akin to shooting at shutter speeds three stops faster. VR Normal compensates for the minor movements that can happen all too easily during handheld shooting, while VR Active compensates for more pronounced movements - so you can even achieve rock-steady results while shooting from a moving vehicle, for example. Allowing photographers to shoot without blurring in lower light and keeping subjects clear during pan shooting, VR also extends to movie shooting and even helps support faster framing on the large 2.5-inch 150,000-dot LCD.

Delivering further photographic fun and freedom through built-in Wi-Fi capability, the Nikon Coolpix P3 offers IEEE 802.11b/g LAN support. Surprisingly easy to set up and use, it lets users send images instantly to a computer as soon as they're taken, or alternately send all images stored on memory to a computer in one go. Wireless freedom also extends to printing too, so users can carry out cable-free printing to PictBridge-compatible printers*.

A range of advanced imaging features make the Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 stand out from other compact digital cameras, giving photographers greater control to produce shots more aligned with discerning personal tastes. 11 wide-area AF achieves more accurate autofocus through analysis of a larger area of the frame. As a result, photographers can experiment with more imaginative compositions, with main subjects positioned away from the center or multiple subjects, and still be assured of crisp, sharp results.

Both cameras offer Aperture-priority Auto mode to let photographers benefit from aperture control in 1/3EV steps, so they can select large apertures for attractive background blurring or stop down to small apertures to extend crisp focus into the distance - all while the camera automatically selects the most appropriate shutter speed for optimized exposure. And for all kinds of shooting, an on-screen histogram provides analytical assistance for exposure. Surprisingly easy to understand, it displays shadow levels on the left and highlight levels on the right on the large LCD, so users can avoid under- and overexposure before even pressing the shutter.

There's also range of Advanced Scene modes (9 Advanced Scene modes; 7 Scene modes) that give photographers the ability to capture a single scene with entirely different moods through the use of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, sharpness, noise reduction and more.

Helping photographers capture the action as it happens, the Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 also feature continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second. This capability is also complemented by 5 shot buffer shooting that allows users to keep shooting in a continuous burst and have the camera record the last five images taken. Such functionality can be great when trying to capture an event that could happen at any imminent moment.

The Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 make it easy to shoot movies with sound, with a choice of three modes offering up to 30fps performance. There's also a Time-lapse movie mode that uses pictures shot with the Interval timer shooting function to create a movie in which the action appears speeded up.

Images can even be improved in-camera through the use of three innovative Nikon functions. Face-priority AF** cleverly detects people's faces to achieve sharp focus on them, no matter where they happen to be located in the frame. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix helps users make red-eye a thing of the past. Detecting the annoying red-eye effect that can sometimes occur in flash photography, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix provides automatic compensation for more flattering, natural-looking portraits in low light. There's also Nikon's unique D-Lighting function available in playback mode, which can improve underexposed images or shots taken with too much back light by creating a copy of an image with added light and detail wherever necessary and well-exposed areas left exactly as they were.

Operation of the Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 is exceptionally smooth and user-friendly. Icons are clearer and have optimal proportions, users can opt to select functions by either name or icon, and all menus and icons have been created with a new color scheme that's easier on the eye. The Coolpix P3 and P4 have also been made even more desirable through attention to sophisticated design. In fact, the exteriors have been created to convey a distinct air of quality, with attractive yet simple lines that also make the camera fit more comfortably in the hand. The use of aluminum throughout the exterior builds on this sense of quality, while the lens and grip sections have been given a flatter, space-efficient form. Furthermore, various different materials have been incorporated into the design to provide visually appealing contrast.

Like all Coolpix cameras, the Coolpix P3 and P4 come bundled with Nikon's complimentary and exclusive PictureProject software. Now featuring special Wi-Fi functions for use with the Coolpix P3, PictureProject adds even more possibilities to digital photography. Complete with an interface that's easy for virtually anyone to use, it makes for simple image editing and supports easy image organization and sharing, while compatibility with a range of plug-ins lets users add exciting new capabilities on demand.