14.5MP Nikon S710 has ISO fever, advanced features

Written by Adorama News Writer
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Published on August 6, 2008
Adorama News Writer
Adorama ALC

ay, so you can only get 3MP images at this sensitivity, and we are certain the image quality will be remarkably noisy, but still. Other than that, the camera manages to squeeze many advanced controls into its small body: P, S, A, and M exposure modes (the kind more commonly found on DSLRs), close-up, portrait, landscape, backlight, night portrait and night lansdscape scene modes, as well as features found on all of Nikon’s current compact cameras: in-camera red-eye fix, face-priority AF, smile mode, optical VR image stabilization, motion detection, and D-lighting. The camera has a 3-inch LCD monitor and accepts SDHC memory cards. The Nikon Coolpix S710 will be available in September for approximately $379.95.



For details and specifications, read the Nikon USA press release:



Nikon Blends Sleek Styling and Advanced Photo Features in New 14.5 Megapixel Coolpix S710 Camera



New Technology Makes Its Way into Stylish S-Series



MELVILLE, NY (Aug. 7, 2008) – Nikon Inc. today announced the chic COOLPIX S710, a premium compact camera that not only masters the ease-of-use a compact camera offers, but also successfully incorporates many of the functions creative photographers demand from their traditional SLR cameras like Program, Aperture, Manual and Shutter priority modes. Further expanding the Style series of COOLPIX cameras, the S710 features 14.5 megapixels of ultra-sharp resolution, the precision optics of a 3.6x Zoom-NIKKOR wide-angle glass lens and the contours and fine finish of a stainless steel body.



“With the S710, Nikon is further distinguishing itself as a leader in design and innovation,” said Bill Giordano, general manager Marketing, COOLPIX products for Nikon Inc. “The COOLPIX S710 answers a consumer demand to offer familiar creative options available to digital Nikon SLR users in the compact, easy-to-use design of a COOLPIX camera.”



Full-Time Optical VR Image Stabilization Technology



For sharp photos, the COOLPIX S710 has four features to reduce image blur: full-time Optical VR Image Stabilization technology, which compensates for camera shake%3B a new Motion Detection feature, which automatically adjusts the camera to a higher ISO sensitivity setting and shutter speed, enabling the user to capture sharper images of moving subjects%3B Best Shot Selector, which snaps multiple frames and automatically selects the best one%3B and a high ISO range. The S710 leads the COOLPIX S-series of cameras with outstanding ISO capabilities up to 12,800*, providing a superior range for low-light performance.



New Scene Auto Selector Mode



The S710 also provides users with creative options for composing and capturing life’s varied moments, thanks to the addition of exposure modes and a new Scene Auto Selector Mode. Once only available to users of Nikon’s SLR and COOLPIX P-Series cameras, the S710 now offers Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-priority Auto [S], Aperture-priority Auto [A] and Manual [M] modes. The new S710 also includes Scene Auto Selector Mode, which automatically selects the right scene mode for the image you are shooting for trouble-free photography. The camera will select between six common scene modes: Close-up, Portrait, Landscape, Backlight, Night Portrait, and Night Landscape.



In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™, D-Lighting and Face Priority AF



In line with previous COOLPIX cameras, Nikon has incorporated user-friendly imaging innovations into the new S710 that are designed to make the photo-taking process fun and easy. These technologies, referred to as “Nikon In-Camera Innovations” include In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™, D-Lighting, and Face Priority AF. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. Nikon’s new enhanced Face-Priority AF automatically finds and focuses on up to 12 faces within one frame. This feature also provides faster and sharper focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subjects are positioned in the frame. In playback mode, D-Lighting compensates for excessive back-light or insufficient flash in images.



Large, Bright 3.0-Inch LCD Monitor



For sharing and easy composing, the S710 features a huge, bright 3.0-inch LCD monitor with an anti-reflective coating and viewing angle of 170 degrees, easing the composition of photos, even in direct sunlight.



The new S710 camera is compatible with new high-capacity SDHC cards, and utilizes a new slim EN-EL12 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The S710 also comes bundled with the COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images. The S710 will also be featuered in three new ultra-cool colors%3B Graphite Black, Deep Red, and Brilliant Silver.



Price and Availability



The Nikon COOLPIX S710 will be available nationwide beginning September 2008 at a MSRP of $379.95.** For more information about the S710 and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikonusa.com.



* ISO 6400 and 12,800 are available only for images of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller


** Estimated selling price listed is only an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.


Nikon COOLPIX S710 Feature Highlights



Exposure modes that offer greater creative freedom



Four exposure modes accessed via the Rotary Multi Selector provide greater control over the expression of results. Programmed Auto [P] mode automatically selects shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure. Shutter-priority Auto [S] lets the user select shutter speed while the camera sets the optimal aperture. Aperture-priority Auto [A] offers 10-step manual control over the aperture setting to let the user decide depth of field. And Manual [M] exposure mode provides full control over both the shutter speed and aperture settings.



Advanced shooting modes



The COOLPIX S710’s new Scene Auto Selector provides carefree shooting in a variety of scenes by automatically distinguishing the setting and then selecting the scene mode appropriate to that situation. Smile Mode helps to faithfully record precious smiles in the brief instants they appear.



Optical VR image stabilization helps ensure clearer results



Optical lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction) is field proven technology originally developed for Nikon SLR camera lenses. It counteracts the effects of camera shake in lower light or when shooting unsteady subjects to help achieve sharper results and allow shooting at shutter speeds as much as three steps slower without blurring the image And active full time, it stabilizes images displayed on the 3.0-inch LCD monitor for easier framing and more reassured shooting.



Motion Detection helps ensure clearer results



When the COOLPIX S710 detects camera shake or subject movement while shooting, it automatically selects a higher ISO sensitivity setting to enable the use of faster shutter speeds. In doing so, it reduces the possibility of image blur to help provide sharp pictures.



ISO 12800 capability provides extended shooting range for clearer results



Light sensitivity can be manually set as high as ISO 12800*. In Auto Mode, ISO control automatically selects the optimal sensitivity setting for the shot across a range up to ISO 1600. High ISO Sensitivity Auto is also available across a range of ISO 100 to ISO 3200.



* ISO 6400 and 12800 are available only for image sizes of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller.



Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor for quality viewing and menu operation



Almost defying the compact body proportions of the COOLPIX S710 is a high quality 3.0-inch LCD monitor. Features include 230k-dots of high resolution, a wide-viewing angle of 170 degrees, a protective acrylic panel that prevents scratches and fingerprints, and anti-reflection coating for better display in bright situations.


Nikon COOLPIX S710 Other Features



Three Unique Nikon Image Innovations: Face-priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting

Macro shooting from as close as 10 cm (4 in.)

3.6x digital zoom extends compositional freedom

16 handy scene modes for optimized results in various shooting situations

Four movie modes with sound

Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations

Light weight and highly compact

SDHC card compatibility*

Approx. 42 MB of internal memory

USB (Hi-Speed) connectivity

*Not compatible with Multi Media Card (MMC).

Nikon COOLPIX S710 Specifications



Effective pixels: 14.5 million


Image sensor: 1/1.72-in. CCD%3B total pixels: approx. 15.0 million


Lens: 3.6x Zoom-NIKKOR%3B 6.0-21.6mm (35mm [135] format picture angle: 28-101mm)%3B f/2.8-5.6%3B 7 elements in 6 groups%3B Digital zoom: up to 4x (35mm [135] format picture angle: 404mm)


Focus range (from lens): 50cm (1 ft. 7.7 in.) to infinity (?) at wide-angle, 80cm (2 ft. 7.5 in.) to infinity (?) at telescopic%3B Macro close-up mode: 10cm (4 in.) to infinity (?)


Monitor: 3.0-in., approx. 230k-dot, wide-viewing angle TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating


Storage media: Internal memory (approx. 42 MB), SD memory cards*1


Image size: (pixels) 4352 x 3264 (High: 4352/Normal: 4352), 3264 x 2448 (Normal: 3264), 2592 x 1944 (Normal: 2592), 2048 x 1536 (Normal: 2048), 1024 x 768 (PC: 1024), 640 x 480 (TV: 640), 4352 x 2448 (16:9), 1920 x 1080 (16:9)


Vibration Reduction (VR): Optical lens shift VR


ISO sensitivity:
ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400*2, 12800*2, Auto (auto gain ISO 100-1600), High ISO Sensitivity Auto (ISO 100-3200)


Interface: Hi-Speed USB


Power sources: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 (supplied), AC Adapter EH-62F (optional)


Battery life: Approx. 250 shots with EN-EL12 battery


Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 92.5 x 57.5 x 24.0 mm (3.6 x 2.3 x 1.0 in.) excluding projections


Weight: Approx. 155 g (5.5 oz.) without battery and SD memory card


Supplied accessories*3: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12, Battery Charger MH-65, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP14, Strap AN-CP19, Software Suite CD-ROM


Optional accessories: AC Adapter EH-62F



*1
Not compatible with Multi Media Cards (MMC).


*2
Setting is available only for image sizes of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller.


*3
Supplied accessories may differ by country or area.