Nikon’s S560 stresses user friendliness

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

inch monitor, as well as 15 scene modes. The new scene auto selector will analize the scene and choose the appropriate scene mode settings for optimal exposure. Other features to help snappers capture better shots include blink warning, smile detection (locks the shutter until the subject smiles), optical VR image stabilization, face-priority AF, in-camera red-eye fix, and D-lighting, which lightens shadows to reveal details. The Nikon Coolpix S560 will be available in September and will list for $249.95.



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



Nikon’s New Coolpix S560 Offers Easy-To-Use Technology and a Dazzling Camera Design



New Features like Scene Auto Selector Mode, Smile Mode, and Smile Indicator Make Capturing Great Images a Snap



MELVILLE, NY (Aug. 7, 2008) – Nikon Inc. is pleased to introduce the COOLPIX S560, a stylish new compact camera that offers photographic performance and easy-to-use features and controls. Sporting 10 effective megapixels, a 5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization technology, and 15 user-friendly scene modes, the COOLPIX S560 is the perfect camera for photographers looking for a compact, lightweight camera that is user-friendly with great creative power.



“With the COOLPIX S560, consumers will be excited to discover the power that it packs in its compact camera body,” said Bill Giordano, general manager marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. “The S560 delivers cutting-edge performance and features, a beautiful compact design, and easy-to-use controls allowing consumers to look stylish while taking stunning photos.”



New Scene Auto Selector Mode



Making it easier for consumers to capture beautiful pictures, the new COOLPIX S560 comes with Nikon’s new 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. The S560 also contains several other unique shooting modes like Smile Mode, which automatically releases the shutter when the selected subject smiles%3B Food Mode, which automatically adjusts the white balance when capturing close-ups of food%3B and Portrait Mode, which contains two features: Smile Indicator, which automatically gauges the strength of a subject’s smile before shooting%3B and Blink Warning, which detects that a subject has blinked, offers a quick, magnified visual confirmation, and allows the shot to be retaken immediately to get the desired results.



Two New Shooting Modes: Auto Sort and Favorite Pictures Playback



In addition to these unique shooting modes, Nikon has added two modes designed to help enhance yet simplify consumers’ photo sharing experiences: Auto Sort Mode, which automatically categorizes images into folders for easy access, and Favorite Pictures Playback Mode, which takes selected photos in the Favorite folders and makes them an easily viewable slideshow.



Optical VR Image Stabilization technology



The S560 comes equipped with Optical VR Image Stabilization technology, which compensates for the effects of camera shake. The S560 sports a powerful 5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, which has the ability to cover normal through telephoto focal ranges, as well as macro shooting as close as four inches. The S560 has ISO capabilities as high as 3200*, adding the power to shoot sharper, more natural-looking photos in lower lighting conditions, as well as capture fast-moving subjects with outstanding clarity. Additionally, Auto ISO control can be set to automatically select the optimal sensitivity across a range of ISO 64-800 before taking a photo.



Elegant Design



The new COOLPIX S560 showcases stunning quality through its elegant camera body design. The camera body of the S560 features a distinctive contrast of gorgeous curves and artistically sculpted lines, as well as large controls and a comfortable thumb rest that provide simple operation. The S560 also incorporates an amazing 2.7-inch LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating, as well as new and improved shooting displays with revised icons designed to make menu navigation even easier.



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



Like all cameras in the COOLPIX line, the S560 has Nikon’s unique image innovations including: enhanced Face-Priority AF, which automatically finds and focuses on up to five faces within the frame%3B In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo%3B and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images.



The new S560 is compatible with new high-capacity SDHC cards and utilizes the new slim EN-EL12 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The camera comes bundled with the COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images. The S560 will also be featured in new ultra-cool colors: Graphite Black, Cool Blue and Cherry Blossom.



The Nikon COOLPIX S560 will be available nationwide beginning September 2008 at a MSRP of $249.95.** For more information about the S560 and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikonusa.com.



* ISO 3200 is available only for image sizes 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 S560 Feature Highlights



Automated and optimized operating modes



Nikon’s new Scene Auto Selector enhances the carefree shooting experience by automatically distinguishing the setting and then selecting the scene mode appropriate to that situation. Food Mode makes it easy to capture delectable close-ups of cuisine at the dinner table, even allowing for white balance to be adjusted while shooting. Allowing complete image management, the new Auto Sort automatically categorizes images into folders for easy access. With Favorite Pictures Playback, selected images in the Favorite folders can be viewed as a show.



VR image stabilization for sharper results



Compensating for the effects of camera shake to realize sharper results and contribute to a more reassuring shooting experience, image sensor shift VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization frees you to enjoy capturing special moments without worrying about slight hand movements. This is particularly helpful when taking advantage of the 5x zoom lens’ telephoto focal lengths, or when shooting in lower lighting conditions.



ISO 3200 capability provides extended shooting range



Light sensitivity can be manually set as high as ISO 3200*, adding the power to shoot sharper, more natural-looking photos in lower lighting conditions or to capture fast moving subjects with outstanding clarity. And the new image-processing system produces clear results with minimal noise when shooting with high ISO settings. Auto ISO control is also available, with the camera automatically setting the optimal sensitivity across a range of ISO 64 -800.



*ISO 3200 is available only for image sizes of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller.



Large 2.7-inch LCD monitor for quality viewing and menu operation



Practically defying the COOLPIX S560’s compact proportions is a high quality 2.7-inch LCD monitor with improved shooting displays and revised icons. Features include approx. 230k-dots of high resolution, a wide-viewing angle of 160 degrees, and anti-reflection coating for better display in bright situations.


Nikon COOLPIX S560 Other Features



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

15 handy scene modes for optimized results in various shooting situations

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

5x digital zoom extends compositional freedom

Active Zoom

Four movie modes with sound, plus time-lapse movie mode

Distortion control corrects for barrel distortion

Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations

SDHC card compatibility*

Approx. 44 MB of internal memory

USB connectivity

*Not compatible with Multi Media Card (MMC).




Nikon COOLPIX S560 Specifications



Effective pixels 10.0 million


Image sensor 1/2.33-in. CCD%3B total pixels: approx. 10.7 million


Lens 5x Zoom-NIKKOR%3B 6.3-31.5mm (35mm [135] format picture angle: 34.8-174mm)%3B f/3.5-5.6%3B 8 elements in 6 groups%3B Digital zoom: up to 4x (35mm [135] format picture angle: 696mm)


Focus range (from lens) 60cm (2 ft.) to infinity (?)%3B Macro close-up mode: 10cm (4 in.) to infinity (?)


Monitor 2.7-in., approx. 230k-dot, wide-viewing angle TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Storage media Internal memory (approx. 44 MB), SD memory cards*1


Image size (pixels) 3648 x 2736 (High: 3648/Normal: 3648), 2592 x 1944 (Normal: 2592), 2048 x 1536 (Normal: 2048), 2736 x 2736 (1:1 size: 2736), 1024 x 768 (PC: 1024), 640 x 480 (TV: 640), 3584 x 2016 (16:9)


Vibration Reduction (VR) Image sensor shift VR


ISO sensitivity
ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000, 3200*2, Auto (auto gain ISO 64-800)


Interface Hi-Speed USB


Power sources Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL11 (supplied), AC Adapter EH-62E (optional)


Battery life Approx. 160 shots with EN-EL11 battery


Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 93 x 54.5 x 23.5 mm (3.7 x 2.1 x 0.9 in.) excluding projections
Weight Approx. 130 g (4.6 oz.) without battery and SD memory card


Supplied accessories*3 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL11, Battery Charger MH-64, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP14, Strap AN-CP14, Software Suite CD-ROM


Optional accessories AC Adapter EH-62E

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


*2
ISO 3200 is available only for image sizes of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller.


*3
Supplied accessories may differ by country or area.