Nikon Breaks The Two-Megapixel Barrier: 2.11-Megapixel Coolpix(R) 950 & Coolpix(R) 700 Digital Cameras

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Committed to making the best better, Nikon USA today announced the next generation of Coolpix digital cameras: the breakthrough two-megapixel Coolpix(R) 950 and Coolpix(R) 700 cameras. Building on the unprecedented success and award-winning excellence of Nikon's Coolpix(R) 900 and Coolpix 900s -- rated the number one digital camera of 1998 by a leading, independent product testing organization -- the new Coolpix 950 and Coolpix 700 shatter the two-megapixel resolution standard and create vastly superior images, taking digital enlargements beyond the realm of 8"x10".

Faster, more responsive, technologically innovative, simpler to use and even smaller than their predecessors, both the Coolpix 950 and Coolpix 700 models feature world renowned Nikkor lenses. Priced at under ,000 and under respectively, these megapixel miracles will be on retail store shelves in early April 1999.

Images captured on the newly designed 2.11-megapixel, 1/2 inch CCD can now be saved in an uncompressed TIFF format plus three JPEG compression modes. Both cameras ship with an industry standard 8MB Nikon CompactFlash(TM) card. Additional Nikon CompactFlash cards are presently available at up to 64MB capacity (with still larger cards to be offered in the near future).

In addition to the increased resolution, other new Nikon technology innovations include fast two-second boot-up, Nikon's exclusive 256-element matrix metering and high precision autofocus. Both cameras feature high-speed continuous shooting of up to 2 frames per second. New technology and design also extends the battery life to up to two hours on the Coolpix 950 and up to three hours on the Coolpix 700. Both the Coolpix 700 and the Coolpix 950 accept Nikon's optional wide-angle and fisheye Coolpix lenses.

Nikon's Best-Shot Exclusive: For Pictures "Shaken-not Blurred" - New on the Coolpix 950 and Coolpix 700 is Nikon's exclusive Best-Shot Selector for shooting in moving or shaky environments. When engaged, Best-Shot Selector instantly snaps five frames. In a matter of seconds the program analyzes the image frequencies of the five shots, selects the best one and discards the other, effectively neutralizing camera movement that can blur or ruin a perfect picture.

The Coolpix 950: First, Fast and Nikon Through and Through Beyond the megapixel resolution revolution, the Coolpix 950 offers standard features previously found on the company's world-renowned film-based cameras as well as some innovations and enhancements found nowhere else. Users of the Coolpix 950 have a choice of three resolution modes: 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768 and 640 x 480 as well as automatic, shutter or aperture priority settings, a sensitivity gain control (the digital equivalent of using faster film) and a 5-mode tailored curve selection for printing or monitor display.

Among the camera's other features are a GPS input that allows photographers to geographically tag shot locations with satellite precision; three white balance settings (automatic, manual and preset); custom titling and renaming of files onboard, and firmware that is updateable via a CompactFlash card.

From its classic and sturdy black magnesium construction and the easy to use Command Dial (patterned after Nikon's professional single lens reflex cameras) to the easy to read two-inch LCD, 4746-step precision autofocus system and 3x optical zoom Nikkor lens (38-115mm equivalent) -- with a 2.5 digital teleconverter that extends the standard Nikkor 3x zoom's range to a 287.5mm equivalent -- the Coolpix 950 is quintessentially Nikon.

In addition to the optional wide angle and fisheye lenses for the Coolpix line, the Coolpix 950 also features an optional 2x optical teleconverter lens for serious long-range photography. When used in tandem with the camera's built in digital converter, this teleconverter extends the Coolpix 950's zoom range to a phenomenal 575mm equivalent.

Coolpix 700: Two-megapixels in a pocket-sized powerhouse Compact and lightweight, fully automatic and as simple to use as a point-and-shoot, the sleek, black Coolpix 700 is Nikon's second new 2.11-megapixel digital camera. Coolpix 700 incorporates many of the key attributes of the Coolpix 950 including Nikon's exclusive 256 element matrix metering system, the choice of two resolution settings (1600 x 1200 and 640 x 480), fast two-second start up -- save times and high-speed continuous shooting modes.

The Coolpix 700 features a clear and sharp 1.8-inch LCD, auto-focus Nikkor lens (38mm equivalent) and a digital zoom in five steps (up to a 95mm equivalent). Fast, efficient and flexible, the Coolpix 700 is the ideal choice for those who want Nikon Coolpix high image quality and reliability but don't require the more extensive photographic features of the Coolpix 950.