Steve's Digicams - Breaking News - Nikon 05/28/03 Press Release

Nikon Announces World’s First Digital Cameras That Remove Red-Eye Automatically, Right In The Camera

MELVILLE, NY, February 12, 2004 – 2 cameras. 5.1 and 4.0-megapixels. Nikon In- Camera Red-Eye Fix, an industry exclusive. Nikon’s pro-quality grade ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass. PictBridge?-enabled, for direct printing to compatible printers. An all-metal body weighing in at just 5.5 ounces. Now that we have your attention, Nikon continues its sweep in 2004 as it announces two sexy new consumer digital cameras – the Nikon Coolpix 5200 and 4200. No matter what your lifestyle, a Nikon Coolpix digital camera provides a way to capture it.

The Nikon Coolpix 5200 and 4200 pack power, flexibility and portability into one beautiful and easy-to-use design. These latest additions to the award-winning Nikon Coolpix (www.nikoncoolpix.com) line of consumer products offer ultra-fast operation and a brand new digital "bag of tricks," sporting new and enhanced features like fixing red-eye right in the camera, enjoying built-in memory to store extra photos and having the full range of Nikon’s Scene Modes at your fingertips, to help every shooter take masterful shots on the go or on the job.

"The Nikon Coolpix 5200 and 4200 come at a great time when consumers are beginning to look for more power packed into a smaller package," said Jerry Grossman, vice president of marketing, Nikon Inc. "The Coolpix 5200 is the perfect travel companion, powerful enough to take on vacation yet small enough to pocket. The Coolpix 4200 provides enough versatility to stowaway in a briefcase or shoulder the burden for small business applications. Any way you use them, these newest additions to the Coolpix line are well-suited to go anywhere and easily take great pictures."

Vital Statistics - Nikon Coolpix 5200 and Nikon Coolpix 4200

The Nikon Coolpix 5200 offers 5.1 effective megapixels of shooting prowess and is the perfect "anywhere you go" camera. Its size and power make it perfect for travelers and fans of recording life as it happens. The Nikon Coolpix 4200 utilizes a 4.0 effective megapixel CCD and has the necessary muscle for a wide range of applications. This camera’s versatility makes it ideal for both work and play. Both cameras now feature Nikon’s own pro-quality ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass for clearer, crisper, sharper images. Each camera incorporates Nikon’s renowned enhanced image-processing technology, which gives photographers the freedom to shoot wider, crop in tighter and make larger prints, without having to sacrifice the quality of the image.

With a maximum image size of 2592x1944 pixels, the Nikon Coolpix 5200 can produce beautiful prints at sizes of up to 11x14-inches while the enhanced resolution of the Nikon Coolpix 4200 delivers high-quality images at up to 8x10-inches (2272x1704 pixels).

First Camera Available With In-Camera Red-Eye Fix – The Eyes Matter

The Nikon Coolpix 5200 and Coolpix 4200 are the newest weapons in the war against red-eye. No more highlighting or hand painting. The exclusive Nikon red eye fix feature is activated when the camera is set to the red eye reduction flash mode. A pre-flash minimizes red eye as the first step. The camera then analyzes the picture using powerful image processing and analysis technology. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix incorporates years of image processing and imaging analysis technology and know-how. The process is completely automatic and transparent to the users. The user will simply experience a reduction in the number of pictures with red eye. There are limitations to the feature as the system is optimized to the flash operating distance.

Legendary Nikkor Optics – The Lens Matters

No matter the type or size of a camera, great pictures begin with great lenses. More professionals choose Nikkor lenses than all other brands combined. That very same quality is built into the Nikkor lens of every Nikon Coolpix digital camera, including the Nikon Coolpix 5200 and Coolpix 4200. Both the Nikon Coolpix 5200 and Coolpix 4200 have a zoom range of 38-114mm (both in 35mm equivalents). Designed To Make Photography Simple – Features Matter

• Coolpix 5200 – 5.1 effective megapixels, 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens, 38-114mm, in 35mm equivalent

• Coolpix 4200 – 4.0 effective megapixels, 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens, 38-114mm, in 35mm equivalent

• 12MB of internal memory and compatibility with SD memory cards

• In-camera image correction with Advanced Red-eye Reduction

• One function-One button design

• AF assist illuminator

• 15 Scene Modes including four with Scene Assist (Portrait, Night portrait, Landscape, Sports); Other Scene Modes (Sunset, Close up, Museum, Beach/Snow, Fireworks show, Back light, Party, Copy, Dusk/Dawn, and Night landscape)

• New Panorama Assist Mode

• Unmatched red-eye reduction capabilities in conjunction with flash and In Camera Red-Eye Fix software

• Macro shooting capability as close as 1.6 in.

• Nikon’s Best Shot Selector (BSS) takes a series of shots, then automatically picks and records the clearest one

• Three Movie Modes on the Coolpix 5200 (with sound), including TV movie (640) at 30fps,

• Small size (320) at 30 fps, and Smaller size (160) at 30fps

• Coolpix 4200 is 15fps for all movie modes

• All movies on both cameras are recordable until SD memory card is full

• Plug-and-play USB interface for smooth connection to a computer

• Blur Warning alerts user to photos that are not sharp

• Can be powered by proprietary Li-ion rechargeable battery (supplied) or disposable Duracell® CP1 Prismatic battery

• Battery life of up to 320 shots

• Offers direct print capability through support of PictBridge? and USB Direct Print

• In-camera editing tools such as cropping and date imprinting

• Both cameras can display photos directly onto a television

The Camera Is Only Half the Fun – Sharing Matters

Both new digital cameras incorporate PictureProject®, a completely new software package aimed at creating a simple, intuitive and seamless photographic experience for digital photographers of all skill levels. The software automatically and transparently searches for images on the computer and creates a virtual map, or directory, to provide instant access to all stored images without having to search through hard disk directories. Users can search for images using their own keywords or attributes based on personal preference making the search process painless.

PictureProject delivers powerful tools that will make the process of transferring, organizing, editing, and sharing digital images easy, productive, and fun.

All Nikon Coolpix cameras include a host of exciting programs from ArcSoft® including VideoImpression? to edit and share QuickTime? movies taken with the camera and Panorama Maker?, which lets users easily stitch together a number of images captured using the Panorama Assist Scene Mode, to create beautiful panoramic photos. Those interested can pick up helpful tips and techniques on how to maximize the experience with a digital camera at www.coolpix101.com

The Nikon Coolpix 5200 and Coolpix 4200 provide users with all the equipment they need to get started including the new PictureProject photo management software, wrist strap, USB cable, video cable, Li-ion rechargeable battery and quick charger.

The Nikon Coolpix 5200 will have an MSRP of .95 while the Nikon Coolpix 4200 will be available at an MSRP of .95. Both cameras will be available nationwide in Spring 2004. For information about these and other exciting new Nikon products, please visit www.nikoncoolpix.com .

Nikon...If the picture matters, the camera matters?. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging technology and is recognized worldwide for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; 35mm compact cameras; Nikon Coolpix® compact digital cameras; Coolscan® digital film scanners; Nikonos® underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics.