Nikon has expanded its Coolpix lineup with a quartet of new cameras; the S2500, the S3100, the S4100 and the S6100 all profess to give you exactly what you need when out and about and wanting to snap that perfect moment.
The good news for you is that Pocket-lint has already bagged a hands-on of the new models so you can see them in the flesh.
The Nikon Coolpix S2500
“The stylish Coolpix S2500 offers impressive value for such a top quality camera,” is the way that Nikon describes the S2500, and that should tell you pretty much what to expect from the budget snapper.
For your money, you’ll get a slim (20mm) aluminium body camera with a Nikkor 4x wide-angle zoom lens and 12 megapixel sensor. To appeal to those who need all the help they can get taking a picture, the camera features Nikon’s Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Skin Softening tech and a 2.7-inch LCD screen.
There are 17 scene modes to choose from and four different case colours: red, pink, black and silver. Delicious and dinky, pictured in the gallery in silver.
The Nikon Coolpix S3100
The Coolpix S3100 will replace the Nikon Coolpix S3000, the Nikon Coolpix S4100 will offer smart touch operation of the same model, while the 16-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S6100 compact shooter will come with a 7x zoom lens to top off the range.
In the hand and the Nikon Coolpix S3100, complete with its ultra-slim (18.4mm) body, greater zoom, improved screen brightness and HD (720p) movie recording, is an ideal party camera, offering easy functions and is small enough to slip into any pocket or bag.
You’ll also get a 5x wide-angle zoom Nikkor lens with a 14-megapixel CCD image sensor and that dedicated movie-record button really does push the ability to record movies.
Software wise there’s friendly features like Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Skin Softening and as previously with Nikon there is the option to “pimp” your photos with filter effects, allowing you to edit images in-camera, without needing a computer.
Talking of pimping, the camera will come in purple, red, black, blue, pink, citrus yellow and silver.
Nikon told us that they expect the S3100 to be a big seller and you can expect to see it appearing on the TV as Nikon continues its high profile sponsorships. It is pictured in the gallery in blue.
The S3100 will cost £129.99 and be available, says Nikon, from the 17 March 2011.
The Nikon Coolpix S4100
The S4100 is also a 14-megapixel camera coming in five colours, including red, bronze and purple; it has an 3-inch high resolution 460K-dot touch control LCD screen.
In use and that touchscreen does need a little more prodding than we expected to get the menu options to pop-up, but it was simple enough to navigate. Both the S3100 and S4100 are a little small in the hand, which ladies might like, but ham-fisted gents might not.
There’s also high-definition (720p) movie mode that you can access by the same (as the S3100) dedicated movie-record button. It works, but we weren’t able to delve deep into analysing any footage here - we were playing with pre-production samples, but full reviews will come in good time.
Like the S3100 you’ll get a wide angle 5x zoom Nikkor lens and in-camera editing. It is pictured in the gallery in that bronze colour.
The S4100 will cost £149.99 and be available, says Nikon, from 24 February 2011.
The Nikon Coolpix S6100
If you’re looking for a bit more zoom then you’ll be wanting the Nikon Coolpix S6100 that comes with a 7x zoom, not 6x as the name might suggest.
The S6100 looks to replace the Nikon Coolpix S5100. It packs a further 2 megapixels in its shell bringing the total to 16 megapixels. Like the S4100 you’ll get a 3-inch high resolution 460k-dot touchscreen display, that dedicated movie button and HD video recording.
On the software side of things there are four different anti-blur functions that automatically minimise the effects of camera shake, subject movement or low light.
The Coolpix S6100 comes in five colours: violet, black, red, pink and silver, the glorious violet is pictured in the gallery (admittedly a little dark) and we have to say that the S6100 feels like a great camera in the hand.
The S6100 will cost £199.99 and be available from the 24 February 2011.
Be sure to stay tuned, we'll be reviewing all of Nikon's new releases in the not-too-distant future.