Nikon Announces Coolpix P60 With Manual Control

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Jan. 28, 2008 –* Nikon today announced the Coolpix P60 point-and shoot, an 8.1-megapixel model with face detection and vibration reduction optical image stabilization. The P60 tempts beginners and more experienced users alike with a combination of automatic and manual controls. It will retail for $229.95 when it is released in March.

'Great for the camera enthusiasts, the Coolpix P60 offers structure and substance,' says Bill Giordano, general manager, marketing, Coolpix for Nikon Inc. 'The P60 blends a familiar and classic Nikon design with new features and technology"

The P60 keeps the same megapixel count and introductory price of its predecessor, last year’s P50, but increases the optical zoom from 3.6x to 5x. The P60 has Nikon’s EXPEED image processor, which promises better image quality at higher ISO sensitivities. Like the P50, the P60 can reach ISO sensitivities of up to ISO 2000.

Auto and Manual modes give users the option to control more or less functions on the camera. Auto mode automatically chooses shutter and aperture settings, while the P60’s Manual mode offers control over both. The P60 also has 15 Scene modes, covering the basics like Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Beach, and Snow. In addition, four Movie modes allows the user to be creative in their shooting.

In addition to the LCD, the P60 features an electronic viewfinder, a rare find on modern digital cameras. The electronic viewfinder can make shooting in bright light easier, when the sun may wash out the LCD screen. A viewfinder also helps save battery life by allowing users to switch off the LCD.

The P60’s face detection automatically focuses and exposes on up to five faces in the screen, and automatic red-eye fix removes red-eyes post-capture. A D-Lighting function also helps compensate for excessive backlighting or insufficient flash in captured images.

The P60 runs on two AA batteries, is PictBridge compatible, and includes Nikon’s Coolpix Software Suite.