Nikon today unveiled three powerful new Coolpix digital cameras designed for photographers who appreciate lens quality, performance and versatility. These three new cameras -- the flagship Nikon Coolpix 8800, the wide-angle Nikon Coolpix 8400 and the 4-megapixel, 8.3x zoom Nikon Coolpix 4800 -- are each designed to appeal to quality and performance conscious consumers within the rapidly expanding high-level digital camera market. Among the accolades owned by Nikon Coolpix cameras (http://www.nikondigitalusa.com), the line now offers the longest zoom range (35-350mm) available in the 8-megapixel category, the widest angle of coverage (24mm) of any compact digital camera on the market, and the first 8-megapixel 10X zoom digital camera with Vibration Reduction (VR).

"Nikon has consistently expanded the digital market by developing products and technology that help produce the sharpest images, regardless of the photographer's skill level," said Jerry Grossman, VP of Marketing for Nikon, Inc. "These three dynamic new cameras set new benchmarks for Nikon and are engineered to deliver Nikon digital photography at competitive prices, and respond to the public's growing desire for high-featured, easy-to-use digital cameras."

The new Coolpix 8800 and 8400 boast Nikon's proprietary In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM), which automatically detects and corrects red eyes in most typical situations without the need to press buttons or select and highlight the eyes.

The flagship 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800 is the ultimate photography tool for serious photographers. The Coolpix 8800 is the most powerful compact digital camera available to consumers boasting 8-megapixel resolution matched to a high-powered 10x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens. The camera opens its photographer to an unmatched 35-350mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range and razor sharp images. To complement this versatile and precise lens, Nikon has incorporated its Vibration Reduction (VR) System -- a similar version of the system used in Nikkor professional SLR lenses -- into the Coolpix 8800. VR automatically detects and compensates for the small camera movements that cause image blur. This offers the user the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to three stops slower without the risk of camera vibrations blurring the image. The incorporation of VR into the Coolpix 8800 represents a milestone first for Nikon's Coolpix series, with this technology is now being applied to consumer compact cameras.

The benefits of VR are further evident with the Coolpix 8800 digital camera system, when enhanced with a series of dedicated lens accessories that broaden the range of lens performance from Fisheye to 600mm telephoto.

The camera also employs a new ultra-fast Auto Focus (AF) system and 15 Scene Modes, including Panorama Assist to truly take advantage of the camera's wide angle of coverage. Also new to the camera is its Macro shooting capabilities, taking users as close as 1.2 inches to fill the screen with small objects. Continuous shooting enables 5 images to be taken at 2.3 fps at full 8-megapixel resolution and Multi-Shot allows 16 consecutive shots to be taken in quick succession. The Coolpix 8400, like the Coolpix 8800, features a "last 5-shot buffer" that allows users to hold down the shutter release and let go when the action stops ensuring they get the sequence they are looking for.

With the right combination of features, design and usability, the Coolpix 4800 is a great choice for the sidelines of a soccer game, the top of a travel bag or for any situation that calls for great pictures and lasting memories. The Coolpix 4800 is a 4.0-megapixel compact digital camera with a powerful 8.3x optical zoom, giving its user a zoom equivalent of 36-300mm, in a product that weighs only 9 oz. This makes the Coolpix 4800 the smallest 8.3x zoom camera in its class. The camera is a family and travel photographer's best companion enabling all kinds of compositions ranging from wide-angle scenes to close telephoto shots. Despite its surprisingly compact dimensions, the Coolpix 4800 delivers remarkably sharp, clear images due to camera's new 8.3x Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens. Beyond wide and telephoto, the Coolpix 4800 also takes its users close to small subjects with unmatched Macro shooting capabilities at distances of less than 1/2 inch!

For a product packed with so many outstanding features, the Coolpix 4800 truly simplifies the picture-taking experience. Along with a Voice Memo function that allows up to 20 seconds of sound to be added to still images, the camera also features Nikon's innovative Best Shot Selector (BSS) and Auto-Exposure BSS (AE-BSS) functions. BSS takes up to ten images then selects only the sharpest for recording to memory. AE-BSS has the power to automatically select one from five shots with the best relative exposure. In addition, the Coolpix 4800 comes with 15 Scene Modes that adjust the camera to any environmental and lighting situation to give the user the best possible image without the guesswork.

Along with its latest additions to the award-winning Coolpix line up, Nikon will also roll out new technologies that will make these cameras instant favorites among photo-conscious consumers. The Nikon Coolpix 8800 and 8400 are the first Coolpix cameras to offer Nikon's exclusive D-Lighting, which is sure to rescue more than a few memories for users. When selected in Playback mode, D-lighting automatically compensates for insufficient flash or excessive back lighting in order to obtain a balanced exposure throughout the frame. This allows users to correct for common lighting issues after the photo has been taken.

The Nikon Coolpix 8800 and 8400 are also the first Coolpix cameras with full i-TTL flash capability (when used with external SB-600 and SB-800 Speedlights) and give the user complete control over the flash unit's zoom head. Additionally, combining a number of high-end Nikon technologies, a feature called Auto Color Enhancement accurately records, assesses and fine-tunes the colors within images to achieve more vivid results.

The Nikon Coolpix 8800 and 8400 use the brand new EN-EL7 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery, which adds incredible power and freedom to both the cameras and users alike. With the new EN-EL7, users will be able to shoot up to 240 frames on a single charge - 260 for the Coolpix 8400.

Finally, the Coolpix 8800 and 8400 support the newly adopted JPEG EXTRA file format, which offers higher image quality with less compression (compression rate: 1/2) in addition to their Basic, Normal, Fine, TIFF and NEF/RAW settings.

Nikon Coolpix digital cameras incorporate the powerful PictureProject(TM), the company's next generation of photo software designed to be a management and activity center for all of your digital images. This new software package is aimed at creating a simple, intuitive and seamless photographic experience for digital photographers at every skill level. PictureProject takes everything and puts it onto one screen helping people using the software to feel comfortable with its features within minutes.

Nikon also includes a software suite from ArcSoft(R) including VideoImpression(TM) to edit and share QuickTime(TM) movies taken with the camera and Panorama Maker(TM), which takes advantage of the three new cameras' Panorama Assist Mode and seamlessly stitches together multiple horizontal or vertical images to create beautiful panoramic photos.

These Nikon Coolpix cameras provide users with all the equipment they need to get started, which includes PictureProject image management software, USB cable, video cable, neck strap, EN-EL7 rechargeable battery and quick charger (EN-EL1 with the Coolpix 4800).

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