Nikon Coolpix L2, L3 and L4 Announced

Nikon also today brings us three new L series models; the Coopix L2, L3 and L4. These entry-level cameras offer 6, 5 and 4 million pixels respectively and all of them feature a 3x zoom and a 2.0-inch screen.

Three compact digital cameras offering exceptional design and high-quality finish, with easy operability so anyone can take a better class of picture

Tokyo — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX L2, COOLPIX L3 and COOLPIX L4 entry-level digital compact cameras.

The trio combines an array of high-quality components including a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens and a bright 2.0-inch LCD screen with in-camera image-improvement features, housed in lightweight, compact yet elegantly finished bodies.

All three cameras boast powerful 3x Zoom-Nikkor lenses with a focal range equivalent to that of a 38-116mm (114mm for the COOLPIX L4) (35mm equivalent), providing the freedom to zoom in for tight personal portraits, or out to capture expansive outdoor scenes.

The CCD delivers higher performance within tighter dimensions, greatly adding to the cameras’ compact form and portability while offering generous effective megapixel values of 6.0 for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 for the COOLPIX L3, and 4.0 for the COOLPIX L4, ensuring the refined image clarity that users have come to expect from other members of the COOLPIX family.

All three latest L series models also feature a bright, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD that’s now even easier to operate with new icons and function selections as well as a new colour scheme that is easier on the eye.

The specific design aspects of the COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 make it streamlined and comfortable to hold, with a smooth, elegant finish that suggests a much higher level of sophistication. The curved grip contributes both to the cameras’ design elegance and their shooting stability.

The strikingly compact dimensions and light camera weight make the L2, L3 and L4 ideal for taking anywhere the user may go, reinforced by the convenience of AA-size battery compatibility. One of the most widely available battery sizes in the world - in alkaline, lithium, rechargeable or other forms - AA compatibility allows near-ubiquitous use anywhere in the world.

In common with the entire current COOLPIX digital camera range, these three latest additions feature a number of Nikon inspired capabilities that give the user the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. Available in playback mode, for example, the D-Lighting function selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail wherever needed while keeping other areas as they were.

Nikon’s Face-priority AF* function automatically detects and focuses in on people’s faces, regardless of where they are in the frame, ensuring superb crisp-focus portraits. The In-Camera Red-Eye Fix function analyses each image, automatically finding and then correcting the accidental red-eye that sometimes occurs in flash photography, for more natural-looking portraits.

A choice of 15 different Scene modes – four with Scene assist – makes the challenge of achieving desired results in a wide range of everyday situations that much simpler. By choosing the Scene mode best suited to the subject at hand, the COOLPIX L2, L3 or L4 automatically selects the ideal settings for exactly the picture you had in mind, whether indoor party or outdoor nighttime fireworks display. Scene assist displays useful framing guides in the monitor, helping the user compose shots for optimal results.

All three of the latest COOLPIX L class cameras are compatible with widely available SD memory cards. The provision of 23MB of internal memory for the COOLPIX L2 and L3 and 10MB for the COOLPIX L4 allows the user to keep shooting when no additional memory is available, as well as easily moving images from one SD card to another.

This latest trio of COOLPIX digital cameras also offer movie-shooting capability** in three sizes: TV movie size (640) for viewing on TV or computers; convenient Small size (320); and Smaller size (160) for extended recording or Internet usage.

With the COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4, ease of use and convenience are still priorities, even when the shooting is over. Printing is kept simple, with PictBridge capability enabling connection to a compatible printer without the need of a computer and USB connectivity eases data transfer to computers and other peripherals.

Completing the picture is the complimentary PictureProject accessory software, which greatly simplifies the importing, editing and organizing of images, and even offers compatibility with a range of plug-ins that allows functions to be extended on demand.

Sales release schedule: This camera is scheduled for release in February 2006.

Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.

* Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.
** COOLPIX L4 without sound.

Nikon COOLPIX L2/L3/L4 Feature Highlights

High performance from a small CCD

Utilizing space-efficient design parameters that help facilitate the compact size of the COOLPIX L2/L3/L4, the 1/2.5-inch CCD adds the advantage of outstandingly high performance. Boasting effective pixel values of 6 million for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 million for the COOLPIX L3, and 4 million for the COOLPIX L4, the CCD enables the capture of crisp-focus images that retain their high quality even when significantly enlarged.

3x zoom capability

The remarkably compact dimensions of the COOLPIX L-line cameras belie the incorporation of powerful 38-116mm (114mm for COOLPIX L4) Zoom-Nikkor lenses (35mm equivalent), ensuring the freedom of a 3x zoom. These precision lenses allow zooming in for tightly composed portraits, or zooming way out for expansively wide views, providing greater compositional independence than the average digital camera. Macro mode allows shooting from as close as 4cm for the COOLPIX L4, and 10cm for the COOLPIX L2 and L3.

Simple-to-use features improve images in-camera

A range of unique Nikon functions enables the photographer to actually improve images in-camera. Available in playback mode, the D-Lighting function selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail wherever needed while keeping other areas as they were. The Face-priority AF function automatically detects and then focuses in on people’s faces, regardless of where they are in the frame, ensuring superb crisp-focus portraits. The In-Camera Red-Eye Fix function analyzes each image, automatically finding and then correcting any accidental red-eye, which sometimes occurs in flash photography, to produce more natural-looking portraits.

AA-size battery compatibility

Despite their compact dimensions, the COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 are compatible with AA-size batteries, one of the most widely available battery sizes in the world. The power to shoot approximately 180 shots for the COOLPIX L2, 200 shots for the COOLPIX L3, and 250 shots for the COOLPIX L4 when using alkaline batteries greatly augments their compact convenience.

Nikon COOLPIX L2/L3/L4 Other Features

* Unique combination of all-round quality, ease of operation, and elegant styling makes COOLPIX L2, COOLPIX L3, and COOLPIX L4 the compact digital camera of choice for entry-level photographers
* Compact, portable dimensions for COOLPIX L2 and L3 of 91 x 60.5 x 26mm (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.0 in.) (W x H x D); COOLPIX L4: 86.5 x 60.5 x 34.5mm (3.4 x 2.4 x 1.4 in.)
* Light weight for COOLPIX L2 and L3 of approx. 120g (4.2 oz) (without battery and SD memory card); COOLPIX L4: approx. 115g (4.1 oz) (without battery and SD memory card)
* BSS (Best Shot Selector) automatically selects the shot with the sharpest focus from a series of consecutive images
* Blur Warning informs user after shooting if an image is blurred
* Time zone function enables local time to be set regardless of where you are in the world
* Single AF and Continuous AF selectable in Movie mode
* Capture modes: Single, Continuous and Multi-Shot 16 for COOLPIX L2 and L3; Single and Multi-Shot 16 for the L4
* Built-in flash: features settings for Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Off, Fill Flash and Slow sync.
* Noise reduction provides more attractive results in low-light conditions
* Digital zoom of up to 4x
* Choice of White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 6-mode manual (Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash and White Bal. Preset)
* USB connectivity allows quick and easy data transfer to computers and other peripherals