Nikon debuts nine new Coolpix models including UK exclusive L830

Nikon has announced nine new compact cameras for its Coolpix range, including the UK exclusive Coolpix L830 bridge camera with a 34x optical zoom.

Coolpix L830, Coolpix L29, Coolpix L30, Coolpix L330
Nikon’s more entry-level Coolpix models all use AA batteries rather than rechargeable battery packs, but cost significantly less than their mid-range and high-end alternatives. They start with the Coolpix L29, a 16-megapixel CCD compact with 5x zoom lens and 2.7in LCD display. It has motion blur reduction, built-in filter effects and a smart portrait system, which detects blinking, fixes red eye and includes a “smile timer” countdown. The Coolpix L29 will launch on the 30th of January in silver, black, red or purple with additional stylised graphics on the front, for £69.99.

The slightly more expensive Coolpix L30 increases the pixel count with a 20-megapixel CCD and includes a larger 3in LCD display. It has the same 5x zoom lens and Easy Auto mode, but records video in high definition. It will launch in red or black, again on the 30th of January, for £89.99.

The Coolpix L330 bridge camera has a 26x optical zoom, 20-megapixel image sensor and lens shift vibration reduction to avoid blurred shots. A Best Shot Selector mode chooses the sharpest image from up to ten consecutive shots. It will be available in black from the 30th of January, with prices expected to start at £179.99.

The COOLPIX L830 is a “classically styled” bridge camera, according to Nikon, with a 16-megapixel sensor, 34x optical zoom lens and tilting vari-angle LCD display. It will be available in a choice of black, red or plum colours. Nikon’s Dynamic Fine Zoom mode lets you digitally double the effective zoom to 68x without losing resolution. The Coolpix L830 will be exclusive to the UK, but has yet to receive an official price or release date.

Coolpix S3600, Coolpix S6700, Coolpix S2800
Moving up the range, the Coolpix S3600 is a 20-megapixel CCD compact with 8x optical zoom (25-200mm equivalent) paired with Nikon’s Dynamic Fine Zoom for 16x close-ups without a loss of resolution. It will launch in six colour variations; blue, red, black, silver, pink and pink with additional graphics. Prices will start from £129.99, and should be available from the 6th of February.

The Coolpix S6700 keeps the same 20-megapixel CCD image sensor as the S3600, but gains a 10x optical zoom. It includes a retouch menu, which includes 32 different effects to apply to your shots, softening skin tones or even whitening teeth. A 3in LCD display and HD video capture are also present. Available in either black or red from the 13th of February, the Coolpix S6700 should cost around £149.99.

Finally, the Coolpix S2800 compact is meant to be a “take anywhere” camera. It’s less than 20mm thick and comes in a choice of five colour variations; silver, black, red, pink and purple with additional graphics. It comes with a 20-megapixel CCD image sensor, 5x optical zoom and 2.7in LCD display and 720p HD video recording capabilities. It will be exclusive to Argos here in the UK and should be available soon, although no price has been officially announced.

Coolpix S5300, Coolpix S6800
If you want Wi-Fi connectivity, the Coolpix S5300 and S6800 have you covered. The former is a 16-megapixel compact which exchanges the CCD sensor of the more entry-level models for a CMOS sensor that should give it an edge when it comes to low light shooting. It also has an 8x optical zoom, 3in LCD display and the same Glamour Retouch modes as the rest of the Coolpix range. It will be available in black or plum from the 6th of February, with prices starting from £169.99.

The Coolpix S6800, meanwhile, is equipped with a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, 12x optical zoom and speedy 8.4fps continous shooting capabilities. It will be launching in black, red, white and pink on the 13th of February for £199.99.

We’re hoping to take a look at as many of the new models as possible over the coming weeks, so be sure to check back for full reviews.