The New Nikon S52 and S52c
I got a chance to get a lot of information on the new Nikon Coolpix S52 and S52c, which were announced in April. I never was a big fan of the Nikon point-and-shoot cameras, but after a very detailed explanation and review of the Nikon S51c compared to the S52, I am happy to say my next point-and-shoot just may very well be a Nikon.
Nikon introduced the new COOLPIX S52 and S52c to its Style Series of digital cameras. These cameras combine Nikon’s interesting (still not sure if I like it) wave-surface camera body with advanced features designed to produce great pictures with ease. With 9.0 megapixels, a 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization and manual sensitivity settings (as high as ISO 3200), the COOLPIX S52 and S52c are not going to fail you in taking pictures at great quality in any setting.
Like most cameras these days, the COOLPIX S52 and S52c feature Optical VR Image Stabilization technology. These cameras also boast an AUTO ISO control, which automatically selects the optimal sensitivity across a range between ISO 100 and ISO 800, and up to ISO 2000 in High-Sensitivity mode. The S52 and S52c come with a 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens designed to capture brilliant detail (like the 51) and vivid colors in every photo. What I love about this camera is the huge 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD screen. I currently have a Canon and although great cameras, the screen is nothing compared to these.
Like all cameras in the COOLPIX line, the S52 and S52c include Nikon’s unique image innovations including enhanced Face-Priority AF, which automatically finds and focuses on up to five faces within the frame; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images.
In my article, “The Next Big Thing of 08,” I mentioned WiFi being a common thing in devices this year. The Nikon S52c does not prove me wrong offering WiFi built right in. The Wi-Fi enabled S52c can send images directly via email through its Wi-Fi connection, as well as support for “My Picturetown”, Nikon’s photo sharing and storage service. Through “My Picturetown”, users can email pictures directly to friends and family, publish pictures to the photo community sharing Website Flickr, and link their photos to blogs and social networking sites. Pictures can also be sent to the email addresses of a BlackBerry® device for viewing. So, essentially, you could take pictures, upload them on the fly, and move on, all without the use of a computer. I’d recommend a computer however.
Another cool feature I like is the Pictmotion function which will allow users to combine their favorite movies and photos and create in-camera slide shows with music including songs uploaded from iTunes. What will the stylish, feature-packed camera cost? Not much actually. The S52 has a price of $249.95, and the S52c will cost a little more at $299.95. They will be available this month. For even more information and stunning pictures, take a look at http://www.nikonusa.com.
