Nikon adds cameras, lenses to 1 Series, shows new Coolpix
updated 09:41 am EST, Tue January 8, 2013
Coolpix S6500 adds Wi-Fi connectivity, smartphone controls
Nikon has unveiled expansions to its 1 Series line of mirrorless cameras, as well as a new model of Coolpix point-and-shoot camera. The J3 and S1 for the 1 Series were both revealed at CES, alongside two new 1 Nikkor lenses and the Coolpix S6500, complete with a 12-times optical zoom and built-in image retouching effects.
The J3 has a 14.2-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor paired with the Expeed 3A image processing engine, while the S1 has a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor. Both have a wide ISO range, the J3 between 160 and 6400, and 100 to 6400 in the S1, an integrated pop-up flash, and a 3-inch LCD screen on the rear. They also share a 73-point autofocus array, a release time of 80 milliseconds, and can continuously shoot at 15 frames per second with continuous AF. The J3 also as an improved UI and a simplified panorama mode, though both still can shoot Full HD video and film at high frame rates of up to 1200fps for slow-motion videos.
The two new lenses in the 1 Nikkor range includes the 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 and the 10-100mm f/4-5.6. The ultra wide-angle zoom 6.7-13mm lens includes vibration reduction and a wide 100-degree angle of view, and is said to be the equivalent focal length to an 18-35mm lens in FX/35mm format. The 10-100mm also has vibration reduction, and is suggested to be aimed at those taking action shots.
The Coolpix S6500 expands on the S6300 revealed early last year. Housing a 16-megapixel backside illuminated CMOS sensor, and a lens covering the 25mm to 300mm focal range with lens-shift vibration reduction, the main addition to the camera is Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing for transfers to mobile devices of images and HD movies, and to also use the smartphone to remotely take photographs. Image retouching effects found in previous versions have been added to, with five new effects that reduces dark circles under eyes and whitens a subject's teeth.
The 1 Series S1 will ship in February for $500 with a 11-27.5mm lens, while the J3 will go on sale at the same time for $600 with a 10-30mm lens. The new lenses do not have specific release dates but will sell for around $500 each. The Coolpix S6500 will retail for $220 in late January.
