Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends
By Nilay Patel 
posted Aug 4th 2009 12:01AM
posted Aug 4th 2009 12:01AM
- The Coolpix S70 (pictured in red) is essentially the same cam as the S1000pj, although it has an OLED touchscreen instead of the projector: 12.1 megapixels, 5x zoom with five-way VR. It'll be available in quite a few color combos this September for $400.
- The Coolpix S640 is focused on speed -- it offers a .7-second boot-up time and "ultra-fast" autofocus, along with a 12.2 megapixel sensor, 5x four-way VR zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD. Tons of colors, September, $250.
- Lastly, the the Coolpix S570 is the basic model of the group, with a 12.0 megapixel ISO 3200 sensor behind a 5x four-way VR lens and a 2.7-inch LCD. Again, tons of colors when it lands in September for $200.
NIKON INTRODUCES FOUR NEW COOLPIX CAMERAS OFFERING SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE, DESIGN AND INNOVATION
Nikon Continues to Lead in Innovation with a New Touch Camera and First Compact Digital Camera with Built-in Projector*
MELVILLE, NY (Aug. 4, 2009) – Nikon Inc. continues its tradition of innovation, design and performance with the introduction of four new COOLPIX Style Series compact digital cameras. Building on the success of Nikon's previous touch-screen models, the ultra-stylish COOLPIX S70 features an enhanced interface and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology for a new user experience, housed in a stylish, camera body. The COOLPIX S1000pj features the world's first built-in projector, which enables consumers to share their images and videos in an all-new fun way. Additionally, the COOLPIX S640 and COOLPIX S570, leaders in speed and affordability, respectively, complete the new smarter, cooler, simpler COOLPIX line.
"These latest Nikon COOLPIX digital cameras reflect hallmarks of the COOLPIX line: performance, design and innovation," said Bill Giordano, general manager marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. "With new features such as a built-in projector and new touch controls for viewing, shooting and zooming, these COOLPIX cameras will appeal to users of every level."
The Nikon COOLPIX cameras incorporate Nikon's world-class NIKKOR lenses, delivering accurate detail and brilliant color, as well as Nikon's EXPEEDTM digital image processing concept, which ensures high-quality pictures with stunning color and sharpness. A new enhancement to Nikon's Smart Portrait System that helps create beautiful portraits includes an all new Skin Softening feature designed to both smooth and even skin tones. Other COOLPIX features include Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization, minimizing blur that may appear in pictures, even in low-light or unsteady conditions; and Scene Auto Selector, which automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts camera settings accordingly.
NEW COOLPIX S70 FEATURES SUPERIOR STYLING AND OLED TOUCH-SCREEN INTERFACE
Built on the success of Nikon's previous touch-screen models, COOLPIX S70 features Nikon's newly developed 3.5-inch Clear Color Display and a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience. In addition to its photographic technology and stylish dual-texture design, the S70 captures stunning HD-video at 1280x720 pixels (720p).
New to the COOLPIX line, OLED technology offers the benefits of vivid color reproduction, sharp contrast and the absence of afterimages. The capacitive touch-screen provides an immediate response at the lightest touch of the display for a fun and intuitive feel to every camera operation. For example, using the Touch Shutter feature, users can have a completely "button-free" experience and focus on and photograph a subject by simply touching it on the camera's display. The touch-screen also makes viewing and retouching images more fun and efficient. With the swipe of a finger, users can scroll through images and use a pinching motion with two fingers to zoom in or out on displayed images, switching between thumbnail and full screen views. Additional new touch-screen controls include on-screen sliders for adjusting brightness and Scene Effect Adjustment, which offers controls specific to the scene mode in use.
The COOLPIX S70 features 12.1 megapixels; a 5x wide angle zoom NIKKOR lens; ISO 6400***; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon's Smart Portrait System and an ultra-stylish design.
The S70 will be available in September 2009 for $399.95 MSRP in a choice of colors and textures including Red & Red, Champagne & Beige, Black & Black, or Champagne & Light Brown.
NEW COOLPIX S1000pj FEATURES WORLD'S FIRST BUILT-IN PROJECTOR, YOUR PERSONAL THEATER ON THE GO
Providing consumers with new exciting ways to share images, the COOLPIX S1000pj transforms photo-sharing into a multimedia experience. With the touch of a button, users can project images and videos as large as 40 inches, and with the camera's unique slideshow function, playback pictures with music, effects and creative transitions. Additional features of the S1000pj include: 12.1 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens; ISO from 64-6400***; a 2.7-inch Wide Angle LCD display; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon's Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S1000pj will be available in Matte Black, in September 2009, for $429.95 MSRP.
NEW COOLPIX S640 IS SLEEK, FAST AND FULLY-LOADED WITH ENHANCED SPEED CAPABILITIES
For consumers who never want to miss a moment, the all-new COOLPIX S640 is Nikon's performance leader in the S-Series lineup. High performance features include ultra-fast auto-focus, the fastest start up time in its class** of a mere 0.7 seconds and short shutter release time lag. Additional features of the S640 include: a slim, stylish all metal body; 12.2 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle NIKKOR lens; ISO from 100-6400 at full resolution; a 2.7-inch Clear Color LCD display; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon's Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S640 will be available in September 2009 for $249.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors including: Calm Black, Velour Red, Precious Pink, and Pearl White.
NEW COOLPIX S570 OFFERS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AT AN ECONOMICAL PRICE POINT
Where style meets simplicity, the new COOLPIX S570 is ideal for entry-level consumers looking for a carefree shooting experience. The S570 features 12.0 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens; ISO 3200 at full resolution, a bright 2.7-inch LCD Display; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon's Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S570 will be available in September 2009, for $199.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors including Black, Red, Blue, and Pink.
Bah! this is just like that insane idea of putting a camera on a cell phone, a gimmick that will never catch on...
Cell phones are getting better and better optics and sensors.... it's only a matter of time until the point-and-shoot is replaced by cell phones
@Luffy
Not really. My LG CU500 from 2006 produced better images than current phones at a fraction of the resolution. Its not getting better and its certainly not keeping up with the resolution they are putting in these things.
I agree Luffy.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/07/sony-ericsson-brings-81-mp-camera-phone-to-att/
Sarcasm is clearly lost on some...
I agree that cellphone cameras are getting better, but the idea of them being able to match the efficiency, on screen editing, faster response times, image stabilization will keep the digital cameras' edge. If cellphones go for matching that, they are going to compromise on real cellphone related functionalities. Cellphones will take atleast couple of years to match that if at all.
http://konsulted.com/blog/?p=41
LOL. Now you can show people your noisy water-color "pictures" at ISO6400 anywhere. Where do I sign up?
These ISO advances generally make the lower ISOs less noisy. So you can rest assured that ISO 1600 won't be watercolor looking now
@neofolklore ... Are you serious? I wouldn't even say ISO 1600 on my D300 is all that great.
@neofolklore: I have yet to see tiny P&S compact digicams with usable ISO800+. Even at ISO400, most still produce highly noisy pictures. ISO1600? That's a joke, right?
The FujiFilm FinePix F31 and other SuperCCD 6.3Mpixel cameras have great ISO 800 performance -better than pretty well any other P&S on the market - and great battery life too. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf31fd/page17.asp
Exactly. My Fuji F31fd is the shiz, and I'm never going to dispose of it unless it's completely unfixable.
Project 40" images @ what? 640x480? haha
Probably less, and incidentally people have used and paid for large screen TV's during the NTSC times for many many years and that's also 640x480, or if they watched video 320x240
$430 for the pico cam? Good thing Nikon has DSLRs and lenses that actually sell and make money.
The S70 styling looks like 1970s Russia.
It does indeed look like they are on their way to a new look but aren't there yet.
The people in the video also look like they are in the 70's I think.
In Soviet Russia, camera projects you!
I've been all like W.T.F? on this pico projector deal until now. This makes so much sense! Instead of huddling around a 3" lcd, you can chill and watch slide shows on the wall. I'm a bit psyched actually. I totally disagree with SNP. These projectors are going to be built in to everything and one day it's just going to be expected / accepted that your digital device can show images for all to see.
Now, the truly awesome thing would be if a camera could be passed around a party and the images streamed over wifi to a projector (a normal one, or a tv) to get live screenings of just taken photos. Well... that would make for some interesting upskirt shots I suppose.
Crap, that was sarcasm wasn't it SNP? Doh!
its not imposible. wifi is already in lot of professional cameras, so you only need a laptop that gets the images and sends them to the projector (small app would do, I suppose). So the only thing is - cheap cameras should get the wifi too
Anyone else notice how the guy's hands holding the camera were moving, but the projected image wasn't?
I did... All projections are simulations. Remember that verbage commonly used in the 80's for all TV print ads?
what da fack
Sample video aspect ratio FAIL
Apparently, I'm the only person who thinks this is actually a good/neat idea?
It's a neat idea... and I'm sure it will sell some cameras.
But, depending on where you are, you won't be able to use the projector everywhere. You aren't always looking at pictures in huge houses with giant open white walls. I'm trying to remember the recent places I've looked at pictures on a friend's camera. It's usually in public, in a bar or restaurant. And if I'm at your house... we look at them on a computer monitor.
Good thing there is a 2.7" LCD screen... where the pictures will look much brighter and sharper vs. projected on a wall. And it also depends on how many pictures you're gonna look at... you're not gonna want to hold your arms up and scroll through 100 pictures.
I only use my camera on "vacation" and I think it'd be great to view the photos on a typical white hotel room wall, as I almost never have a laptop with me.
Not only will you need a big white wall, it will need to be very dark. You couldn't use this in a restaraunt, during the day, etc. Think about it - the blackest the image can be is the white wall with ambient light on it.
Ok, I take back my convergence-adverse reaction, this sounds pretty awesome.
Seems like it could be a lot of fun, plus Nikon/Canon are starting to roll out next gen VR and from my dabbling with their 1st/2nd gen of DSLR vibration reduction I bet this will be good for steady shots.
They're putting some really nice new features in these point and shoot cams. Pity the image quality still blows and gets worse with every extra megapixel they cram into those tiny sensors.
If it projects an image and takes pictures at the same time, for like an overlay effect. It would be a fun camera to play with.
for 10 minutes.
ISO 6400 on a Nikon P&S. Hah! Might as well open up Photoshop, and render noise on a new document with the slider all the way over to the right at 400% and say to your friends as you show them the 'picture' that there you are with (insert hot celeb of choice). It'll be just as effective.
Let's put the projected image/video quality aside, this idea / innovation was brilliant, imho.
23mm?
It's thick as a compact camera.
What is the video catpure resolution?
This will be interesting if the camera captures HD video and projects the video too
What is the video catpure resolution?
This will be interesting if the camera captures HD video and projects the video too
3 siamese
My Fuji camera replaces all the high ISO noise with a smeared, plasticy watercolor effect. I would prefer the honest noise.
i bet soon theyll have 3D cameras with a built in projector displaying 3D 1080p media. that would be cool xD
i think they should aslo intergrate wifi and bluetooth into the devices so that they can send/recieve media from a phone or pc wirelessly and then project the media.
i think the idea of a camera and a projector in one could really take of and be the next generation of cameras.
This pj thing absolutely needs a remote control for the camera, and the specs don't seem to contain one.
Why do you always talk about counting pennies/saving money when you get all these gadgets for free? Stop pretending like you can't afford these things.
anyone wanna do an over/under on battery life from complete charge to empty, on projection? i give it maybe 2 minutes
And after you drop the camera once, will the projector still work?
I think $430 is a really good price for this. While I have finally made the move to dSLR, I still want a new compact. And at least with my family, everyone wants to see the pictures on the camera right away, and I end up having to pass the camera around. I would love the ability to just project my snapshot up at the wall, and move on. Of course battery life is probably an issue if you can even use the projector on battery.
Anyone else notice the built in red-eye reduction also added a smile to the pic? NOW that IS ground breaking technology.
For those in doubt I personally owned the AAXA P1 mobile projector which has similar specs for a few months. This mobile projector can definitely throw up a 50"+ image in the dark, and a 20-30" image in more lighted rooms so the technology is definitely there. I kind of doubt the Nikon video because it looks WAY too fake to be a real projector, but I think it won't look too bad based on my personal experience. Me personally though I'd rather have a projector that can be connected to other accessories not permanently built into my camera.... That's like having an MP3 player permanently connected to your car... Check out the specs and the reviews if you don't believe in the micro projector technology...
http://www.aaxatech.com/products/kp190_p1_pico_projector.htm
http://www.testfreaks.com/blog/review/aaxa-p1-pico-lcos-hand-held-micro-projector/
I really love the idea of a projector in my camera! But @BR6688 I don't think the projector looks fake.. Look at the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fK4f_lbUgk) for it's purpose I think it's doing pretty good.