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coolpix posts

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj torn asunder, L-shaped projector module examined

by Laura June posted Oct 7th 2009 at 4:08AM

ifixit's gotten ahold of Nikon's new camera - projector hybrid, the Coolpix S1000pj, and done what they do... meaning they've ripped it apart. Okay, they slowly and carefully disassembled it while painstakingly photographing the proceedings. Most interesting to us, of course, is the Nikon developed, L-shaped projector we just heard about that makes the whole set up possible, and we have to say that the internal layout of the S1000pj is terribly impressive to behold. There's another shot (and video!) after the break -- but hit the read link for the entire, time consuming project in all its tedious glory!

Continue reading Nikon Coolpix S1000pj torn asunder, L-shaped projector module examined

Secrets of Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj projector camera revealed

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 2nd 2009 at 4:22AM

Perplexed by the mystery of Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj projector camera? Like the puzzle of free energy or Google Wave, it's a quandary that has perplexed researchers and common folk alike for decades (or at least a few months). It looks we can now finally lay this particular quandary to rest, however, as leading scientific journal Tech-On! has finally revealed how something can be both a camera and a projector at the same time. It turns out the key is a new L-shaped projector module developed by Nikon itself, which is just the right size to fit inside the camera alongside some repositioned optical components, and some new heat control measures that keep the whole thing from getting too toasty. Still skeptical? Hit up the read link below for a closer look and some additional details.

[Via About Projectors]

Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj now shipping from select locales

by Darren Murph posted Sep 21st 2009 at 6:51AM

Nikon assured us that its projector-packin' S1000pj would be out and about by September 17th, and while we've yet to confirm whether or not anyone was able to snag one last Thursday, we can say for certain that it's shipping now from a number of respectable e-tailers. Ritz Camera, Abe's of Maine and Beach Camera are all shipping units out within 48 hours, while Amazon appears to be backordered until September 23rd. The cam is sitting at $430 pretty much everywhere, so the only question left the answer is this: you in?

[Via PicoProjector-Info]

Read - Abe's of Maine
Read - Ritz Camera / Amazon / Beach Camera

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj hands-on at IFA

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 7th 2009 at 9:52PM

We're still curious to see how well the integrated projector in Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj does under real-world lighting and usage conditions, but it sure seems pretty in the controlled environment of the company's IFA booth. The crew from Engadget Spanish say the novel cam is a lot thinner than you'd expect -- check out the video and a gallery of sample shots after the break.

Continue reading Nikon Coolpix S1000pj hands-on at IFA

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj won't be with us until October, others also delayed Update: On time!

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 31st 2009 at 6:51AM

Alas, our dream of rocking parties with the projector-packing s1000pj will have to wait an extra month. Turns out that demand for the shooter was so high that even Nikon, whose sole purpose in life is making imaging equipment, couldn't satiate it in time. The new dates for your calendar are October 23 for the 12.1 megapixel, 5x optical zoom S1000pj, and September 19 for its S70 and S570 brethren. The S70 switches out the projector for a 3.5-inch OLED multitouch screen, and should prove quite the attractive proposition in its own right, but for now all we can do is look admiringly from afar. Sigh.

Update: Happy news, at least for those of us in the States -- Nikon just let us know the S1000pj will be available in the US as planned on September 17th. Sorry, no word on anywhere else. We'll think of you when we're beaming our photos, though.

[Via Impress]

Engadget Podcast 158 - 08.07.2009

by Trent Wolbe posted Aug 7th 2009 at 2:30PM

The gang's all here, folks! Yes, it's been a rough couple weeks apart, but Josh, Paul, and Nilay have finally managed to reunite, and Engadget Podcast 158 is the happy result. Join the boys as they take Apple to task for its recent App Store shenanigans and the dismissal of Eric Schmidt from the board of directors, pick apart the Windows 7 upgrade matrix, and then shift into cruising gear for a run to The Shack and some quick thoughts on a trio of new cameras. Yeah, it's good to be back.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Ruby Soho

Hear the podcast

00:02:20 - FCC queries AT&T, Apple on Google Voice iPhone app rejection
00:03:10 - Google's Eric Schmidt resigns from Apple board over "conflict of interest"
00:12:40 - Phil Schiller says Apple didn't censor a dictionary.
00:35:15 - Official Windows 7 upgrade chart is ridiculous
00:45:20 - The Shack! Radio Shack's current bid for relevance
00:52:43 - Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends
00:59:28 - Kodak Zi8: Kodak Zi8 impressions: surprising functionality, but it's still a pocket camcorder
01:04:38 - Sony Party-show dock: Sony's Party-shot dock snaps incriminating Facebook photos while you drink

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Download the podcast

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Contact the podcast

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Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadget

Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 4th 2009 at 12:23PM

The just-announced Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digicam / pico projector has been blowin' up the Interwebs this morning, and we have the video to prove it. First of all, there is a hands-on provided by What Digital Camera over in the UK, and aside from the projector they've uncovered a pretty straight forward digital shooter: 12 megapixel, 5x optical zoom, pretty standard dimensions, and a 2.7-inch LCD. However, the projector itself seems to do the job quite admirably. Sure, it's not an extensive demo, but the image looks clear and crisp. The reviewer deems it "a very, very clever party trick." And if the straight ahead tech demo doesn't get you in the mood to snap pictures and project them onto something, advertisers have offered us two visions of the future: take your pick from a spirited get together choc full o' photogenic American actors, or a somewhat subdued, more elegant affair in the presence of photogenic French actors. All that fun (and more) is to be had after the break.

Continue reading Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends

by Nilay Patel posted Aug 4th 2009 at 12:01AM

Man, the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj has gone from crazy rumor to seemingly-real to whoa-here's-the-press-release in record time -- the compact cam with the integrated projector was just officially announced, along with the three other cams we saw leaked earlier today. Leaked specs for the S1000pj were dead-on: a 12.1 megapixel sensor with ISO 6400 sensitivity mounted behind a 5x wide-angle zoom lens with five-way VR stabilization, and that LED-powered projector that'll put up a 40-inch image for slideshows complete with music, effects and transitions. We're a little less excited about the $430 list price this thing will carry when it hits in September, but on the whole it's a pretty terrific idea and we're completely intrigued -- looks like we'll be saving our pennies this month. Pictures of everything in the gallery, deets on the other cams and a video of the S1000pj after the break.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality with friends

Continue reading Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends

Nikon Coolpix S640, S570, S70 leak out, leave little to the imagination

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 3rd 2009 at 5:06PM

Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj project-o-camera may be the big rumor du jour, but the company's also got plenty of other cameras slipping through the cracks these days, like this trio of new compact shooters. Leading off the lot is the 12.2-megapixel Coolpix S640 (pictured above), which is said to pack a 5x, 28mm equivalent wide-angle lens, a 2.7-inch display, an "ultra-fast autofocus system," a start-up time of just 0.7 seconds, built-in quick retouch features, and your choice of three different colors for $499. Joining it are the 12-megapixel Coolpix S570, which replaces the 10-megepixel S560 and will set you back $349, and the all new 12.1-megapixel Coolpix S70 (check it out after the break), which runs a hefty $599 and includes 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen, a 5x optical zoom, sensitivity setting up to ISO 6400, and your choice of red, black, or champagne colors. No word on a release date for any of them just yet, but it sure seems like they're about to burst out of the gate.

Continue reading Nikon Coolpix S640, S570, S70 leak out, leave little to the imagination

Big lens on Nikon's Coolpix P90 superzoomer doesn't compensate for poor IQ

by Tim Stevens posted Jun 1st 2009 at 10:24AM

Big lens on Nikon's Coolpix P90 superzoomer doesn't compensate for poor PQ

Nikon announced its plus-sized P90 at the same time as its lilliputian compact the S2220, which impressed us with its great form-factor and low price, but disappointed when it came to the all-important image quality. Its big brother, the 12.1 megapixel, 24x superzoom P90 is now getting put through its paces, and rather unfortunately doesn't seem to perform particularly well either -- at least not when compared to the competition like Olympus SP-590UZ. PhotographyBlog found that PQ was disappointingly low, as photos taken at ISO400 or above were "almost a complete write-off." The cam scores high marks for ease of use and design, but, since the others in this segment aren't exactly torture to hold or use, that's hardly high praise.

Nikon S630 unboxing and hands-on: pretty in pink edition

by Tim Stevens posted May 8th 2009 at 9:43AM

What's that, another compact digital camera unboxing? Yes, dear readers, we've got a mega-megapixel story cooking for you, and another ingredient has arrived. This time it's Nikon's Coolpix S630, a 12 megapixel, 7x optical zoom compact that features optical stabilization and a particularly vibrant hue. So far we're impressed by the camera's shape, lightness, and build quality, but this one has plenty more testing ahead of it before we make any solid conclusions. Until then, enjoy a few shots of its unveiling.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S630 unboxing

Teens take pictures of space with balloon, Nikon Coolpix camera

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Mar 20th 2009 at 12:23PM

The closest most of us 'round here will ever get to outer space is blogging about the Lunar X Prize, so our inner astronauts get rather giddy any time an amateur makes it to the cusp of the gravity well. The above photos were taken by the Meteotek team, a teacher and his four students from the IES La Bisbal school in Catalonia, Spain. The group designed and launched a balloon kitted out with a Nikon Coolpix and custom built electronics, intending to get some shots at 30,000 feet. Well exceeding their expectations, the $80 digicam (held aloft by a $60 latex balloon) reached over 100,000 feet, at which point it lost inflation and fell to the earth. As the balloon rose, the team was able to map its progress using Google Earth via the craft's on-board radio receiver. After it fell back to earth, the group "travelled 10km to find the sensors and photographic card," said one of the students, "which was still emitting its signal, even though it had been exposed to the most extreme conditions."

[Via Switched]

Nikon unveils eight new Coolpix cams

by Nilay Patel posted Feb 2nd 2009 at 11:13PM

Nikon just dropped the refresh bomb on its Coolpix line, adding eight new point-and-shoots like the P90 here to the family. Here's the rundown:

Coolpix S230 and S220: 10 megapixels with a touchscreen that lets you write and draw on your photos. Both have four-way VR image stabilization, blink detection, and are available in several colors; the $229 S230 bumps the screen to three inches from the $149 S220's two and a half and adds ISO 2000 sensitivity.
Coolpix S630: 12 megapixels with a 7x optical zoom and an 11fps burst mode, a 2.7-inch LCD, four-way VR image stabilization, blink detection and ISO 6400 sensitivity. Available in five colors for $279.
S620: 12.2 megapixels with a 4x zoom, 0.7-second startup time, subject tracking, four-way VR image stabilization, blink / motion detection and ISO 6400 sensitivity. Also available in five colors for $269.
Coolpix P90: 12.1 megapixel zoomer with a 24x 26-624mm zoom and 15fps burst mode, 3-inch tilt screen, four-way VR image stabilization, blink / motion detection, distortion control and ISO 6400 sensitivity. $339 in March.
Coolpix L100: 10 megapixel with a 15x 28-420mm zoom and a 13fps burst mode, 3-inch screen and four-way VR image stabilization. Only comes in Bright Red for $279 in March.
Coolpix L20: 10 megapixels with a 3.6x zoom and a 3-inch display, motion detection and auto scene selection. AA-powered, will come in Deep Red for $129.
Coolpix L19: 8 megapixels with a 3.6 zoom and a 2.7-inch display, motion detection and auto scene selection. AA-powered, will come in Bright Silver for $109.

Not bad at all, but you've got to wonder why all these companies insist on cranking out so many minior variations on the same theme -- the average consumer has no chance of keeping up. Pictures of all the new shooters in the gallery.

Gallery: Nikon unveils eight new Coolpix cams

Nikon Coolpix P6000 reviewed, not all that cool

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 29th 2008 at 5:52PM

The kids over at Photography Blog have finally got their hands on the Nikon Coolpix P6000 that became official back in August and have pronounced it "a mixed bag." It looks good on paper at least, with a 13.5-megapixel sensor, 28mm wide angle lens and built-in Ethernet (a first for a consumer grade camera). Unfortunately, the big ticket items like on-board GPS (for geo-tagging all those coolpix you'll be taking) and NRW file format support (the new "RAW" image format developed by Microsoft and Nikon) are said to be poorly implemented and all but unusable. Even the much-ballyhooed LAN connectivity is limited to something called MyPictureTown. Hit the read link to catch the reviewer holding forth on a number of other salient points, including the camera's DSLR-like hand-grip, optical viewfinder and external flash hotshoe.

Nikon's Coolpix S60, S710, S610 and P6000 with GPS get outed

by Darren Murph posted Aug 6th 2008 at 8:47PM

Well, well. What have we here? A few new Nikon's in the run-up to Photokina, based on looks alone. Up first is the previously rumored Coolpix P6000 (pictured front, £429; ~~$835~~ $500), a high-end point-and-shoot with a patently absurd 13.5-megapixel sensor, a 4x optical zoom, 2.7-inch touchscreen monitor, built-in GPS for geotagging pics, full manual mode and the ability to capture in RAW. If that's a bit much for you, you can check out the ultrathin Coolpix S60 (pictured back, £299; ~~$581~~ $350), which packs a 3.5-inch 16:9 touchscreen that controls just about everything, a 10-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom and an HDMI output. Next up is the S710, which unfortunately gets the aforementioned 14-megapixel sensor, a 3-inch LCD and a 3.6x optical zoom. Bringing up the rear is the 10-megapixel S560 (£179; ~~$348~~ $250) and the S610 / S610c (£249; ~~$484~~ $280), the latter of which includes WiFi for instant uploading. Look for most, if not all, of these to show up on shelves next month.

Update: The whole gang just got official. Check out the details here.