We rounded up the sexiest and most innovative recently announced point-and-shoot compact cameras just so you didn't have to. With all of the new releases exploding on the scene, it's difficult to sift through the fluff and hone in on the chosen crop. From built-in projectors to back-illuminated CMOS sensors, these are the hottest upcoming point-and-shoot cameras to date.
Nikon Coolpix S1000pj
 Harking back to the days when film projectors roamed the earth, making family reunions all the more magical, the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj is the first compact digital camera to feature a built-in projector, rescuing those memorable slide-show sessions from the backlogs of yesteryear. The reasonably compact S1000pj will be able to project a 40-inch diagonal display from over six feet away on any flat surface. The Coolpix S1000pj also ships with a handy projector stand and remote control, and the camera is capable of adding music and transitions in order to keep the audience on their toes. The S1000pj will have a 12.1-megapixel sensor with Expeed processing and a 5x optical zoom lens with the ability to capture Macro shots from 1.2 inches away. In back is a 2.7-inch "Incredible Bright" LCD, but the best shooting upgrade is definitely the camera's full resolution ISO 6400 capability. The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj is set to ship in September for $430 and will be available in Matte Black.
Nikon Coolpix S640
 The world's first projector cam is a tough act to follow, but the new Nikon Coolpix S640 has a few tricks up its sleeve. Designed to be the company's latest power point-and-shoot, the Coolpix S640 is equipped with a 28mm wide-angle 5x optical zoom Nikkor lens and 2.7-inch "Incredible Bright" LCD. Nikon's Smart Portrait System has also made its way onto the Coolpix S640, only this time with the addition of a new Skin Softening feature that is designed to, well, do what its title divulges. The camera also receives full resolution ISO 6400 shooting and 4-way Optical VR Image Stabilization. For guts, the S640 will have a 12-megapixel sensor while its newly announced little brother, the Nikon Coolpix S570, will go with a 10-megapixel sensor. Neither compact has taken the seemingly inevitable leap to HD video yet, so we're still stuck with 640x480 VGA standard-definition recording. The Coolpix S640 does flaunt a rapid 0.7-second startup time and will be available in a variety of tasty colors. The Nikon Coolpix S640 will ship this September for $250.
Nikon Coolpix S70
 It's all about the OLED for the Nikon Coolpix S70, the company's latest addition to its fleet of fashionable shooters. Be aware that this is not your typical runway diva, so don't be fooled by the giant OLED 3.5-inch touch-screen with iPhone-like scroll and pinch functionality. The Coolpix S70 can actually capture 720p 30fps HD video and has Nikon's 5-way Optical VR Image Stabilization system. A 5x optical zoom is packed into its slim body, and the lens has a generous 24mm wide-angle minimum focal length. 16 different Scene modes are crammed into the Coolpix S70, along with the Smart Portrait System that features the new Skin Softening mode. More advanced technology includes the Coolpix S70's Motion Detection, which tracks subjects and adjusts the shutter speed based on the nature of their movement. We dig the dual-textured design and gaggle of color options, and the S70 is gearing up to be one of the most advanced fashion cams we've seen in this market to date. The Nikon Coolpix S70 is set to ship in September for $400 and our color choices will be Red & Red, Champagne & Beige, Black and Black or Champagne and Light Brown.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1
 Just as the world of fashion can be fierce and cutthroat, so can the world of fashion compacts. The day-old announcement of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 must have sent waves of concern over to Nikon's shores, for Sony has managed to take that same excellent back-illuminated "EXMOR R" technology and fuse it into its digital compact lineup. Remember that awesome low light performance we saw from the Sony HDR-XR520V high-definition camcorder? Well, we can expect similar things with the Cyber-shot DSC-TX1, which is designed to offer "twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors," according to Sony. Not only does the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 look like a promising low light performer, but the camera includes two Scene modes designed for shooting when the lights go dim and a Panorama Sweep mode, similar to the one we played with on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. We'll get a nice 3-inch touch-screen LCD and 4x optical zoom that offers an obscene 0.4-inch Macro distance. Talk about getting up close and personal. The Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 is modeled after the Cyber-shot DSC-T900, so we get the same sleek sliding faceplate. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 will ship this September for $380 and will be available in Silver, Grey, Pink and Blue.
Pentax Optio P80
 Pentax just announced the upgrade to the Pentax Optio P70, a camera we liked for its devilish looks and overall decent image performance. However, you'll find that not much has changed under the hood of the new Pentax Optio P80. We get the same 12-megapixel sensor and 4x optical zoom lens and the camera is just as compact and portable as its predecessor. What's new on the block is the Optio P80's revamped Face Detection system, which can recognize faces tilted to the side or back. The camera can also recognize up to 32 faces in a mere fraction of a second and the camera has a new Giant Face feature to make your friends' faces appear much larger than they already are. We'll also get Digital Filters like Toy Camera with the Optio P80, and the camera will include consumer-geared features like Frame Composite—which places a decorative frame around an image—and Digital Wide for panoramic shots. Although the Pentax Optio P80 is the least changed camera out of this lot, it's still a decent all-around point-and-shoot at a reasonably affordable price point. The Pentax Optio P80 will ship in September for $200 and will be available in Black, Pearl and Mint.
|
_it00.jpg)
|
Archive