Nikon Introduces 4-Megapixel, 4X Optical Zoom Digital Camera

Nikon just introduced the Coolpix 4500, the first Nikon digital camera to feature a 4.0 effective megapixel CCD combined with a 4x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens. Built on the swivel-lens body design of the Coolpix 995, the Coolpix 4500 offers advanced imaging control options as well as numerous automatic functions for a wide range of versatility in a more compact, but solid, ergonomic body to create a digital camera that expands a photographer’s perspective. As the first four-megapixel camera in the Nikon Coolpix line, the Coolpix 4500 is designed to be used in multiple photographic applications and gives photographers total creativity with full manual control options. For automatic functions, the camera includes a variety of options provided by 16 built-in Scene modes, the most in any Coolpix camera, and an automatic pop-up flash. The Coolpix 4500 also has sound features for attaching up to 20 seconds of recorded notes to photos, and for capturing 35 seconds of video movies with sound. With the optional Coolpix accessories, including the new Macro Cool-Light SL-1, and lenses like the fisheye and wide-angle, this camera is perfect for both creative photography as well as educational and business purposes when total image capture and control are needed.

The Coolpix 4500 provides superior images with the combination of a 4.0 effective megapixel CCD that offers a maximum resolution of 2,272 x 1,704 pixels and high-performance 4x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens at 38 – 155mm (35mm equivalent). Sharp imaging is optimized through a five-area multi autofocus with an extra wide focus range for quick and diverse image composition.

For the advanced photographer, the camera features four exposure metering options including Nikon’s exclusive 256-segment Matrix Metering, Center-weighted, Spot and Spot AF metering. Image quality settings in the Coolpix 4500 include TTL White Balance, White Balance Bracketing, Four-step Saturation control (including Black and White and Sepia modes) and an added Noise Reduction mode. And for the photographer looking for the ultimate control, this digital camera offers full manual operation.

In addition to the advanced control set in the Coolpix 4500 for the advanced photographer, the camera includes 16 versatile Scene modes. The Scene modes make choosing the perfect camera setting to capture the moment simple. Scene modes include: Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show, Close Up, Copy, Back Light, Sports and Dawn/Dusk. Panorama Assist mode is included to allow several either, side-by-side, up-or-down photos to be taken all at the same exposure and white balance setting for optimized panorama photos when combined together in Panorama Maker™, one of the photo editing software programs included with the camera. The final mode is Multiple Exposure, which artistically combines two images in a single frame; a transparent first image aids composition when taking the second image.

To aid lighting for various situations, the Coolpix 4500 features an automatic pop-up five-mode Speedlight flash. This camera also includes two sound features – a voice memo function to record up to 20 seconds of audio captions for the captured images, and a QuickTime Movie mode that records up to 35 seconds of video with sound.

The Coolpix 4500 is fully compatible with all Nikon Coolpix wide-angle and fisheye converter lenses, accessories and external Speedlights for additional creative control of the scene. No additional adapter rings are required to use the Coolpix accessories with the Coolpix 4500, including the new Macro Cool-Light SL-1, designed for full-surround illumination for macro shooting.

To store the image files, the camera supports multiple media options. The Coolpix 4500 is compatible with CompactFlash cards Type I and II, as well as IBM Corporation’s Microdrive 512MB and 1GB cards. The camera includes a Nikon Coolpix Starter Memory Card.

Once the picture is taken, there are still plenty of options to use with this camera. The Coolpix 4500 incorporates the popular Quick Review button for immediate viewing of the previously captured images in one-quarter or the full LCD screen. The camera supports other Nikon playback options including zoom, four and nine-image thumbnails. Also included in the Coolpix 4500 is the Small Picture function, which creates a reduced-size image copy for quick emailing.

After the pictures are taken, the camera easily connects to a computer for fast transfer of the images with the included USB cable. The Coolpix 4500 features Nikon’s One-Touch Upload button directly on the camera to quickly and easily transfer images to the desktop or Internet with the touch of a button.

The Coolpix 4500 includes Nikon’s exclusive browser software NikonView 5 which is a complete image editing and processing package to simply organize, retrieve and print images, create a slideshow and share pictures via email, the Web or PDAs. For added image creativity, the camera package also includes ArcSoft’s PhotoImpression, a fun manipulation package that allows users to edit, retouch or apply special effects to photos; VideoImpression to edit and share QuickTime movies, as well as Panorama Maker, which lets users easily stitch together a number of images to automatically create beautiful panoramic photographs ready to print or email and ArcSoft PhotoBase for PDAs. The camera is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, included with the camera along with the charger, to provide approximately 100 minutes of continuous operation. An optional AC adaptor and/or disposable lithium batteries can be used as alternate power sources.

The Coolpix 4500 will be available in July 2002. www.nikonusa.com.

SOURCE Nikon