Nikon, Fuji Expand Digital Camera Lines
Fuji unveils two sub-$250 entry-level units, while Nikon shows feature-laden 3-megapixel model.Frank Thorsberg, PCWorld.com
The selection of digital cameras for consumers is growing daily, with Fujifilm readying two entry-level digital cameras priced less than $250 while Nikon aims higher with a compact 3-megapixel model that features 12 different presets suited to a variety of scenes.
"The FinePix A101 and A201 are the birth of a new series," says
Andy LaGuardia, a Fujifilm spokesperson. "These particular cameras are
constructed for either first-time digital users or people who are familiar with
digital but want streamlined operation."
The A101, which is scheduled to ship in late August priced at $179, is a 1.3-megapixel camera with a 2x digital zoom and an 8MB SmartMedia card. The A201, due out in September at $249, is a 2-megapixel camera with a 2.5x digital zoom and 16MB SmartMedia card. Both models feature a USB port, can double as PC cams, and also can record video.
A third new Fuji camera, the FinePix 2600 Zoom, is a 2-megapixel unit with a 3x optical and 2.5x digital zoom. It is expected to ship in September with a $299 price tag.
Nikon's New CoolPix
The newest member of the Nikon CoolPix family is the CoolPix
885, a 3.2-megapixel model with a 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens. It is scheduled
to be available in September priced at $599. The 885 weighs 7.9 ounces without
its battery and the included 16MB CompactFlash card.
"It's designed for someone who wants the quality but who doesn't want to learn about photography. They're looking for a name they can trust," says Michael Rubin, senior product manager for Nikon. "It captures style and substance but yet it's simple."
After taking pictures, you can connect the CoolPix 885 via its USB port to a PC and then simply click a "transfer" button to instantly upload the images to the computer or the Internet.
"It's our second camera with one-touch upload to the Internet," says Rubin. First was the recently reviewed CoolPix 775. "We've also added a special scene mode," he adds. "You can set the camera with one menu adjustment that optimizes camera settings for shutter speed, aperture, and even white balance."
In addition to an "automatic" setting, the 885 features a dozen different preset scene modes, ranging from indoor portraits to beach shots. They include presets of the best settings to photograph portraits, indoors, beach or snow scenes, fireworks, close-ups, and museum shots (which cancels the flash).