Stylish 14.5MP Nikon S710 offers DSLR-like functions

Nikon on Thursday also debuted the COOLPIX S710, a premium compact S710 camera that features 14.5 megapixels, a large 3-inch LCD display, a 3.6x Zoom-NIKKOR wide-angle glass lens. The stylish stainless steel camera delivers four specific features to reduce image blur: full-time Optical VR Image Stabilization technology, which compensates for camera shake; a new Motion Detection feature that automatically adjusts the camera to a higher ISO sensitivity setting and shutter speed (for sharper images); Best Shot Selector, which snaps multiple frames and automatically selects the best one; and an ISO range of up to 12,800 for superior low-light performance (only for photos up to 3M).

The S710 also provides users with creative options for composing and capturing photos with new exposure modes and a new Scene Auto Selector Mode. The S710 offers the modes also found in the P-series of COOLPIX cameras, including Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-priority Auto [S], Aperture-priority Auto [A] and Manual [M] modes. The new S710 also includes Scene Auto Selector Mode, which automatically selects the correct scene mode (Close-up, Portrait, Landscape, Backlight, Night Portrait, and Night Landscape).

Like previous cameras, the S710 offers “Nikon In-Camera Innovations:" In-Camera Red-Eye Fix automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. Nikon’s new enhanced Face-Priority AF automatically finds and focuses on up to 12 faces within one frame. Nikon claims it also provides faster and sharper focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subjects are positioned in the frame. In playback mode, D-Lighting compensates for excessive back-light or insufficient flash in images.

The new S710 camera supports new high-capacity SDHC cards and utilizes a new slim EN-EL12 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The S710 also comes bundled with the COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images.

The S710, due in September, will be available in black, red, and silver for $380.