u2018Performanceu2019 COOLPIX range enhanced

Nikon has announced a pair of new compacts which enhance its performance range of COOLPIX cameras. The new models, the P300 and P500 aim to offer ‘high functionality in a compact body’, according to Nikon, with the P300 being a totally new model to the COOLPIX P range.

The COOLPIX P300 offers a top-end specification in a compact and stylish body – the model features a specially crafted NIKKOR lens with an f/1.8 maximum aperture, 24mm ultra-wide lens and 4.2x optical zoom, complete with Nikon’s High Refractive Index glass.

As is standard with advanced compact cameras these days, the COOLPIX P300 features full manual PASM exposure controls, which are complemented by a 12.2MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor.

The impressive specification doesn’t end there, with the P300 offering a continuous image capture of 8fps – although limited to just seven shots – while the P300 also features full 1080p HD video capture complete with stereo sound. The final highlight with the P300 is an eye-catching 3in, 920k-dot LCD screen.

The P300 is available in black and is priced £299.99, with sales starting on 17th March 2011.

The second new COOLPIX performance compact from Nikon released today is the COOLPIX P500. The model is the replacement to the Nikon P100, and offers several eye-catching features, the most striking of these features being a 36x optical zoom, covering a focal range from 22.5mm through to 810mm in 35-mm equivalent terms.

The COOLPIX P500 also offers a tiltable high resolution 921k-dot LCD monitor along with Hybrid VR, both of which will aid steadiness when shooting at long focal lengths. HD video capture, at 1080p resolution, is also available, as is an HDMI out for linking directly to a TV.

The Nikon COOLPIX P500 will cost £399.99 upon launch on March 3rd, 2011.

For more information on the new pair of cameras, visit Nikon online.