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Digital Compact Camera COOLPIX S4

September 1, 2005

The compact digital camera with 10x zoom performance and a swivel design that covers all the angles.

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX S4, one of the new "S series" of highly portable COOLPIX cameras with the "S" standing for "Style" and so much more. A stylish camera designed for active people, the COOLPIX S4 packs a high megapixel count, a large LCD monitor and zoom capability into a swiveling body that allows the lens and LCD sections to move independently.

The COOLPIX S4 features a 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens that takes compositional versatility beyond other cameras in its class. Not only does it deliver outstanding 38-380mm performance (35mm equivalent) that gives the user the freedom to capture everything from extreme close-ups to architecture and landscapes, but it also offers the advantage of being swivel mounted to enable picture taking from much more imaginative angles. This enables easy shooting from the waist or overhead and allows better composition for self-portraits. The COOLPIX S4 delivers the imaging capability of 6.0 effective megapixels too, producing quality shots that remain impressive even when considerably enlarged.

Despite offering such imaging performance, the COOLPIX S4 is designed to fit comfortably in the hand, with the swiveling section neatly enclosing and protecting the powerful zoom lens and a zoom lever located on the top of the body for easy operation. The COOLPIX S4 also features a newly designed grip that contributes to a more confident shooting feel and features a large, bright 2.5-inch LCD that makes it easy to compose pictures and simple to play back the results on the spot. The COOLPIX S4 additionally offers the portable benefits of being slim (with a depth of 37mm) and having a light weight of 205g.

With the COOLPIX S4, it is also possible to improve recorded images in-camera with a range of unique Nikon functions. Available in Playback Mode, the ingenious D-Lighting function enables the user to rescue shots taken with insufficient flash or excessive backlight. The user simply has to select the image in question and D-Lighting automatically creates a copy, but with enhanced detail and lighting wherever necessary. In Portrait Mode, the COOLPIX S4 offers the handy Face-priority AF function, which has the clever ability to detect the presence of a human face in the shot. Once detected, Face-priority achieves sharp focus on the face automatically, producing pleasing portraits no matter where the subject was positioned in the shot. There's also the benefit of In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which has the ability to detect the unfortunate red-eye effect that can occur when taking portraits with flash. Automatically correcting for the effect for a better quality portrait, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix lets you use the flash with greater confidence. The COOLPIX S4 is equipped with a useful Blur Warning function too. Alerting the user whenever a shot may have been compromised by camera shake, it provides a chance to take another image before leaving the scene.

Taking fun and convenience further, the COOLPIX S4 can be powered with a pair of AA-size batteries, which are widely available around the world in alkaline, lithium or other forms, making the camera well suited to travel. There's also a selection of four Movie Modes offering up to 15fps performance. Three of these modes also record sound, while the fourth is a Time-lapse movie function that allows the capture of action taking place over extended periods.

A choice of 16 Scene Modes simplify shooting in a wide range of common situations — allowing the user to select the icon that most closely matches the desired shot, then let the COOLPIX S4 select the optimal settings automatically for pleasing results. Four of these Scene Modes come with the added advantage of Scene Assist, which helps the user to achieve better composition. There's also the Voice Recording Mode, which is highly useful in meetings and lectures as well as a range of other circumstances and can record up to 5 hours of sound when used with a 256MB SD card.

Offering PictBridge compatibility, the COOLPIX S4 makes printing easy, too — allowing the camera to be directly connected to compatible printers to produce photographs without the need for a computer. The camera also offers USB connectivity that makes it swift and easy to transfer data to computers and other peripherals. Furthermore, the COOLPIX S4 even comes complete with Nikon's versatile PictureProject software — making it simple to edit, organize and share images with a wide range of easy-to-use functions.

  • Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.

Nikon COOLPIX S4 Feature Highlights

Amazing 10x optical zoom performance
Equipped with a powerful 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens, the COOLPIX S4 offers far more compositional freedom than other compact cameras. In fact, delivering outstanding 38-380mm performance (35mm equivalent), it makes it easy for the photographer to capture a much broader range of subject matter — moving in for tightly composed portraits, zooming further out for stunning shots of architecture, or pulling right out to capture the full beauty of expansive scenery.
Dynamic swivel design
Not only is the lens of the COOLPIX S4 incredibly powerful, but it is also housed within a unique swiveling body that allows the lens to be directed independently of the LCD monitor. As a result, it provides new potential for taking pictures from a more imaginative range of angles — shooting from the hip, shooting from overhead, and allowing the photographer to point the lens and the LCD monitor in the same direction simultaneously to achieve self-portraits with more accurate composition.
Easy to carry for go-anywhere convenience
The COOLPIX S4 is ideal for carrying and using virtually anywhere. Compact dimensions and a light weight make it comfortable to hold in the hand and easy to carry. It's also compatible with AA-size batteries, which are widely available around the world in alkaline, lithium and other forms, making it an excellent choice of camera to take when traveling.
Large, bright 2.5-inch LCD
The COOLPIX S4 is also equipped with a large, easy-to-view LCD that makes it easy to compose shots with clarity and play back the results right away. And because it's so large and bright, it makes navigation of the menu much simpler too.
The power to improve pictures in-camera
Equipped with a selection of unique Nikon functions, the COOLPIX S4 even makes it easy to enhance recorded images in-camera. Available in Playback Mode, the D-Lighting function lets users improve images taken with insufficient flash or excessive backlight, creating a copy with automatically enhanced light and detail wherever necessary. Available in Portrait Mode, the ingenious Face-priority AF function has the power to detect faces within the frame, achieving sharp focus automatically no matter where the subject is located in the shot. The COOLPIX S4 also features In-Camera Red-Eye Fix. A welcome function when taking portraits at night, it corrects for the annoying red-eye effect sometimes caused by flash to produce better portraits in low light.

Nikon COOLPIX S4 Other Features

  • Highly portable dimensions of 111.5 x 68.5 x 37mm (4.4 x 2.7 x 1.4 in.) (W x H x D)
  • Minimized weight of approximately 205g (7.2 oz.) (without battery and memory card)
  • BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the best exposure automatically from ten sequential shots
  • AE-BSS selects the best relative exposure from a series of shots
  • Macro mode lets the user compose as close as 4cm from the subject
  • Approx. 13.5MB internal memory ensures that you get the shot even when you are without an SD memory card
  • Time zone function makes it easy to set the camera's clock to local time, regardless of where you are in the world
  • 4x digital zoom takes you even closer
  • Single AF and Continuous AF are selectable in Movie Mode
  • Choice of White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 5-mode manual (Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy and Flash) and Preset
  • Playback options: Single, 4- and 9-segment thumbnail, Slideshow
  • Built-in flash: features settings for Auto, Red-eye Reduction by pre-flash (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Anytime flash, Flash cancel and Slow sync

Nikon Digital Camera COOLPIX S4 Specifications

Type Compact digital camera
Effective pixels 6.0 million
CCD 1/2.5-inch type (6.4 million total pixels)
Image modes High (2816*), Normal (2816), Normal (2048), PC (1024), TV (640)
Lens 10x Zoom-Nikkor; 6.3-63mm (35mm [135] format equivalent to 38-380mm); f/3.5; 12 elements in 9 groups; Digital zoom: up to 4x (35mm [135] format equivalent to approx. 1520mm)
Focus range 30cm (12 in.) to infinity (8), approx. 4cm (1.6 in.) to infinity (8) in Macro mode
LCD monitor 2.5-inch type, 110,000-dot TFT LCD monitor with brightness adjustment
Storage Media Internal memory: approx. 13.5MB, SD memory card
Shooting Modes Auto, Scene Assist (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait), Scene (Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close up, Museum, Fireworks Show, Copy, Back Light, Panorama Assist, Voice Recording), BSS (Best Shot Selector), AE-BSS, Color Options, Blur Warning, Date Imprint, Self-timer (10 sec.)
Movie With sound: TV movie (640) at 15fps, Small size (320) at 15fps, Smaller size (160) at 15fps; Without sound: Time-lapse movie at 15fps
Capture modes 1) Single, 2) Continuous (approx. 1.3fps), 3) Multi-shot 16 (16 frames 1/16 in size)
Number of frames
(w/ Internal memory)
High (2816*) approx. 4, Normal (2816) approx. 9
Built-in flash Range: 0.4-3.0m/ 1 ft. 4 in. – 10 ft.; Flash modes: Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Anytime Flash, Flash Cancel and Slow sync.
Interface USB
Supported languages German/ English/ Spanish/ French/ Italian/ Dutch/ Swedish/ Japanese/ Simplified Chinese/ Traditional Chinese/ Korean/ Russian selectable in menu display
Power requirements Two AA-size batteries (Rechargeable Ni-MH Battery EN-MH1-B2 with Battery Charger MH-71, LR6 alkaline batteries, ZR6 oxy-nickel batteries and FR6/L91 lithium batteries), AC Adapter EH-62B
Battery life (approx.) Approx. 290 shots with EN-MH1-B2 Rechargeable Batteries, approx. 450 shots with lithium batteries, approx 160 shots with LR6 (AA-size alkaline batteries) (based on CIPA standard*)
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 111.5 x 68.5 x 37mm (4.4 x 2.7 x 1.4 in.)
Weight Approx. 205g (7.2 oz.) (without batteries and memory card)
Supplied Accessories** Neck strap, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP14, Rechargeable Ni-MH Battery EN-MH1-B2, Battery Charger MH-71, Lens cap, PictureProject CD-ROM
Optional Accessories AC Adapter EH-62B
  • *Industry standard for measuring life of camera batteries. Measured at 25°C (77°F); zoom adjusted with each shot, built-in flash fired with every other shot, image mode set to Normal.
  • **Supplied accessories may differ by country or area.

PictureProject System Requirements

OS Macintosh: Mac® OS X version 10.1.5 or later (version 10.2.8 or later required for Burn Disc option)
Windows: Windows® XP Home Edition / Professional, Windows® 2000 Professional, Windows® Me, Windows® 98SE pre-installed models
RAM Macintosh: 64MB or more recommended
Windows: 64MB or more recommended (128MB with muvee option)
Hard disk 60MB required for installation
Display 800 x 600 or more with 16-bit color (full color recommended)
Others CD-ROM drive required for installation
Only built-in USB ports are supported
  • Microsoft® and Windows® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Macintosh® and QuickTime® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The FotoNation logo is a trademark. The SD logo is a trademark. PictBridge is a trademark. D-Lighting technology is provided by Apical Limited. Face-priority AF technology is provided by Identix®. Products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
  • Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. September 2005

  • The information is current as of the date of publication. It is subject to change without notice.