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Powerful telephoto lenses let photographers get tightly-cropped shots from great distances, but the vibration inherent with extremely long lenses, particularly when the camera isn't on a tripod, is usually a trade-off.

The Nikon COOLPIX P80, however, is designed to provide photo enthusiasts and aspiring photographers with a broad range of creative control and picture-taking versatility.

Credit: NikonUSA.com

To accomplish this, the new compact digicam starts with one of the largest -- if not the largest -- optical zoom ranges in its class, and to ensure steady shots, combines it with advanced Optical Vibration Reduction (VR).

The Zoom-NIKKOR 18x optical zoom covers focal lengths from 27-486mm (35mm format equivalent), which Nikon couples with a 10.1 megapixel CCD image sensor and EXPEED digital image processing. (CLICK HERE to view test images.)

The camera's ergonomic design provides quick access to shooting controls and exposure mode settings, including Programmed Auto, Shutter-priority Auto, Aperture-priority Auto, and Manual modes.

Also available is all-new Sport Continuous Mode (CLICK HERE to view test images) which allows users to shoot as many as 30 consecutive pictures at 4, 6, or 13 frames per second.

The camera has a light sensitivity range up to ISO 6400, which makes it adept at capturing images in low-light situations or freezing moving subjects.

Composing and reviewing photos is accomplished via a 2.7-inch, wide-view LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating. An eye-level, 230,000-pixel electronic viewfinder also provides easier viewing in challenging lighting conditions.

The P80 also features “Nikon In-Camera Innovations,” which are technologies designed to solve common picture-taking problems.

In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, for example, automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography, in playback mode, D-Lighting compensates for excessive back-light or insufficient flash in images, and Face-Priority AF automatically finds and focuses on one person’s face or up to twelve people’s faces within one frame.

The exposure controls also include fifteen different scene-optimized and movie modes, such as the ability to bracket images or shoot pictures in both black and white and color simultaneously.

The camera has PictBridge support and is compatible with SD/SDHC cards. Software for organizing, editing and sharing photos is also included.

The Nikon COOLPIX P80 has an MSRP of $399.95 and is now available nationwide, just in time for Mother's Day, graduations, summer vacation, and Father's Day.

RELATED LINKS

Nikon USA
Nikon COOLPIX P80 Product Page

Last Updated: May 8, 2008

St. Tammany Computer Association Monthly Meeting Guest Speaker: Jerry Seregni Topic: "DTV and Thee" Tuesday, May 13th 7:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church 1041 9th Street Slidell, LA 70458 Call (985) 643-0871 for more information Guests Welcome Directions

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