Nikon Canada Announces COOLPIX AW100

Nikon Announces the First COOLPIX Built to Challenge Mother Nature: AW100

Ready for extreme adventure with compact rugged body, CMOS sensor for superior image quality and GPS capability

Mississauga, ON, August 24, 2011– Today, Nikon Canada announced the new COOLPIX AW100, a camera that can stand up to the rigorous expectations of those with an appetite for adventure and demand incredible image quality within a strong, durable camera body. The waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof COOLPIX AW100 is forged with features for adventure seekers who need amazing image quality and Full High Definition (HD) movie recording to keep pace with their active lifestyles.

The COOLPIX AW100’s newly designed rugged chassis is built to withstand harsh environments, yet compact and lightweight enough to pack for a weekend on the trail. Ready to conquer the rocks, the ice and the waves, the AW100 hosts myriad Nikon core technologies aimed at providing stunning images and Full HD 1080p movie recording as well as new GPS technologies for outdoor enthusiasts.

“With detailed engineering and advanced technology, the COOLPIX AW100 is the rugged compact camera for the adventure enthusiast who never slows down, and needs a camera to deliver amazing images without a second thought,” said Gregory Flasch, National Advertising and Communications Manager at Nikon Canada. “The AW100 is as tough as the user that needs it, and offers a sturdy exterior and advanced technology that enables users to capture life’s triumphant moments with high quality images and Full HD movies.”

Adventures Captured with Stunning Detail The AW100 is the ideal companion for any adventurer to bring home the bragging rights from victorious conquests with amazing image quality and Full HD movies. The fast and compact AW100 can be used underwater to a depth of 10 metres, is shock resistant from a drop of 1.5 metres, and weather-resistant down to a frigid -10°C. Whether staring in the face of a raging monsoon or kayaking down the rapids, the battery-chamber, SD card slot, HDMI mini connector and USB/audio video connector are securely covered to prevent intrusion from the elements. In addition, because every extra ounce matters when packing for a trek, the COOLPIX
AW100 is also one of the thinnest and lightest among true water-resistant cameras at approximately 22.8mm thin and 180 grams light.

Image quality is what sets the AW100 apart from the pack, and the camera features a 16.0-megapixel backside illuminated CMOS sensor for improved picture quality even in challenging low-light conditions.

Whether scrambling a cliff face in scorching sunlight, or carefully treading underneath a dense jungle canopy, users can confidently capture images in a variety of light. The camera uses a high sensitivity mode to capture the action in low-light conditions, and also features a maximum ISO of 3200 for the ability to capture images where lesser cameras do not make the cut. For added versatility, the AW100 also features a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens with a 35mm equivalent of 28-140mm, to let users shoot wild POV angles and zoom in to the action. When the action starts moving fast, the AW100 helps to create blur-free images with the use of Nikon’s Vibration Reduction
(VR) technology to minimize camera-shake to capture sharp images and HD movies.

Engineered with Adventure in Mind
The AW100 is born to be extreme, and includes features created for the adventurer. The new GPS function and internal map display allows photos to be displayed via location information, and saves latitude and longitude information in the image data. Users can now shoot and track their route via included Nikon ViewNX2 software or Google Earth™, and pinpoint the exact orientation at the top of a ski slope or show display thumbnails together with a map of the terrain. The camera will also track location while not in use so the user can show an accurate map of their travels up the mountain or kayaking down a river. The AW100 includes an E-compass, allowing the user to orientate via the LCD screen.

The COOLPIX AW100 also features a new Action Control operation, which allows photographers to assign a function to a swinging motion to swiftly select specific settings such as scene mode by simply shaking the camera, avoiding the need to remove gloves in situations like skiing, diving or hiking. The camera includes a large 3-inch bright LCD screen with Clear Colour Display and anti-reflective coating providing the ability to see in difficult lighting conditions. Users are also able to mount the camera securely to various mounting systems via the built-in standard tripod mount.

Full HD Movie Recording
Adventure happens fast, and the AW100 is ready to capture Full HD video to document the day’s climb, hike, bike, or dive. The COOLPIX AW100 captures stereo audio, and the ability to optically zoom during recording. In addition to Full HD, the camera features a dedicated movie-record button enabling fast, one-touch recording on the fly.
Creative movie-making is also available with slow and fast action recording options; shoot slow-motion movies at 60, 120 and 240 frames per second (fps) or capture fast motion movie at 15 fps.

COOLPIX Technology
AW100 includes Nikon’s EXPEED C2TM image processing engine for enhanced image quality and processing speed. With the new COOLPIX AW100’s high-speed continuous shooting performance of the camera’s CMOS sensor, combined pictures are used for challenging lighting conditions. Using the HDR feature accessible in the Backlighting Scene Mode, the camera combines consecutive images of different exposure to achieve a wide tonality.

Additionally, the COOLPIX AW100 includes Easy Auto mode, which automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts camera settings accordingly for great pictures. The Smart Portrait System incorporates a series of automatic functions including In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™, Face-Priority AF, Face Priority AE, Smile Mode, Blink Warning, Skin Softening and Pet Portrait mode. Also, the COOLPIX AW100 has an attachable 40.5mm thread filter mount adapter that attaches to the camera for add-on filters.

Price and Availability
The new Nikon AW100 is scheduled to be available at Authorized Nikon Canada Dealers in early September 2011 at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of CAD $379.95. It will be available in black, blue and a distinctive, highly visible orange.

Exclusive Canadian Warranty
Nikon Canada offers an exclusive two-year warranty for all COOLPIX digital cameras purchased from an Authorized Nikon Canada Dealer.
Consumers’ investment is protected by Nikon Canada’s warranties with in-Canada service.

About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the ImageTM, is the world leader in digital imaging, precision opt ics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment.

Nikon Canada distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s Exclusive EXPEED™ or EXPEED™ 2 advanced digital image processing system technologies. All Nikon Canada products are sold through a network of Authorized Nikon Canada Dealers. For more information on Nikon Canada and its products and services or to find an Authorized Nikon Dealer, visit www.nikon.ca.

* Photos are available upon request

Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories and release schedule may differ by country or area. Pricing is subject to change. Refer to www.nikon.ca for the latest pricing.

To see the full range of Nikon COOLPIX cameras and digital SLRs, visit www.nikon.ca.