Nikon Unveils New Technology That Allows Its Cameras to Find a Face in a Portrait Shot

Face-Priority Auto Focus Ensures That Faces Remain in Focus, Creating Memories as They Were Meant to be Captured

Common shooting situations have continued to pose unique challenges to casual snap-shooters, like avoiding dark pictures and blurred subjects in portraits. Nikon engineers dared to ask, 'How can we address these issues within the camera?'

The answer is a new suite of Nikon technology designed specifically for {mosaddphp:/ads4.php} the Coolpix line of digital cameras that includes the proprietary Face Priority Auto Focus (AF), In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and the new D-Lighting feature. These technologies work together in conjunction with the camera to make it easier than ever to capture great pictures.

Face Priority Auto Focus Ensures Sharp Portraits

Imagine a camera smart enough to find a face in a scene. Nikon's new Face- Priority AF can do just that when selected using the camera's Portrait Scene Mode. As its name suggests, Face-Priority AF uses technology transparent to the user to actually identify up to three faces within a scene and then sets the camera's focus point accordingly. The function even brackets the faces on the camera's LCD screen and tracks the faces if they move about during composition. With multiple faces, the camera will determine its focus points based on the closest subject within the shot. The bracket shows confirmation once focus is locked and then turns green to prompt the user to take the picture. The result is crisp, sharp portraits at the press of a single button. "Face Priority AF is a revolutionary step forward for the everyday snap shooter," said Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing for Nikon Inc. "This state-of-the-art technology, makes taking beautiful snap shots as easy as turning on the camera, framing the shot and pressing the shutter release. It's really that simple."

In-Camera Red-Eye Fix Says Goodbye to Red Eye

Beyond faces, most Nikon Coolpix cameras can automatically detect and remove red-eye directly within the camera with Nikon's exclusive In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM) technology. This elegant solution to common red-eye pictures detects and corrects red eyes in most typical situations without the need to press buttons or select and highlight the eyes in playback. Nikon's red-eye solution is completely transparent to the user and the result is simple - less red-eye photographs straight from the camera.

D-Lighting Addresses and Eliminates Dark Photos

Tricky lighting situations or insufficient flash can sometimes lead to dark photographs. Nikon's new D-Lighting function is a tool to fix problems that occur with excessive backlighting and underexposed images from affecting the quality of the resulting pictures. D-Lighting, selected in Playback, automatically compensates for insufficient flash or excessive back lighting in order to obtain a balanced exposure throughout the frame. After applying D-Lighting, the camera saves the original image and a corrected copy to the camera's internal or removable memory. An application of D-Lighting can literally turn a dark, throwaway shot into a frame-able memory. A combination of these exclusive and exciting new technologies are available on new Nikon Coolpix digital cameras including the Coolpix 4600, 5600, 5900, 7900 and S1. For more information, please visit http://www.nikondigital.com .

About Nikon Nikon...If the picture matters, the camera matters(TM). Nikon Inc. is the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging technology and is recognized worldwide for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Advanced Photo System cameras; 35mm compact cameras; Nikon Coolpix(R) compact digital cameras; Coolscan(R) digital film scanners; Nikonos(R) underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative(TM), the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com , which links all levels of photographers to the web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

SOURCE Nikon Inc.