Nikon rolls out Coolpix S640, S570 and touch screen S70

This morning's announcement from Nikon welcomes three more style-oriented S series compacts to their roster. The Coolpix S70, Coolpix S640, and Coolpix S570 bring style updates and resolution boosts to the existing lineup.

Nikon Coolpix S70
The Coolpix S70 follows in the footsteps of the touch screen S60, this time sporting a large 3.5 inch OLED touch panel. Like the S60, the Coolpix S70 does away with buttons on the back panel and camera functions are operated through touch interface.

This model will offer a new shutter release through touch interface in addition to the shutter button on top of the camera body. It also boosts sensor resolution from 10.0 megapixels up to 12.1.

The Nikon Coolpix S70 also adds 720p HD video recording to the existing model. The 5x Nikkor lens will offer a wider focal range as well with an equivalent of 28-140mm. The 5-Way VR Image Stabilization includes preferred optical stabilization. The S70 is the priciest Coolpix in this group and will retail for $399.95. It will make its official debut in September 2009.

Nikon Coolpix S640
In the Nikon Coolpix S640, Nikon claims improved auto focus and shutter lag speeds. They list a fast startup time of 0.7 seconds. The 12.2 megapixel CCD sensor is accompanied by the same 5x, 28-140mm equivalent Nikkor lens found on the other two new Coolpix models.

The Coolpix S640 bears quite a resemblance to the S630, but eschews the rectangular buttons of the previous model for circular controls. The S640 is equipped with a standard set of specs including 4-Way VR Image Stabilization (with optical stabilization only), a 2.7 inch LCD, and 640x480 movie recording with sound at 30 fps. At 3.9 ounces, it's the lightest Coolpix in this generation.

The Coolpix S640 will become available in September with an MSRP of $249.95.

Nikon Coolpix S570
While the S640 will bear the honor of lightest camera in today's announcement, the slimmest will be the Coolpix S570 at 0.8 inches. It steps ahead of the existing S560 in terms of sensor resolution but keeps many of the same features including a sub $200 price tag.

The 12.0 megapixel S570 offers a 2.7 inch, 230,000 dot LCD and a 5x Nikkor lens at a very attractive price. The Coolpix S560's four-way direction pad control layout has been replaced with a round controller. The new model will also add a red color option to the lineup, but much remains the same stylistically with the S560.

Other features include 640x480 movie recording with sound at 30 fps, up to ISO 3200 sensitivity for low-light shooting, and 4-Way VR Image Stabilization with electronic stabilization only. The Coolpix S570 also debuts in September at $199.95. All of these models can be viewed at Nikon's website.