Following up on the Coolpix P5000, Nikon is adding two cameras to their Performance (P) line. The Nikon Coolpix P5100 is a direct descendant of the P5000, and the Nikon Coolpix P50 is a cheaper "performance" camera. In their new cameras, Nikon has been rolling out EXPEED, a new image processing system, and improved face detection system,and some other improvements. The Coolpix P5100 will be available in September 2007 for $400 and the Coolpix P50 will be available in October 2007 for $230.

Nikon Coolpix P5100

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Coolpix P5100 features:

• 12.1 megapixels
• 3.5x optical zoom (35-123mm equivalent)
• Optical VR (image stabilization)
• 2.5 inch LCD
• Improved Face Priority AF (up to 12 faces)
• In-camera red-eye fix
• D-Lighting
• Program auto, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual exposure modes in addition to auto and scene modes
• Can accept accessory lenses
• Hotshoe
• Optical viewfinder
• ISO 3200 at reduced resolution
• 16:9 image capture mode
• Lens distortion control that fixes barrel distortion in real time
• EXPEED image processing system
• SD/SDHC memory
• Lithium-ion battery

Nikon Coolpix P50

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Coolpix P50 features:

• 8.1 megapixels
• 3.6x optical zoom (28-102mm equivalent)
• Electronic VR
• 2.4 inch LCD
• Improved Face Priority AF (up to 12 faces)
• In-camera red-eye fix
• D-Lighting
• Program auto and manual exposure modes in addition to auto and scene modes
• Optical viewfinder
• ISO 2000 at reduced resolution
• EXPEED image processing system
• SD/SDHC memory
• Powered by 2 AA batteries