Nikon launches Android-based Coolpix S810c compact camera

Nikon, the Japanese camera manufacturer, has announced the launch of its latest camera from the Coolpix series - the S810c. While its predecessor the Coolpix S800 - Nikon's first-ever Android-based compact camera - was met with mixed reactions, the camera maker hopes to revive fortunes in the Android OS-based camera segment. Revisiting the Android platform, the Coolpix S810c features a 16-megapixel sensor along with a string of other features. The camera will be released for a price tag of $350 (roughly Rs. 21,100) in May.

Amongst its primary features, the Coolpix S810c runs the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and is aimed at allowing users to sync to the Internet easily and perform functions similar to Android-based smartphones. Nikon is, understandably, looking to bridge the gap between a camera with good imaging qualities and fast Internet-based capabilities with the new Coolpix S810c.

The Coolpix S810c uses a 12x optical zoom Nikkor lens with a 16-megapixel backside illuminated CMOS sensor on board. Making use of the Dynamic Fine Zoom will expand the zoom capabilities to 24x. The Nikkor lens has a range of 25-300 mm and also offers support for macro photography till two cm close to the lens centre.

Amongst other shooting features, the Coolpix S810c offers a comment function to comment immediately after clicking a picture. The Timeline view allows users to create up to 50 timelines to assign images to a particular event. The Nikon Image Space App is also pre-installed that allows users to upload pictures and view them anytime and anywhere. The onboard GPS, with an A-GPS function, allows users to record shooting location data along with the photos.

The 3.7-inch, 1229k dot, TFT LCD screen on the Coolpix S810c features anti-reflection coating and Clear Colour Display on board. Also users can record full-HD movies at 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30fps. The introduction of a headphone jack enables a user to listen to audio playback on the videos shot or even use the camera as a media player. Further information can be found on the Nikon site.

While the specifications are definitely intriguing, Nikon will certainly be thinking about the poor showing of the Coolpix S800. However, the CoolPix S810c looks like it could dispel any doubts about a camera running on the Android platform as of now.