Nikon Coolpix S6100, S4100, S3100, L24 announced

Coolpix S6100

(Credit: Nikon)

Nikon didn't do too much to change the sub-$200 end of its S-series cameras from 2010, but just enough to keep them interesting. For example, the S6100 gets more marketing-pixels megapixels, but gets a 3-inch touch-screen LCD, too. Add in the 7x optical zoom, wide-angle lens, and Nikon's Expeed C2 image processing engine, and you've got a pretty decent-sounding pocket camera for the money.
The S4100 and S3100 also get megapixel bumps and slightly wider, longer lenses, but are otherwise seemingly on par with their predecessors.
Lastly, Nikon refreshed its entry-level, AA-battery-powered L22 series compact by, of course, adding more megapixels. Here's hoping they improved quality control, too.
Here's how the models breakdown:

(Credit: Nikon)

Nikon Coolpix S6100

• Replaces S6000
• 16 megapixels
• 7x 28mm-equivalent wide-angle lens
• 3-inch high-resolution (460K dot) touch screen
• 720p HD video capture
• Available in March for $

Nikon joins the fast-lens ultracompact club

Nikon Coolpix P300 photos

Even after using a preproduction model for the past few days, I've really had a hard time classifying the new Nikon Coolpix P300. As part of its P series, geared to enthusiasts, you'd think Nikon was taking on models like the popular Canon PowerShot S95 and the new Olympus XZ-1. But while it has the basic black, no-nonsense design, fast lens and broad manual feature set of those models, it uses a relatively small but backside-illuminated (BSI) 1/2.3-inch sensor similar to mainstream consumer cameras like the PowerShot Elph 500 HS--it's priced lower than the former and higher than the latter.
Overall, I really like the camera's design.