Nikon Coolpix S6 6MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Wi-Fi Capable)

The stylish Coolpix S6 has been built with the sharing and enjoyment of digital photography in mind, combining high-quality imaging performance with a striking wave-surface design, the ability to improve images in-camera, an outstandingly large LCD, and a powerful new Pictmotion function that allows users to create entertaining in-camera shows.

The brand new Pictmotion function lets users create much more than just a slideshow--indeed it enables a radically new form of in-camera entertainment. This allows users to select favorite images and movie files, pick a style, and then select a music file from one of the five pre-installed files in the camera--or even add their own music via PictureProject for Windows only--to suit the show. Pictmotion then automatically analyzes all these elements to produce highly entertaining shows that are coupled with pace and transition selected to match the chosen music and style.

These shows can then be played back anywhere, anytime on the ample-sized 3.0-inch LCD monitor, and because the LCD offers a surprisingly wide viewing angle of 170 degrees (both horizontal and vertical), such in-camera entertainment can be enjoyed by everyone at the same time. The camera also features Auto Image Rotation, which detects pictures that have been taken with the camera held vertically, automatically rotating them to suit in-camera LCD playback.

With the Coolpix S6, image quality is a top priority: the camera offers a 1/2.5-inch CCD and 6.0 effective megapixel resolution to produce images that stay sharp even when significantly enlarged. It also features a high-quality 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens with a range of 35-105mm (35mm equivalent) that gives the photographer the flexibility to zoom out for beautiful landscapes, zoom in for tightly-composed portraits, and enjoy macro photography from as close as 4 centimeters.

The Coolpix S6 has been specially designed to be visually appealing as well as easy to use. The eye-catching wave-surface design is about more than just great styling--its thin, compact dimensions and form make the Coolpix S6 really comfortable to hold.

In terms of control, the camera features a new rotary multi-selector that allows fast circular scrolling for speedy image browsing at up to 10 frames per second, a range of buttons that further simplify operation, and an on-screen icon with a cursor that tracks circular scrolling, making it easy to select desired features. Furthermore, users can select functions by name or icon according to their personal preference, and all menus and icons have been made easier on the eye with a new color scheme and optimized icon dimensions.

The Coolpix S6 also boasts a new one-touch portrait button, conveniently located at the top of the camera body, making it much simpler to take better quality pictures by offering easy access to Nikon's unique Face-priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, and D-Lighting functions. With Face-priority AF, the camera can automatically detect people's faces in the frame, no matter where they are located, to produce sharply focused portraits.

In-Camera Red-Eye Fix detects the unfortunate red-eye effect that can sometimes happen in flash photography, automatically compensating for it in camera to produce more pleasing results. D-Lighting (available in playback mode) enables users to improve images that are underexposed or taken with too much back light--creating a copy of the image with light and detail added where necessary while leaving the well-exposed parts exactly the way they were.

The Coolpix S6 delivers the additional advantage of Wi-Fi capability. Offering IEEE 802.11b/g support, it allows users to send images wirelessly to a computer as soon as they are taken or to transfer in one go all images stored in memory to a computer. The Coolpix S6 also supports cable-free printing, enabling images to be sent directly to PictBridge-compatible printers without the need to use a computer. (Cable-free direct printing requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10. The PD-10 adapter is not included and must be purchased separately.)

A selection of 15 Scene modes--four with Scene assist--allows Coolpix S6 users achieve satisfying results, aided by clear focus and optimal exposure in diverse situations. All the user has to do is select the most appropriate Scene mode best for the scene and compose the shot, leaving the camera to automatically select the optimum settings.

Three movie modes with sound are also available for capturing action at up to 30 frames per second. The camera also features Time-lapse movie shooting capability that allows dramatic results to be created out of slow-moving action, such as shooting a flower blooming or a movie of clouds rushing across the sky, for example.

The Coolpix S6 helpa speed up your search for recorded images thanks to a Calendar function that automatically sorts images according to the date they were taken. For further versatility, the Coolpix S6 comes complete with the Cool-Station MV-15, to allow batteries to be recharged while they are still in the camera. It also offers USB connectivity and can even be hooked up for TV display.

On a final note, the Coolpix S6 comes bundled with Nikon's complimentary PictureProject software and an easy-to-use Wireless Camera Setup Utility which employs a simple Wizard to configure the camera for wireless operation. The beauty of PictureProject is that it makes editing pictures, organising shots and sharing images remarkably simple, while a range of available plug-ins lets users extend capabilities as they like.