Nikon has announced the CoolPix S01, an ultra-compact camera that's small enough to fit into a user's pocket. It boasts a simple home screen and user interface with shortcut menus for quick operation.

Weighing approximately 3.4 ounces with an extremely small form factor (3.1 x 2.1 x 0.7 inches), the S01 has a stainless construction and processing that prevents the glossy exterior from being scratched, according to Bo Kajiwara, vice president of Marketing, Planning and Customer Experience, Nikon. It's available in colors such as red, white, silver and pink.

The CoolPix S01 features touch-screen operation system. The graphic user interface (GUI) offers an "easy-to-tap four-segment" home screen designed to streamline operation. By tapping a subject, the shutter is automatically released when focus and exposure are fixed while various image effects set prior to shooting can be applied to pictures. Additionally, the S01 offers in-camera retouching of photos.

Easy Auto Mode helps users to reliably capture beautiful pictures with the CoolPix S01, according to Kajiwara. By simply framing the subject, the optimal scene mode and exposure are automatically selected according to the unique shooting situation. The user can rely on the camera's auto operation even for night portraits or backlit subjects to enable smooth shooting in any scenario, says Kajiwara. Six applicable scene modes such as portrait, landscape, night portrait, night landscape, close-up and backlighting help the user flatter subjects in nearly any light.

The camera benefits from quality Nikkor optics, sporting a 3X wide-angle zoom Nikkor lens (29 to 87mm, 35mm equivalent). A high-speed and accurate Exped C2 image-processing allows for fast use, but also yields vibrant colors and even skin tones in images, says Kajiwara. Additionally, a built-in Xenon flash ensures balanced exposures in low light conditions.

The CoolPix S01 will be available in September for a suggested retail price of US179.95. For more info go to www.nikonusa.com .