How to select the right Nikon Coolpix camera

By Leonard Goh
May 13, 2009

This article has been updated as of May 13, 2009.

The first camera produced by the company, the Nikon I.

Nikon was originally known as Nippon Kogaku K.K. in 1917, and was the result of the merging of two industrial companies. It was initially known for its optical products, especially lenses, but work was put to a halt when World War II broke out. In 1948, its first camera, the Nikon I, was conceived. Following the success of this model, Nikon was set on track to become a dominant presence in the imaging industry.

Fast forward to 1997 when its first compact digital camera, the Coolpix 100, was announced. With just a 0.33-megapixel sensor and 1MB of internal memory then, the Coolpix has evolved to become what it is today. Although it embraces new technologies, we feel Nikon hasn't lost the essence of photography, which is to capture the moment, and that is what its shooters do.

The Coolpix 100 was the first compact digital camera produced by Nikon.

For the Japanese company, the Coolpix brand aims to be the epitome of quality, intelligence, style and integrity to photography. With imaging technology advancing constantly, the company told us that it will listen to consumers' needs and build "smarter, sexier" point-and-shoots equipped with intuitive functions and unique designs.

If you've set your eyes on a Nikon Coolpix point-and-shoot but aren't quite sure which one is suitable for you, we've put together a comprehensive guide for its lineup. But if you prefer dSLRs, take a look at our dSLR buying guide to see which shooter suits you.