Nikon Coolpix S1100pj - Projector Camera v2.0 • Camera News and Reviews

Nikon Coolpix S1100pj – Projector Camera v2.0

Last year Nikon introduced the world’s first camera with a built-in digital projector, the Coolpix S1000pj. I was a skeptic, although I did think the S1000pj looked like a good buy for anyone considering an ultraportable digital projector. They say the proof is in the pudding and the pudding must have been good because Nikon is back this year with a new projector camera, the Coolpix S1100pj. The new Nikon Coolpix S1100pj has a 5x VR zoom lens, obligatory 720p HD video, improved projector specs, higher resolution 14-megapixel sensor, a 3-inch touchscreen LCD display with tabbed menus, and you can now project JPEG images from a computer via USB connection.

The Nikon Coolpix S1100pj’s built-in projector isn’t going to replace your TV, your office projector or even your old slide projector. But it will make it easier to share photos with a group of friends or family. At 14 lumens it’s 40% brighter than the projector in last year’s S1000pj camera. It can project from a distance of over 7 feet for images and movies up to about 4 feet across. Nikon says the S1100pj should be able to handle JPEGs from almost any source as well as HD movies recorded with the camera. So no more gathering everyone around the computer or passing the camera around to share photos.

Nikon Coolpix S1100pj digital camera with built-in projector

Last year’s Coolpix S1000pj was sort of boxy and clunky looking. The S1100pj has a sleek new design, part of which is probably due to the touchscreen display, which eliminates most external controls. The smooth, round-cornered body looks like it would fit comfortably in a pocket, too. So next time one of your friends whips out their smart phone or iPad to show off photos, elbow them out of the way, whip out your S1100pj and give them a real show!

The new Nikon Coolpix S1100pj projector camera will be available in September in a variety of colors including standard black, silver and more expressive colors like violet and green. The suggested retail price is $349.95 – interesting to note that price is about $80 less than the S1000pj when it was announced. Early adopters really paved (and paid) the way for the new S1100pj, which looks to be a much better camera.