The latest Coolpix camera to emerge from Nikon?s digital compact stable is the 5.1-million-pixel Coolpix S2, priced a penny under £300.

Out next month, the debutante carries a 3x optical zoom – delivering the viewing angle equivalent of a 35-105mm lens on a 35mm film camera.

Features include Nikon?s D-Lighting function, designed to automatically correct pictures taken with excessive backlight or insufficient flash by adding light and detail to darker parts of the image.

The aluminium-bodied newcomer sports a 2.5in LCD screen and is compatible with SD memory cards.

The S2 is just 22mm deep and includes a ?face priority? autofocus function designed to allow the camera to detect human faces in the frame and provide ?optimal automatic focus for sharper, more satisfying portraits?.

The Coolpix S2 is due for UK release on 10 June.

For details call Nikon on 0800 230220 or visit www.nikon.co.uk.