Nikon has added a 3.5in ?touchscreen? to one of six new digital compact cameras announced this morning.

The 10-million-pixel Coolpix S60 (pictured) allows users to control all camera functions apart from the power and shutter release, via the screen, according to Nikon UK?s digital camera product manager Niki Needham. Users can control AF and AE by pressing the relevant area of the 16:9 widescreen display using ?finger touch? or by deploying the supplied stylus. The screen carries a resolution of 230,000 dots.

Due out on 19 September priced £299.99, the S60 includes Face Recognition, Smile Timer with blink detection, time-lapse movies and HDMi TV output. The Smile Timer function is designed to automatically release the shutter when the camera detects a smile on the face of a subject.

Nikon?s Best Shot Selector mode can capture a maximum of ten sequential shots and aims to automatically save the sharpest image. ?This is ideal for macro close-up shooting when camera shake is difficult to avoid,? explains the firm.

Features also include imaging sensor shift-type Vibration Reduction and ISO 3200 for resolutions up to 5MP.

The 5x lens delivers the 35mm viewing angle equivalent of a 33-165mm zoom.

The S60 weighs 145g (without battery and memory card) and measures around 97.5x60x22mm.

Also unveiled today is the Coolpix S710, a 14.5MP model sporting a 28-101mm lens (in 35mm terms), a 3in screen and a maximum ISO sensitivity of 12,800 (at a maximum of 3MP resolution). In stores next month priced a penny under £300, the ?premium compact? also boasts shutter and aperture priority and manual exposure options.

Nikon has revamped its S550 to reveal the 10MP S560, the key difference being the inclusion of CCD-shift image Vibration Reduction.

Meanwhile, replacing the S600 is the S610, a 10MP model which will come in a Wi-Fi version (S610c). The latter allows the user to connect to Nikon?s ?myPicturetown? image sharing website, a service that also allows file storage. Both models will cost £249.99.

? Earlier today Nikon revealed its latest flagship compact, the P6000, which features a raw mode and GPS technology

Coolpix S60Coolpix S60, screen