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Most noteworthy is the innovatively-styled Coolpix SQ, with a swivel hinge allowing you to take shots from nearly any angle, including self-portraits where you can twist the lens to face you while the LCD display remains in view for lining up the shot.

It also incorporates technology taken from Nikon's high-end cameras, such as the D100. Nikon claims this improves colour reproduction and offers new professional functions such as multi-area auto-focusing.

Under the hood you'll find a 3.1 effective megapixel CCD and a lens offering a 3x optical zoom. A general purpose auto-mode and 15 special scene modes

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will help to capture decent photographs in difficult conditions. For example, Museum mode is optimised for clear indoor shots and forces the flash off to prevent unsightly reflections from glass cases, while Fireworks Show captures those exciting night scenes immediately, without letting the moment pass by requiring long exposures. Movie mode will take videos of up to 40 seconds with audio.

The SQ has a transflective LCD screen which uses natural ambient light to boost brightness and visibility. Bundled with the unit is the camera dock which recharges the batteries and allows one-button transfer of your pictures to a PC.

Nikon has also added two compact digicams to the Coolpix range in the form of the Coolpix 3100 and 2100. Sporting 3.2 and 2megapixel CCDs respectively, the models are point and shoot affairs with 3x optical zooms and numerous scene modes, including movie and continuous shooting options.

All the cameras include Nikon View 6.0 software and all the cables necessary to hook them up to a PC.

The Coolpix SQ is available from March for £349.99 inc VAT. The Coolpix 3100 and 2100 will be available from April for £279.99 inc VAT and £199.99 inc VAT respectively.