Nikon Coolpix S4 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom
Technical Details
* 6.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints
* 10x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
* Face Priority Autofocus and In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, plus On-Screen Help menu and D-Lighting
* 16 scene modes; macro setting focuses as close as 2.5 inches from subject
* Powered by 2 AA-size batteries; stores images on SD cards
10x Zoom-Nikkor Glass Lens (35mm equivalent: 38-380mm)
Made with world-renowned Nikkor optics, the lens features 12 elements in 9 groups and incorporates 2 aspherical elements, allowing for a lightweight, compact lens design.
Excellent image quality. Capture a broad range of pictures, from wide angle to a long telephoto to extreme close-ups, all in a camera that will fit into your pocket.
Incredible, Bright 2.5-Inch LCD
Frame and review your images with the big, 2.5-inch LCD.
Help Function
The Coolpix S4 includes an in-camera help feature that explains the function of specific menu items. In-Camera "instant tutor" helps the user better understand different features of the camera.
Selectable GUI (Graphical User Interface)
The user can select how they want to see the menu options on the camera's LCD. Choose the traditional Menu Item View or the all new Icon View.
Selecting Icon View displays all the menu options on one screen; no scrolling through a list of menu options. Menu Item View displays complete name of each feature.
LCD Gridlines
Turn on gridlines (composition lines) that are displayed on the camera's LCD; aids in framing the shot.
Helps user ensure horizon lines are level and architecture is perfectly vertical, resulting in better pictures.
Versatile Swivel Design
The slim, compact design adds a surprising twist by integrating its 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens into a unique swivel design The swivel design allows for unique and effortless camera angles.
Power
Two AA alkaline batteries included
Convenient and readily available power source. AA batteries are carried at most stores, worldwide. Get approximately 160 shots with alkaline batteries, or 290 shots with optional Coolpix rechargeable AA batteries, or 450 shots with lithium batteries. You will never be without power with an extra set of AAs on hand. With Coolpix rechargeable batteries you will always be ready to shoot.
13.5 MB Internal Memory
SD Slot for optional memory card
No memory card is required for taking pictures. Images can be copied between internal memory and SD cards.
Cameras can be demonstrated without a memory card. Camera is ready to go right out of the box! Plus, users can continue to take pictures when memory card is full.
Accepts SD Memory Cards
Compatible with any size Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card. You'll have a wide range of SD card sizes available for use in the Coolpix S4.
TTL White Balance with 5 Mode
Manual or Preset
Incandescent, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, and Speedlight
Select Automatic White Balance, choose one of 5 manual settings, or Preset to a white or gray card. Always get an accurate color balance, regardless of lighting conditions.
Shutter Speed Range
2 seconds to 1/1000 second
Capture a wide range of exposures from low light (using slow shutter speeds) to action (using faster shutter speeds to freeze movement). Maintain creative control over your images with a wide range of shutter speeds--take long exposures or catch the action--it's your choice!
Exposure Compensation
+/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV increments
Increase or decrease exposure when using Automatic mode. Ensures you get the exposure you want, giving you great pictures every time.
3-Mode TTL Metering System
256-Segment Matrix linked to AF area
Center Weighted and Spot AF in select Scene Modes
Nikon's exclusive 256-Segment Matrix Metering creates incredible exposures. Select Scene Modes use Center Weight or Spot AF metering for additional control over the exposure. Properly exposed images are achieved automatically.
16 Scene Modes
4 with Scene Assist (first four listed)
Portrait, Night Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Beach/Snow, Close-up, Copy, Backlit, Sunset, Party/Indoor, Night Landscape, Dawn/Dusk, Museum, Fireworks, Panorama, Voice Recording
Automatically sets the camera for optimum performance in most popular picture-taking situations. Scene Assist is available in 4 popular Scene Modes (portrait, night portrait, landscape, sports); these offer additional assistance for framing, focus and exposure. The Coolpix S4 makes taking great photographs easy. The sleek, sexy design is comfortable and cool. The controls are well marked, making it easy to access all the timesaving functions. The Voice Recording Mode will record up to 5 hours of audio (on a 256MB card).
Macro Mode
Close Up
Take incredibly sharp macro images as close as 2.5 inches using Close-up Scene Mode with the built-in Zoom-Nikkor lens--no attachments necessary!
Movie Mode with Audio
15 frames per second
Time-Lapse Movies
Movie size is user selectable (TV 640x480; Small 320x240; Smaller 160x120). Movie length is determined by the amount of memory available. Your camera operates as a digital video camera to record a movie with sound. File is saved in QuickTime format, which makes it easy to share with others.
Noise Reduction Mode
In Dawn/Dusk and Night Landscape Modes Noise is minimized when using either the Dawn/Dusk or Night Landscape Scene Modes Capture clear, sharp images, even with long shutter speeds.
5 Mode Built-in Flash
Auto, Flash Cancel, Slow Sync, Anytime Flash, Red-Eye Reduction There is an appropriate flash mode for almost any lighting situation. Get the shot you want with the light you need.
Autofocus Face-Priority AF
Contrast detect Autofocus system. Face-Priority AF can be activated in Portrait Scene Mode and will set focus on the face when taking a picture of a human subject. Incredibly sharp images from close up to infinity. Face-Priority AF will assist in getting sharp, incredible portraits of people.
AF Assist Lamp
Provides extra light when focusing in low light situations. Enables sharp focus even when the subject is not well lit.
D-Lighting
Automatic compensation for insufficient flash or excessive backlight. User selectable in image playback mode; saves a copy of the picture with the correction made without affecting the original image. Incredible versatility for the end user. Enables them to adjust images taken in a low light situation when the flash is not strong enough, or when harsh back light causes underexposed foreground detail--all done incamera (no computer).
Nikon's Exclusive In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
When the flash is set for red-eye reduction, the camera automatically removes most instances of redeye from the subject(s) before writing the image to the memory card.
Instances of red-eye are removed while the picture is being taken. Produces excellent pictures with no redeye! No extra steps necessary--just download and print!
Best Shot Selector (BSS)
Press and hold the shutter release; the camera will take a series of images, saving the one with the sharpest focus.
Ensures sharp focus when shooting in situations where a slow shutter speed could result in motion blur.
Five Color Options
Standard Color, Vivid Color, Black and White, Cyanotype, Sepia Get creative by selecting one of 5 color options. Choose the mode that best suits the output: standard color for beautiful prints; vivid color for e-mail/internet; black and white for dramatic shots; and sepia or cyanotype for brown or blue tones.
Create old style photos with the sepia option, or imitate an Ansel Adams shot with the black & white option. The only limit is your imagination!
Date/Time Imprinting
Prints indicate the date and time the picture was taken. A great archiving tool for those who need to know when an image was taken.
PictBridge Compatible
Connect the Coolpix S4 to a PictBridge compatible printer and print images stored on the camera, either in internal memory or on the SD memory card. Print images directly from the camera; no computer required!
One-Touch Upload
Easily upload images from the camera to the computer via the included COOLSTATION dock at the press of a single button. Makes moving images from the camera to the computer fast and easy.
Quick Review
View images stored in internal memory or on inserted SD card at the press of a single button. Zoom in to see a detail view of the image.Zooming in allows you to check details in the image--for example, to see whether everyone's eyes are open.
Voice Memo Function (in playback)
Record vital information regarding the image that was shot. Camera will record up to 20 seconds per image. This is a quick method for recording important shooting data or special information about an image.
In-Camera Cropping
Photo Trim
Use zoom and 4 position rocker buttons to select part of a picture; camera saves this as a new image without changing the original picture.
Uses standard camera controls to trim an image to create a new image that is part of the original image.
Full Featured Bundled Software Nikon: PictureProject
Arcsoft: Panorama Maker
The bundled software will enable the user to set up a complete digital darkroom without having to purchase additional and costly image editing software packages.
This easy-to-use image editing software allows the user to easily edit, e-mail, and print images.
Easy E-mailing
With Nikon PictureProject software
Select image(s) to send and click the Mail button. Choose to send pictures as individual prints or a single index print and select image size from the drop down menu. It's that easy!
Small files are best for e-mailing, and PictureProject makes it easy to select and send small images, regardless of the size of the original image. Clicking the Send button opens a new e-mail with the pictures already attached. All you need to do is address the e-mail and add a message!
Product Description
The irresistibly slim shape of the COOLPIX S4 conceals a high quality 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens. With extended range from 38mm medium-wide through 380mm telephoto, the swivel mounted lens is equally adept at taking great shots of all types, including architecture, portraits, extreme close-ups, or any other combination that inspires your creative desires as you explore your world.The COOLPIX S4's exclusive image processing technology takes true-to-life images a step closer to reality. A 256-segment Matrix Metering system enables optimal exposures in even the most challenging lighting environments.Cover all angles in style with a surprising twist. The slim compact design of the COOLPIX S4 adds a delightful and practical twist by integrating its broad 10x zoom range into a swivel design that offers a wider range of shooting angles for greater creative freedom.
Nikon Coolpix S4 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom user reviews
It's the MOST POWERFULLL ZOOM in the market and this is very, VERY usefull to any picture you want to take. I mean REAL zoom, not that digital one that you can do on your computer and that you should NOT do with your camera, because it sacrifices quality of the original, which is a nonsense.
It's a very high quality and beautifull lenses.
I just criticize the way Nikon still uses the pre-defined (scene) options. They indicate the scene options as basic black icons, while other brands already shows a PICTURE of the expected result, so you REALLY have an idea on what each scene server for.
If that's not important to you (if you are a beginner, it IS, believe me), this camera is a MUST.
"
So now let's talk about the tradeoffs. First off, there's no viewfinder. That's a minor annoyance, but not a show stopper (the LCD on the S4 is very nice). Next up we have the flash which can really wash out a picture. Okay, either use it judiciously or switch to a scene mode that takes care of that problem. Same with the speed of the shutter (if I remember to do so, I'll toss up some action pics from a professional baseball game... you can see the ball with no distortion). Now here is the biggie... shudder. Especially in low-light this can be an issue. What boggles my mind is that Nikon offers image-stabalization for this camera in movie mode, but not in image mode. Does that makes sense? I didn't think so either. And even Nikon has agreed that it was a stupid move. To their benefit, Nikon has acknowledged that they are going to fix the issue in the next firmware update (though when that will be is a mystery).
Stuff like that keeps me from giving it 5 stars.
The end result. People who want a simple camera with good resolution and a strong zoom will enjoy this camera. People who don't want a camera that is almost 100% automatic won't like this camera.
"
So I just got the S4 despite the lame reviews people have given it. I took it to the zoo today and filled my entire 1 gig card. After reviewing the pictures, I am pleased to say that I am quite happy with its performance. It functions almost exactly like my 3100 did, except it has the awesome addition of a 10x optical zoom and a few extra megapixels. The pictures seem at least as good of quality as my 3100, I think I'm being very critical though. The image sharpness is excellent and the focusing works quite well once you figure out which modes it needs to be set to for that particular subject.
The real advantage lies in the swivel lens though. Just being able to turn it however you need it makes lining up your shots so much easier. And being able to zoom as far as it does comes in handy more often than I had imagined. For example, the animals at the zoo are never really close enough to get the shot I wanted. The ability to zoom so far gets your picture right up in the animals face. And if you want to use the digital zoom, you can get a full frame of an animals eye or nostril, or whatever. It rocks!
I'm telling you, the other reviewers were way too critical and I imagine they just dont know how to use the cameras settings well enough to get good pictures. If you know how to operate a Nikon or you have the sense and intelligence to learn how, you are not going to find a more convenient little camera that can do all the things this one can. Super zoom, awesome macro mode, video with sound(nearly an hour w/ 1 gig), all in a tiny pocket sized package...Nikon. "
It takes high-quality pictures, good for 16X20 prints without showing any pixelation, and accurately shows color as it was when I took the picture. The LCD works fine, in my opinion. No problems from dark, poorly lit rooms to bright Texas sunshine. Plus, I love the ability to swivel the lens. It makes it VERY easy, in my opinion to take pictures from alot of different angles while keeping the camera level, or putting the LCD where you can see it easily. Five stars, no doubt. I'd recommend to anyone. "
My initial reaction to the camera is that the lens is fantastic, but the overall design is lacking. It's as though it was rushed to market.
First the size. It's not small enough to be truly pocketable. I use my Contax U4R for that. The layout is also not as good as with the Contax, nor is it as intuitive. I find myself always putting my fingers on the wrong places, esepecially on the LCD screen. This is not a camera where everything feels naturally placed; then again, there's not a lot of room to work with here. I guess my preference would have been for Nikon to make the camera slightly larger and easier to handle, with a viewfinder and VR to boot. It wouldn't surprise me to see this same lens in exactly that type of product within three months time.
Besides those issues I do like the camera. The biggest limitation of "pocketable" cameras tends to be the limited zoom range. I was recently on a sailboat and a cruise ship, wanted to get photos of things I saw on shore, but didn't have the zoom range (with my Contax) to get close enough to the subject. The Coolpix S4 certainly solves this issue.
I find the images the camera produces to be quite sharp, without excessive edge enhancement. The camera also seems to focus without difficulty (for me), including situations in low light. I've been surprised at the quality of images from situations with relatively low light where I've switched off the flash.
The speed of operation with the camera is quite good; it starts quickly, is very responsive, and doesn't lag between shots.
Two caveats: first, I dislike the zooming system on the camera. Specifically, I would like the ability to defeat the digital zoom in the menu system. This camera doesn't allow that, so when you reach the limits of the optical zoom there is a "grey zone" where it's difficult to tell whether or not you're in optical or digital zoom mode. Though there is an indicator in the viewfinder the transition is a tricky one. Second, use AA lithiums with this camera. This is not really a "caveat" or limitation of the camera, but you will be amazed at the battery life you get using these batteries.
Why four out of five stars given the issues I've described? The Coolpix S4 is the only camera in this size range with a 10X zoom lens. Though it has its' limitations that lens truly distinguishes this camera, and sets it apart from the pack. "
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