Nikon CoolPix Review

Reviews of a few of the Coolpix line of Nikons.

Nikon has a range of cameras known as coolpix cameras. This is an extensive line of cameras, all point-and-shoot models, and encompasses subcompacts, compact and super zooms. They have their lineup separated into three different areas, the budget, S series, and the high-end series. If you are looking for an SLR lineup you'll want to check out Nikon D. series.

The Nikon coolpix P90

has an optical zoom of 24X.  It comes with an image stabilizer, which will help make your pictures non-blurry. This camera also has face detection software in the camera, which will automatically set the focus exposure and color balance so that the faces appear sharp in your photos. The software also prevents that awful green color from showing up on peoples faces.

The P90 comes equipped with a wide-angle lens, which can zoom as wide as 28 mm. Unlike a lot of point and shoot cameras, the P90 has manual controls. You can use the automatic settings, or play around with it a bit and set your own aperture or shutter speed. The aperture opening on the Nikon Coolpix P90 can go from 2.8 to 5 and the shutter speed range is from 8 to 1/2000.

The flash modes include auto, off, forced, redeye reduction, slow sync, and second curtain sync.  The P90 has a 3 inch LCD screen and will store your photos in JPEG format.  The Nikon Coolpix P90 camera also comes equipped with a diopter adjustment, which can be of a huge benefit to someone who wears glasses.

It comes with some macro focus. You can also use Nikon P90 to record short video clips with sound.  The P90 comes with 12 megapixels, and weighs in at only 17 ounces.

It lags a bit in the first shot delay, but performs very well in the next shot delay.  It has a maximum ISO of 400, meaning it may not perform as well in low light situations but the dynamic range and versatility are excellent. The image quality is good, not excellent. The Battery life will give you 200 shots before failing.

This camera is considered a super zoom camera, with the one of the longest optical zooms on point-and-shoot in the market.  The P90 also has a swiveling LCD.

Nikon Coolpix S60

A 10 megapixel camera weighing in at only 6 ounces. This is a subcompact with a lot of optical zoom, more than most compacts.

This little camera has a 5X optical zoom and comes with an image stabilizer. It also has the face detection software.

There is no wide-angle functionality with this camera and no manual controls, and since it does not have manual controls, there also is no manual focus.

• It does well with the dynamic range and the next shot delay, although the first shot delay lags a little.
• It does not come with a viewfinder so the only way to take a picture is by looking at the LCD screen, which is touch sensitive.
• The aperture range on this camera is F3.8 to 4.8, and the shutter speed range is 2-1/1500.
• The flash modes are auto, off, forced, redeye reduction, and slow sync.
• It does have macro focus, and you can do exposure compensation.
• It will also record video with sound.

Nikon Coolpix S210 8.0MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Graphite Black)

is an 8 megapixel subcompact camera weighing in at only 4 ounces and the 3.6in. x 2.2in. x 0.7in. size is great for sticking in your pocket. This camera has good image quality and very good versatility, and the next shot delay is very good, although the first shot delay lags a little.

• With the included battery, you will be able to take 220 photos before running out of juice.
• The dynamic range on this camera is excellent, so you should be able to take a picture just about anywhere.
• It has a 3X optical zoom with image stabilizer and face detection software.
• It does not have wide-angle capabilities or manual controls.
• The aperture range on this camera is f3.12- 5.9 and the shutter speed range is 2 to 1/1000.
• Flash modes are auto, off, forced, redeye reduction, and slow sync.
• It will save your file in JPEG format.
• The LCD size is 2.4 inches.
• It has a macro focus
• The S210 will record video with sound.

Nikon Coolpix P6000

is a 14 megapixel camera that comes with some manual controls, making it a bit more versatile than the normal point and shoot camera.  If you are looking to step up from your old point and shoot, but your are not yet ready to take the step up to an SLR, this may be the camera you are looking for. 

• The Nikon Coolpix P6000 was released in 2008 and comes with face recognition software. 
• It has a 4x zoom and comes with an image stabilizer. 
• It has wide angle capability, making it good for landscape shots
• Weighs in at a mere 10 ozs. 
• With the battery supplied you should be able to fire off 260 shots before needing a recharge.

Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Midnight Blue) is a 12 megapixel subcompact and comes with a 7x zoom, which is one of the more powerful zooms you can get on a point and shoot camera. 

Like all of the coolpix line, it has an excellent dynamic range.  What this means is it will take a good picture in most situations. 

The S630 is very lightweight at only 6 ozs and the battery life will get you about 220 shots.

It also comes with face recognition and image stabilizer, but does not have wide angle capability.

If you own a coolpix, please tell us what you think.  If you are thinking of buying one, ask others what they think