Simple camera with moderate image quality.  I'd rather take the S3700.

Simple camera with moderate image quality. I'd rather take the S3700.

Nikon Coolpix S2900 Digital Camera (20 Megapixel, 5x opt. Zoom, 6.7 cm (2.6 inch) display, HD video, Scene Auto Selector, Panorama assist) purple ornament (Electronics)

Customer Review

The S2900 is one of the smallest models in the S series of Nikon and a scaled-down version of the S3700. Compared they waived NFC / WLAN, brings only a 5x zoom rather than an 8x zoom lens and has no optical image stabilizer. In common with the S3700 is the number of megapixels of 20 !, which was not particularly conducive to the image quality in the past, and in this segment, in my view, is still too much of a good thing. I will not take too much in advance, but the S2900 is struggling with it. How else is reflected, to now more:

Who does not want to read the longer text, here the short summary:

++ Feel and processing
+ Easy to use / handling
+ Compact
+ 5x zoom with acceptable early iris
+ Color rendering

o Video mode usable (though limited)
o no PASM mode
o excessive screen

- Speed ​​below average in some modes
- Picture quality is good only in good light
- No optical image stabilizer

= Simple camera with many automatic functions, but work sometimes quite slow. Given the lack of optical image stabilizer, I would rather advise to S3700, which also brings a larger zoom range and Wi-Fi / NFC.
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Equipment and processing:
The camera is right compact dimensions and is completely compatible pockets. The housing makes Nikon typically a very high quality and well-made impression. The colored light metal are accurately fashioned and the transitions between the different housing parts are very uniform. The zoom lens includes closed flush with the case and from the outer lens is then protected by two slats. Unlike the larger sister model, the lens is surrounded by a silver ring comprises, in which the data of Onjektivs are stamped, which even looks a little noble. In addition, the lens in the S2900 is not adjusted for body color. On the back of the camera black plastic is used, what the good feel of the camera but does not detract. Class Typically, there are only the most essential controls that are intuitive to use, especially for beginners no minor detail.

The camera is as described with a 5x zoom (F3.2 - F6,5) fitted, dispensed, however, to an optical Bildstabilitsator, which is quite noticeable even in low light conditions. A video recording capability in 720p / 25 fps and mono sound is also on board with, just like the Nikon typical automatics (including a scene automatic), some effect filters and smaller functions such as recorded for post photos right in the camera. For the price and the target audience is a very acceptable range of equipment with no frills.
Is mitgliefert in camera charger with proprietary adapter to charge the battery in the camera, a wrist and a handbook.
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Operation and handling:
As it should be for the class, the operation of the camera is largely no mystery what Nikon achieved inter alia through quite limited settings and the lack of a PASM mode. What matters is the mode in which you use the camera, because during the scenes automatic mode barely Photo relevant parameters can be selected to the screen size, so at least the ISO value, some autofocus parameter, the white balance and shooting ability are in regular automatic mode selectable ,
In addition, the camera also offers manual selection of the scene is also a Panorama Assist hidden which assembles a plurality of overlapping images into a panorama picture, made nice, but not quite as easy to handle as the pivotal function of cameras in higher grades. In order to bring more creativity in the images, the camera has some effect filters that in some cases can still be applied after shooting.
Nikon has saved on the S2900, the color parameters that are found in comparison with the S3700. Too bad, because they are in everyday life quite usable.
The video mode can be activated directly via separate button on the back and on the menu with a few parameters (wind filter, Focus method) to be adjusted.
Otherwise, the camera lies comfortably in your hand and the controls are easy to reach, even though bringing the compact dimensions here at large hands borders with it. The control elements are produced in the S2900 something out of the housing, so that they are easily felt without Hingucken. The thumb rest of the display could have been a little poorer slip, the 6 plastic studs are not very handy. The zoom lever can be operated fairly small doses, so that one has the zoom under control.
In the evaluation of the image quality, the integrated screen in the camera, however, is only of limited help. Its resolution of 230,000 pixels is not particularly high and so the assessment of the focus and the successful focusing, making it very difficult, one sees little focus shifts usually only on the PC. In addition, the monitor angle is not very stable, the side or viewed from below it will quickly become unusable.
Overall, the operability of the camera can be described as good and only the screen may dissolve higher and his angle stable. The functions are clearly laid out, set up the menu clear and the camera is pretty good in the hand.
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Speed:
Light and shadow. The scene is anything but automatic, pass as a snapshot. The camera approved when selecting the automatic scene partially for several seconds to change your mind before the subject is focused, that is more than marginal. The following images are indeed focused more quickly, however, the problem occurred from time to time on in this mode and in some cases the focus confirmation was denied even throughout and it had to be refocused. Better looks it when selecting the normal automatic mode or a single scene. Here the camera is in bright light quite well and can be hergenommen for snapshots. In low-light conditions (increasingly at the telephoto end weaker by the light Lens) takes the focus longer (and is not always accurate), despite AF illuminator. The continuous shooting speed is with an image every two seconds not particularly high. Advantage here is that the storage on the card even with slower cards makes no problems.
To use the camera for snapshots, it is advisable not to use the automatic scene, then the camera is passable on the speed.
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Image Quality:
The vexing issue of the high number of megapixels is also reflected in the S2900 with 20 megapixels and the camera has in common with the S3700. Only at low ISO values, the noise behavior can be described as acceptable. Nikon offers a limited range in ISO Auto 80-400 as setting that you should use if you want to make use of the pictures in particular larger prints (10x15 prints at ISO 800 is in my eyes also acceptable). About ISO 400, however, go much detail is lost, the images lose sharpness and yet still have visible noise. From the high resolution of the sensor you will always pull in this price range do not benefit from it, so here 10 - were absolutely sufficient 12MP and simultaneously influence the noise behavior positively. To see shooting in dark conditions are not much better off than a good smartphone. A bonus is here and RECOURSE but typical compact camera Xenon flash that to just over 3 meters sufficiently illuminates the nearby environment, thus contributing to a better imaging performance, which in turn offer hardly smartphones and also the Zoom rarely found.
The lens brings distortions at both ends (a bit less than in S3700) and also a waste sharpness towards the edges is visible, but still acceptable and should be taken from most buyers in this class is not directly true.
The color reproduction of the camera, however, is good and the automatic white balance did a good figure. Colors are quite strong given back without being overstated, a plus.
Also the optical image stabilizer is added to the result, as just when something difficult lighting conditions still quite good results can be achieved without using a flash at a steady hand.
Most buyers will not make large prints of their photos or view images on your PC at 100% magnification, so that the shortcomings are not quite so serious visible. Nevertheless Bildqualtität of a reduced number of pixels of the sensor could benefit visible.
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Video quality:
The video quality is quite ok for occasional shots in low light conditions but only on level snapshot (again strikes the image noise to). Fast panning plugged the sensor away well and there are no distortions (Shutter Lag) on. The sound in mono is well received, even if it (was loud music on the video still of course) a bit noisy too well. The zoom operates slowly in the video mode and still drive in very quiet passages is easy to hear in the video, but you have to focus on. In video mode, you realize that an optical image stabilizer is missing. The slightest movement or a slight tremor of the hands are much more visible than in the video comparable S3700 with stabilizer.
Another drawback is the time limit of the video mode at 9 minutes and 49 seconds.
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Direct Comparison of the S3700:
The S3700 has the same sensor and thus provides an almost identical image quality. However, one notices the optical image stabilizer, in particular by limiting the ISO value and go in low light conditions, the shutter speeds up. The objective of the S3700 is a little fainter, but covers a larger zoom range. Also located S3700 parameters for color reproduction, plus WLAN / NFC module.
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Conclusion:
Many megapixels alone are not everything, as you can see on the S2900. Apparently the number of megapixels seems to be still decisive for the sale, as the image quality, because this is moderate, especially if the ambient brightness is worse. Also, sometimes borderline depending on the speed mode. Here is definitely the limited ISO Auto recommended to at least keep the noise under control. Then the photos are for small prints quite suitable.
The S2900 certainly has potential, especially as considering the price it offers for beginners, good facilities and a surprisingly good perceived quality, and compact dimensions. A good camera for your pocket go. However, the lack of optical image stabilization is a drawback that even beginners will certainly remember.
Due to the not so big price difference I would therefore like to very sister model with better equipment, the S3700, advise. This adds even a slightly better price / performance in my eyes. Who does not want to spend more money for the S2900 is not entirely wrong, but miracles can not be expected for the price and you should be able to live with the shortcomings and the lack of image stabilization.

Great CD 4 Rank: 5/5
September 1
Excellent 259 50136742 Rank: 5/5
May 19
It is a success! Rank: 5/5
February 22
Fine and discreet! 2 1 Rank: 5/5
May 22
well received great for parties Rank: 3/5
December 23
Super 1880 5664 Rank: 5/5
March 15

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