My first impression when you unpack the Coolpix: Nice small and handy, an ideal camera for your pocket. Well finished, the cracking colors is a bit strange. The compartments for battery, SD card and cable connections are easily accessible and close firmly.
The operation is self-explanatory: Switch camera and on the fully mobile display can be seen by a focus frame, if the photo subject is in focus: Lights the green frame can be the trigger actuated. Flash is enabled in automatic mode if required, but can easily be turned off, the zoom is operated by a sliding switch on the release head. With a 12x optical zoom, the Coolpix is well equipped for a compact camera. Especially I was impressed by the flexible-mobile 2.7 inch display, which also allows unusual shooting angles.
Four well chosen essential functions can be controlled via a function switch directly with a click: flash, self-timer, exposure settings and close-up shoot. The remaining options, and automatic programs can be easily selected via the menu. The Nikon Coolpix features a variety of automatic programs for specific shooting situations: Whether Night Scene, Portrait, or rapid movement, with 18 preset modes can also be demanding photo shoots cope. Since the setting of the respective correct automatic program may at fast snapshots is indeed a hindrance, SCENE mode, you can also the so-called. Setting, in which the camera selects the in their view each matching program according to the situation. The camera of course nut simply measures which lighting just makes sense and moves from the anfokussierte object and how far away it is. So if you want to play it safe, you should select the program mode is activated.
The heavily advertised function to control the camera with self-timer pictures with hand movements, I have also tried. Works with a certain margin of error. For Partyfotos surely a nice gag, dispensable for me.
Exceptionally for a compact camera, I find the options to edit the photo taken in the camera. You can improve such as colors, enlarge sections or make copies in which only selectively individual colors are shown. In addition one can alienate photos with fisheye effect when drawing pictures, etc. That's the extent of a simple image processing program. I do the image processing continues to prefer the PC but just for game images, etc. can be achieved as quickly noticeable effects.
One word of Akuleistung: With a single charge you certainly comes to 500-600 tripping. However, the battery is heavily used by image reproduction and especially the internal image processing and then empties rapidly. So who changed a lot of the images, should have the battery indicator in Auuge and possibly consider purchasing a replacement battery.
I tried the camera in different typical shooting situations. Very positive I found the rich and realistic color reproduction. When shooting indoors with artificial light was needed no flash in order to achieve good results, which speaks for a good fast lens of the camera and the 16-megapixel CMOS image sensor. In normal situations, the built-in image stabilizer for sharp images, only for hard-moving objects, ultra-zoom shots and shots in the dark, it comes without the use of special programs to blurring.
What bothered me a bit is the focus of the camera in automatic mode. For near objects, the camera often focuses wrong and the image becomes blurred. Here you have to switch to macro mode. Even little underwhelming I found the speed of image storage. Fast image series are not really possible.
While the image quality and color reproduction in close-ups and portraits is excellent, the Coolpix shows weaknesses in landscape shots. Especially with strong light or backlight, the colors look rather pale and image details are not clear in the enlargement.
In this respect, the Coolpix is the ideal camera for the snapshot at parties or in everyday life. However, no all-round camera for the holidays if you want to photograph landscapes also. Those who observe this restriction, receives a solid, easy to use camera, at the especially safe also photo beginners because of the numerous photo editing functions will have fun.
Oh yes: The video function I tested short time. Again, very nice for the party. But video is not really my thing, to write something in a better qualified reviewers. For those who want to see photos, I have some pictures set in the customer gallery, illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the Coolpix.