Powerful entry-level camera with a weak monitor, but some hidden benefits

Powerful entry-level camera with a weak monitor, but some hidden benefits

Nikon Coolpix S9600 Digital Camera (16 Megapixel, 22x optical super zoom, 7.5 cm (3 inch) LCD monitor, 5-axis image stabilization (VR), Dynamic Fine zoom, Full HD movie recording, Wi-Fi ) Red (Electronics)

Customer Review

Nikon S9600

The good news is, it does not take skill to make good pictures with this camera.

1. General description
The Nikon S9600 is a pocket camera with a huge zoom range, with which one can make interesting photos without prior knowledge.
Using the camera-set basic settings and choice of automatic (green camera icon on the mode dial) can not do much wrong. You have to get used to the camera in the top left almost entirely on jumping out of the flash. (Although much is bitching about it: This must be so, and the competition, such as Canon, it can at superzoom pocket cameras even better the fact have such a long lens barrel that the flash is otherwise obscured.!. )
The camera makes a high impression. The front appears to be made of aluminum, and back cover flaps made of metallized plastic. Operation is simple, the menu is clear.

2. Special
After each recording the result on the screen is displayed for a few seconds with the indication to switch a button in the same image processing. This Nikon thinks perhaps to buyers who previously photographed with a smartphone and know something and expect. If you press OK, you are immediately in the "Creative effects", where you can spice up its image. But are 25 filter programs available, eg. As Pop, Extra Rich colors, paintings, high key, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, etc. Much of this is apparently the "creative" filters of Instagram and other photo apps on smartphones copied, the effect can sometimes be startling. You can also disable the option. When viewing the stored images, they appeared then on again. Since there is then even more interesting image editing options.

3. Benefits
In addition to the special features already mentioned, the camera has to offer a number of refinements that perhaps discovered only after some time of use.
Some can be found in patient scroll through menus intuitively by trial and error, z. B.. Some are also linked to the difficulty of incorporating into the manual, the ("Reference Guide") can be down loaded from the Nikon website as a PDF file.
Different Scene modes and effects can be adjusted, with which one can influence his pictures very effective. In selective automatic one has plenty of other intervention options.
The white balance can even be measured individually, for autofocus and AF area mode are different variations to choose from, to change color saturation and hue, as well as on the exposure compensation can be accessed by pressing a button, the exposure compensation a live histogram is displayed, and much more.
Already it can be seen that this is an ambitious camera with which one naturally also has many ways to influence the images. Aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual work does not offer a camera, but you do it wrong, if one has put them, as if she had nothing to offer for connoisseurs.

The Nikon S9600 delivers sharp images under light conditions over the entire range from wide angle to super telephoto, although the edges of the wide-angle decreases the sharpness. This is perfectly normal for a superzoom. In low light, the drawing of fine details is no longer quite as sharp, which is probably related to the large number of pixels and the resulting necessary Entrauschungseingriffen the camera Retouch. The built-Nikkor lens is of high quality. The enormous zoom range is an accomplishment, and it is supported by an effective image stabilizer, the camera shake often prevented.
Add to that a good video recording function with stereo sound. During video recording can be made with the trigger and still images. When video turning the optical zoom can be used without causing excessive noise. The quality of the videos is good.

A very special way in the subsequent image processing is the "Glamour retouch" of portrait images. This effect can be achieved that in good image editing programs are otherwise consuming possible: "Reduce Face, Skin softening filter, reduce powder, gloss reduction, dark circles, eye shadow, clear up teeth whitening, Lipstick, cheeks flush" - these are all processing steps that are graded may apply. The results are indeed impressive. For flattering portraits of friends and acquaintances I therefore reach like about this camera.

A feature that I like to use, is the wireless transmission of images on devices with WiFi module. One can, for. Example, on my way transfer images on smartphone or tablet and send it by mail or share online. The camera can even be remotely controlled from your smartphone. For this function, the battery more than a third charge has yet to have, otherwise they will not be available.

The battery lasts a long time. For example, I had to invite him after the first charge after full 24 hours later, although I initially tried and tested for many hours the camera almost constantly.

4. Weaknesses
Of course the camera also has weaknesses. As is especially the display to call, it was - this camera in the price category incomprehensibly - saved in the production. It lacks brightness and contrast. Indoors and in low light outdoors, it is good enough. In bright outdoor light, especially sunlight, one sees it but little. By selecting the maximum screen brightness can be a solution fairly in such situations, but once you can no longer perpendicular to look at the monitor, because you hold the camera z. B. above head height, in bright light no display is visible. A good monitor is essential as a viewfinder, so mainly for this weakness 1 star less.

When viewing the stored images is missing the chance to see the main recording data (speed, aperture, ISO speed).

In viewing mode, the camera lacks the automatic screen rotation. If you have taken a picture in portrait mode, you must turn the camera also on edge during subsequent viewing. Or you have to go into the menu and rotate the image manually.

In situations with a lot of light and high contrasts, but also in general the camera's automatic tendency to overexposure. Since it is often advisable to counteract with the easily accessible exposure. Because you can see the effect on the screen, it's easy. I have by default the exposure compensation to -0.7 stand and go so often quite good.

It's no secret that the market is highly competitive in this price range and there are strong competitors. For example, Canon offers the PowerShot SX 240 HS to an interesting alternative. I know this from personal experience good camera. Personally I give her in preference to Nikon. They do not have the WiFi connectivity, but is superior to any manual options and a better display of the Nikon and can be operated as an entry-level camera with fully automatic. (The fact that she has only "12.1 megapixels instead of 16, does not speak for poorer image quality, quite the contrary.)

5. My conclusion
The Nikon S9600 is a range of photo beginners who unloaded photograph of photo technical considerations and want to make videos. In addition, it offers a range of manual intervention options. With its low weight and the zoom range from wide angle to super telephoto it is suitable as a travel camera.
The manufacturers have spared some of what you actually expect in cameras in this price range for granted. This includes particularly a high-contrast, high-quality display, or the comfort of automatic screen rotation in viewing mode. A particular disadvantage is the weak display when shooting in bright sunlight.
But they have the camera equipped with some bonuses, which are not found in competing products of the same class.
Those who do not bother to said weaknesses and who needs no fully manual operation, doing by purchasing this camera no mistake.

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