This compact camera is based Nikon (exclusively) on car functions and consequently on the "Point-and-shoot" photographers who wants to capture the moment and does not have a head on settings or manual intervention. If one is aware, however these limits and the limits of this type of camera without a viewfinder and intervention options and confided all the camera, the S9400 can be quite an acceptable traveling companion in many situations.
The zoom range of 24 - 450mm (compared to small picture) not be the "madness-wide-angle landscape photos" to, for everyday use ranging 25mm but all. What makes the S9400 then but for the snapshot hunters interesting are the 450mm focal length. In order to get on the next hike or the zoo very close ran to the object of desire, provided you have either a very, very steady hand or a tripod.
The latter might safely be somewhat stable in the S9400, because by far the eccentrically lying thread and not just light weight of the camera, can so many cheap and small product before tipping to the side.
Even when exposure latitude of the S9400 limits but then quickly set, because exposure times between 1/1500 and 1s in "Standarbetrieb" and a maximum of 1 / 4000s (H-series) or 4s (Scene Mode Fireworks) combined with only 2 stops from f / 3.4 and f / 6.8 and an ISO circumference 125-1600 (or 3200 in automatic mode) are then quite overwhelmed in good weather photos on the beach or on the ski slopes quickly. The built-in flash is then rather the portrait of friends at the table as a family group at the wedding in the evening, because even with the highest ISO sensitivity is after about 4 to 5 steps distance circuit. But on the higher ISO levels, we do not then be better, because that from ISO 800 clearly visible noise is then from 1600 ISO but disappear too many details.
But probably I go here already into too much detail, because whoever chooses a camera like the Coolpix S9400, perhaps just at the beginning of his photographic career and just the known snapshots for remembrance or the exchange in social networks interested. If it does not arrive on the last bit of focus and / or perfect exposure, the camera can provide a lot of fun. The 450mm telephoto already offer interesting potential, the simple operation (my two 9-year-old twins have the S9400 just in extensive test program) provide no headache or question mark, and the results are quite acceptable for a camera of this type.