Who does not want to read the longer text, here the short summary:
++ Feel and processing
+ Wi-Fi / NFC
+ Easy to use / handling
+ Compact
+ 8x zoom
+ 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
= Considering the price range and the target group entry and with the correct settings almost 4 star. As easy take-along camera snapshot quite an option.
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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. 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 quite intuitive to use, especially for beginners no minor detail. A WLAN button on the top is the only out of the norm for this segment.
In the compact dimensions Nikon grabs next to the famous 8x zoom of its predecessor now even WiFi and NFC. In addition, an optical image stabilizer is on board (a substantial difference to the smaller S2900), a video recording capability in 720p / 25 fps and mono sound, the Nikon typical automatics (including a scene automatic), some effect filters and smaller functions such as for post-recorded pictures directly in the camera. For the price a very good range of equipment.
Is mitgliefert in camera charger with proprietary adapter to charge the battery in the camera, a wrist and a handbook. Enough.
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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.
Tucked away under the menu item Brightness Adjustment finds even simple settings for color reproduction.
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 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 8x 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. This is unfortunately a common shortcoming classes.
Overall, the operability of the camera can be described as good and only the screen could dissolve later. 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. 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 evident in the 3rd generation with 20 megapixels. 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 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.
Downer is the time limit of the video mode at 9 minutes and 49 seconds.
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Wifi:
This integration is implemented well and worked with several Android smartphones without problems and is particularly useful when using long sticks Selfie. What is needed is the appropriate Nikon app from the Play Store. The direct wireless connection to the camera is done either via NFC ohnen any manual intervention, or you connect the corresponding phone manually using the WLAN search with the clamped-Fi camera. The app is simple and provides either the opportunity to use the smartphone as a viewfinder and trigger images, or images from the camera's memory to transfer to your smartphone. It even different resolutions to choose from. For further customization as an automatic time adjustment are also useful. A simple but robust and easy-to-use implementation of this feature, which can be quite helpful.
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Conclusion:
Much with quite heavy. I have long wondered whether I should forgive 3 or 4 stars. The camera is far from being free from criticism and apparently the number of megapixels seems to be still sales promotions as the image quality, because otherwise Nikon had this already reduced, but as a beginner camera scores Camera particular by facilitating usability with intuitive automatics (unfortunately these are partially also slow). Those who want to engage in the image parameters for the camera, however, is hardly suitable, which should be observed.
The wireless integration is simple but implemented to date in times of Selfiesticks and thus quite a nice feature. The very compact dimensions and the good workmanship, the small as always with camera on the go predetermine the camera, since it is still much more universal than in smartphones built-in cameras.
Since this is a beginner's camera, you can hold by a reduced ISO range noise in the tolerable and large or detailed prints should be created by most buyers rather less, I can give the camera due to the existing positive features almost 4 star. As easy take-along camera snapshot quite an option.