quick to deploy, robust, but not quite flawless

After quite simple (but inexpensive) S3300 and the fantastic (though not exactly cheap) P7100, I have to deal with the new S9300 with a kind of fine "intermediate class. She's still handy and compact so that they in any pocket fits, (in your pocket, there is already close ...), but still not too small and fiddly "is, and can even be operated comfortably with quite strong fingers. She is also in weight so that you can feel what the hand. I hate nothing so much as a super lightweight camera that always reminded me that it consists only of plastic. The S9300 is here very comfortably in your hand and the processing is quite high. In addition, large portions of the outer surface are slightly rubberized mat, so they do not, the S3300 like to flutscht how out of hand.

The large screen is sharp and never too dark when indoor lighting, as someone here wrote. However, it has been not only mirrored to see in sunlight outside some trouble of his own face. One drawback to today, almost every device with LCD display. I do not understand that the industry does not rely here on matt material.

The menus and functions can be cleaned up "and do not take much with its competitors. Also, there are plenty of ways to disable the automatic.

With an effect setting, you can during recording select 6 different variations (including an effect in which only a certain - selectable -. Can be color are, for example, red and everything else is b / w) However, I would also recommend, prefer to do this after recording (with the camera), so firstly because you can try more, and second, the image in the original reserves. And provide up to other effects like fisheye or glittering lights, ... are available. If you want to view the images as a slide show on your home TV, you can see the 16: 9 setting and receives images without beams - vertical times excluded.

The picture quality I found actually in any lighting condition as very satisfactory and the colors of course. Even the built-in flash slew not the subject generally. The focusing works very well in the wide angle - but at telephoto Nikon would go here again in itself.

It is true that one often requires several attempts just to get a sharp image. The more the zoom range, the more difficult it is. If one pays close it what appears on the display, you already noticed when pressing the shutter often a red rectangle - then you need not only to trigger, because that would not focus. (Even if this complies with the appropriate distance)

Worse, however, I find the video area. Again, even films well in the wide angle. The function this can be easily via a single button on and off. But one would like to zoom back closer the subject during recording, you get the same 3 problems: firstly, the mechanics are so loud that we think we hear an electric toothbrush in the recording, second screen is shaking back and forth in the widest zoom ranges in both directions , And thirdly, blurred with a pre zoomed motif usually beyond recognition in blur. In the specific example I zoom on the trunk of a palm tree on my balcony, at approximately 2.5 m distance. As soon as I only have to view their family and with my normal "video camera can then look at all the fine details, I see only a shapeless dark area ...
Even the mov.Format I personally not very well chosen, I would have preferred for the recording mp4, and more compatible with some applications. So I would say, is the video function despite Full HD, here's a nice gimmick, but no longer.

The battery, which is supplied already half loaded, keeps the right of S9300 long (when he was then charged right times). Because as the P7100, not a tiny battery is also used here so that willingness is here still given even after prolonged lying. I have a small SONY HX7VB that every time I want to use them, is just empty ... :-(
I did not at the NIKON P7100, and also in the present S9300 seems to be so that the slightly larger battery simply has more power. Test after 3 days, take pictures, try, sometimes films and flashes, is lt. Display the battery still completely full.

A bit annoying, however I feel that something loud shutter sound, which is not true can be mitigated, but at least you can turn it off.

Conclusion:

+ Well manufactured housing (also has been a fall survived without injuries)
+ Long battery life
+ Easy operation
+ Successful visual effects (after + during recording selectable)
+ Good grip
+ In less than 2 seconds after ready

- In video footage clearly audible noise Zoom
- Difficulties with auto focus at the telephoto end (photo + video)
Zoom shaky video images when -
- Automatic images with less good lighting can lead to overexposure and very drab colors

I can not fully recommend, plus there is a little too much improvement worthy for this price range, the camera unfortunately. Therefore only 3 good star.

For the, the photo function required in the first place, and not delicate, easy to operate, robust - and yet compact camera with long battery life is looking, who can confidently consider. Although one should mention that it looks much better in real life than on the pictures!