Controls on the top:

Shutter Release/Power switch. The power switch is spring-loaded and must be held in position for a second to activate.

Press and hold the MODE button and rotate the Command Dial to select the desired recording mode (Auto, Program AE, Shutter speed priority, Aperture priority or Manual).

Press and hold the Exposure Compensation (+/-) button and rotate the Command Dial to select the desired exposure override value. The value can be from -2 to +2EV in 1/3EV increments and is displayed on the color LCD. This button is also used to select the settings memorized in the Function mode.

Command Dial - Used with other buttons to change various camera settings. Changes aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation values or exposure modes. In playback mode it toggles the exposure information overlays and the histogram display.

Controls on the back:

	Monitor - Turns color LCD on/off and also controls the amount of data overlayed on the screen.
	Quick Review / Play - Review last picture taken in 1/4-size overlay window while still in record mode, push again to enter playback mode.
	Wide - Zoom lens to wide angle. When in playback it enables the thumbnail index mode.
	Tele - Zoom lens to telephoto. When in playback it enables the magnified view option.
	Focus - Cycles through normal AF, landscape, macro, macro + selftimer modes. Push and hold and rotate command dial to set manual focus distance. In playback it deletes current picture.
	Menu - Calls up the onscreen menu system
	4-Way Selector - Used to navigate menu options and to move forward and backward through pictures during replay or index mode. Press straight in to accept selections.

On the grip side is a CompactFlash Type II card slot that allows the use of any size Type I or II CF cards or IBM Microdrives.  Nikon officially approves the use of 512MB and 1GB Microdrives.

Included is an 8x Lexar 16MB CF Type I card.

The I/O ports are behind a small rubber flap above the CF card slot. The A / V port is for connection to a television. The video format is user selectable between NTSC and PAL, the audio is monophonic. And a standard USB 1.1 data port for downloading to the host computer.

The Coolpix 4500 can use the Nikon MC-EU1 wired remote control via the USB port. This works as an electronic cable release and controls the zoom lens as well as enabling time-lapse recording.

The Coolpix 4500 is supplied with a Nikon EN-EL1 lithium rechargeable battery pack and can also be powered by one-use 2CR5 6V lithium photo batteries.

The EN-EL1 battery pack is charged outside of the camera by the supplied MH-53 (100-240 VAC) charger. This is a small and compact charger that can fully replenish a depleted pack in about 120 minutes. Lithium batteries can be "topped off" at any time without shortening their lifespan.

The DC IN port is on the front. You can connect an optional AC power adapter or an external battery pack such as the Maha PowerBank, a $59 lightweight, external lithium battery with more than twice the amount of power of the Nikon EN-EL1 battery.