Nikon Coolpix P4 Review

Click on the Coolpix P4 to take a QuickTime VR tour

The COOLPIX P4 features 8.1 effective megapixels of image resolution and delivers professional-quality imaging power to the average consumer. The high-quality 3.5x Zoom- Nikkor lens has a focal range equivalent to that of a 36-126mm lens in 35mm format and the large and bright 2.5-inch LCD makes for easy viewing in all conditions. The camera is compact and lightweight, measuring just 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches and weighing less than six ounces.

The P4 is loaded with Nikon's innovative and exclusive in-camera technology to make it easy to capture great pictures. A fully automatic mode allows anyone to easily capture great photos and Aperture-Priority Auto and 16 Scene Modes will please the more advanced users. Face-Priority AF makes certain that faces remain in focus when shooting portraits by automatically sensing the presence of a human face within the frame and setting accurate focus accordingly. The In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ technology automatically detects and corrects red eyes in an image while the D-Lighting function automatically compensates for insufficient flash or excessive backlighting. To ensure a crisp, clear image before leaving the scene, Blur Warning will alert the user that a shot has been compromised.

In addition to high quality still images you can also shoot movies with sound, with a choice of three modes offering up to VGA (640x480 @ 30fps) size resolution. There's also a Time-lapse movie mode without sound that uses pictures shot with the Interval timer shooting function to create a movie in which the action appears speeded up.

Incorporating the VR (Vibration Reduction) system originally developed for Nikon SLR cameras, the P4 operates in two modes; VR Normal mode compensates for the minor camera movement commonly encountered when taking handheld shots, and VR Active mode compensates for more pronounced movements, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle. Providing a shooting experience akin to shooting at shutter speeds three stops faster, it enables photographers to shoot without blurring in lower light, keeps subjects clear when panning, and also helps support faster framing on the LCD. What's more, the benefits of VR (Normal mode) assurance also extend to movie shooting so users can capture action with welcome stability.

The latest version of Nikon PictureProject offers convenient options allowing users, for example, to import wireless images automatically into a slideshow as well as tools to edit, organize, design and share images. The software is designed to extend the enjoyment of taking pictures: transferring images from camera to computer, organizing images so they are easy to find, editing them to add an extra sparkle, designing ways to show off the pictures and sharing them with friends and family.

Coolpix P4 Features:

• 8-megapixel effective CCD for prints up to 13x19 inches
• Nikkor 3.5x optical zoom lens (36-126mm in 35mm equivalent)
• Compact, durable and lightweight body
• Vibration Reduction (VR) for sharp, blur-free images and movies
• Macro focus with AF as close as 1.6 inches
• Selectable 99-point AF: Auto-multi or Center-focus area selection available
• Exclusive Face Priority AF makes taking incredible portraits easy
• 256-segment Matrix Metering with Center-weighted, Spot, or Spot AF metering
• Large 2.5-inch glare-resistant color monitor
• Program AE, Aperture priority and 16 pre-programmed Scene modes
• Single, Continuous, 5-shot burst, Multi-Shot 16 modes
• 640x480 @ 30fps movie mode with sound, length limited only by memory card capacity
• Attach voice memos up to 20 seconds to still images
• Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow sync, and red-eye reduction
• Nikon's D-Lighting automatically brightens dark images in playback mode
• In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ automatically fixes most instances of red-eye in the camera
• TTL Auto White Balance, 6 presets, custom set and bracketing
• 23MB internal memory and SD memory card slot
• USB connectivity, PictBridge direct-print compliant
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery and charger included

Coolpix P4 Specifications