Nikon Coolpix S9100 Review

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Review posted 5/13/2011

Quick Take
Pros

  • Very compact for a camera sporting an 18x optical zoom lens
  • 25-450mm equivalent range is incredibly versatile
  • Produces sharp images with good colors
  • Smooth, Full 1080p HD video capture
  • Stereo Sound
  • Dedicated video recording button
  • Numerous Creative Shooting Modes
  • High-quality 3.0-inch LCD screen
  • Speedy shooting performance
  • Decent battery life (up to about 270 frames per charge)
  • Competitive price tag 
  • Incredibly close macro shooting
Cons
  • Outside exposures are on the bright side
  • Small, weak flash unit
  • ISO 1600 and up unacceptable amounts of noise, color and detail loss
  • Super sensitive stereo microphones
Bottom Line
Nikon's Coolpix S9100 is a very capable and versatile compact digicam. Very good image quality and excellent performance combine with a slew of creative features to give you an excellent travel or everyday camera. Read more in our Full Conclusion.
S9100_BK_front34r_lo_3.jpgMarked by an impressive optical zoom and other high level features, the Nikon S9100 offers the consumer an 18x wide-angle zoom as well as a 12.1-Megapixel CMOS image sensor (backside illuminated).  In addition, the S9100 uses a 3-inch 921K dot resolution LCD screen, excellent for framing your shots and sharing photos and videos with friends on the fly.

The Nikon S9100 records in full 1080p HD resolution, and can capture still images during a recording.  In terms of features, the camera offers an Easy Panorama mode, HDR functionality, Night Landscape mode and Nikon's hybrid VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization.

Nikon COOLPIX S9100 features:
  • 12.1-megapixel 1/2.3" Back Illuminated CMOS image sensor
  • Expeed C2 image processor
  • 3.0-inch 921K dot resolution LCD
  • 18x optical zoom  (25-450mm equivalent zoom range)
  • Up to 4x Digital Zoom
  • 1080p HD video (1 hour and 20 minutes of battery life)
  • Dedicated Video Record button
  • Stereo Microphones
  • ISO Sensitivity of 160 to 3200
  • Easy Panorama, Backlighting scene mode, Night Landscape mode, Night Portrait mode 
  • Dual Image Stabilization
  • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
  • SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot

What's in the box?:
  • Camera Strap AN-CP19
  • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12
  • Charging AC Adapter EH-69P
  • UC-E6 USB Cable
  • Audio Video Cable EG-CP16
  • Nikon ViewNX 2 Software CD

The Nikon COOLPIX S9100 is available in three color options: Black, Silver, and Red. You can one pick up for approx. $329.95 US.  See our buy boxes below for more accurate online pricing.
Next: Specifications

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.