Review posted 08/20/2012

Quick Take

Pros

Nice to have 10x optical zoom in thin camera Response times are pretty good when not using a flash Very easy to use camera Control buttons are a comfortable size to use Spin dial surrounding four-way button is handy Small flash works surprisingly well Battery life is better than average versus other cameras in this price range High-speed continuous shooting options can be handy 360-degree panoramic mode is not often found in this price range USB cable is 5 feet long

Cons

Camera response times are a little sluggish when you must use the flash Start-up time is a little slow, too Camera's focus is soft at times, making it difficult to create large prints Position of flash can lead to shadows from the lens housing in some images Power button is a little small Doors covering USB and HDMI slots are flimsy LCD could be larger and sharper Could use some more manual control options

Bottom Line

For a low-cost camera, the Coolpix S6300 seems to perform pretty well overall. Its color accuracy and brightness in images are impressive. The 10x zoom lens is a nice feature, and its response times and various burst modes are pretty good. It does have a few drawbacks, including some soft focus problems and sluggish performance at start-up. Still, if your needs as a photographer match this little point-n-shoot camera's strengths, the S6300 will give you good performance levels for the price.. Read more in our Full Conclusion.

Nikon recently announced nine new Coolpix cameras, four of which are members of their super slim S-series. The S6300 costs about $150 less than the flagship S9300, but other than the zoom length and GPS capabilities, the two cameras are very similar. So, if you don't need an 18x zoom lens or GPS, and you can live with a smaller LCD screen; you might consider the S6300, which is only $30 more than the S4300, but has a number of very important upgrades including a BSI CMOS sensor. CMOS sensors are generally considered more powerful than their CCD counterparts because they shoot full 1080p HD videos, are faster, and handle extreme lightning conditions much more like film.

The S6300 is a sub-$200 camera with a fast, high-quality sensor, and a long 10x optical zoom. It's really easy to use, and most of its options are aimed at beginners. Even better, many retailers have dropped the price on this model by 10% or more ahead of the 2012 holiday season.