Nikon Coolpix S4000

Nikon S4000 takes correct photos to less than 180 euros

Nikon, whose compact entry-level are the best selling Coolpix offers a cute and tactile model.

The expectations

Keep it simple, nice and cheap, is the challenge Nikon’s photo very public with its Coolpix range. Little brother Touch S220, a bestseller as basic as cute, the S4000 has the benefit of a more wide-angle HD video modes and image editing, and finally look just as cute.

The reality

First good point: for 179 €, or even just 150 € for some online retailers, it is possible to have quality photos! Compared to recent CDs that we tested, the Pentax H90 and I-10 and disappointing Kodak Slice Nikon camera is doing the best record. This is particularly evident in a photograph taken indoors without flash: the day, the images are not dirty, rough or speckled, as so often with small sensor compact, but are rather soft and clean.

Sensitive, except evenings

With its relatively high definition 12-megapixel, yet it was obviously still a bit sensitive to light indoors. Of course, when the darkness wins, for example for interior pictures in the evening, the flash becomes mandatory, and it is unfortunately a very violent white. It blinds as well as it conceals the colors! Note also a very nice wide-angle to make framing very large. Do not use but a short distance from the subject, on pain of having a foreground blur.

A very average movie mode

However, the video mode is set well back from what we can find in the competition, including the compact Panasonic. Indeed, it is not enough to offer a HD resolution (720p). We need the focus, lighting, texture image and fluidity are also present. But just as the colors and sharpness are met significant, both films seem encountered, as to give the evil eye. The sound, it is very poor, so that the videos give the impression of having been stored in a jar.

From not so intuitive touch

A 179 €, Nikon does not refer to the most demanding photographers. The effort was focused on ergonomics, with a touch screen. Its reactivity is honest, though with more than great for a good smartphone and its navigation is usable, once you have taken the crease in the menus by necessity very intuitive. Fairly large and comfortable, it suffers in contrast to virtual buttons too small and too close to each other, which often leads to click on the function side. Very annoying, especially when trying to enjoy the small photo editor integrated with menus! Too bad, because between the booster colors, the light adjuster and function doodling, there is something fun about the stereotypes.

A perfect finish

Finally, the touchscreen allows mainly to save on the number of buttons, and simplifies the use of the device. Two keys were, however guarded, and it welcomes: a shortcut to the mode change (too bad we can not pass a single stroke of the picture to video and viceversa), another to read saved files. Too bad, again, that the tactile navigation is so difficult, it is the only false note in a finish that easy crunchy, with its refined colors, chrome shell very feminine and very smooth lines.

Review conclusions

It is a little taken aback by the S4000. On the one hand, a passable movie mode, tactile icons for cut fingers of children only, and a flash invasive. On the other hand, look as simple as seductive grip very simple and very good quality pictures for this price range. In sum, this is a device that is not perfect. But that does not constitute a bad choice.