Lights, Camera, Action. (Nikon Coolpix 4600)

Member Name: ManUtdBoi

Product:	Nikon Coolpix 4600
Date:	09/11/05 (220 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lightweight, good shots, ease of use.

Disadvantages: maybe too lightweight and slightly fragile.

Nikon Coolpix 4600

† Introduction †

Having decided to enter the digital camera market for the first time, a heady months worth of perusing both magazines and online websites followed, with the aim of finding a camera that could offer both adequate features, and be able to slowly introduce an amateur to the world of digital photography. Having taken into consideration various offers from various websites, it was decided that the Nikon Coolpix 4600 would be our best option when considering we had no previous experience of even using a digital camera. It offered all the features a buyer would need for first time use; zoom lens, red eye reduction, top quality pictures themselves, video capture and many other handy attributes. Righty ho then.

† Features †

* 4.0 megapixels
* 3x zoom lens (to the standard of 34-102mm on 35mm camera)
* Advanced red-eye reduction (automatically detects and corrects potential red-eye)
* D-Lighting (automatically lightens overly dark images)
* 1.8 inch LCD screen
* Colour options (Sepia, Black and White, Standard)
* Internal memory
* 3 movie modes

† Batteries †

The Nikon Coolpix uses varying battery options. It allows you the choice of standard AA batteries (x2), Nikon's own rechargeable NiMH batteries (x2), AA Nikel Mangamese batteries or AA Lithium batteries. Insertion is relatively simple; you just need open the battery compartment, located at the foot of the camera, and insert the batteries as shown in the accompanying manual; then simply close the chamber again and you're good to go.

† Memory Cards †

You can store pictures on both the camera's internal (roughly 14 MB) memory, or purchase a separate memory card for more excessive use. Personally, my dad purchased a package that included a separate memory card for another £30, rather than use all the camera's own memory. Inserting the memory card is relatively as simple as inserting the batteries; just open the slot cover (located on the right side of the camera) and slide the card into the given hole, and simply close said cover once more.

Once the simplicities are out of the way, you can now turn the camera on and begin shooting away like a pro (well, not quite).

† Menu †

The menu feature is relatively easy to use; carrying symbols that signify information including which shooting mode you're currently in, zoom and focus indicator, battery level and time zone notification, I was able to understand the majority of functions within the first 24 hours (and am still to this moment checking over the additional features). To navigate the various menus within the camera, you simply need use the 'OK' button situated in the middle of the right hand side of the camera, and further you need only use the directional buttons placed around it to navigate up and down through the following sections.

† The Shutter Release Button †

The shutter release button (i.e.: the button you press when taking a picture) is a two stage one in the case of the Coolpix 4600. You must firstly press the shutter release halfway, which will allow the camera to set both the focus and exposure (when completed, a green light next to the viewfinder will become lit), and then press the button the rest of the way to take the shot itself. It's a feature that, although sceptical over at first (with the fear I'd accidentally press the button the whole way), has become a very useful one and surprisingly easy to use on a consistent basis.

† The Mode Dial †

The Mode Dial allows you to choose from seven potential shooting modes;

* Movie - allows you to record moving images, albeit minus audio.
* Auto - the selection for taking standard pictures in normal mode.
* Scene - gives the option of 12 respective 'scenes', which accommodate for varying shooting conditions.
* Setup - displays the setup menu on the LCD screen to allow actions such as changing monitor brightness.
* Portrait Assist, Landscape Assist, Sports Assist, Night Portrait Assist - helps to compose pictures for differing types of subject.

† The Zoom Feature †

Toward the right hand side of the Mode Dial, are two letters, W and T. For purposes of zooming in on a particular shot, simply press the 'T', and thusly, to zoom out of a particular shot, just press the 'W'. The zoom itself is varied in range, allowing for both a good close up, whilst giving you the option to hide that face a little in a more open picture (which therefore allows for things such as a wide group shot, or an elaborate landscape shot.

† Software †

The camera comes complete with PictureProject, software that allows the transfer of pictures to your computer, whilst also allowing you the option of editing (and generally messing with) images once transferred. The software is very simply to install; just insert the accompanying disc and follow the on-screen instructions to a tee.

† Downsides †

As far as negatives go, I'd say the main one would be it's vulnerability. It's a reasonably small camera with little in the way of a steady grip, which could potentially lead to future accidents and droppings (and thusly, breakages). Aside from that, it's a very easy-to-use camera that I've managed to grasp completely in 24/48 hours, and although there's features I'm yet to explore, the included manual explains everything perfectly, and therefore I've no quarrels about messing anything up. Things such as language setting, time setting, and picture mode, are easy to handle through the use of the menu buttons and relatively simple instructions. All in all, it's a great camera for first time use, and a good gateway to digital photography.

† Prices †

You'll find the camera going for roughly £150 on most internet sites, although the package my dad bought had the camera down as £125, with an additional £30 for add-ons such as leather case, additional memory card etc (which, incase anyone's interested, was purchased from ukdigitalcameras.co.uk); their delivery was also very prompt, taking just 2 days to deliver through secure delivery, and sticking to their word (and time promises) throughout.

Summary: A decent camera for a first-timer....

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