Nikon Coolpix Series Comparison
Breaking down the Nikon Coolpix series! Here’s the comparison:
Nikon Coolpix S1
The rundown: At only 3/4 of an inch thick, it just might be the perfect pocket size camera. For its size, it has a large 2.5″ LCD screen with a 3x optical zoom and a 4x digital zoom. It is supposed to be the perfect pocket sized camera, although some complain of the small buttons(what do you expect, small camera=small buttons). It is 5.1 megapixels and carries a MSRP of $329.95. It comes standard with a docking station that makes recharging the camera and transferring pictures to your computer as simple as possible.
Nikon Coolpix S2
This is the brother of the Coolpix S1. These cameras carry many of the same features, so what’s the difference between this and the S1? This camera includes a splashproof metal design. It is designed to take great pictures, even in the worst of weather conditions. Most all of the other major specs are the same as the S1. For this ability to take pictures in adverse weather conditions, there is a small bump up in price to $349.95. A small price to pay for those who live in the soggier parts of the world.
Nikon Coolpix S3
Next in line after the S2 comes…..the S3! With the S3, you’ll get a bump up to 6 megapixels without a huge increase in price. You’ll also get a couple of more scene modes as well as. In addition, this new camera comes in new colors. You’ll have your pick of ivory white, matte black, and platinum silver. Going from the S2 to the S3 will cost you 30 more dollars at an MSRP of $379.95
Nikon Coolpix S4
The last in the “S” series to be released so far is the S4. Also a 6 megapixel camera, the feature improvement to this camera lies in the optical zoom. Implementing a little swivel functionality on the camera allows for the camera to remain in small pocketsize form, while still increasing the optical zoom to 10x. The swivel makes it easy to take pictures from weird angles, and even of yourself if you so desire. MSRP - $399.95
Nikon Coolpix L1
On to the cameras that aren’t so compact…..First up is the L1, one of the newest in the Coolpix line. It sports a 2.5″ LCD screen and is 1.9″ thick. Although bigger than the S series, the added size allows you to get more bang for your buck. At 6.2 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom, you should be more than pleased with the picture quality. There’s not too much to the design, it’s just a normal looking camera, so if you’re looking for style, I recommend you shell out the few extra bucks and go for the S4. The MSRP is $349.95.
Nikon Coolpix P1
Take a big step up from the L1 and what do you get? The P1 of course. It sports 8 megapixels and WiFi. Did I just say WiFi? Why yes I did. This is one of the cooler new features of digital cameras. It allows for direct communication to either your PC or your printer, which means no more hassle hooking a cord up time after time. You can even enable it to save the pictures directly to your computer, by passing the memory card completely. Although some report a few problems getting the wireless to work, those that get the camera in working order seem to absolutely love it. For all you gadget junkies out there, this might be the camera for you. It retails for $549.95
Nikon Coolpix P2
Usually when the model number goes up, it seems the price tends to as well. However, that is not the case with the P2. While also supporting WiFi functionality, this camera is a 5.1 megapixel camera as opposed to the 8 megapixels of the P1. Both this camera and its predecessor include a 3.5x optical zoom. If you’re looking to get that WiFi functionality, yet not pay out the ear for your camera, then this camera is probably going to be right up your alley. Retail price:$399.95
Nikon Coolpix 4600
Every camera discussed so far has spored a nice big 2.5″ LCD display. With the 4600, we take a step down in the display to 1.8″, but it also takes a nice step down in price as well. This camera takes 4 megapixel pictures and include a 3x optical zoom. It has the ability to record video, but doesn’t include the ability to record sound with that video. If that’s an important feature, you’ll have to go the next step up. I have read several complaints of the camera not focusing 100% of the time, so you might want to read up a little more before purchasing this camera. MSRP - $199.95
Nikon Coolpix 4800
This camera packs quite a lot more punch than the 4600(and it shows in the price). This camera is also 4.0 megapixels, but it takes a big step up with 8.3x optical zoom. Also included in this camera is the ability to include sound with the movies it records. I have read nothing but good things about this camera. Whatever problems there have been with the 4600 seem to have been fixed with this release. It retails for $349.95.
Nikon Coolpix 5600
This one is a little closer to the 4600 than the 4800 is, which is not necessarily a good thing. Although it has a jump in megapixels up to 5.0, I have read many complaints about this camera as well. One of the major complaints(which I also read repeatedly about the 4600) is the time it takes for the picture to actually snap. This one does record audio with the video, but the camera still seems a little sketchy to me. MSRP - $249.95
Nikon Coolpix 5900
Very similar to the 5600, this camera has a slightly larger LCD screen(2.0″ as opposed to 1.8″). The major specs on this camera are all pretty much the same as the 5600. The main difference between the 2 cameras, is that people actually seem to like this camera. Whatever they did to this camera, it apparently works a lot better than the 5600. Although a slight increase in price, this seems like the better choice. MSRP - $299.95
Nikon Coolpix 7600
Although another jump in model number, apparently that doesn’t mean a jump in performance. This is a 7.1 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and a 1.8″ LCD screen. This camera seems to have the same problems that the 4600 and 5600 do, except for the fact that they seem even worse. It supposedly takes forever to actually snap the picture, and the focus just doesn’t seem to work(especially in lower light). MSRP - $349.95
Nikon Coolpix 7900
Unfortunately there seems to be more of the same problems with this one. 7.1 megapixels and a 2″ lcd display don’t mean much if the camera doesn’t work properly. Read the complaints in the 4600, 5600 and 7600 and you’ll see what’s wrong with this one as well. MSRP - $399.95
Nikon Coolpix 8400
And back to what appears to be one of the highest quality cameras in the Coolpix series, the 8400. This bad boy is 8 megapixels of pure high powered digital camera goodness. This camera is geared more towards those that know their way around a camera, than those who are just starting out. It includes a plethora(don’t you love that word) of features including a wide angle capability and a swiveling LCD display. All of this doesn’t come cheap though, the MSRP is $899.95. If you’re looking for a heavy duty camera though, this looks like it might be the one for you.
Nikon Coolpix 8700
Another 8 megapixel camera in the line is this camera, the 8700. Though this camera has a large amount of features as well, including an 8x optical zoom, I’ve read some complaints here and there. I don’t know if there has been enough to warrant someone counting this camera out, but I think a little more research should be done before purchasing a camera at this price. MSRP - $799.95
Nikon Coolpix 8800
On to the last, and most expensive camera in the Coolpix line. It is an 8 megapixel camera with a 10x optical zoom. Everyone who uses the camera seems to love it. The problem is, the camera seems to be prone to a “lens error” that renders the camera useless after a few months. Overall, the camera seems to be well liked, but the small percentage of people who get this error seem very unhappy, as they rightly should be. I recommend you do a little more research before buying this camera. MSRP - $999.99
Well, that about wraps things up. If you’re interested in purchasing one of these cameras, I highly recommend that you do more research on one before buying. This is a very basic outline of the different cameras. Which cameras appealed to me the most? I’d have to say the “S” series looked to be the best out of all the research I did. They seem to perform well, and be well liked because of the nice compact size. Look for more series comparisons in the coming weeks. 
Nikon Coolpix S3 Preview
Nikon Coolpix S5 Review
Nikon Coolpix L2, L3 and L4 First Impressions
Nikon Coolpix P3 Review
Nikon Coolpix 7900 Review
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[...] He just released an overview of the Nikon Coolpix series, and sums up the various models in an easy to understand format. When he is done with looking at the various cameras out there, it will be the guide to reference when looking at deciding what you want. [...]
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