Nikon Coolpix S9100 Point & Shoot Black

Overall Review

Nikon Coolpix S9100 is probably one of the most innovative camera manufacturers in the world, one proof of that is Nikon’s travel zoom series of cameras whose features include a 18x extended zoom lens accompanied by a highly versatile focal range of 35mm equivalent from a minimum of 25mm to a maximum of 450mm. Other features of the sleek Nikon Coolpix S9100 include a 12 megapixel back illuminated CMOS sensor which work on , high resolution 921k dot 3 inch LCD screen, full 1080p high-definition movies with stereo sound, sensor-shift Vibration Reduction, a shooting mode dial and a fast auto-focus system. Also being offered with Nikon Coolpix S8100 are a wide variety of special effects, in-camera HDR imaging and advanced Night Landscape and Portrait modes. Nikon Coolpix S9100 is available in three colors which are black, silver and pink.

Design and Build Quality

Official build dimensions of Nikon Coolpix P9100 are 104.8 mm x 62 mm x 34.6 mm and the device weighs 214 grams with an integral flash sunk right into the top plate toward the left. This flash can easily be activated by a switch which is placed at the side which automatically pops up, the reason: an on-screen message prompts you to raise the flash if you haven't already done so. Now over the right hand edge of the top plate of the camera, there mounts an On/ Off button which is recessed so as to avoid accidental activation, shutter release button encircled by zoom lever, plus a tiny 8-option shooting mode dial which is smaller than a 25 paisa coin. 

Focus and Face Detection

When you use the default AutoFocus mode on Nikon Coolpix P9100, the AF is disabled during movie recording, this in turn does lead to out of focus zoom in towards the subject. However, there is a full frame AF which is enabled in the menu and attempts to adjust all the focus as per requirement. To aid the ease of use of this device, Face Detection, Blink Detection and Red Eye Reduction are also provided. Now, to add to the creativity in-camera, Nikon has also included with itself a really small selection of special effect modes which include the ones to reproduce the very look of a high contrast monochrome, sepia, high key, low key and selective colour effects.

Lens and Image Stabilization

Nikon Coolpix P9100 looks highly stylish in black, red and silver. The pocket sized device offers a huge lens that covers almost entire front on the device, putting the better foot forward in front of its rivals with an 18x optical zoom. When  not in use, this lens maintains compactness and. Provided here is a focal range equivalent to a wide angle 25-450mm in 35mm film terms, so plenty of scope for expansive landscape shots and pulling the faraway closer. The front of the camera is unsurprisingly dominated by that Vibration Reduction assisted lens, with a small AF assist/self timer lamp located top left, and the aforementioned sliver of a grip being otherwise the only feature to adorn the faceplate. The front lip for the zoom lever is slightly ridged to provide purchase for the fingertip and, upon switching the camera on, the ring encircling the power switch briefly glows green for no other apparent reason than it lets you know the camera's working and it looks cool.

Screen and Menus

With Nikon Coolpix P9100 photos and video are framed and watched again on Nikon S9100 via a 3-inch 4:3 aspect ratio LCD. We Whilst that much is standard, less so is a screen resolution that again betters what one might expect at 921k dots, so visibility is clear with it. You get much more than you have expected with a 3 inch LCD, and while all that is really standard, less so is the screen resolution which again gets one up with 921K dots, 

Battery

Nikon Coolpix P9100 works on rechargeable Li-Ion battery and the optional SD, SDHC and SDXC cards inserted directly into the shared compartment along the base. On the other hand, photographers also have a 74MB internal memory to fall back on. Once you look down on the top of the camera, You notice one of the most noticeable features, which are the left and the right stereo microphones which flank a speaker in the midst. The battery life of the device is 270 shots when fully charges, this is definitely nothing, no match for the 1,000 shot battery of rivals such as Casio H30 or Casio H20. Nikon also still has not yet included a standard mains charger in the box, instead the battery is recharged within the device. This is done by connecting a USB-equipped plug via supplied standard USB cable. Fair enough, but even if you purchase an extra battery for the holidays you won't be able to leave the spent battery charging whilst you head out and use the camera.

Video Mode

Nikon Coolpix P9100 sports Full HD 1080p movie clips at 30fps with stereo sound, with an instant record button located at the top right hand corner of the back plate. Its implementation is similar to the one found on the less expensive Coolpix S3100 snapshot, in that it features a raised surround to avoid accidental nudges. Videographers will be further interested to note the S9100's facility for slow motion video clips; the walking through treacle look on playback being achieved via a fast capture speed of 240fps. This requires a resolution drop to 320x240 pixels however. The alternative is a slightly better 640x480 pixels at 120fps.

Sensors

More positively, those users wanting an all encompassing point and shoot that also performs in lower light will be buoyed by the fact that Nikon hasn't overly burdened the S9100's back-lit 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with pixels: the count here is a sensible 12.1 MP effective. The S9100's maximum lens aperture is a modest f/3.5 though. On the positive side, all the users who want an all-rounder Point and Shoot device which can also perform in low light conditions will be overjoyed by the fact that Nikon has not done anything to overburden Nikon S9100 back-lit 1/2.3 inch CMOS with pixels: the count here is really sensible and 12.1 Megapixel effective. Also the maximum aperture size is a decent f/3.5.

Pros

Remarkable zoom range in a compact body

Highly detailed LCD screen

Performance at towering sensitivities

Cons

Untrustworthy autofocus at the long end of the zoom

Awkward dial on rear of the camera body

Barrel deformation at wide end of the zoom