Product Description

For those looking for a feature-packed high-resolution digital camera comes the Coolpix P4! The 8.1 megapixels and 3.5x optical zoom allow you to get in close and catch every small detail while the vibration reduction feature keeps your shots crisp and blur-free. Use the bright 2.5" LCD to preview and fix red-eye right in the camera. Then transfer them to your computer or print them without your computer with PictBridge! With these features and more, the Coolpix P4 is sure to satisfy anyone looking for impressive digital photographs in a small package! Shooting modes - Auto, Programmed Auto, Aperture Priority Auto Mode, 9 Advanced Scene Modes (Portrait [Face AF], Portrait, Night Portrait, Landscape, Night landscape, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Fireworks show, Close up), 7 Scene Modes (Party/Indoor, Panorama assist, Beach/Snow, Back light, Museum, Copy, Sports), BSS (Best Shot Selector), Date imprint, Self-timer (3, 10 sec.) Attach up to a 20 second voice memo to your photo 23MB internal memory; SD Memory Card Slot Transfer images via included USB cable or an optional card reader (sold separately) An SD Card is NOT included, therefore we suggest purchasing an Optional 512MB memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more Video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera's high resolution abilities. PictBridge compatible for printing images without a computer Approximate Unit Dimensions (w x h x d) - 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches / Unit Weight - 5.9 ounces (without battery and SD memory card)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10699 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Nikon
• Model: 25540
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 1.00" w x 4.50" l, 1.00 pounds
• Memory: 23MB
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• 3.5x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second
• BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest image automatically from ten sequential shots
• Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (battery and charger included); stores images on SD memory cards (23 MB internal memory included)

From the Manufacturer
The Coolpix P4 features a 1/1.8-inch CCD and, because it offers 8.1 effective megapixels of image resolution, it delivers outstanding imaging power that's not only enough to show beautiful skin texture and capture the myriad colors of the human eye, it also means shots stay breathtakingly clear even when significantly enlarged.

The Coolpix P4 incorporates a high-quality 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens with a focal range equivalent to that of a 36-126mm lens in 35mm format. This provides ample opportunity to zoom in for close compositions, zoom right out to capture breathtaking scenery, and even enjoy macro shooting from as close as 4 centimeters.

Perhaps the most exciting element of the Coolpix P4, however, is the inclusion of Nikon's innovative VR (Vibration Reduction) capability. Originally developed for Nikon SLRs, lens shift VR capability is available in two modes that compensate for camera movement to realize a shooting experience akin to shooting at shutter speeds three stops faster.

VR Normal compensates for the minor movements that can happen all too easily during handheld shooting, while VR Active compensates for more pronounced movements--so you can even achieve rock-steady results while shooting from a moving vehicle, for example. Allowing photographers to shoot without blurring in lower light or when taking handheld macro shots, VR also extends to movie shooting, and even helps support faster framing on the large 2.5-inch 150,000-dot LCD.

A range of advanced imaging features make the Coolpix P4 stand out from other compact digital cameras, giving photographers greater control to produce shots that match their discreet personal tastes. The 11 wide-area AF delivers more accurate autofocus by analysing a larger area of the frame so photographers can experiment with more imaginative compositions. For example, with main subjects positioned away from the center or with multiple subjects, you can still be assured of crisp, sharp results.

The camera also offers Aperture-Priority Auto mode to let photographers benefit from aperture control in 1/3 EV steps, so they can select large apertures for attractive background blurring or stop down to small apertures to extend crisp focus into the distance--all while the camera automatically selects the most appropriate shutter speed for optimized exposure.

For all kinds of shooting, an on-screen histogram provides analytical assistance for exposure. Surprisingly easy to understand, it displays shadow levels on the left and highlight levels on the right of the large LCD, so users can avoid under- and overexposure before they even press the shutter.

There's also a range of Advanced Scene modes (9 Advanced Scene modes; 7 Scene modes) that help photographers capture a single scene with entirely different moods through the use of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, sharpness, noise reduction, and more.

Helping photographers capture the action as it happens, the Coolpix P4 also features continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second. This capability is also complemented by 5-shot buffer shooting that allows users to keep shooting in a continuous burst and have the camera record the last five images taken. Such functionality can be great when trying to capture an event that could happen imminently.

The Coolpix P4 makes it easy to shoot movies with sound, with a choice of three modes offering up to 30-frame-per-second performance. There's also a Time-lapse movie mode that uses pictures shot with the Interval timer shooting function to create a movie in which the action appears speeded up.

Images can even be improved in-camera through the use of three innovative Nikon functions. Face-priority AF cleverly detects people's faces to achieve sharp focus on them, no matter where they happen to be located in the frame. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix helps users make red-eye a thing of the past by detecting the annoying red-eye effect that can sometimes occur in flash photography and providing automatic compensation for more flattering, natural-looking portraits in low light. There's also Nikon's unique D-Lighting function, available in playback mode, which can improve underexposed images or shots taken with too much back light by creating a copy of an image with added light and detail wherever necessary, leaving well-exposed areas exactly as they were.

Operation of the Coolpix P4 is exceptionally smooth and user-friendly. Icons are clearer and have optimal proportions, users can opt to select functions by either name or icon, and all menus and icons have been created with a new color scheme that's easier on the eye.

Design-wise, the Coolpix P4 has been made even more desirable with exterior lines that convey a distinct air of simplicity and quality, yet which feel comfortable in the hand. The use of aluminum throughout the exterior builds on this sense of quality, while the lens and grip sections have been given a flatter, space-efficient form. Furthermore, various different materials have been incorporated into the design to provide visually appealing contrast.

Like all Coolpix cameras, the P4 comes bundled with Nikon's complimentary and exclusive PictureProject software. Complete with an interface that is as elegant as it is simple, it makes for simple image editing and supports easy image organization and sharing, while compatibility with a range of plug-ins lets users add exciting new capabilities on demand.

Feature highlights:

Vibration Reduction
The Coolpix P4 features the VR (Vibration Reduction) system originally developed for Nikon SLR cameras. Comprising two modes, it allows selection of VR Normal mode that compensates for the minor camera movement commonly encountered when taking handheld shots, and VR Active mode that compensates for more pronounced movements, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle. Providing a shooting experience akin to shooting at shutter speeds three stops faster, it enables photographers to shoot without blurring in lower light, keeps subjects clear when panning, and also helps support faster framing on the LCD. What's more, the benefits of VR (Normal mode) assurance also extend to movie shooting so users can capture action with welcome stability.

Advanced imaging features
The Coolpix P4 also offers a range of imaging capabilities extending beyond the norm. Covering a broader area of the frame, 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in more diverse compositions--leaving photographers free to concentrate on the shot while the camera automatically achieves superior, sharp focus. Advanced Scene modes allow photographers to produce pictures better suited to their own personal tastes--offering a choice of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, sharpness, noise reduction, and more so that the same scene can be captured to convey entirely different moods. The Coolpix P4 also offer the versatility of Aperture-priority Auto mode, which gives photographers control over aperture while the camera automatically selects the optimal corresponding shutter speeds, so users can choose larger apertures to achieve attractive background blur, for example, or select a smaller aperture to extend sharp detail into the distance.

Features for in-camera image correction
The Coolpix P4 features a selection of three Nikon innovations that give the photographer the ability to actually improve the quality of images in-camera. The Face-priority AF function has the ability to cleverly locate the presence of human faces in the frame and then provide optimized focus accordingly for sharper portraits time after time. (Face recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.) In-Camera Red-Eye Fix helps to eradicate the annoying red-eye effect that can sometimes be encountered during flash photography by detecting red eyes in the shot and compensating automatically. There's also D-Lighting, which can improve underexposed images or shots taken with too much back light by creating a copy of a selected image with light and detail automatically added wherever necessary and well-exposed areas left exactly as they are.

Other features:

• Highly compact dimensions of 92 x 61 x 31 millimeters (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches) (W x H x D) excluding projections
• Carry-anywhere light weight of approximately 170 grams (5.6 ounces) (without battery and SD memory card)
• USB connectivity enables fast data transfer to computers and other peripheral
• Battery charger MH-61 supplied
• Ample 23 MB (approximate) of internal memory; SD card compatibility
• BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest image automatically from ten sequential shots
• Date Search function makes it easy to locate a desired shot
• Menu available in a choice of 20 languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Japanese, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Korean, Russian, Thai, Portuguese, Polish, Indonesian, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, Czech
• Rechargeable EN-EL5 Li-ion battery (supplied) can shoot approximately 200 shots on a single charge
• Direct printing with PictBridge-compatible printers via USB cable
• Macro Mode lets users compose as close as 4 centimeters from the subject
• Noise Reduction produces better results when shooting in low light
• Time zone function enables the camera clock to be set to local time, anywhere in the world
• 4x digital zoom extends compositional freedom
• Continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second
• Choice of White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 7-mode manual (Direct sunlight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, and White Balance Preset)
• Voice memo appends 20 seconds of audio to a selected photograph

Customer Reviews

Dang good bargain
Sure, it's not as stylish, light in the hand or has as many fancy options like you do in other digicams (Casio---great features but terrible optics) but what Nikon has here is an 8 megapixel camera that shoots dang good pics with almost full manual control and a Vibration Reduction system (which WORKS 'cause I took pics of cool signage the other day and did it from my car while driving in traffic and all the pics were sharp despite me going 30 mph and holding the camera with one hand out the window). It's many scene modes provide one with instant settings for when you don't have time to use the apeture priorty or apeture and shutter speed priorities. Macro mode provides extremely sharp detail. It also has a COPY mode that you use to take pics of newspaper articles or anything out of a mag or book. It shoots in b&w in this mode and the text is easily readable. It's AF system is excellent and fast. For the flash you have several options to choose from, including red eye reduction, which WORKS perfectly on portrait shots, and backlit.

I've also got a Canon Powershot S2 IS and wanted a camera I could stick in my pocket and I'm glad I chose this Nikon after looking at Casio, Pentax, Sony and Kodak.

The thing to remember about digital cameras when selecting one is to focus (pun intended) on the quality of the lens (Canon and Nikon are the best) and the image sensor and it's workings, again Canon and Nikon lead the field.

So if you're looking for a digital camera stick to Canon and Nikon and forget the rest of them no matter how cool sounding or looking their digicams are. What you want in the end is a good clean sharp pic to print and to send via e-mail and both Canon and Nikon provide just that.

Very good camera choice
The Coolpix P4 has a lot of things going for it: 8 megapixels; sharp 3.5x zoom with Vibration Reduction; good quality 2.5" LCD; good in-camera menus; and good battery options.

The VR should not be undervalued, even if this is a relatively short zoom for stabalization. It can aid in almost any situation, most notably low-light non-flash photos, and really enhances flash photography in low-light, so that we can see more of the background detail.

In-camera post processing is truly enhanced with the "D Lighting" control. Essentially, this features allows you to lighten the darker areas of a photograph while not lightening the middle or light areas. This can help bring out underexposed backgrounds with flash, or allow us to see the eyes under that ballcap. It doesn't work perfectly (it sometimes lightens the shadowing that makes detail stand out), but it's a very welcome feature.

The EN-EL5 battery is a bit larger than most cameras take, but it has good performance, and is reasonably priced. Additionally, you may use a Duracell CP-1 disposable battery. This is great! The problem with rechargable batteries are: 1) people forget to recharge them, and 2) they do loose their charge just sitting around. The CP-1 has a nearly 10 year shelf life, meaning it will be ready when you need it.

Then why not 5 stars? Because it's size will be a bit too large for some (but just right for some, too); it's zoom isn't class leading (Canon Powershot SD700 gets to 4x); it's battery charger could be smaller (e.g. SD700); etc. But for some, it will be as close to perfect as is on the market.

For me the P4 is adequate but not great
1-25-07
After my Nikon 4300 was stolen a year ago, I bought the Nikon P4 in April 2006. Bottom line: I get more photos that are acceptable with the P4 than with the 4300 but none is great. The 4300 occasionally produced superb shots with perfect color and incredible subtle detail.

* My main interest is in photographing wildflowers. The macro mode does not focus as close as with the 4300, there is less detail and what detail there is is not as sharp, even with the "Max Sharp" option turned on. The color generally is not as natural and finely graded even with post processing. However, the P4 does not blow out highlights as crudely as the 4300 did. I can take pictures of yellow flowers in fairly bright light and still see some details of all the petals and the center.

* The P4 only shoots in jpeg mode, with no raw option. That means that the 8 megapixel pictures are smoothed by the internal algorithm into a photo only a quarter of the size of the original. Three quarters of the information is discarded so much of the 8 megapixel power is lost.

* In P mode I usually set the white balance at Cloudy, the sharpness at Max and the exposure at +3. This gives more pictures that are closer to accurate.

* For photographing wildflowers I set the timer at 3 seconds so I can brace my hands against my chest or a rock and avoid the shake that comes with pushing the shutter button. VR on or off doesn't seem to make much difference in this situation. However, when the wind is blowing so that the flowers wave continuously, using VR Normal makes the difference between getting an adequate picture or a blurry mess. The 4300 could not take even adequate shots in any kind of breeze.

* The P4 seems optimized for taking photos five to ten feet away from the subject in good but not super bright light. My photo of water lilies taken from the top of a bank about 10 feet away on a partly cloudy afternoon was extraordinary -- sharp, with perfect color and detail.

* The 2.5" screen is excellent in all but very bright sunlight. 3" would be even better.

* For lack of a better alternative, for now I will continue to use my P4 but plan to upgrade at some point to a DSLR, probably the Nikon D80, which gets the best reviews of all the sub-$1,000 models.