Nikon S4100 Review

14.10 Megapixels	5.00x zoom	1/2.3" size sensor

Nikon Coolpix S4100 Overview

Posted: 02/08/2011

A replacement for last year's S4000 model, the Nikon Coolpix S4100 is based around a 1/2.3"-type, CCD image sensor with an effective resolution of 14.0 megapixels, just slightly higher than last year's twelve megapixel chip. The sensor is coupled with a new Nikkor-branded 5x optical zoom lens. The S4100's lens offers actual focal lengths ranging from 4.6 to 23.0mm, which equates to 26 to 130mm on a 35mm camera - a useful wide angle to a moderate telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.2 to a rather dim f/6.5 across the zoom range. Ordinarily the S4100 can focus on subjects as close as 20 inches (50cm) at wide angle, or 32 inches (80cm) at telephoto, but in macro mode this range is reduced to just 4 inches (10cm).

Images and movies are framed and reviewed on the same 3.0-inch TFT LCD panel with anti-reflective coating with 460,000 dot resolution, which still serves as an input device courtesy of a touch-panel. The display's resolution equates to around 153k pixels, with each pixel comprising separate red, green, and blue dots. In concert with an EXPEED C2-branded image processor, the Coolpix S4100 offers sensitivity ranging from ISO 80 to 1,600 equivalents under automatic control, and as high as ISO 3,200 controlled manually. It's also possible to cap the Auto ISO function to either 400 or 800 equivalents at the top end.

The S4100 offers 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel) movie recording. The Nikon S4100 stores images on Secure Digital cards, including the latest SDHC and SDXC types, or in a not-so-generous 20MB of built-in memory. Data transfer to a computer is catered for with a USB 2.0 High Speed connection. Power comes from a new EN-EL19 lithium ion rechargeable battery pack, said to be good for 190 shots on a charge to CIPA standards.

The Nikon Coolpix S4100 ships from February 2011, priced at around US$180. Available body colors include plum, silver, red and black.

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