Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Plum)

Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Plum)
Rating:
I was initially hesitant to buy this camera since there were ZERO reviews to be found, either here at Amazon, or elsewhere on the internet. But, since I’ve owned two previous Nikon Coolpix cameras (an old 4 MP camera, and a really old 2 MP camera) and both were great, I wasn’t too worried. And I was right to buy it: it is working great and taking great photos, after several days of playing around with it.

First of all, it is very user-friendly. The menus and controls are completely intuitive, and make sense even if you have not cracked open the manual. (“cracked open” being a bit of a misnomer, since the manual is electronic only; the paper manual that comes with it is just a “quick start guide”)

Second of all, it is a gorgeous piece of machinery; cute and cuddly and shiny and impressive. I’m afraid my girlfriend is going to try to steal it, it is so cute. I may have to buy her one to preemptively stop that from happening.

But, most of all, it takes great pictures. I walked all over town the first day, putting it through its paces, and scrutinized the photos on my computer when I got back home. If I was going to have to return it, I wanted to do so quickly, but I don’t need to. The photos are great.

It is a point-and-shoot, which means that you don’t have direct control over shutter speed, aperture, etc. But, you do have a dozen or so “scene modes” including Beach, Museum, Sunset, Panorama, Action, etc. These are very handy. I haven’t tried them all yet, but they seem to be well designed.

The second day, I put the camera through its paces inside the house. No problems; it takes great indoor shots, providing excellent exposures both with natural light and with the flash. The wide-angle 4.9 mm lens (equivalent angle of view to a 27 mm lens in a 35mm format camera) was especially nice: you can stand in a corner of a room, and get the entire room into the photo! Nothing left out. That is pretty unusual in an inexpensive fixed-lens camera.

My third day test was to take the camera to the beach on a bright, contrasty day. It performed admirably, maintaining both shadow and highlight details, and rendering the deep blues of the sky and water, as well as the bright sand, equally well. This one’s a keeper, folks!

Another nice plus: there is a “16×9″ mode available in the “shooting mode” options. This doesn’t quite use all 4000×3000 pixels; it only uses 3968×2232 of them. But the images are perfect “HD” format, and completely fill up a typical wide-screen monitor without any stretching. Somehow, they look all the more impressive on a computer screen than the typical 4×3 ratio.

Final tidbit: I bought the camera from Amazon, which was $10 cheaper than the local big-box store, had no sales tax, AND allowed me a 30 day return period with no restocking fee (which would have been 14 days AND a restocking fee at the local store; they need to get a clue).

Anyway, as an overall impression, five stars easily for the Nikon Coolpix S3000……..JC

Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Plum)
Rating:
This is a great low price camera. I was going to take a trip to Chicago and wanted an affordable camera with high resolution and that would take pictures very quickly. Some digital cameras flash 13 times before actually taking the picture, this one is so quick and accurately determines if a flash is needed. I had read some reviews on this camera from other sites and some of the compliants were that the pictures were blurry. If you just read the manuel and use the flash when appropriate….no fuzzy pictures. I took pictures while I was walking and the pictures still turned out crystal clear. Great camera at a great price point. Would definitely recommend. Although, I do now wish I had sprung for the extra $70 and got the S4000 – that is the touchscreen version of this camera which would have been cool. But this camera is great as is!!

Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Plum)
Rating:
I had a similar digital which was very easy to use with a lot of bells and wistles. But too big when you compare it to other small digitals. My new Nikon coolpix can fit almost anywhare and ready to use with a small touch on the botton. Takes great pictures when using the auto feature. Still trying to find my way on the other options, but they easily accessed.

Wish I would have gotten this camera sooner.

Florida Native

Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Plum)
Rating:
Pro: Excellent camera for the price. Beats Walmart by $20!

Was able to train non-photographer on various settings quickly.

Excellent vibration reduction and picture quality.

Works even with Class 2 cards (though I would recommend Class 4 or 6)

2GB cards are more than adequate! 505 estimated 12MP (4000ppi) photos per card.

Cons: Manual settings disable too many other features.

Like any point-and-shoot, 12MP isn’t really the same as on a larger CCD.

Lack of a regular viewfinder. LCDs are what drag the battery down most.

Shutter button and tele-WA switch are loose and “rock around.”

No real constant showing of remaining battery, although it lasts quite well.

This camera arrived with a totally DOA charger. The light on the charger doesn’t even come on.

The LCD did not have the typical static-plastic cover, but did have a fingerprint. Makes you wonder if these are seconds or returns.

Pretty rare for a Nikon product. I guess that’s the value of local purchase since returning to Amazon or Nikon is a time delay I don’t have right now–and the shipping cost. The camera and cable charge fine through a computer USB port.

Fortunately, I bought the EH-63 external charger also. This is highly recommended anyway. It gives you the opportunity to buy and charge a spare to keep with you.

Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Plum)
Rating:
The camera is wonderful. I had looked at the Nikon Coolpix L22 and had planned to get it from Walmart, but they happened to be out of stock at that moment. I was about to go on a trip and really wanted a new camera. I happened to see this camera beside the other display and picked it up and checked out the zoom and other features and was really impressed so I bought it. It’s very cool and zooms in just a bit closer than the previous. The scene selector makes taking pictures easy and fun. It’s very easy to crop pictures too! The Smile feature is a blast!