Nikon Coolpix 4800 4MP Digital Camera with 8.3x Optical Zoom

Rating:
Summary: Big optical zoom in a small (but not compact) package
Review: First off, let me point out that John A. Wincek in an earlier review gave a misleading account of dpreview.com's review of the Coolpix 4800. Yes, the 4800's noise level at ISO 400 was higher than the Canon camera dpreview used for comparison, but not to the level of total trash as Wincek seemed to be implying. And dpreview points out that the 4800 uses less noise reduction than the competition (all digital cameras employ some kind of in-camera noise reduction algorithm to "filter out" noise.)

Ok, what really surpised me about the 4800 was how big it was. I mean, it still qualifies as a small point-and-shoot, but given how it looks like the Coolpix 3200 and 4200, I thought it was going to be sub-compact, but I was wrong. It's big enough that it won't fit in a pocket. The lens compartment protrudes. Together with the grip, the camera is quite deep at over 2 inches. This does give a good grip and you can use it in one hand -- it weighs about 11 oz. with the LiIon battery.

The 8.3x optical zoom is awesome. Its 35mm equivalent is 36-300. Because the 4800 doesn't have an image stabilizer -- a controversial feature among photo enthusiasts -- you MUST use a tripod or place the camera on a steady surface if you are to use the tele end of the zoom. At anything over 6x zoom, your handshakes will magnify many times and result in blurry photos, no matter how well lit the scene is. One problem with the 4800 is when you are beyond 6-7x zoom, focus feels slow and keeps flipping, which is very frustrating.

The all-plastic camera feels solid but the decision to use proprietary LiIon rather than AA disappointed me, as I have a good collection of AA NiMH batteries and older Coolpix models used such batteries. Battery life is respectable; I got over 100 shots mostly with flash and I zoomed in and out a lot. (I hate to say this, but "Camera buff" was probably lying about recharging every six pictures, unless he/she got a defective unit or didn't know what he/she was doing.)

The upshot is, if you want a power zoom in a small package, the 4800 is worth a look. On the other hand, its relative bulky size, so-so picture quality and the lack of a optical viewfinder (an electronic one doesn't cut it for me) make it less attractive to someone seeking a sleek, compact point-and-shoot. Its lack of controls over picture-taking makes it unsuitable for serious photographers.

Rating:
Summary: Just what I was looking for and more!
Review: I have been wanting to upgrade my Coolpix 2100 for awhile but just didn't see anything from Nikon that made me want to spend my money... The Coolpix 5200 seemed a good choice, but I found a couple of reviews on line that said it was good but not great... And I wanted great... I liked the Coolpix scene selections and menu options, I had grown used to them, almost second nature, and that kept me from looking at other brands... I like Nikon... Then I found the Coolpix 4800... It's like the next generation Coolpix... For a really good review of the Coolpix 4800 Check out:

(...)

I read Steve's Review and went right out to Cir. City in Hollywood to buy my own Coolpix 4800... It's everything I wanted in my next digital camera and more, plus it's a Nikon... The only thing I added to the purchase was a 512 memory card... I'm a happy camper.


Rating:
Summary: great camera, I highly recommend it
Review: I love our coolpix 4800 camera. It's very easy to use and the camera menus are easy to navigate. It takes excellent pictures in all the conditions I've used it for. This camera is a great combination of small size, yet powerful zoom. I haven't had a problem with pictures blurring when zoomed in all the way, which is a big plus! I'd highly recommend it. The cost is a deal, when you consider all the features!

Rating:
Summary: Great if you like noise
Review: I ordered this camera before I read the review on www.dpreview.com. After reading the review I was a bit worried but I thought, "Who cares about noise, I take slides with Ektachrome 400 which has tons of grain (ie noise)." When I got the camera, I took some test shots and compared them to my 3 year old 2Mpixel Fuji 2600 zoom. I'm sending the Nikon back. It's absolutely unacceptable. Any dark area on the picture is filled noise. I even forced it to use only ASA 100 and it looks like ASA 4000 or worse. The electronic viewfinder has a lag, especially if you have the lense extended. The build and quality seem OK but the pictures just don't make it.

Rating:
Summary: Coolpix 4800 NOT what's all cracked up to be--unfortunatelly
Review: I purchased this camera to replace my aging Olympus Camedia 2.1 megapixel (1999). I read every single review there is about the Coolpix 4800 and finally, after being convinced this was 'the' camera, I took the plunge and bought it. Well, I must say it was one of the most regretable decisions I've made. The camera, first of all, has the longest shutter button lag I've seen in any digital camera I've tested. You have to practically beg your subjects to stay still for an extra 3 seconds before the camera is 'decides' to save the pic--extremely annoying! If the subject moves even the slightest, the picture comes out blurred--this is a major problem with most Nikon cameras I read about. Second, the menu appearantly consist of a straight forward process, but it ends up being quite confusing once you actually start using it--the manual alone is over 100 pages long! Can anybody remember all the features after reading it once with the detailed explanations? The features also are extremely confusing and not turning results as the manufacturer claims. For example, if you use the "Party" mode instead of the regular "Night" shot while indoors during a reunion (at night), the results are quite frankly horrendous. On other occasions, even shooting outside during broad daylight produced extremely mediocre pictures--with whashed out or fake colors. Only a handful of the pictures I took (out of an excess of 500 both indoors and outdoors) turned out to be acceptable and even less what I would consider outstanding. Moreover, the 8x manual zoom did absolutely nothing for me. As soon as you zoom all the way in, the subject becomes so unstable that when you finally take the picture it comes out blurry, therefore losing the fine detail you're aiming at. In addition, the camera is bulky and the design awkward--it's really hard to find the right case for it. It appears to be really cool, but after the 50th time you take it out of it's tight case, it becomes annoying as well.
Finally, the QuickTime videos I took were also quite mediocre--unlike my Olympus Camedia with only 2.1 megapixels!
On a positive note, I did feel that the battery life was longer than most cameras and I liked the small size of the SD cards it takes. If you have a card reader, it saves you the hassle of using the USB and software accessories.
All in all, if you're looking for an easy to use point-and-shoot 4 megapixels digital camera, look at Kodak or Olympus and stay away from Nikon--at least from the Coolpix 4800.

Rating:
Summary: Short battery life !!!!!!
Review: I've had this camera for about 2 weeks and have taken 97 pictures. So far I've had to charge the battery 8 times.(Have to charge the battery every 6 - 10 pictures.)I even purchased an extra battery locally thinking that might be the problem. Did not remedy the situation. I have a Canon G5, a Panasonic DMC-FZ1, and an Olympus 750 (all great camera's)and the battery life on these are at least 200+ shots. I am returning camera for refund. Other than the battery problem, this camera takes great pictures. Probably just got a "lemon".

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as previous Coolpix cameras
Review: This is my third Nikon Coolpix camera, with my others being the 775 and 995. I am quite disappointed with this camera. The autofocus has so far given poor results. I frequently take photographs outdoors, and even scenic photos are not crisp when using the automatic or various scene or mode settings.

There are several annoying design flaws. The telephoto zoom rocker button is very sensitive. It is far too easy to go over the line into the digital zoom from the optical zoom. The button is too close to the top of the camera, and it's also easy to hit when you are pushing the shutter release. The knob used to focus the built-in viewfinder is tiny and hard to adjust; it is simply not possible to adjust it when your eye is actually up to the viewfinder. I miss the old split-body design that allowed you to adjust the angle of the screen. The screen on this camera is not sharp and viewing suffers from not being able to tilt it.

Menus, which I thought were pretty good and fairly easy to use in previous Coolpix cameras, are just as good on this model, perhaps a bit improved. Overall, though, I'm just not impressed with this model.