5 comments about Nikon Coolpix S550 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Plum).

1. I purchased this camera to take on vacation because 1) it was small and light weight, 2) it had a 5x optical zoom, and 3) it had a high ISO option that should allow it to take photos in less than perfect light.
   I found that yes, it was small and light weight; yes, it would zoom in closer than my old camera; but no, it did not take better photos in less than perfect light.
   
   NONE of the photos taken with this camera are as clear and sharp as those I took with my old Kodak point-and-shoot. Maybe I just got a lemon, but I could not get a clear, sharp photo with this camera no matter what I tried. They all looked something like an impressionistic painting -- not what I was going for. Can I return it?



2. This camera is everything I was looking for. It takes very good quality pictures! Even on a moving train, it was able to capture scenery and animals. The only reason I only gave it four stars is because it does take a little while to snap the picture, so you might miss it. Also, it's makes too much noise when taking the picture. You definately can't be sneaky. But all in all, I'm thrilled with this camera and will highly recommend it.



3. I bought this, because I have always loved Nikons, and my DSLR is a nikon, and I absolutely love it! SO I bought this, because of the reviews, but I must say that I was extremely disappointed! All the pictured I took in the house were either badly out of focus, or VERY grainy. I am sending it back to Amazon, and hope to find something that takes good pictured inside and outside.



4. Anyone tried an 8GB card in this camera? It looks like from the Nikon site that 4GB is the max but on some of the card sites they seem to say it will take an 8GB card. Can't find any concrete info.



5. This camera is more than you can imagine packed in a small package. I love the features I have used and let 3 people hold it that ending up purchasing this camera. My only drawback is the size. It is small and handles well, but I am so afraid of missing the case or my pocket and losing it. The optical Zoom is a bomb. I have a popular digital SLR, but I am hooked on this camera for performance and convenience. I recommend for beginners or pros.

5 comments about Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX and 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens with 2 Nikon School DVD.

1. Excellent product for the price, for just getting in to taking serious photos of the kids and activities, easy to use super fast and great quality. Thanks



2. I have had my Nikon D40 since Nov of 2007 and I've been snappin away ever since. This is my first DSLR and I don't see why anyone would need anything more expensive. I find the pictures are super and the functions are easy to understand and use. The menu is easy and if you don't know how to use or what certain feature in the menu means, you hit the ?/ question button at the bottom of the camera while you are in menu mode and it tells you what you need to know. A built in maual! What a great thing. It's helped me out a lot. There are so many more great things. One thing I can say that it does not have a live view of your image you are about to shoot but you get used to not having it. It is super easy to view it afterwards. Going back and forth from a shot phtot to the ready to shoot mode is quick and easy. Lens swapping is a breeze. Always keep handy a special lint and scratch or abrasive free cleaning cloth that is designed for lenses so you can keep your lens fingerprint and lint free. Always buy a UV fiter for each lens you buy and pay attention to your lens thread for buying the right filters. UV filters will protect your lenses from damaging fingerprints and scratches. Keep caps on when you are not using your camera. Protection Protection!!!
   
   I find this camrea is a great camera for someone who is starting out in the Digital SLR phase of their lives.
   You will find yourself buying more lenses. I use a Tarmon 300 mm lens made for the NIkon D40. http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/70300_di_a017.asp
   Check out the product info. This lens is inexpensive and works fairly well.
   THe kit lens 18- 55 mm lens is baisc but the photos are sharp.
   If it is made by Nikon, its got to be great!
   Happy Camper!



3. I paid $480 for the D40 with an 18-55mm kit lens. For the price, this is a great DSLR ample storage, battery life, and speed. However the kit lens is very basic and doesn't have vibration reduction. I will need to add better lenses to really take advantage of this camera. If I had it to do over I would probably spend a little extra and go with the D60 and some better lenses.



4. I can't believe my eyes that a SLR with less that $500.00 price can be so good. I bought it just three days and I love this. I take it where ever I go and the pictures comes great. I used mostly P/S/A and some times manual. And the picture quality is awesome. I was testing it tonight with almost no light at my room. I used tripod and the picture quality is like I taken it in a well-lit room. I am not professional or great photographer but I like to travel and like to take good pictures. And I think this is so far the best Camera for this price range. I was almost going to buy Nikon D80 but after reading lot of reviews I decided to try this and I am glad I decided to buy this camera. It saved my 400 $ and I can buy the 55-200VR lance with half of that price.



5. I've had this camera for three weeks and I absolutely love it. Excellent price from Amazon and I got a great refurbished 55-200mm VR teleophoto lens to supplement the kit lens. With what I saved on the camera I can continue to buy Nikkor lenses to give myself a full range of photographic tools.

4 comments about Nikon Coolpix P60 8.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom with Vibration Reduction (Black).

1. Just bought one of these over weekend and tried it out extensively. Compact, solid design that feels good in your hand. At this price the feature list is superb: Electronic View Finder (EVF), 5x opitcal zoom, 8 megapixel, Auto/Program AND Manual controls. Movie mode that allows zooming while you shoot. Exceptional image quality. Vibration reduction image stabilization works great, too. I also was pleasantly surprised to see that it uses AA batteries--no expensive special purpose lithium batteries. These were all important features for me.
   
   The EVF is very cool and unusual in a camera at this price and, it seems more and more, a viewfinder of ANY kind in a point & shoot camera is becoming unusual. So many of the newer models are eliminating this feature, requiring you to use the large LCD screen. The EVF is better than a traditional optical viewfinder, since it mimics the large preview LCD: it shows any menu options, too. In bright sunlight this makes the camera very easy to use. Without the EVF, I don't know how I would have shot so many of my test photos over this past weekend in the bright sun.
   
   The P60 is fun to use. Its various shooting modes offer real differences in image composition and creation. Lots to experiment with here, but at the same time it is an easy-to-use point and shoot camera for taking snapshots.
   
   If you're in the market for a small digital camera, seriously consider this one.



2. Over the past 2 years, I have gone through a lot of Nikon Point and Shoot Cameras. I started with the L1, S200, s51, 7900, even a P5000 and briefly had a Canon SD 700IS. I have to say, the P60 is the best out of all of them! Almost absent is Nikon's annoying shutter lag they had in previous models and now it is a fast, responsive little camera. I don't think it will win the award for quickest compared to the Canon's Elphs, but it is a sure improvement. The camera is quiet when zooming and very fast. Image quality from what I can see so far is excellent. Best of all, it takes Double AA batteries back to the days when I had a Nikon 950. It is very light and not heavy. Also it isn't a sub compact camera, so don't expect it to fit in a little girl's pocket. The electronic viewfinder is also very nice to have on a camera this small. It isn't the sharpest when u look through it, but it is a nice option to have. The only drawback is that the P60 does not have the wide angle lens that the P50 had, it makes up for it though in the 5X Zoom. This camera also has less shutter lag than the flagship P5100, which I have used (I had the previous P5000 model). All in all, I think Nikon fixed a lot of flaws on this model. Hopefully, they keep up the good work!



3. My purchase was based on the following criteria:
   
   1. Price - Under $200.
   2. Features - 8MP, 5X optical zoom with stabilizer, EVF, AA batteries.
   3. Design - Compact, easy to read buttons, flex grip handle.
   
   Nikon is a well known brand in the photography field. The Coolpix P60 keeps the brand competitive by offering quality features and design at a low price. Most compact point-and-shoot cameras in this category are well above $200. Uploading pictures on the included software is easy. The black matte color gives the camera a professional and distinctive look. Overall, 4 stars. Five stars if the weight was a bit lighter.



4. Please view my images in the image gallery here under customer images. This camera is AMAZING. I have never experienced a better point and shoot camera in my life. For the money, it is a no brainer on purchasing it.
   
   First huge pro, I can take pictures so quick! There is almost no lag time between shots no matter what my image size or quality is set on. The only time there is real lag is in really really low light conditions when special flash and lighting is required. But it is not that bad even then.
   
   Second huge pro, this little bundle is STURDY and very easy to grip onto. To be on the safe side, it does come with a little wrist wrap to hang onto your hand incase of an accidental drop.
   
   The zoom on this thing is AMAZING! I was able to take pictures from a fifth floor building down onto a baseball field and capture actual detail of the players like you would NOT believe. And it is clear! It doesn't look like it will be clear when you first take it - but on playback, it will shock you how it turned out!
   
   The electric viewfinder. No more squinting and shielding the screen out of the sunlight to see your subject(s). One click of a button on the back of the camera and you have a viewfinder which helps IMMENSELY - I can't even tell you how many times I used it in even one day. It is wonderful to have that feature. No more surprise mis-shots or cropped out images because you were guessing at the image being in the picture due to not being able to see that little screen!
   
   More control over shutter speeds and aperture and lighting. This gives you so many more customizable options than I have ever experienced. I feel like the camera is more "mine." I can make the pictures look the way I want them too, not the way some company thought they should look. :) Playing with shadows and light can be much more exciting with the manual customizations you can make on this camera.
   
   I have ALWAYS loved the image quality of Nikon and this is no exception. The pictures are BREATHTAKING. I keep getting "ooohs and ahhhs" with all of my images. The detail is so crisp. And there are so many options - that this camera has literally endless possibilities.
   
   Nikon is a wonderful company that (in my opinion) has ALWAYS lived up to their good name. And this is a price you can not beat. The SRP is I believe somewhere in the 230 range. (In my opinion, it's worth way more.) And Amazon is selling it for a steal. GRAB IT. Check out those pictures I uploaded here and see for yourself, keeping in mind those are pictures taken within the first 24 hours of my owning the camera. When I learn all the tricks of this little beauty, I imagine those images will get even better. And I can't wait to see that! :)
   
   P.S. The Vibration feature is BRILLIANT btw. It's not 100 percent proof - still hold the camera still, but it sure helps out like you wouldn't believe!! :)

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 12.1MP Digital Camera with 3.5x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom.

1. For a Nikon this camera should be better, the lcd display is to dim outdoors and the camera, for being the top of the line point and shoot camera, is not worth the money.



2. I go through cameras like hogs go through mud. Not because I drop them in the mud, but because I like to buy a lot of technology. This little guy has stuck with me and here's why:
   
   - I tried the G9 first. I always noticed the extra girth when trying to discreetly carry it in my jeans pocket. The p5100, even with a soft case, can be forgotten about while I'm carrying it in said pocket.
   
   - Have you seen the images that can be made when using the wide angle and sb400 bounce flash? HOLY **** I'm no pro, but the results are creative and dramatic, to a much higher degree than any other P&S I've ever had. Without the attachments, the pictures are still just as good as any other P&S I've ever tried as well, and I used to even have the "legendary" Fuji F30. Even if the latter has better dim light results, the former makes up for it hundreds of times over with the bounce flash option.
   
   - I won't beat the horse with the "performance issues." I'll just say I don't notice them, even though I originally owned the G9 for a month. That said, when I had both cameras at the same time, the interface of the G9 was a lot more user-friendly and "snappy."
   
   - I took hundreds of pictures with both of them in the same conditions with various camera options. Subjectively, the ones taken by the p5100 consistently looked better and more alive than the G9 (without attachments). However, I could get much better "quasi-bokeh" with the G9, esp with the lens zoomed in and macro mode on.
   
   - Finally, p5100 + attachments = much better pictures than G9 alone, and in that configuration it weighs about the same as the G9 without attachments.
   
   - Result? FIVE STARS. Not because it's going to be as good as my friend's 40D, but when considering PRICE SIZE and RESULTS, it is.



3. This camera is amazing. Fantastic point and shoot with enough features and options for an experienced photographer to enjoy too. I am an avid photographer and extremely impressed with the camera. The video quality is better than our camcorder and so much easier to handle too! We can't say enough good things about this camera.



4. I use 35mm and 6x6 film cameras and wanted a good, small, non-SLR digital camera to throw in a camera bag and use on shoots to preview shots and do lighting tests. True this doesn't have the range of my pro lenses but has the ability to attach speedlights (it even works with NON-iTTL flashes like the SB-28 if you set it up properly) and allows me to attach my radio transmitter to the hotshoe and remotely fire my strobes for test shots.
   
   And it's a good performer in it's own right. The advanced features are great, and it's intuitive and easy to use. The magnesium & rubber construction has a quality feel that makes it feel a rugged as my pro Nikon gear, and it's rangefinder-like design looks surprisingly similar to the great Mamiya 6 (though much smaller of course).
   
   Great photos, excellent adjustment and customization, versatile, compact, rugged, and well designed. Can be simple & fully automated for the pointer-and-shooter, and can get out of the way and let an experienced photographer take full control when needed. As for speed, anyone who has worked with film in low light will not be bothered by the speed of this camera or the resulting image quality in the same situations.
   
   This is a great little digital camera, maybe one of the best non-slr choices out there.



5. I have had this camera for a few weeks and am astounded with the quality of the images it takes. I zoomed in on a gecko on the screen on my back porch and snapped away. The gecko had a fly in its mouth and the camera caught the yellow and black markings on the bug and the veins in the wings. highly recommended.

5 comments about Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only).

1. This is a really great product, even 2 years after its launch. Ok, a new one may be available in a few months, but way more expensive. And this one is almost perfect!
   the only bad experience I have is the write speed: it is "only" 9Mb/s. So wif you shoot many pix in a row, the bufer will be full and the camera won't be able to write fast enough on the card, even with an extreme III. To shoot without any trouble, you need to but the quality in jpeg (the better compression) and not raw.
   Except this, it is a very good camera!



2. I upgraded from the D40 as my introduction to DSLRs to the Nikon D80. There were a few more knobs and gadgets on the camera but well put together. I went to Seaworld and snapped off some shots with my 18-55mm and my 105mm Fisheye glass. I couldn't believe the difference this was from my D40. I am so impressed with the quality, I am enrolling in UC San Diego Extension class to learn the things I can't seem to get from all the books and manuals I've read. This has become my new passion and I feel, without spending a mortgage payment, this camera can get me to the next level and maybe start getting paid for what I now love to do.
   
   Research the product and figure out what you want to do with it. Whether it be strictly a hobby or move into the professional realm. This camera is a great starting point.



3. I recently upgraded from a Nikon D70 to the D80, and I am in love with my camera again! I had stopped using the D70 because it seemed no matter what I did my images were always grainy looking. With the D80 all of my images have been extremely sharp, even with an older 300mm lens. I also love being able to hold down the shutter button and let the camera take picture after picture, I have been able to get some amazing shots as a result. I think the built in flash is more powerful than on the D70 as well, some pictures I took inside turned out good and did not look like an obvious flash picture (shadows, dark background, etc.). I highly recommend this camera.



4. This is my first digital slr camera, which I've had for about a month now and it's great. Considering how many features it has its relatively easy to use, I just picked it out of the box and started getting amazing quality pictures with my nikkor vr 18-200mm lens. I'm sure it'll be only better when i figure out the more obscure details.



5. The D80 has two problems. The first is a "firmware" defect that causes most pictures to be under exposed, most pictures look too bright. The second problem involves the sharpness of the pictures. I bought almost every lens that Nikon makes, and could never get that sharpness that I was looking for, until I bought the Nikon D300. Wow, the Nikon D300 is INCREDIBLE! The problems I had with sharpness, were do to the SENSOR I believe, and it makes sense! Yes, the D80 takes "good" pictures, but the D300 takes INCREDIBLE pictures. The D80 has a CCD sensor, and the D300 has a CMOS sensor, is this the difference? I don't know, but my D300 takes razor sharp images! Wow. I sold my D80, and I've never been happier!

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix P80 10.1MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Black).

1. This is what practitioners of Kyudo, Japanese martial archery, seek: "correct shooting is correct hitting". And this is how this camera makes you feel after mastering and getting used to its controls and abilities.
   
   After months of research I decided and bought this ultrazoom. SLRs take better pictures but I refuse to carry all the extra equipment when on vacation. NIKON P5100 was the choice on the other end but it lacked both the x18 tele and the wide end zoom.
   
   The (close) second contender was OLYMPUS SP-570UZ but here is why I found the NIKON a better choice and did not regret it: although the OLYMPUS comes with a larger zoom (x20) it is controlled solely by an awkward (motorized) ring that requires both hands and has an uneven feeling. Moreover, both cameras sport 10MP but, contrary to the OLYMPUS which just had more mega-pixels crammed onto the old (550 & 560) sensor, the NIKON comes with a newly developed sensor. On top of that, I avoided the slow and limited XD-cards OLYMPUS seems stuck on. On the other hand, I missed on 2mm of wideness and x2 on tele zoom.
   
   I have been using the camera with undiminished enthusiasm for over a week and I have only good things to tell you about it. It took me a while to familiarize myself with the settings - full auto will not get the best results under any conditions. Once that harmonious point is reached though, this is the camera you would want to be using in most situations.
   Where it looses the 5th star: the flash does not pop up automatically when needed. Forget to do so and a high (and noisy) ISO creeps in. So yes, this piece of equipment is not without its caprices...
   
   Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle (and Zen masters) warn about the observer altering the event being observed. With NIKON P80 one can obtain the shot visualized either from very close or from afar. And it does so with simplicity and style.



2. I'm a Nikon fan, and saw this as a economical way of getting DSLR-like features. In particular the "super-zoom" functionality and sports shot setting -- seemingly perfect for the games my children play -- motivated me to pull the trigger on this purchase.
   
   I'll leave the in-depth analysis of the camera to others who are more knowledgeable but what has me disappointed are the streaks of light that showed up on several hundred photographs I took late in the afternoon (between 4:15PM-6:00PM) on Saturday, May 10th.
   
   After consulting the manual I found the following on page 47: "If bright objects such as the sun or electric lights are captured during high-speed continuous shooting, vertical streaks of light may appear in the recorded images. We recommend that you avoid capturing bright objects during high-speed continuous shooting."
   
   Precisely my problem.
   
   There are multiple settings in the sports mode (as well as the manual setting) to try, so I will be doing that before delivering the box to UPS for return, however it is troubling to discover that the fastest programmable shutter speed (1/4000) is best suited for . . . shooting in the dark?
   
   If I fall in love with this camera (and end up keeping it) I'll be sure to update this review.



3. I received the camera on the 6th, as promised, and am satisfied with it so far. It does what I expected it to do: take good pictures for this decidedly non-pro camera bug. While my shirtpocket Canon SD900 is a great little camera, I wanted the Nikon for the zoom mostly. The size is a little large, but a carrying case will solve that. Good hand fit.
   
   What I don't like is Amazon's pricing system. Those of us who ordered early paid $400 for this puppy; those of us who waited a week can get it for $369.95. NEVER PRE-ORDER. I feel somewhat ripped off, but I'm a big boy and have learned my lesson at a cost of only $30. It won't happen again.



4. -------------
   Lo Negativo :
   -------------
   
   - Cuando hay mucha luz la pantalla LCD refleja unas rayas verticales color morado que se graban en las fotos.
   
   - La estabilización VR no es tan buena.
   
   - La información EXIF de cada foto no refleja el valor ISO con el que fue capturada.
   
   - Los videos no son tan de buena calidad, cuando se hace zoom se distorciona la imagen.
   
   - La calidad de la imagen, no es la gran cosa.
   
   *** Tres Estrellas!!



5. I was very optimistic about this camera, but like several other reviewers, I'm returning it soon after receiving it. I made a direct comparison between this camera and the one I've had for 4 years (Olympus C-750UZ, 10x, 4MP). The P80 certainly had better zoom range on both ends, was very user-friendly, and faster than my other camera. Noise in low light was a bit better on the P80, which also had faster shutter speed to help prevent blurring. However, my Olympus outperformed this camera in a very important area: image quality. All of the images from the P80 appear "soft" (except very close-up in macro mode, which turned out quite nicely). Despite its age and lower MPs, my old camera clearly outperforms the P80 in this regard. Online research indicates that other 18-20x cameras have a similar problem with image quality. Maybe the technology just hasn't advanced far enough (yet) to produce quality output in such a compact package that includes a telephoto lens.
   
   Other than the image quality (which may be just fine for someone who's not making a direct comparison with something they're already very happy with), this is clearly a quality camera. Aside from the image quality I would certainly give it 5 stars (but unfortunately that is my priority, worth two stars to me). If you have your heart set on getting a super-ultra-zoom, this could still be the camera for you. Personally, if I do decide to upgrade in the near future, I will probably go with something less ambitious in terms of zoom power. I love to take full-frame pictures of birds and other wildlife (which you usually need a decent zoom for!) but I'd rather have a great image with some extra margin than a merely fairly good full-frame image... which is what you get with the P80.

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix S550 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Cool Blue).

1. I purchased this camera to take on vacation because 1) it was small and light weight, 2) it had a 5x optical zoom, and 3) it had a high ISO option that should allow it to take photos in less than perfect light.
   I found that yes, it was small and light weight; yes, it would zoom in closer than my old camera; but no, it did not take better photos in less than perfect light.
   
   NONE of the photos taken with this camera are as clear and sharp as those I took with my old Kodak point-and-shoot. Maybe I just got a lemon, but I could not get a clear, sharp photo with this camera no matter what I tried. They all looked something like an impressionistic painting -- not what I was going for. Can I return it?



2. This camera is everything I was looking for. It takes very good quality pictures! Even on a moving train, it was able to capture scenery and animals. The only reason I only gave it four stars is because it does take a little while to snap the picture, so you might miss it. Also, it's makes too much noise when taking the picture. You definately can't be sneaky. But all in all, I'm thrilled with this camera and will highly recommend it.



3. I bought this, because I have always loved Nikons, and my DSLR is a nikon, and I absolutely love it! SO I bought this, because of the reviews, but I must say that I was extremely disappointed! All the pictured I took in the house were either badly out of focus, or VERY grainy. I am sending it back to Amazon, and hope to find something that takes good pictured inside and outside.



4. Anyone tried an 8GB card in this camera? It looks like from the Nikon site that 4GB is the max but on some of the card sites they seem to say it will take an 8GB card. Can't find any concrete info.



5. This camera is more than you can imagine packed in a small package. I love the features I have used and let 3 people hold it that ending up purchasing this camera. My only drawback is the size. It is small and handles well, but I am so afraid of missing the case or my pocket and losing it. The optical Zoom is a bomb. I have a popular digital SLR, but I am hooked on this camera for performance and convenience. I recommend for beginners or pros.

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix S550 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Graphite Black).

1. I purchased this camera to take on vacation because 1) it was small and light weight, 2) it had a 5x optical zoom, and 3) it had a high ISO option that should allow it to take photos in less than perfect light.
   I found that yes, it was small and light weight; yes, it would zoom in closer than my old camera; but no, it did not take better photos in less than perfect light.
   
   NONE of the photos taken with this camera are as clear and sharp as those I took with my old Kodak point-and-shoot. Maybe I just got a lemon, but I could not get a clear, sharp photo with this camera no matter what I tried. They all looked something like an impressionistic painting -- not what I was going for. Can I return it?



2. This camera is everything I was looking for. It takes very good quality pictures! Even on a moving train, it was able to capture scenery and animals. The only reason I only gave it four stars is because it does take a little while to snap the picture, so you might miss it. Also, it's makes too much noise when taking the picture. You definately can't be sneaky. But all in all, I'm thrilled with this camera and will highly recommend it.



3. I bought this, because I have always loved Nikons, and my DSLR is a nikon, and I absolutely love it! SO I bought this, because of the reviews, but I must say that I was extremely disappointed! All the pictured I took in the house were either badly out of focus, or VERY grainy. I am sending it back to Amazon, and hope to find something that takes good pictured inside and outside.



4. Anyone tried an 8GB card in this camera? It looks like from the Nikon site that 4GB is the max but on some of the card sites they seem to say it will take an 8GB card. Can't find any concrete info.



5. This camera is more than you can imagine packed in a small package. I love the features I have used and let 3 people hold it that ending up purchasing this camera. My only drawback is the size. It is small and handles well, but I am so afraid of missing the case or my pocket and losing it. The optical Zoom is a bomb. I have a popular digital SLR, but I am hooked on this camera for performance and convenience. I recommend for beginners or pros.

5 comments about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. I've had the camera for about a month now. After going through several point and shoot cameras (e.g., Canon G1 and Nikon 8800), I decided to jump into the D-SLR market. I don't believe I had a preference for Canon vs. Nikon vs. Olympus, etc. The reason why I picked the Nikon D300 is because it felt great in my hand plus the functionality is somewhat similar to my Nikon 8800...also the reviews on the D300 are stellar.
   I have not been disappointed so far. This camera is solid all around.
   
   After taking some digital photography classes at the local reseller, I've taken this camera on nature hikes (for nice landscape shots) and fast action shots (college sporting events like tennis). In both situations, the D300 along with the Nikon 18-200mm VR lens that I used on both occasions produced excellent shots. The multi battery pack (MB- D10) gave me the adequate fps to shoot fast moving college tennis players with no problem. The photos are crisp and clear. I've also taken indoor shots of my dogs and used the same lens and camera along with the SB-800 and the shots were also crips and clean.
   
   Again, I would highly recommend this camera for those who want to step up from a point and shoot or from an entry level D-SLR. The reason why I jumped straight into tha "semi-pro" D-SLR like the D300 is because friends of mine who purchased an entry level D-SLR often wished they had ponied up more money and bought a D-SLR with more features (actually lack of fast fps was often cited as a complaint).



2. I recently purchased the Nikon D300 as my first digital camera. It may seem like I was jumping in feet first by purchasing such a complicated camera, but with over 30 years of photo experience under my belt it really wasn't all that difficult.
   
   I am quite satisfied with my D300, especially with its 51 point focus zone that allows me to pinpoint exactly where I want the focus. I initially had some problems with exposure, but as it turned out I was the one making the errors, not the camera, so that is now water under the bridge.
   
   So far my only serious gripe about the D300 is the arrangement of its controls. While I fully realize that this is a very complex camera, and there is only so much room on the body for control buttons, some of them are very badly placed. I have missed several photo opportunities because I didn't have my finger on the shutter button, but on either the on/off switch, or the exposure control button, which are placed right next to it. A lot of times my photography requires literal snap shots, with little or no time to pause and gaze at the camera to make sure I have my fingers in exactly the right place. It's point, shoot, or lose the photo. Fixing this problem doesn't even require moving any of the buttons; Nikon should have made the shutter button more prominent, or different in a tactile sense so that the moment you touch it, you know you are in the right place, and that's actually what I've gone and done. I found some small self adhesive vinyl plastic nubbins and stuck one of them atop the shutter button, making it much more obvious, and I haven't lost a shot since, but considering the price of this camera I shouldn't have to be doing stuff like this.



3. The D300 has very awkward controls and their menus are a pain to figure out. Why did Nikon ever go with a non-standard dial on top of the camera. I can never turn it as easily as the normal dial. Their button and dial approach to changing between P, M, A is just awkward. I do not want to look at the LCD just to change my mode. Their hand grip is also off. I have no place to put my thumb. The grip on the Canon 40D is much better, a nice solid grip and feel.
   
   The Canon 40D also seems much easier to use. The 40D has a normal dial on top, all the menus are only 1 deep and you never need to navigate a complex menu structure. Very nice and quick to use. All the buttons are easy to memorize. I rarely have to take my eye away from the viewfinder. Plus I save $700 for basically the same image quality and dynamic range.
   
   The 40D even has a lower noise rating between ISO 100-400. Which is important to me. But it was surprising to learn that since the Nikon cost $700 more and the Nikon has lower noise ratings above that ISO range. I guess they had to skimp on the lower ISOs to reach 6400. This is according to popphoto.
   
   I also found out Nikon has the worst reliability among DSLR cameras, according to consumer reports. Almost twice the problems compared to top rated Canon. Thats all I need, spend $1800 today for a Ford (Nikon) that may have problems a few years from now. Looks like quality has suffered in their desperate attempt to beat out Canon.
   
   RELIABILITY RATINGS FOR DSLR BRANDS: The smaller the number, the fewer the problems. This data includes 2007 cameras. Pulled from consumer reports. The numbers are correct. Consumer reports sure has been dead on for past cars I have owned.
   
   4...Canon
   4...Olympus
   5...Fujifilm
   7...Nikon
   
   Note: For those interested, the reliability ratings for point and shoot digital cameras were closer. But I am a little more worried about cameras over $500.
   
   5..Canon
   5..Sony
   5..Olympus
   5..Kodak
   6..Fujifilm
   6..Casio
   6..Nikon
   7..Pentax
   
   (Data are based on over 221,000 responses about digital cameras to our Annual Product Reliability Survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Data have been adjusted to eliminate differences solely linked to age and usage. )
   
   Needless to say I ended up purchasing the Canon 40D. It was not even a contest. I love its look and feel. It has a steel interior and a magnesium alloy exterior. When I compare it to the Nikon and the Sony's, it just feels better built and looks like a Pro camera. I'm loving it. Just in time for spring/summer travels.
   
   So far the only downside to the Canon 40D is I now enjoy taking pictures so much that I quickly fill up my 8GB card. But I'm trying to reduce the number of pictures I take. I dont really need 130+ photos of a tulip farm in L+RAW. I think about 30-40 should be enough to capture the beauty. I guess I was having a little to much fun.
   
   Dont let the positive reviews for the Nikon D300 fool you. Look at both and feel them in your hands.



4. I have been a Canon user for over 15 years, I have shot on many cameras including Nikon, Olympus and Sony, but still I believed that the Canons (specifically the 5D and the 1D MkII) are/were the pinnacle of camera design and image quality that I have used.
   Needless to say that opinion has now changed, for how long I can't be sure, but believe me when I say that it is tough not to give the camera five stars.
   Superb build, ergonomics, image quality and the sheer amount of features put many other cameras to shame. There are a few features I would like to pull out for special attention that really sealed the deal; 3D Matrix Metering II and automatic in camera CA elimination (not just reduction, but elimination). Now I love my 17-55mm f2.8, but when it comes to CA it leaves a lot to be desired... Until now. JPEG's are simply amazing with the CA elimination, not to mention the active D-lighting (if you wish to have the benefits of these features for NEF files you HAVE to use Nikon's Capture NX, but more on that later).
   The Matrix Metering used in this camera is the best I've used bar none, it is extremely accurate and it really will make you a better photographer (or some say a lazier photographer, lol).
   I don't have to say much about the image quality of the D300, there are plenty of examples floating around the net, suffice to say it is very, very good.
   
   Now, I do have a negative. Capture NX. It is a resource hog, also in my subjective opinion it can be an unintuitive nightmare. That doesn't mean that the images that it produces aren't any good, in fact they're great, if you want the most out of the camera (CA elimination and Auto D-Lighting) you will need capture NX. I also use Lightroom, Apple Aperture and Adobe RAW, oh how I wish that I could tap the CA and D-Lighting in those programs - it would mean that I could avoid Capture NX completely. But I can't.
   
   Now there are some around here who would toss irrelevant comments at me for such a knock (Capture NX is free! or some such nonsense), but the reality is that many don't own an application such as Aperture or Lightroom, they really need this software to get the most from their camera purchase, which is not an insignificant dollar amount. I thank Nikon for finally realizing that Capture should come bundled with it's camera, but there is still some work to be done regarding it's performance in terms of speed of use and it's huge resource requirements. As a serious photographer I can't bear the thought of the horrendous time wasted waiting for changes to occur to my image in NX, but when some of the cameras best features will only be achieved through NX, it seems I don't have a choice.
   
   I was tempted to drop the rating to four stars because of the software, considering I can't do four point five stars; but A)It's harsh on the camera, and B)Giving the camera four stars is like bait to the Nikon fanboys, if you don't believe me look at some of the flaming in those four star reviews. They would probably just add a dose of unnecessary idiocy to a simple question; Is it a worthy purchase? Yes, yes it most certainly is.



5. I own a D200 and a D300. I do a lot of Macro work outside while hiking. The D300 focuses much more reliably for this. I also like the that there is more dynamic range.
   There are still things I like better about the D200 which is one of two reasons I deducted a star from a 5 star camera. One of the things I liked about the D200 was the multi-focus point area focus. The D300 can simulate this, but but exactly.
   The other deduction is that Amazon did a lousy job of packing the camera. The camera box was tossed into a large box with just a few air filled packing bubbles. It could bounce around in the big box. Luckily it is packed well from Nikon and has no issues.

4 comments about Nikon Coolpix S600 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Zoom with Vibration Reduction (Slate Black).

1. I own a Nikon D70, so I'm a little jaded when it comes to image quality. This little thing with a slim profile and a big clear lcd screen feels well-made in the hands. It is point and shoot picture taking at its best.
   
   I bought this for my husband who isn't a natural photographer. He needed something that would fit in his chest pocket of his uniform on overseas deployments. The Nikon Coolpix S600 is about the size of a razor cellphone, but just slightly thicker. The buttons seem natural in their places and the features aren't useless tacked on extras like in some cameras. Pretty much anyone can take good pictures with this camera (when the manual is read).
   
   D-lighting in combination with the high ISO function makes pictures that aren't washed out with flash. The background and the foreground are more even toned and subjects don't look like ghosts. The VR (vibration reduction) lens accounts for camera shake and more pictures are likely to come out clearer which is always a good thing in those candid, spur of the moment shots. One thing that I didn't see on this page is the mention of being SDHC capable. SDHC is the latest in SD memory (which memory cards this camera takes) and it basically means that there is a greater storage capacity without loss of quality. The transfer rate is also higher when uploading to a computer. In the end it means more good pictures! I also love the anti-glare coating on the lcd screen so you can see what is on the screen even in bright sunlight.
   
   The only con that I've run across with this is the battery life. Because it is such a tiny little thing, the battery is pretty small. You can get approx 190 shots with it. Of course it is rechargable, but I like to always have a fresh extra one on hand. Get an extra one Nikon EN-EL10, and I suggest using only Nikon components with my cameras. Also, find a slim case that ZIPS to protect it.



2. Received this camera as a gift before a trip overseas. Didn't have time to do more than charge the battery and go, so no reading the manual. It was easy to use, had a decent battery life (though, yes, you do need to recharge it daily if using it all day). I received an extra memory card, which can hold 1600 pics (didn't try the video). The response time was fast in taking multiple shots. "Scene" settings were really helpful for action shots and different light situations. Clearly I am not a camera pro, but this allowed me to take some clear, beautiful photos. 10 mp is wonderful.



3. This is a very nice little point and shoot. I had purchased it for a friend to be able to use to just take snapshots, and during a short vacation getaway found that the image quality was just about as good as my more expensive compact digital camera -- easy to use, fast start-up, and lots of scene modes.
   
   Note that the out-of-the-box configuration is not all that great for action shots -- make sure you familiarize yourself with the scene modes already set up by Nikon -- you'll find a huge difference right away!!
   
   The menus are a bit difficult to navigate for newcomers: I had to do some setup for my buddy -- but it's a breeze for those who are familiar with the Nikon systems.
   
   This really is a great little camera that gives surprisingly wonderful shots -- it's hard to classify it as a snapshot digital camera with such high IQ.
   
   Get an extra battery if you don't want to recharge every night -- battery drain is a bit worse than some other cameras of this size.



4. 
   I bought this camera for an overseas trip last month. I didn't want to carry my large Nikon DSLR this time, but I didn't want the too much compromise of a standard point and shoot either, like my old and faithful Canon SD600.
   I'm still surprised by the outstanding quality of the images and the versatility it provides.
   The key points for me:
   - Wide angle, 28 mm equivalent (18mm in a digital SLR). Very important to get more in the picture. There are no many compact cameras with this.
   - High ISO and the Auto-ISO feature. I took impressive photos indoors, like cafes and restaurants that look great.
   - VR. Vibration reduction. Probably the single most important reason for those blur-free pictures I got I think. It just works.
   - Uses High capacity/speed memory cards. I bought an SDHC 4GB card, and even with lots of video could not fill it.
   - Video: takes great video for a camera this size, and you can zoom in and out also in your video.
   
   The camera is small, compact, and feels very solid. I just carried it during the trip in my pants pockets.
   In brief, I love this camera. It is now my first choice camera for my family pictures since then (except for the kids sports).
   I bought also an extra Nikon battery, just in case.