Nikon Coolpix 4500

Opinion: Really like 4500 compared with 990, 995. Its very light.
Full metal body, pop-up flash. The output quality is very good. Especially taking people (skin tone looks great) and close up objects and plants. When transfered to computer, doesn't really need much editing with photoshop. The 16 scene modes includes multi exposure. The LCD is bright though still not enough under sunlight.

Good camera at a very good price. The package comes with only 16MB CF which is a bit too small. Need to get a 128MB or a 256 MB.

Opinion: Excellent camera from Nikon once again. Great quality pictures and good battery life.

Opinion: A classic swivel-body design! That is for true - like a tank. I don't like heavy SLRs. Because it must be done fast - shot from every possible position (Mostly impossible with an optical viewfinder)

It's the first real update of the amazing, cult digicam named CP990...

Rich of new features, with more pixels, smaller (wonder-)full metal body, easier handling, greater ergonomics, sound-recording (and replay), hidden automatic popup-flash, 16 preset programs, sharper display (I don't miss the LCD on top) and supports the new high speed compact flash cards.

Shutter-lag has been reduced... but could be done better in the future... We will have to wait...

With more pixels it should be a bigger CP6000 :-) At a higher price (big lens?), but who cares?

Many people thought swivel-body is dead (after the CP995). They were totally wrong... The history continues within.

Opinion: I have owned many cameras over the years and this is by far the best I have ever come accross. It does it all and it does it all well. I have used the Canon SD30 and the Canon G2. The 4500 is far superior in function and performance to either of these cameras. I recently upgraded from a Coolpix 950. I looked at the 990 and 995 and decided to wait for the 4500. I'm glad I did. I wanted choice and flexibilty in functions. I needed a camera I could carry with ease and the 4500 slips nicely into pocket of fanny pack. The functions of the 4500 mimic those of an SLR. It's fast and there's full control over ISO, shutter speed and aperture settings. It's point and shoot with a great automatic flash. All controls are placed perfectly and they all make sense. I would recommend this camera to anyone in the market for a digital - novice or experienced photographer like myself. You can start with hte basics and work up to any level you like. The optics are first class with practical focus control. The menus are great and easy to navigate. I can't find anything to fault in the 4500. I think Nikon will have a hard time improving on this model.