Nikon Coolpix S9

Opinion: I was after a pocket camera and at the same time, something that looks cool and stylish and can do all the necessary job.

After much research, testing, comparison, and then more testing, I finally decided to purchase the Nikon Coolpix S9 and it earned my merits because:

- The value for money
- The style and design
- The build quality and the weight
- The size of it
- The ease of use
- Memory card type is SD
- Quality of the LCD preview screen (in its class)
- Video and voice recording fuctions (although I don't need them but it doesn't hurt to have them - bonus)
- All the small integrated buttons that makes up the theme of this smooth, elegance and stylish lines of the S9

There are more that I can list up, but for the price of AUD$329, it is probably, the cheapest digital compact pocket camera in its class without compromising, the style, elegance, size, weight, cool factor, quality screen and photos.

Though it may have a hint of styling from the Sony T9/T10, however, the Nikon S9 cost half the price, comparable quality, less out the slide down lens cover, using SD memory card and many more.

If you own this camera, you are obviously not interested in the photo quality or how long does the battery last. If you after after those features, then get a prosumer camera.

Largely, this is a pocket camera, where you can carry them around all the time in your pocket, and then point and shoot, with it's fast start up time. It seriously, can slip in your pockets even when you get a pouch for it.

I have no complains over the 6.1 megapixel either, as it is far enough for me and I am most probably will never ever going to print something in larger than 6"x8" with this camera, otherwise, I would use a DSLR.

Opinion: +Good image quality
+Nice and slim design
+Easy to use

Opinion: - Main functions in a very reduced volume.

- Ideal for daily use, always in the pocket!

- The best Image quality/price ratio for a 6Mpixels ultra compact camera.

- Battery life alloys to take around 70 to 80 pictures with any flash setting.

- Menu and operations are very easy and very fast to set.

- Point and flash reloading are very fast for this camera range.

- Live picture reworks are very efficient (D-Lighting).

Opinion: (*) The camera is very slim and sits well in the hand.
(*) LCD is bright and crisp which is a lot of help since the camera does not have optical viewfinder.
(*) User interface is pretty comfortable.
(*) Useful feature is improving dark images, less work later for Photoshop
(*) Battery life is not impressive also and stands at about 80 pictures of mixed use (with or without flash).
(*) Face detection mode in which focus is set according to people's faces detected in the picture. Though, did not find real use for that, since the detection is not always reliable and takes too long.
(*) Fairly priced.
(*) Maximal ISO is 400.