Nikon discounts 4500, but will they ever do a firmware update?

[Fraser Stephens]

When the added RAW and generally improved the 5000's firmware, I hoped that they would do something about the terribly slow 4500 shutter delay, lack of RAW and some of the simply dreadful user interface designs (like not being about to swap user "presets" without delving deeply into the menus).

But nothing has been released. I've emailed Nikon and got an offhand reply - they could not understand my points.

Although I like my 4500, I have manged to steer a few people away from the 4500 - and unless Nikon smarten up their support for existing cameras, I'll probably start steering people away from Nikon altogether.

Next time I'll buy a Canon!

F.

 

[Miguel Barrio]

When the added RAW and generally improved the 5000's firmware, I
hoped that they would do something about the terribly slow 4500
shutter delay, lack of RAW and some of the simply dreadful user
interface designs (like not being about to swap user "presets"
without delving deeply into the menus).

I think one of the reasons for the major firmware update they did with the CP5K is that they essentially added the features the CP5.7K has, which is essentially the same hardware. So this must have been a lot less work compared to having rewritten the whole firmware for the CP5K.

Mig

 

[phlewt]

Well the 4500 may not be the perfect camera, but none of the Canon offerings has the swivel design. Judging by the pictures I have seen from many folks in the NTF, the 4500 is capable of some really good results. Which Canon would you recommend as a better value?

When the added RAW and generally improved the 5000's firmware, I
hoped that they would do something about the terribly slow 4500
shutter delay, lack of RAW and some of the simply dreadful user
interface designs (like not being about to swap user "presets"
without delving deeply into the menus).

But nothing has been released. I've emailed Nikon and got an
offhand reply - they could not understand my points.

Although I like my 4500, I have manged to steer a few people away
from the 4500 - and unless Nikon smarten up their support for
existing cameras, I'll probably start steering people away from
Nikon altogether.

Next time I'll buy a Canon!

F.

--
--
phlewt
http://huckleberrypie.com
CP995, S330

 

[CaKen]

A couple thoughts:

1) Isn't a swiveling viewfinder (e.g. Canon Powershot) just as effective as a swiveling lens?

2) I bought a 4500. Part of the logic was that, since Nikon recently had an amazing firmware update for the 5000, they'd be that much better-prepared for a firmware update for the 4500. Does anyone know if there's any precedent for that logic?

When the added RAW and generally improved the 5000's firmware, I
hoped that they would do something about the terribly slow 4500
shutter delay, lack of RAW and some of the simply dreadful user
interface designs (like not being about to swap user "presets"
without delving deeply into the menus).

But nothing has been released. I've emailed Nikon and got an
offhand reply - they could not understand my points.

Although I like my 4500, I have manged to steer a few people away
from the 4500 - and unless Nikon smarten up their support for
existing cameras, I'll probably start steering people away from
Nikon altogether.

Next time I'll buy a Canon!

F.

 

[WardWard]

Which Canon would you recommend as a better value?

The $800 Canon G3 doesn't sound particularly impressive; plastic body, inferior sharpness, redeye, chromatic aberrations.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_g3-review/index.html

 

[phlewt]

A couple thoughts:
1) Isn't a swiveling viewfinder (e.g. Canon Powershot) just as
effective as a swiveling lens?

There are different schools of thought on this one. I do not find the swiveling LCD to be nearly as usable as the swiveling body. With the swiveling body, you typically hold the LCD section (right hand) in a fixed position as you rotate the lens section (left hand) to compose your photo. With the swiveling LCD, you must readjust the LCD each time you change the direction the camera lens is pointed if you wish to keep the viewing surface of the LCD optimal with respect to your eye. For me, the swiveling body is superior. Your mileage may vary.

2) I bought a 4500. Part of the logic was that, since Nikon
recently had an amazing firmware update for the 5000, they'd be
that much better-prepared for a firmware update for the 4500. Does
anyone know if there's any precedent for that logic?

Precedent? There have not been very many firmware updates on previous coolpixes. The one for the 995 is still not recommended by Nikon for cameras bought in the USA. It would be surprising to me if there were any firmware update for the 4500.

--
--
phlewt
http://huckleberrypie.com
CP995, S330

 

[Olga Johnson]

Which Canon would you recommend as a better value?

The $800 Canon G3 doesn't sound particularly impressive; plastic
body, inferior sharpness, redeye, chromatic aberrations.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_g3-review/index.html

Well, folks. I did it. I bought the G3 after testing, practicing, using my 4500 for over 9700 shots since July.

No, it doesn't have the swivel. Yes, it's taking time to not twist what I am holding.

Yes, it has a plastic body. No, I don't see inferior sharpness, redeye or chromatic aberrations any more than I do with the 4500. If anything from the few shots I've taken with the G3 I prefer its sharpness to the 4500.

No, it doesn't match the 4500's macro ability.

So far things that have impressed me with the G3 as compared to 4500 are much shorter shutter lag and flash output, as well as easy access to many different settings.

The G3 includes a wireless remote (which works great IMO). And its battery lasts the longest of the digicams that Phil lists on his battery list. It doesn't come with a separate battery charger. The charger it comes with is the AC adapter and it charges the battery in-camera.

I really bought after getting tired of the 4500 blowing out the highlights, and for its RAW capabilities.

But one day does not make it much of an experience.

• Olga

 

[Fraser Stephens]

So far things that have impressed me with the G3 as compared to
4500 are much shorter shutter lag and flash output, as well as easy
access to many different settings.

The shutter lag is something Nikon should be able to improve with firmware... the poor user interface is something that Nikon can improve with firmware.

I really bought after getting tired of the 4500 blowing out the
highlights, and for its RAW capabilities.

Both things that we want a firmware update to address. Sigh.

The 4500 is a great little camera and I do like it - all my major grips could be addressed with firmware. What I always fail to understand is how a company can redesign the interface on new products so that it misses the elegance of the previous design. Nikon did it with the 4500, Apple have done it with OS X. Have the designers never used the previous models? Couldn't they grasp why certain things were done in certain ways?

F.

 

[WardWard]

The 4500 is a great little camera and I do like it - all my major
grips could be addressed with firmware.

Sigh, I think I'll stick to film until spring, and try digicam shopping again then. I probably wouldn't want to take a new digicam outside in the snow anyway.