Coolpix 4500 - A Point and Shoot review.

Let me preface by saying I've not used most of this camera's capabilities and functions. While doing my research before purchasing this model, I of course learned the Coolpix 4500 had full aperture and shutter control among a myriad of other functions.

Although I haven't utilized this camera to it's potential, I have taken over 10,000 pictures with it.

My review is based more for the casual user who would like to get great photographic results without having to worry about adjustments.

Point and shooters read on:

I purchased this model in January of 2002 before a vacation to Maui. On that trip I shot over 1800 frames and it never missed a beat.

The 4500's small size is an absolute advantage. It easily fits in a medium size fanny pack and leaves room for an extra battery, extra card or two and quite a bit of space for other items needed on hikes and outings. It fits nicely in smallish hands while the buttons aren't too small for larger fingers.

The camera has a weight and feel of quality. It's solidly built and the swivel mechanism is vastly improved over the previous models. The layout of the function buttons is well thought out and easy to remember.

Some cameras I have used and reviewed have a lag time between when your subject moves and when you see it on the LCD. The LCD on the 4500 is bright and has real time image viewing. The optical viewfinder is clear and while small it does the job just fine when the sun is too bright for the LCD.

The flash is OK at best. From my experience the flash is no worse than on other cameras that compare with 4500... it's just that they all pretty much stink. While the flash does an admirable job on subjects a short distance away, it falls off dramatically at about 10-15 feet or so. In short, don't expect to get good results from the flash in poor lighting situations with long distances.

What makes the 4500 unique to it's model line of Coolpix is the swivel capabilities. The camera has a swivel which is in the center of the body, giving you the capability to keep the LCD pointed directly at your
eyes while swiveling the lens around. Most may think this is just a "Bells and Whistles" addition, but I tell ya... I use it all... the ... time. In fact when I now pick up a camera that doesn't have the swivel function, I miss it right away. I have got some amazingly difficult low shots made very easy by being able to see the LCD very clearly. This is also true about getting shots well above your head. As a fun thing, when my wife and I travel we always take a picture of us together by holding the camera at arms length, swiveling the lens all the way around and snapping the shot. It's nice to be able to see the LCD and frame it correctly. By the way, when you do swivel the lens backward, the camera flips the image so you're viewing it right side up.

The NIHM battery life is right on par with any of the other cameras in the 4500 range. I suggest buying an additional battery for those long outings.

The most important factor of any camera is the results of the photograph on the screen or on print. The image quality I have obtained is outstanding with the 4500. Clarity and focus is almost always on the money and color integrity is true. I took a shot of a bull moose in a pond in the Denali Park here in Alaska. The image contains a focal length of a few feet away to mountains twenty miles in the distance. The sharpness and clarity is crystal clear... enough that I printed a 12x18 and had it professionally framed. This, of course, was from just a snapshot.

While I do get results that I feel are sub-par, I have to take into account I am limiting the cameras capabilities in my lack of aperture/shutter priority and metering skill. One distinct consistent image problem I see in the image is the blown highlights. There are times when I have a darkish subject with bright white clouds in the distance... the clouds will many times come out with no shape or definition... just blown out white. While this doesn't always happen, it occurs enough that I feel I should mention it. I have read other reviews citing the same issues... with many other cameras in this range as well.

In conclusion, I am upgrading to a DSLR for the ability to interchange lenses. In the past I have always sold my previous model when upgrading. Not so with the 4500. I'll keep it around for it's small size, durability and excellent image quality. So... yes... it's a keeper.