GADGET
GIZMO SPECIAL Nikon Coolpix S9600
PRICE`16,950
SPECIFICATIONS
16 MP CMOS sensor, 22x optical zoom with VR
(Vibration Reduction), 3-inch LCD (460k dot), WiFi, 1080p video, 1,050mAh
battery, 206 gramsNice design, charges via micro USB, extended zoomrange, lots
of effects to play withNo manual mode, low resolution LCD, zoom motornoise
overpowers audio while capturing video.This new
Nikon weighs just over 200 grams, is about 61mm high and 32mm thick yet it
packs in a 22x optically stabilised zoom lens (25 to 550 mm lens). A little bit
of smart zoom takes the range up to 44x.
The camera is a combination
metal-plastic and our review unit was the more unconventional red. Even when
off, the lens housing does stick out a bit, but not enough to make it
uncomfortable or un-pocketable. To avoid casting a shadow from the lens
housing, the built in flash pops out high but it is spring-loaded, so you
have to close it manually. Controls are fairly straightforward: you get a mode
dial, shutter, zoom and recessed power button on top. Around the back is the
3-inch LCD, dedicated video recording button, playback, menu, delete and a
rotating D-ring.
To the side, individual flaps
conceal the micro USB port (charging and data transfer) and micro HDMI. As is
customary on high-end compacts these days, the S9600 also has WiFi. You can
view images from the camera on a smart device plus use your device as a WiFi
remote control (using Nikon's free app called WirelessMobileUtility).
The results from the camera are
generally pleasing. We got good results till about ISO 400 and there is a fixed
range ISO mode that can keep the ISO between 125 to 400, for instance.
Noise is heavy at ISO 800 and above it is best avoided. The lens is mostly sharp throughout the range. Video was disappointing, because the zoom motor is too loud in the video it also has trouble focusing in video.
Noise is heavy at ISO 800 and above it is best avoided. The lens is mostly sharp throughout the range. Video was disappointing, because the zoom motor is too loud in the video it also has trouble focusing in video.
Ultimately, the Nikon is good, but
there are better options available for similar money. If you can spend a bit
more, get the Canon PowerShot SX700 HS. It's available in the market for just
under `20,000, but it is faster, has better build quality, better ISO
performance, full manual control, a much sharper LCD and a larger optical zoom
that delivers great results even at maximum zoom.
hitesh.bhagat@timesgroup.comALSO SEE Canon PowerShot SX700 HS`22,995 16.1MP CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom with image stabilisation (25-750mm; 35mm equivalent), Digic 6, 3-inch LCD (922k dots), 1080p video, WiFi, NFC, 269g
hitesh.bhagat@timesgroup.comALSO SEE Canon PowerShot SX700 HS`22,995 16.1MP CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom with image stabilisation (25-750mm; 35mm equivalent), Digic 6, 3-inch LCD (922k dots), 1080p video, WiFi, NFC, 269g
HITESH RAJ BHAGAT ET140609
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