Nikon COOLPIX S3000 Pro Reviews

Given that retailers like Amazon are currently selling this camera for as little as £79.98, the Nikon COOLPIX S3000 certainly fulfils its aim to be a chic, good quality and user-friendly introduction to compact digital photography, although video is below par.

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 is a cheap and more than cheerful step-up from a camera-phone or first-ever digicam, offering solid build-quality, a proven interface and acceptable image quality with a dash of style.

The price is right and the build quality is surprisingly good for a camera you can collect for under £100, but the performance doesn't step up much to make it really attractive. A few more pounds and some bargains can be had for some features you might want, like the ability to capture HD video. Despite the averaging image quality, the Nikon Coolpix S3000 is a neat little compact camera. The dimensions will appeal to those who want something they can easily tuck away, but some might find it too small for their hands.

The Nikon Coolpix S3000--and really all sub-$150 ultracompact digital cameras--is a step-up from a camera phone. It has a better lens, shooting options, performance, image quality, and battery life than a mobile device without weighing you down. However, in the world of point-and-shoots this is a lower-end model and it shows under slight scrutiny. Don't get this camera if you're planning to shoot indoors or in low light without a flash, take pictures of fast-moving subjects, or if you want really sharp shots directly from the camera. Consider it for casual photography of well-lit portraits and landscapes that will be shared online or as 4x6-inch prints and the occasional 8x10. It's a Facebook camera that can do things the average camera phone can't.

The Nikon CoolPIx S3000 is a good low-cost ultra-compact. It's a bit short on features and the performance is distinctly mediocre, but it is well made, very easy to use and looks good in whatever colour you choose. Image quality is good for the price.

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 is a nice little camera but not a massive step-up from the S220. Its usability and image performance issues, while hardly deal breakers, mean that it's probably wiser to save up another £20 and get the Nikon Coolpix S4000, with HD video and touchscreen controls. Or just get the Canon PowerShot A490, which remains the overall better camera, despite the Nikon's wide lens and bigger sensor.

For under £100 Nikon have made a slimline compact camera that is more than capable of producing great quality images. The 4x zoom and easy to use features will surely win many fans amongst those looking for a simple, easy to use compact for straightforward pointing and shooting. Overall and for the price I feel the camera represents good value for money, producing images that will please all but the most discerning photographers.