Nikon COOLPIX S9500 Pro Reviews

Feature-packed and stylish, but image quality is nothing special

Nikon's Coolpix S9500 is a fully loaded pocket camera with a huge zoom range and a sharp lens, but it doesn't quite edge out our Editors' Choice.

If you're after a point-and-shoot camera then the Nikon Coolpix S9500 may well have surfaced on your shortlist. We can see why too: it's got a reasonable-sounding feature set; it's small yet has a significant 22x optical zoom lens in tow; and the inclusion of current technologies such as Wi-Fi keeps it up to speed. But there are small quibbles that amount to a bigger overall issue though: the lens-based image stabilisation system isn't as good as we'd like, there's shutter lag, the camera opts for low shutter speeds too often and image quality isn't going to win any awards. It's all passable, but it's not best in class stuff. And that there is the S9500's main problem - it isn't so much the camera itself but the strength of the competition out there. With prices as they are now the Nikon is a step behind similar competitors at every turn in specification terms and considering it's the same price that just doesn't fly. If you want fully featured then take a look at the Panasonic Lumix TZ40. If best possible image quality is your top priority then the above mentioned Canon PowerShot SX280 HS should put a big tick in the box. Buy an S9500 and you'll probably be pleased with its small size, big zoom, ease of use and decent battery life. But buy a competitor in the same price range and you'd probably be happier still.

The Coolpix S9500 is Nikon's best travel-zoom camera, adding wi-fi connectivity, GPS tracking and a bigger 22x zoom lens when compared to the slightly cheaper S9400 model, all at a competitive price that undercuts its main rivals. If you want a long zoom and decent image quality in an easy-to-use package, then the S9500 certainly fits the bill. If you want any manual features beyond a smattering of creative effects and the ability to control the likes of white balance and ISO, then look elsewhere. The Nikon Coolpix S9500 gives a slick performance, both in terms of its attractive design and handling, while the 22x, 25-550mm zoom is wide and long enough for most photographic situations that you'll encounter.

The Nikon Coolpix S9500 is a good choice for those who live in auto and scene modes. Its shooting options are straightforward and the interface is easy to navigate. There are no semimanual or manual controls for shutter speed and aperture. If that's important, you'll want to look elsewhere. The biggest issue I have is with its autofocus, which, at least on my review camera, required extra effort to get the shot I wanted. It is otherwise a good camera for birds and buildings.

In summary, this is a great camera for those already familiar with the Coolpix range of compacts and looking for something that brings those 2013 spices to the table with a solid CMOS sensor. The Nikon S9500 is not the camera for professional photographers looking for a pocketable carry-around camera, though, and the lack of manual controls and raw file format capture are enough to drive you to other products. But it does come in red.

If you're looking for a travel camera, but prefer one which you can carry in your pocket, the Nikon Coolpix S9500 is worthy of consideration. It has a versatile 22x optical zoom lens, ideal for landscapes and zooming in for close-ups. The GPS lets you geotag your images and then you can then share them to a mobile device using the Wi-Fi for editing and uploading to Facebook etc. Image quality isn't perfect, but it's good enough and the camera is available for a very fair price.