: Nikon Coolpix 4300 - 4MP, 3X Zoom

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Editor: Ernest Lilley

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photos: © 2002 techrevu
Title: CoolPix 4300
Reviewer: Ernest Lilley
Date: 12/10 Rating:
MSRP $499.99 / Amazon $499.99
Product Website: Nikon3400  / Specs

Summary: The CoolPix 4300 is an upgrade to the 3.2 MP 885. Like the 885, it uses the same sensor as the next camera up the Nikon line, the twist-body CoolPix 4500. If you don't like the 4500's form factor or price, you can get the same performance in a more traditional style camera, though with slightly less zoom (3x/4x) and light sensitivity. The 12 scene menu settings work well if you want a hand dealing with tough shooting situations like close-up or backlit subjects. I wish they would include this feature on the higher end Nikons. There are fully automatic and manual settings as well so you can pick the perfect level of control.

  Specs (from product website)
  • Type: Digital Camera E4300
  • CCD: 1/1.8 inch Interline CCD; 4.0 Effective Megapixels; Image Size: Full (2272 x 1704), Full (2048 x 1536 pixels), UXGA (1600 x 1200 pixels), SXGA (1280 x 960 pixels), XGA (1024 x 768 pixels), VGA (640 x 480 pixels); Four Small Picture sizes selectable (640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x120, and 96 x 72 pixels).
  • Lens: 3x Zoom-Nikkor; f = 8-24mm (35mm camera format equivalent to 38-114mm); f/2.8-4.9; 9 elements in 8 groups.
  • Digital Zoom: 4x digital zoom in 20 steps of 0.2x each.
  • Autofocus (AF): Contrast-detect through-the-lens (TTL) AF.
  • Focus Modes: Continuous AF (monitor on), Single AF, Manual (49 positions, with focus confimation indication).
  • Focus Range: 1 ft - infinity at widest angle (W), 2 ft - infinity at telephoto (T); Macro Mode (Autofocus): 1.6 inches - infinity (W), 1 ft. - infinity (T).
  • Monitor: 1.5 inch, 110, 000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness and hue adjustment. Approximately 97% vertical and 97% horizontal frame coverage
  • Storage System: File Formats include HI (uncompressed TIFF-RGB), 3 JPEG options (Compressed, Baseline-compliant; FINE = approx. 1:4 compression, NORMAL = approx. 1:8 compression, BASIC = approx. 1:16 compression), and MOV (QuickTime compliant, 15 fps). Compliant with Design rule for Camera File systems. Digital Print-Order Format (DPOF) and EXIF 2.2 file compatible.
  • Storage Media: CompactFlash(TM) (CF) Card Type I.
  • Approximate capacity: Number of images per 16MB (resoultion 2272 x 1704): Full: Hi (1), Fine (8), Normal (16), Basic (32).
  • Shooting Modes: Auto, Scene (Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show, Close Up, Copy, and Back Light), M (manual) mode (includes menu control of White Balance, Metering, Continuous/Single Shooting, Best-Shot Selector, Image Adjustment, Image Sharpening, Lens, Image Size & Quality, Sensitivity, Exposure Options, Focus Options, Auto Bracketing, Noise Reduction and CF Card Format), and Movie (up to 40 sec of QVGA frames at 15 fps).
  • Capture Modes: Single, Continuous, Multi-Shot 16 (16 pictures in one 2272 x 1704 frame), VGA Sequence, Ultra High Speed (70 QVGA images at approx 30 fps).
  • Exposure metering modes: Four mode, TTL metering; 256-segment Matrix, Center-Weighted, Spot, Spot AF Area.
  • Exposure Modes: Programmed Auto, Manual, 12 Scene Modes, and Movie.
  • Exposure compensation: (+/-) 2.0 EV in steps of 1/3 EV, Auto Exposure Bracketing.
  • Exposure Range (ISO 100 equivalent): EV -3 to +15 (W), EV -1.4 to +16.6 (T).
  • Shutter: Mechanical and charge-coupled electronic shutter. Speed: 8-1/1,000 sec, Bulb up to 60 sec in M mode.
  • Aperture: Electronically controlled preset aperture. Range: Two steps (f/2.8 and f/7.6[W]).
  • Sensitivity: ISO equivalent 100, 200, 400, Auto, can be set in M mode
  • White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 5-mode manual with fine tuning, pre-set white balance plus White Balance Bracketing.
  • Self-timer: 10-sec or 3-sec duration.
  • Built-in Speedlight range: 1.3 to 12.1 ft (W), 1.3 to 7.5 ft (T).
  • Flash Modes: Auto, Flash Cancel (off), Red-Eye Reduction, Anytime Flash (fill-flash), Slow Sync.
  • Computer Interface: USB 1.1.
  • Video output: Selectable, NTSC or PAL.
  • Power Requirements: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (EN-EL1) (supplied) or 6V 2CR5/DL245 lithium battery (available separately) or AC Adapter EH-53 or AC/Adapter/Recharger EH-21.
  • Battery Life: Approx 90 minutes (as measured at room temperature [68°F] under standard Nikon test conditions: zoom adjusted with each shot, flash used in approximately one third of photographs, image quality set to NORMAL, image size 2272 x 1704)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx 3.7 x 2.7 x 2.0 in.
  • Weight: Approx 7.9 oz without battery or CompactFlash(TM) card.
  • Accessories Included: Lens cap, Wrist strap, Video cable, Nikon Coolpix Starter Memory Card, USB cable, (1) Rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL1, Battery Charger MH-53, Nikon View ver 5 CD-ROM, Open Me First Envelope, Manual
  • System Requirements (Nikon View 5): Windows:Windows®98 Second Edition (SE), Windows®Me or Windows®2000; Memory (RAM) 32MB (64MB or more recommended) Pentium®II, Celeron or later; Macintosh: Mac(R)OS 9.0-9.2.2, Mac(R)OS 10.1.2 or later (only built-in USB ports are supported) iMac(TM), iBook(TM), Power Macintosh®G3 Blue and White or PowerMac(TM) G4 or later; Powerbook®G3 (with USB built-in) or later; Memory (RAM) 32MB (64MB or more recommended).
  • Bundled Software: Arcsoft: PhotoImpression(TM), VideoImpression(TM), and PanoramaMaker(TM), PhotoBase(TM) for PDA
  • Product Number: 25507 UPC Code 018208255078