Nikon Coolpix 4800

The 4-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 4800 looks like a camera with a weight problem. While most digital models are getting smaller, this one bucks the trend with a bulky design that would make it hard to slip into a pocket. However, beauty is only skin deep and when you scratch the surface of the Nikon you realise it has a lot to offer.

To start with, the Coolpix 4800 features a powerful 8.3x optical zoom lens with a huge focal range equivalent to 36-300mm in a 35mm film camera, which simply could not be housed in a more compact unit. ISO, white balance and exposure settings can also be changed manually.

For everyday point-and-shoot snapping, there are 15 scene modes with pre-programmed settings to optimise snaps in different environments. A clever panorama assist mode helps you take overlapping pictures that can later be turned into one continuous image.

A wheel on the back features four of the most commonly used scene modes and gives access to the camera setup menu and movie options. There are three image resolution settings to choose between in movie capture mode, with no limit on the length of the clips you record. This is determined by the amount of memory at your disposal.

Buttons on the back of the unit give fast access to flash settings and the macro mode, which should let you take close-ups at an impressive 1cm from your subject. Colours were well reproduced in test images and there are enough settings to optimise just about any photo.

It's not one of the flashier cameras on the market today, but the Coolpix 4800 has a lot going for it.

Contact:
Nikon 0800 230 220
www.nikon.co.uk

Specifications:

• 4-megapixels
• 8.3x optical/4x digital zoom
• 36-300mm focal length
• 1.8in LCD screen
• Viewfinder with diopter adjustment
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• 13.5MB internal memory
• SD memory card compatible
• 106 x 66 x 54mm (w x h x d)
• 255g