Nikon Coolpix P3 / P4
Tin-tin Nikon releases an optic image stabilization at the same time as Canon in a compact camera. Nikon scores the first point as the P4 is almost 100€ less expensive than the Ixus 800-IS. A second advantage for Nikon is that for this amount of money the sensor is a 8 megapixel whereas it is only of 6 for Canon. Third point in Nikon’s favour is if you purchase the P3 (approximately 430 €), it’s identical to the P4 but it’s also capable of transferring pictures via Wifi. The idea seems appealing as it means the end of the cables and we can already see ourselves connecting our camera to a Wifi network of our friend’s laptops to transfer pictures. Unfortunately, this isn’t so easy. First, you have to install Nikon’s software suite on the computer, connect the camera in USB, identify it and parameterize the Wifi connection. This all takes time and it isn’t necessarily simple. Even if you are allergic to instruction books, you will have to take the plunge. In the end, the transfer rate is 50 times slower than a good memory card player. Also, the Wifi reduces computer battery life. Our advice is to stick to the P4!
Stabilization
Not only does it have good image stabilization but its processor accurately corrects images. The combination of the two produces surprising and very enjoyable results. Photos without a flash are soft, softer than Fuji, because it is possible to stay at 200 ISO. Colors are accurate and bright. The only point that we didn’t like is an overly strong application of the blur effect to diminish the noise level (see the
Portrait without flash test page).
Verdict
The P4 almost became the Coolpix compact that we preferred. We say almost, because it has two major downsides. First, it’s big at 31 mm thick. This has to be compared to the 26 mm of the Canon, 24 mm of the Panasonic, 21 mm of Sony. In addition, it’s slow, something that frustrates us the most. Is it because of the speed of film cameras or our growing impatience concerning digital cameras? Anyhow, you have to wait 2.4 second for the camera to switch on and then 2.2 second between pictures. This is much too long, especially when you know that the main competitors function twice as fast.
Finally, as for the eternal debate between 6 or 8 megapixels, even with larger format magnifying we don’t see the difference between the two cameras. There is only the zoom. An 8 megapixel with a 3x zoom like that of the P4 makes it possible to capture the same level of detail as a 6 megapixel with a 4x zoom (the Ixus 800-IS, for example).
