There's a relatively new category of point and shoot cameras -- I call it the "Mini super zoom," -- bigger than the traditional 3x zoom that comes standard with most point and shoots, yet smaller than the 20x to 24x found on the bulky and more expensive "Super Zoom" models.
I recently spent a week with Nikon's Coolpix S8000, which sells for around $260, and has a 10x zoom. That will be bring you substantially closer to the action, but nowhere with the range of the true super zoom.
I brought the S8000 to Hawaii, where I didn't want to walk around with a bag to lug a camera. In fact, I also had a digital SLR with me, and I'm so lazy, I left it in the room most of the time.
But on to the images. As with most point and shoots, in good light, I got great results. In lousy light, not so good.
This shot of exotic fruit at the Hilo Farmer's Market was shot in daylight, and I couldn't be happier. Beyond the zoom, the S8000 has a nice wide lens (which frankly is more important than a big zoom, in my opinion -- especially for group shots) and I left it on wide most of the time.
For the above shot of Kona coffee beans, again in natural light, I just got in real close and captured the action. The detail on the beans -- even with a little point and shoot, came in clear and crisp.
This sunset, from the deck of Michel's restaurant in Honolulu, had the potential to fall apart. On point and shoots, sometimes the automatic sensor wants to override, expose for the bright sun, and darken the image to the point of ot being recognizable. Didn't happen.
The surfer shot (above) is a good example of what you get with a mini-super zoom. It got me a little closer, but not good enough. With a super-zoom, we'd be seeing the surfer's face. Not so here.
All in all, it's a really nice camera for vacation. Downsides: the "High Def" video recording is 720p, not the higher 1080p. Also, the flash, like most point and shoots, wants to nuke folks in low light to the point where they resemble light bulbs.
Wonderful review! Very helpful indeed. I am thinking of getting a new point and shoot camera and I can't decide what to get between these two top rated cameras in the market, the Nikon Coolpix P100 and Nikon Coolpix S8000 and Canon Powershot S95. I will definitely consider your review and I hope I won't regret my purchase! Thanks! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for your compliment. Hope you bought the camera and are enjoying it.
ReplyDelete