GADGET GIZMO SPECIAL.................... Nikon Coolpix S9600

GADGET GIZMO SPECIAL Nikon Coolpix S9600

PRICE`16,950

SPECIFICATIONS

 16 MP CMOS sensor, 22x optical zoom with VR (Vibration Reduction), 3-inch LCD (460k dot), WiFi, 1080p video, 1,050mAh battery, 206 gramsNice design, charges via micro USB, extended zoomrange, lots of effects to play withNo manual mode, low resolution LCD, zoom motornoise overpowers audio while capturing video.This new Nikon weighs just over 200 grams, is about 61mm high and 32mm thick ­ yet it packs in a 22x optically stabilised zoom lens (25 to 550 mm lens). A little bit of smart zoom takes the range up to 44x.

The camera is a combination metal-plastic and our review unit was the more unconventional red. Even when off, the lens housing does stick out a bit, but not enough to make it uncomfortable or un-pocketable. To avoid casting a shadow from the lens housing, the built in flash pops out high ­ but it is spring-loaded, so you have to close it manually. Controls are fairly straightforward: you get a mode dial, shutter, zoom and recessed power button on top. Around the back is the 3-inch LCD, dedicated video recording button, playback, menu, delete and a rotating D-ring.

To the side, individual flaps conceal the micro USB port (charging and data transfer) and micro HDMI. As is customary on high-end compacts these days, the S9600 also has WiFi. You can view images from the camera on a smart device plus use your device as a WiFi remote control (using Nikon's free app called WirelessMobileUtility).

The results from the camera are generally pleasing. We got good results till about ISO 400 and there is a fixed range ISO mode that can keep the ISO between 125 to 400, for instance.
Noise is heavy at ISO 800 and above it is best avoided. The lens is mostly sharp throughout the range. Video was disappointing, because the zoom motor is too loud in the video ­ it also has trouble focusing in video.

Ultimately, the Nikon is good, but there are better options available for similar money. If you can spend a bit more, get the Canon PowerShot SX700 HS. It's available in the market for just under `20,000, but it is faster, has better build quality, better ISO performance, full manual control, a much sharper LCD and a larger optical zoom that delivers great results even at maximum zoom.
hitesh.bhagat@timesgroup.comALSO SEE Canon PowerShot SX700 HS`22,995 16.1MP CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom with image stabilisation (25-750mm; 35mm equivalent), Digic 6, 3-inch LCD (922k dots), 1080p video, WiFi, NFC, 269g

HITESH RAJ BHAGAT ET140609