Nikon Coolpix 4500 4MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom

Nikon's Coolpix 4500 offers 4-megapixel resolution in the same swiveling frame as their previous Coolpix 995. The left half of the 4500--which houses the lens and flash--can be twisted around 360 degrees, making it simple to for you take pictures at a variety of angles. It's especially handy for taking self-portraits, as you can see how you look in the 1.5-inch LCD viewfinder.

A 4-megapixel capability means that you can take pictures at up to 2,272 by 1,704 pixels in size, which can be printed out at 11 by 14 without any loss of quality. Our images duly impressed us, with sharp edges, bright colors, and an incredible amount of detail. Also impressive is the 4500's 4x optical zoom. Higher than most digital cameras, the 4x zoom lets you get close to your subject, with another 4x of digital zoom available after the snap.

A built-in flash pops up when needed, and the audio recording capability lets you dictate memos to match your pictures. The rechargeable battery provides about two hours of life, although it must be removed from the camera for a recharge.

Although the 4500 features a broad range of tools for the more advanced digital photographer, it's easy enough for the beginner to use. Its 16 different scene modes--including various portraits and a panorama assist mode--make taking different types of pictures a one-click task.

Nikon includes only a 16 MB CompactFlash card, but it supports Type I and II cards, meaning you can pop in a 512 MB or 1 GB microdrive for the ultimate in storage.

The 4500 is a hefty metal camera, and you can't just drop it into a breast pocket. But you also won't be afraid of damaging it easily. It looks and feels like it works--sharp, dependable, and versatile. --J. Curtis

Pros:

Bright, detailed images
High resolution and optical zoom
Innovative twist design

Cons:

Hefty
Have to remove battery to recharge

Nikon's Coolpix 4500 digital camera combines Nikon's world-renowned Nikkor optics, a 4x optical zoom, and a 4-megapixel CCD sensor for imagery at resolutions up to 2,272 x 1,704 pixels--providing prints up to 11 by 14 inches.

The 4x optical zoom (35mm equivalent of 38-155mm)--as well as the 4x digital zoom for a total of 8x zoom--provides versatility and control over picture composition.

The Coolpix 4500 sports the classic twist design of the 900 series Coolpix digital cameras, providing you creative control to shoot from any angle--from over-the-crowd shots to self portraits.

Advanced photographic controls are available, as are 16 scene modes (including the new multiple exposure and panorama assist). Select from four metering options, six white-balance options, a myriad of exposure settings and compensation modes, and more. Shoot in program, aperture priority, shutter priority, or full manual modes.

The automatic pop-up style built-in flash moves the flash away from the lens, which minimizes red eye. The camera's meter will detect if there is a low-light situation and automatically pop up the flash for you. Alternately, you can use the optional multiflash bracket to attach up to five external Nikon Speedlights to the Coolpix 4500, giving you a huge range of lighting options

The Coolpix 4500 comes bundled with NikonView 5 browser software (for Mac and Windows), which makes it simple to organize, retrieve, and print images. It includes a lens cap, neck strap, 16 MB CompactFlash card, AV cable, USB cable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (EN-EL1), and battery charger. It is compatible with type I and II CompactFlash memory cards as well as IBM Microdrives (512 MB and 1 GB).

Stylish, streamlined swivel body The COOLPIX 4500 transforms Nikon's famous swivel design into the most versatile digital camera around. The rotating lens unit and firm grip enable you to shoot at virtually any angle -- high, low or from the hip -- and capture sharp, crisp Macro shots with minimal camera shake. The slim, stylish shape, ergonomically sculpted from tough, lightweight magnesium alloy, snugly fits your hands, offering instant access to all controls. Powerful 4x zoom lens; 4.0-megapixel, high-definition quality The high-performance Zoom-Nikkor lens with powerful 4x optical zoom and 7-blade iris diaphragm dramatically extends your photographic reach. Featuring two aspherical lens elements, it provides clear, high-contrast images with minimal distortion throughout the entire zoom range. A precision 4x digital zoom brings your subjects in even closer. The COOLPIX 4500's 4.0 effective megapixels deliver ultrahigh-definition 2,272 x 1,704-pixel images -- putting large-format printing within easy reach and enabling you to crop images with remarkably fine detail. And Nikon's exclusive image processing algorithm delivers Total Image Quality with faithful color reproduction across the entire tonal range. Impressive photo images made easier The COOLPIX 4500 puts superior quality photography within the grasp of every type of user. Offering an unprecedented 16 Scene Modes, it allows inexperienced photographer

1 Best design in a digital camera to date.
This is one of the finest digital cameras that has been sold. Currently Nikon may have "more powerful" but overall less appealing devices out. Two of the 4500's strongest points include the totally enclosed lens system and the swivel design. Both of which were changed in more recent designs by Nikon. Another superb feature includes the macro ability - you can get within 0.8 inches of a subject. This is fantastic for nature photography.

I currently have two of these units. The first 4500 had over 55,000 shots on it before any problems appeared. The second was purchased as a backup while the first was being repaired by Nikon. The only real negative that I have encountered would be Nikon's outrageous repair costs. The zoom button gave out after 55,000 shots (this is heavym mostly outdoor use and it's failure is not a complaint). Nikon wanted $230+ to repair/replace this switch. Considering the camera was only $400 new this was highway robbery! They also wanted an additional $150.00 to re-adhere the rubber finger grip to the camera body!!!!! Such unrealistic repair costs must be to get the user to buy a new camera but only leaves a very bad taste for Nikon's service department instead.

If you can still pick one of these up new or in like-new condition I strongly reccomend it, as there simply has not been a newer model that can do all this unit is capable of.

2 JUNK
Just after the one year warranty and I turn on the camera to hear loud clicking noises. Have to take the battery out to shut off. "SYSTEM ERROR". $200 to repair from Nikon - oh and they won't tell me what's wrong with it. I'm not the only one. My friend had the same problem, but he had it repaired in greece for $100. I've read that a number of people have had the same problem, actually some on Amazon reviews, where are they now? Way to go Nikon. I won't be a return customer thank you.

3 too much,& not enough!
>When I first read about the 4500, I was really excited about some of the features advertised,especially the macro feature.(I am a tattoo artist, and this feature helps with documenting my work)Unfortunately,the camera is not really living up to my high expectations;
>It's macro feature never seems to capture a clear photo.(either blurry ,too dark,or the flash washes the image out.)
>It's auto focus doesn't do much better.
>Technical support seemed futile each time I tried.
>It seems nearly impossible to get any point and shoot from the camera at all.

>There is one feature that I enjoy, and that's the 35 second film snips it produces...otherwise, I'd recommend a more user friendly camera.

4 People are still buying this?
I got this cam in thailand two years ago and while it's been a real workhorse for me, i'm surprised to see it's still selling around the web. Well, maybe it's that good a camera. I give it four stars; here's why: the quality of the build is good but for the following things: focus motor connector came loose once and rubber strip on front is now super-glued. i am a journalist, so i beat the hell outta these things. as far as function: the tele-converter tc-e33d 3x is worthless on this camera without a tripod and the results are questionable even with. Performance in low light is not good. Battery life is good. And the fact that you can pop in disposables available anywhere is a blessing. Oh, the AV output connector stopped outputting some time ago...the socket in the camera is defective i suspect. BUT THE AMAZING THING is the camera's clarity in closeup mode using the WC-E24 lens. It's what you would expect from a professional SLR, but not in a consumer digital. I did some catalogue work with this camera using the ring-light adapter and I don't think the SLR could have done better. Don't be swayed by those who say why not get an SLR instead of this one, or get a tiny IXUS? This camera is perfect for the professional who already has too much to lug around and can't be bothered with tiny toys either. Good luck!

5 Brilliant camera for ones who have time
OK, first of all, I'm a 14-year-old wanting to just snap some pictures on the go, and something I could afford. However, my dad is a photographer and would like to have some use for a digital cam too... after lots of research, this camera is clearly the best for us. I LOVE IT! :) It has GREAT quality. The setting options are endless, but if you don't want to fool around, that's fine. Auto mode is your friend. And for those who say the menus are hard to control...sure, it could be easier. But after reading the manual, the controls really aren't THAT hard. The swivel design is really clever...and yes, Nikon customer service is horrid, but then again, so are many other companies. You've got to admit, Nikon makes amazing cameras.

If all you want is a little techie toy to show off to your friends and take some pictures, look somewhere else. It's rather bulky sometimes, but the good factors definitely outweigh that. It's not the most cool-looking camera in the world, but I'm glad Nikon focused on quality instead.

And one more thing...when they said that having to take the battery out to recharge was a bad thing? It's not, necessarily. Think about it. If you have a backup battery (like me), it is SO much better to be able to use the camera, then when one battery runs out, put it to charge while you use the other battery to keep snapping pictures. It's BETTER this way! :)

Hope this was helpful!

6 Six months of use
We got this camera for Christmas, 2002. Since I don't think that reviews written when the item is new are very useful, I waited for six months to pass and the camera had some use. I now find it all I hoped for, and more! There is only one annoying characteristic and that is the shutter delay, but it is something you learn to anticipate. Pictures are very good (don't make decisions based on the small canera screen) and really come alive when uploaded to the computer. You do need experience to learn the extensive menus and you will find things contained that are very hard to get back to, but it is all there! A great camera for the money.

7 Superb Photographs and Great Design
I have worked my way through numerous brands of digital cameras, and recently purchased a Coolpix 4500. Picked up a 512MB which allows for 266 of the finest qualty pictures the camera can produce. The familar "split" design of the camera housing is wonderful, allowing photos at odd angles. The QUALITY of camera itself is SUPERB. The 4.0 MP produces 8x10 prints that rival and surpass many film cameras. I use it with a Canon i560... and colors and detail with knock your socks off! The menu system requires a little learning, and it is worth reading the manual. I've only scratched the surface of this cameras' abilities. No complaints, except I believe this may be the last of Nikons "split" design. (a real shame!)

8 Super digicam, but no substitute for a film SLR
I purchased this camera about a year ago, and have really liked it -- for what it is designed for. It is when you try to stretch it a bit, like I did, to get it to replace a beloved old Olympus OM-10 SLR I have had for 20+ years, you really start to understand the limitations of the current crop of digicams (to separate them from the still-too-expensive-for-my budget digital SLRs). To Nikon's credit, they have produced a number of really nice accessory lenses and flashes for this camera, and its ability to make really close-up macro shots and assisted panoramas still astounds me. Even with items like their wide-angle and tele-adapters, etc, though, there are still about three major shortcomings that will eventually force me to look at the new crop of under-$1000 digital SLRs that will be coming out in the next year or so.

1) Now matter how you cut it, a max F3.5/F5.6 (wide/tele) lens is too slow for any real handheld available light work, unless you are outdoors. I've tried handholding indoor shots with it, and experienced too much camera shake because of the slow shutter speeds. There is simply no substitute for a fast (F1.8 or better) prime lens when you need to get that shot without a glaring flash.

2) You would think that the slow lens situation would be helped by cranking up the ISO, say to 400. Unfortunately, the noise at ISO 400 in this camera is unacceptable to me. Again, to Nikon's credit, they have a really nice noise reduction function, that substracts a dark frame in the camera, but this doubles your time between shots, and that can be a real issue if say, you are snapping shots of the Disney electrical parade.

3) Electric zoom -- one word, ich! It's OK for camcorders, where a jerky manual zoom is considered poor camera technique, but in a still camera, it only slows you down. Forget trying to do action/sports photography with the camera. Even if the focus could follow a changing scene (and it is no stellar performer, there), the zoom is glacial in comparison. Give my a push/pull manual zoom ring on a fast lens anyday.

So, given all the limitations of such a system, it doesn't appear to be worth tossing all the cash into the camera, lens, and accessories, only to have an "SLR-wannabee". The camera, etc. is bulky enough that I have to make a conscious decision to pack it for a trip, just like an SLR system would be. Better to spend your cash on the smallest pocketable miniature digicam you can, like the super-small Canons or Minoltas (these days they produce excellent 3- and 4- megapixel pictures), and save your money for one of the newer digital SLRs coming out, if you are really yearning to 'go digital' and retire that trusted old SLR. And don't forget that big investment in 'glass' you may have with your old SLR system. Hopefully will be able to reuse some of it, until you can afford the truly astronomical prices that some of the new glass for digital SLRs are going for.

9 Fabulous value, even for a beginner
I bought the 4500 9 months ago, and have taken almost 2000 pictures, inside department stores, Grand Canyon/ Las Vegas, night landscapes, fireworks, closeups, documents - you name it, with great success. This is a really, really versatile camera that gets better as you spend more time with it, and discover features. I give it a 5, because for the price (I got a great rebate) you can't get better value. Being able to switch lenses is great. I shot the Grand Canyon with a 0.42 wide angle. Inside dept. stores (for work), I shut off the flash, hold the camera at waist height and click. Yes, to quickly adjust for flourescent lighting, or spot focusing, you have to work the menus. But it gets better as you learn to use it more. The only bothersome thing is that it is hard to take pictures of fast moving objects - it takes too long. Oh yes, the 35 sec. video with audio is also great. And the camera is really comfortable to easily hold in one hand and shoot.

10 Great pictures but too steep a learning curve
first the good: it takes great pictures, the macro mode is better than most in its class, the swivel lens allows for some interesting setups.

the not so good: low light pictures are not that hot, the lcd is very small, slow lens.

the story: sure, i could sit and write more technical things but there are many websites out there that have detailed reviews of this camera that do a far more professional review.

this is (was) my third digital camera. my first was a fuji 1 megapixel that i outgrew in no time. the second was the canon a40 - a camera i still love and would recommend to anyone in the market for a great 2 megapixel camera (i believe it makes the best first camera). then this. when i first got the 4500, i was really excited and took pictures all day long. you can do so much with all the manual controls and swivel lens. but as time went on, i found myself using this camera less and less. the reason? the controls are too complicated - i had to keep reading the manual to figure out how to do this or that. what's the point of all the features when you have to go through complicated menus every time you want to use some feature. in the end, i gave up and bought a canon g3. though i cant say the pictures it takes are any better, it is far easier to use. to me (and to most others, i think) that is the most important thing. you want good 8x10 prints but you also want to enjoy the trip/event. the last thing you want is to be reading the camera manual with a flashlight at basecamp so you can get good pictures tomorrow on the hike. do yourself a favor and get some other camera.

11 Good, But Flawed.
I spent a year using and abusing the 990 coolpix in severe conditions on the job and fell in love with it inspite of some flaws (Needed higher resolution, chromatic aberations were pretty nasty and the control/ menu system was written for geeks).

The 995 came out and I passed on it as I thought it should have had that higher resolution.

When the 4500 appeared, it seemed like it was everything I wanted. They simplified the controls (but they are still too clumsy), bumped up the resolution and made the whole thing smaller. But they also shrank the LCD window down to where it borders on useless. I am now planning on replacing this camera with the 5400 as soon as it comes out. I wish they had left that window alone...

12 Good, But Flawed.
I spent a year using and abusing the 990 coolpix in severe conditions on the job and fell in love with it inspite of some flaws (Needed higher resolution, chromatic aberations were pretty nasty and the control/ menu system was written for geeks).

The 995 came out and I passed on it as I thought it should have had that higher resolution.

When the 4500 appeared, it seemed like it was everything I wanted. They simplified the controls, bumped up the resolution and made the whole thing smaller. But they also shrank the LCD window down to where it borders on useless. I am now planning on replacing this camera with the 5400 as soon as it comes out. I wish they had left that window alone...

13 Nikon has best color among others
Although the settings need to be done by combining 2 buttons sometimes, it seems not easy for you. But the most important thing of a digital camera is its picture quality, Nikon offers the best, if I have more money I would like to have a Nikon 5700. If I won a jackpot, I will have a Nikon's best camera :-)

Hi, Look at the photographers in sports arena, what they are using, most of them use Nikon, they are professionals, right?

14 Owned One for a year now, bout time I wrote a review: A+
I did alot of research before I bought this camera a year ago. The research has paid off dividends. First off this is a great Camera!!. I bought it for two main reasons. One was astrophotography and the other was just going on trips and tooling around.

Pros of this camera:

-Intuitive (after the manual is browsed) B+
-Picture Quality A+
-User controllability A++ (my cousin has the Fuji and you can't manually control anything, just a bunch of predefined settings. Alot of the other cameras were like this)
-up to 5 min of keeping the shutter open (nice for astrophotography, but you do need the remote for this)A+
-The Auto Focus is Great with even marginal light B+
-When you controll the settings yourself you can get very artsy with your photos (this is sort of cool)

Cons:
-In very low light situations the focus can have trouble but I have rarely noticed this, besides there is a manual focus if the light is way too dim, and I mean waay.

!!!ONE IMPORTANT SUGGESTION!!!!

If you decide to buy this camera buy one of those screw on UV filters. It has no negative effects in picture quality, only positive effects, and it can save your lense. After fifteen days of owning the camera I accidentally scratched the lense. It was minor but I was SOOOOO pissed after spending all this cash, so i tried to replace the camera through the in store warranty, but it was void by the time I found the scratch. So I bought a $15 UV filter and no scratches since. However, if I do get one, it's on a $15 dollar lense I can easily replace. Also Once you clean your primary lense and screw on the UV filter you won't have to clean under there until you remove it. It's a pretty cheap invesment for alot of benefit. Hope this review helped!

15 Excellent Options!
This is a camera for someone who likes to read the manual and undertand the truly amazing functionality. Its features far exceed many other digital cameras at this price point, especially in manual modes. The battery life is amazing. Glad we don't have to fool around with double a's anymore...

There are better options like Canon for the "point-and-shoot" only kind of person.

16 The swivel is a great idea
The swivel baffels some. Besides the camera's crisp pictures this is one of the great features of this camera. I can be standing in a crowd and swivel the lens 90 degrees from the screen and hold the camera arms length over my head and look up to frame a perfect picture over the heads of the spectators. Great feature that wasn't obvious when I bought the camera.

17 Two major dissatisfications for Nikon Coolpix 4500
My first complaint/advice is about the "purported" rebates offered by Nikon. After sending in much documentation, they still refused after several letters to respond and reimburse with the promised rebate. They have a laundry checklist of reason used to "stiff" customers and not pay. They appear to be
unconcerned with their own corporate image or past customer loyalty. Eventually I had to get my rebate from the original
seller who was embarassed by their corporate behavior.

Additionally, if you don't mind being fleeced about the rebate, you will also find the flash to be underpowered...making me regret even more that I had taken this supposed "step up" from an Olympus digital camera.

Finally, reviews I read about the complicated and unfathomable menus were right on the money.

Unless you don't value money, want dark pictures or have a month to try to decipher their menus and manuals, don't buy this (and maybe any other Nikon) product.

18 Huge shutter lag
The shutter lag is too great for me to efficiently use this camera. Nikon support's solution is to prefocus, by pressing the shutter release button half way. I found this to be inadequate, as it means I can't take any spontaneous photos (I tried, the object is always out of the frame).

19 Simply Put: It's A Nikon
For serious digital enthusiasts, this is an incredible machine for the money. First of all, it has Nikon optics. Nothing more needs to be said there. The camera operates from a completely manual mode to complete automation. The color rendition and saturation are extremely accurate and rich.

The negative items I've encountered after taking more than 1000 images are few and relatively minor. First, as with most auto-focus devices, the camera works best in well lit conditions. The pop-up flash unit is powerful, but it is delicate and needs to be treated gently. And lastly, the navigation through the on-screen menus can be a bit tricky.

I'd recommend purchasing additional memory (I use a 256Mb card), because once you get used to the features, you will enjoy bracketing your shots to take advantage of the range of performance.

20 Great value!
I have also owned a 950 series Coolpix before purchasing the 4500. The bottom line is image quality -- the 4500 produces beautiful pictures if you know how to use it properly. This a compact camera that's loaded with features. The LCD screen is 1.5 inches, most are 1.8 -- I have no trouble seeing mine. The menus are complex at first, but after you use it a while, the menus become simple and easy to navigate. The wide range of settings requires an elaborate menu system. If you're just going outdoors taking pictures during the day, point and shoot works perfect. The camera's weight with the battery is a little over 12 ounces. I doubt that's going to wear someone's arm down.

If you're looking for a compact camera that takes sharp, colorful pictures, buy the Coolpix 4500. To help you understand the ease of use - I'm in a wheelchair with limited arm movement and no finger movement. I have no problems operating this camera.

21 Great camera - if you can live with some flaws
I own a Coolpix 4500, before I had a 950 and a 995. I've been using them all a lot.

Coolpix 4500 Pros:

- Very good overall picture quality if you use the following settings:
1600 x 1200 resolution (downsampling algorithm does a great job - I usually shoot at 2 mp when travelling to save space without losing much quality); medium quality jpeg; sharpening +1

- Sturdy all metal swivel design body allows you all sorts of shots that would be impossible to take with other types of camera.

- Fits in pocket (even though it is not really slim)

- Best macro of all compacts - if you need close-ups, the Coolpix is about the best choice around

- Lens is not extending out of camera body, so it is well protected from mechanical damage and dust (look at all those flaky extensible plastic gadgets on other cameras!).

- Accessory lenses available, especially the teles are excellent

- Best choice of options available in compacts, everything can be adjusted according to personal taste. All sorts of exposure and focus options a modern higher end SLR has.

- Good lithium battery with fast 2 hour charger (get a spare battery, though!)

- Still good quality at 400, usable at 800 ISO!

- Histogram allows you to check exposure

Cons:

- Lens does not deliver enough detail to take full advantage of the chip's 4 megapixels. No improvement compared to 995 (3 mp).

- Little direct access to functions; you spend a lot of time fumbling

- Multi-level menus that are SLOW to navigate

- Slow lens (maximum aperture) at tele position); try 200 ISO whenever necessary

- Shutter delay too long (apparently slower than 995) for candid shots or anything that moves quickly

- LCD (1,5") is too small, especially if you have eye problems; the 995 had a 1,8", the 950 a 2" screen!

- Distortion (pincushion at wideangle, barrel at tele)

- Does not focus well at low lighting levels (no AF assistance light)

- Clipped highlights (no detail in light areas while the rest is properly exposed; underexposing does not help much)

My conclusion:

I you want to shoot sports and under low light situations, or if you need the best resolution, get something else,

If you need to travel light, take close-ups, take pictures discreetly, need some more tele (with or without accessory lens) and are content with (very good) 2 megapixel pictures, get the Coolpix 4500.

22 great overall
From an overall standpoint, this camera is great. Just a few minor features I felt were annoying compared to the CanonG2 which was my other choice. 1) In full auto mode, the focus is always adjusting, and I felt that the battery or the lens motor would [...] out soon. It is now set to program mode and focuses only when I want it too. Not a bad compromise. 2) Focus time and shutter lag seem a bit longer compared to the G2, but just a little anticipation overcomes this limitation easily (trying to catch my 18 m/o boy in action indoors). 3) Flash not too powerful- I see this is a common gripe. Compared to my old Ricoh 4200, this thing is in supercruise mode! The macro mode is far superior to that of the G2's and 4x optical does make a difference to me over 3x. The rebate helped too.

23 Review of Nikon 775
I loved the cute little thing! It took some great shots, but it was pretty feeble in large rooms. The worst part, though, was that less than 18 months after I bought it, it died. The "shutter release" (or whatever it's called on a digital camera) button ceased to work. Turns out, it's only a little plastic (plastic!) pin that taps a little spot on a very little digital connector, and if one or the other weakens structurally, the camera is kaput, as mine is.

I need a digital camera for my work, and I am thinking of moving up to the 4500, but if its shutter mechanism is no better than the 775's, I will have my very grave doubts.

...

24 Versatile, sharp, diverse features, easy to use!
I've been watching the Nikon Coolpix 900 series (900-995, now the 4500, all with twist feature) since they were introduced. The Coolpix 4500 is priced right, plus it has the resolution I want for enlarged photos. I have produced 15 x 11-inch exhibition prints with this camera. They are tack sharp.

One of the alluring features of this camera is that it is inconspicuous. You can take photos and it does not bring attention to itself. When I am shooting with a Nikon F100, sometimes an observer wants to know what I am shooting. He or she will even suggest what to shoot. When I am shooting with the 4500, fewer strangers, if any, intervene.

Sometimes I shoot from my kayak. When doing so, I like to shoot right at water level. With an slr camera, this is impossible. With the 4500, I can twist the viewfinder so I am looking down while the lens is facing my subject (grasses, lobster buoy, etc). With an optional viewing hood on the LCD I can see clearly despite the sun. I am getting images I would not get otherwise.

You can also use this camera effectively in candid street photography. Use the twist feature and your subject will not suspect you are photographing him or her. Your subject can even be behind you.

This camera also takes an off-the-camera flash. I use a Nikon SB-28DX with my F100. This Speedlight is compatible with the 4500 as well. I have a bracket that holds the camera with the flash to the side with a sync cord attached. This feature, of course, eliminates red-eye and fosters more candid portrait photos.

I bought this camera primarily for its:
- 4-megapixel resolution,
- very sharp lens,
- 4x-optical zoom (compares to 38-155mm on a 35mm camera),
- 3/4 inch macro AF mode,
- twist feature,
- compatibility with my Nikon Speedlight,
- various drive modes (P, A, S, M),
- three-mode metering which includes spot,
- compatibility with auxiliary lenses, and its
- "low-key" appearance.

However, I am discovering all kinds of features I enjoy using. These include:
- a five-area multi-focus system,
- one-touch uploading of photos, and
- auto-exposure bracketing with white balance and exposure values,
- plus more.

Does this mean I will stop using my F100? No. I can create larger quality prints with the F100. The two cameras complement each other. The 4500 enables me to experiment without the expense of film, see immediate results, then apply the features to the F100. And, as mentioned, the 4500 enables me to get out-of-reach shots.

25 new to cameras, and I like it!
This camera came highly recommended by a relatively camera-savy friend, so I was a bit skeptical as most reviewers mention "options buried deep in menus" as a drawback. Before this, the only camera (digital or film) I'd ever owned were those disposable "fun-savers", so I figuered my learning curve would be huge.
Turns out, I love this thing. What sold me over the Canon G2 was the macro capabilities and the ring-light that was available, as I will be using it for both personal and dental (ie: macro) uses. I dont' find the menus too complex or anything like that....most things are just 2-3 clicks away at the most, and the menus are easy to follow. The ONLY negative I have found so far is that some things can "wash out" with the flash if taken 1-3 feet range, but you can avoid this by backing up and zooming in to the desired distance. So many features, hopefully I will use them all someday! Pictures are GREAT, close-up or landscapes. Swivel is handy, too. Hey, if I can use this thing, anyone can.

26 if you're intrigued by the coolpix line, this is the one
Not to sound like a negatron, but some of the previous reviewers aren't really qualified to comment on this camera. It's features are wasted on them. Too small? Q: What is the best camera? A: The one you take with you and always have in your hand. Don't kid yourself-- if a camera is even slightly bulkly or cumbersome to haul around (as both the 990 and 995 are) you won't carry it and it will quickly migrate directly to your closet. In this regard, the 4500 really shines. Lightweight, portable, truly pocket-sized (i.e., you don't have to cram it in there and it doesn't feel like a brick thumping against your leg after 5 minutes). Second, the swivel design is excellent for capturing candids. You can hold the camera at your waist and fire off shots without anyone being the wiser. No hands covering faces, no corny poses, just people as they are. Try to get shots like that with a typical point-shoot or SLR. Too mechancial? Come on! I suppose some people can't handle two moving parts. Anyway, there is no need to twist the cam to take shots-- if you want to hold the camera up to your face like a typical point-and-shoot, in it's default position, nothing's stopping you. It works great that way as well. Trust me, there isn't anything 'weird' about this device that someone with an ounce of common sense can't handle. Finally, this was a reasonably priced camera when it first came out. Now, at the current price with all the discounts and rebates, it's a steal. But yeah, if you're looking for solid quality at absolute bargain basement prices and the 4500 is too much, skip the 995 and go right to the 990. That is the camera I used up until recently as a backup to my pro-grade D100 for model shoots. The fact that an older model in this line has that sort of credibility should tell you something about the quality you can expect from the newer 4500.

27 I Like my Coolpix 4500
I've ordered 8x10 prints of the high resolution, low compression picture and was very happy with the results. Menu system is a bit complex at first, but I am used to it now. At highest Res, .JPG images can be 400K, 800K or 1.2M depending on compression setting. I have used the swivel lens to take pictures at odd angles and clearly see the LCD disply. It was very useful. Ability to display on TV for immediate review was very good quality. May not be the smallest is certainly considered convenient. I have no complaints yet! I do recommend at least a 64Mb flash card. ( I bought the 128MB and can fit about 100 1.2M pictures on a disk.)

28 Awkward Mechanically
Although this camera takes excellent pictures, I find it mechanically awkward to use. The left half of the camera must be pivoted forward from top to straight ahead in order to find the subject in the lens. Also the flash is located on that left pivotal half, so one must be careful to not be placing fingers on top of the flash when taking a picture. For quickness in shooting "unreinactable" pictures these mechanics are frustrating. Anyone with lack of dexterity may find this camera a problem as I do. I would suggest that anyone buying this as a gift be certain the receiver goes along! These mechanics may be uncomfortable to them--This is not user friendly for one who just wants to "point and shoot". For this price I would like to see it more user friendly and less mechanical!

29 The Coolpix 995 was better in the field
I used both this and the 995, and the 995 has a more solid feel, better grip, easier menu to navigate and larger LCD monitor. If you are getting something in this range, get a 995. It will be cheaper since it is an old model and although at 3.34megapixel, it is a minor difference. I just did exactly that!

If you take 100-200 high resolution (Fine, 3:2) photos with frequent use of flash in one outing, immediately get a couple of 256MB RAM cards and an extra rechargeable battery. With the money saved buying a 995, you can do this.

In both, the swivel action is very useful (360 degrees in this model) and the pop up flash is a great improvement from the 990! And the rechargeable battery is useful.

The 4500 is smaller and easier to stuff into your belt when cycling! It has a higher rating for optical zoom and resolution but I did not feel it was worth it. Much better to go for the 5700 if you can afford it, but that is much bulkier.

The 995 Nikon does very well with macro photography but is a little poor indoors compared to a Sony.

30 The Art of Compromise
This camera is not outstanding at any one thing. Where it shines is that it can do just about anything and do it well. It is a compact take it along point and shoot camera, it is a close up camera and it is a field/studio camera with all the professional manual control you require for serious work. The split body makes it easy to shoot overhead, ground level and everything in between. I owned the prior camera, the Coolpix 995 and thought the design could never be improved upon. I was wrong.

31 It is a good camera !
I bought it in June, has taken a lot of pictures, the color quality is almost perfect, although the price is a little bit high now, with some promotion and free shipment from Amazon, it is still a good deal. Hi, guys! do not waste your time comparing among the cameras, real color comes first, Nikon's color is what you need !

32 Coolpix 4500 Vs. 995
Overall the 4500 is a solid camera with many advantages over the 995, however, the 995 hasd a few features that are missing or better than the 4500.

Pros of the 4500:
Scene modes-it is much quicker (less battery drain) to set the scene than it was with the 995.
User interface-while the LCD on top is gone it is still pretty easy to tell what options you have on for the mode you are in.
Video-Video with sound is nice and I thought I really needed it but so far not a big deal. It is very nice to be able to shoot a little video but still shoot GREAT photos!

Pros of the 995:
The flash- While it required the user to extend the flash to use it, it seems more powerful and more effective at a greater distance than the 4500's flash. I shoot many shots inside large dark spaces (caves and tunnels) where there is no power and a long ways from any roads so the flash is handy. To overcome the 4500 flash I would need to buy both the SK-E900 ($70+) & an SB series flash like the 80DX ($325) OR a SB-22s ($115), so I can get a good flash for about $185 new.

Both cameras produces beautiful, crisp images and overall, you get a lot of camera for your money.
I would recommend getting a 256MB flash card (or bigger) and a spare battery (although I have yet to need it.) I have been able to shoot over 100 photos with flash on most of them with both cameras on one fully charged battery.
Recommendation: If you want the latest and the best go with the 4500, but if you want a good camera for a good price, check out the 995 at an online auction or Nikon's refurbished cameras at Nikonmall or Amazon for used.

33 New & Definitley Improved!
I just traded up from my 995, and this one is far better. The fit, and size along with new flash. Not to mention the 16 scene mode. Only down size is smaller screen, menu navigation, and skimpy 16mb card. Overall dollar for dollar I don't think there is a better camera.

34 Coolpix 4500 is exactly that.......really cool
The most awe inspiring and versatile camera I have ever owned... and I have had quite a few. I am a graphic designer and this camera completes my studio nicely. I take mostly studio shots of fruits and still life and the detail and clarity is nothing short of amazing. There is only one downfall and that is, my finger seems to always be in the way of the pop up flash. Folks with large hands may find holding the camera a bit uncomfortable, but performance is top notch.

35 Much better than the predecessor
I didn't care much for the Coolpix 995 when it was out. The 4500 (which is the 995's replacement) is much better in my opinion. The body size has been greatly reduced. Unfortunately that also resulted in a reduction in screen size, but I guess that was unavoidable. Excellent image quality, excellent macro mode (3/4 inch!), good zoom. It comes with a different battery charger, probably because the ones that were included with the 995 were awful (I work at a camera store and they came back defective all the time). The software leaves something to be desired--invest in something like Adobe Photoshop Elements to do your editing. Overall, a good camera.

36 Nikon vs Sony
While some of the Sony digital cameras will burn directly a mini CD, once it has been burned you cannot erase it! With CF cards you can review your photos and re shoot as many times as you like! CF card based cameras are also faster in recording the image! But the previous reviewer forgot also one point! This camera just came out about a month ago, thus no way he could had used in his field research in Peru! Thus his review for this camera I would say is a bit invalid if not biast.

The Nikon 4500 is a much improved version of the 950-990 series, with more features and more user friendly. It is not a perfect camera, no camera is but it will give you very good results without to much know how. I biggest concern with Nikon digital cameras that they tend to be a bit blue biast, and I owned several digital Nikons, including 950, 995 and D100, thus a I recommend software designed for editing digital photos in which you can correct the proper color balance. Adobe Photo elements version 1 or 2 are good as well as Paintshop Pro 7. Apart from this minor problem, you will be happy with this camera as long as you get youself a 256 MB CF card, don't even bother with a 128 MB or less, the prices came down so much for the CF cards lately that you can pick up a good brand like Lexar or Viking for very little.

37 Coolpix 4500 Takes Amazing Shots
This Coolpix 4500 is my second Nikon digital camera. I'm still new to photography, but I can say that so far, the 4500 is an excellent camera.

The 4500 takes absolutely beautiful pictures, and the 16 modes go a long way to help novices take great looking pictures in all kinds of conditions. I like the new modes included over the Coolpix 885. The sports mode works well, and the panorama mode makes it very easy to create composite shots that look like they were created by a professional. Focusing is quick, and pop-up flash works well, and the camera feels solid.

Above all, it's pictures are amazingly detailed, with grat color reproduction. Highly recommended for novices and intermediate photographers alike.

38 Not as small, but the best.
Hi.

I've had a Coolpix 775, a Coolpix 995, the Canon Powershot S30 and now this one. The camera I liked the most (before this one) was the Coolpix 995, but it was way too bulky. The Powershot is a cool camera, but it doesn't feel the same, and the macros suck. This new Coolpix is smaller (not as a Powershot, but still small), stronger (all metal, cool!), and has 4 megapixels. It takes really awesome macros and has even more options than the 995. Who can ask for more?