4-megapixel effective recording * 3X optical Zoom-Nikkor lens (4X digital/12X total zoom) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 34-102mm * 14 MB of built-in memory (holds about 7 images at highest quality setting) * 1-13/16" color LCD *
1 Shop and compare
I looked at the Nikon Coolpix 4600 in a store and it sure looked exactly like my Nikon Cooplix 4100.
I have been looking over the specs and I see the 4600 is 10 grams lighter, with the body a few millimeters smaller.
Whether there is any difference in performance, I do not know.
I suggest you compare the two models and then look at the reviews for the Nikon 4100 before you buy. Some people like the 4100, some do not.
Whether Nikon corrected any of the deficiencies in the 4100, I do not know.
Some of the negative comments about the 4100 are unfair. For example, in the continuous mode it will shoot fairly fast, a little faster than one frame a second. Like any digital camera, you have to know all the bells and whistles to get the most out of it.
The big problem is the slow "film" speed. It is rated at 50 ISO, but my tests with a light meter say it is actually 25 ISO. This is fine if, like a professional photographer, you plan to use a tripod for all your shots, for that is what professional photographers would do if they were using film this slow. It leaves me wondering how accurate the speed ratings of other Nikons are. Given that the Nikon 4600 specs here do not list the ISO film speed, I would assume the worst.
Also, I contacted Nikon about how big a SD card it can handle and never got a response. Some discussion groups say it is only 256 MB. My 4100 needs 2 mb per high rez picture, even though the file is only about 1.4 mb
I find the 4100 is OK for snapshots with a tiny camera you can carry around in your pocket. But for higher quality shots, I have since bought a much better, slightly larger camera for about the same price as the 4100. And so the Nikon is usually gathering dust.
The bottom line: I suspect Nikon may have wanted repackage the 4100 because the reviews weren't so good.
2 A good start up camera
Pros: Excellent picture quality, Ease of use
Cons: Slow recharge after flash, Slow image processing, LCD turns off after each shot.
Excellent quality pictures, ease of use, battery life,
affordable pricing, and it's compact size and
design all make this a good start up camera. Why just a
start up? Here's why?
NOT SO GOOD:
The biggest problem is the lenght of time the camera
takes to recharge after flash. Not only that but also
the slow image processing rate after a picture is taken
and this is both with or without the flash on (3 to 5
seconds wait). Also, after you take a picture, while
the camera is processing the image, the LCD shuts off
for about 2 seconds then turns back on. Reviewing
picture you've taken is also be a task. Also, there
is no center gridline or center marker on the LCD or
viewfinder for centering your object.
If you can overlook, or not be annoyed by the NOT SO
GOOD, then this is excellent camera. Great picture
quality.
3 Nikon Coolpix 4600
I have had many 35mm cameras in the past. As a matter of fact I go back to the days before auto focus and automatic cameras. I finally came out of the datk ages and joined the 21th Century by buying my first digital camera. I found the Nikon Coolpix 4600 easy to use and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the photos I took. In addition, I found the manual clear and easy to understand. But, I would have liked more detail of some items. Overall, I love the camera.
4 Comments from a novice to digital photography
This is my first digital camera after many years of analog photography. I learned to take pictures on a Bolsey B2. This was a 35 mm that was fully manual. The camera may deserve 5 stars, but I do not have a frame of reference to do this. I do not value real small cameras, but I accept that I cannot fight the popular market demands.
I found it very easy to get started taking pictures. I am working my way through the manual. The manual is really brief, but complete and understandable. While there is an automatic mode, one can get best performance by selecting shooting situations from menus. While I have purchased, and plan to use rechargeable batteries, I appreciated the fact that the disposable alkalines held up while I went through my early learning phases.
The software that came with the camera offered some brightness and color control in addition to more basic editing features. It is easy to work with. Again, I lack the experience to be critical.
I realize that experienced digital enthusiasts may want to skip this review, but I hope to encourage other novices to give this camera very serious consideration. The literature is very clear and easy to follow (if you have good eyesight or a magnifier).
