{"id":554,"date":"2014-05-20T16:13:18","date_gmt":"2014-05-20T16:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.obsessedbynature.com\/blog\/?p=554"},"modified":"2018-05-10T17:50:47","modified_gmt":"2018-05-10T17:50:47","slug":"product-review-nikon-coolpix-s9400","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.obsessedbynature.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/20\/product-review-nikon-coolpix-s9400\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Review: Nikon Coolpix S9400"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Nikon<\/a>
Nikon Coolpix S9400: a really good pocket camera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I’m reviewing this excellent pocket-sized camera for just one reason: it’s ideal if you want something small, effective and reliable in your bag or pocket while you are mainly getting on with the rest of your life, such as enjoying nature. I take mine with me whenever I go out. It’s no trouble to carry, and its powerful zoom lens, anti-shake, high quality and simple but controllable operation make it extremely useful for everything from landscapes to close-ups of insects.<\/p>\n

\"Large<\/a>
Getting in Close: Large Red Damselfly, using the closeup setting of the S9400<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The camera starts up quickly – very helpful if you are trying to get a shot of an animal before it vanishes, and focuses quickly and reliably in a wide range of situations. It comes with automatic reduction of camera shake, specially helpful if you are using the zoom. I’d still recommend you try to find something to rest the camera on – I use a screw-on monopod as it’s lighter and quicker to use than a tripod, and is helpful for everything from photographing flowers and insects to steadying the camera for a long shot.<\/p>\n

The good-sized sensor is much larger than that on earlier models, and it shows: the camera collects much more light, giving sharper and less grainy images, specially in poor lighting conditions.<\/p>\n

The screen is much larger, too, and in general it works well, even in bright sunlight; if you are using full zoom with the sun shining on the screen, you need to turn up the brightness using the ‘Monitor’ menu. The only other setting I touched was to make ‘Closeup’ the chosen ‘Scene’, so as soon as I turn the dial to Scene, I’m ready to shoot closeups: very convenient.<\/p>\n

With smartphones able to do everything from the shopping to baking bread, you may be wondering why you need a camera at all. There are several good answers to this (tick all that apply):<\/p>\n