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

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Product Details

Product Manual [8.27mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 13 x 7.3 inches ; 12.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B000069096
• Item model number: 4500
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,659 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 14, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Review
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

Product Description
The compact, lightweight Coolpix 4500 offers the user a smarter way to take superior pictures. Whether you simply select program mode for ease of use or manual for full creative control, the Coolpix 4500 delivers excellent-quality images. The Coolpix 4500 boasts a radically exciting swivel design that provides unprecedented response and allows you to shoot at any angle. The 4x Zoom-Nikkor lens, with its 7.85-32mm focal range (equivalent to 38-155mm in 35mm [135] camera format), delivers superb optical performance. 4.0 effective megapixels provide ultrahigh definition and combines with Nikon's image processing algorithm to ensure images of remarkable color, contrast and clarity.With certain subjects, such as tall buildings, the perspective tends to be emphasized (slanted) when shot from a low angle. The perspective control feature allows you to de-emphasize or straighten the converging lines. Indeed, with so many features and accessories, and a remarkably easy-to-use design, the Coolpix 4500 promises to win over countless new users to the increasingly exciting field of digital photography.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great camera - if you can live with some flaws, January 15, 2003

By	Peter Horn (Hamburg) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

85 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you're intrigued by the coolpix line, this is the one, November 23, 2002

By	"day_vit13" (Bangkok, Thailand) - See all my reviews

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.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coolpix 4500 Vs. 995, October 3, 2002

By	"skhorn" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

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.