Nikon Coolpix S8100 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom-Nikkor ED Lens and 3.0-Inch LCD (Black)

I researched this Nikon Coolpix S8100 camera against the Canon Powershot SD4500 IS (aka IXUS 1000). This camera replaces my previous Canon Powershot Sd750 Digital Elph. The SD750 was a fine camera and served me well. But it was inadequate for any decent video recording. But I was very familiar with the Canon menus and design, and enjoyed the layout and look and feel of the Canon. In the end, I went with the Nikon Coolpix S8100 over the Canon SD4500 for a few key reasons: First, the research and reviews indicated that the Canon may be better suited for video recording but the Nikon holds the edge for the photography. And the Canon menus were supposedly better navigable than the Canon. Here are my first impressions: The very-lightly rubberized/texturized feel of the Nikon is superior to the Canon. This camera feels like a robust, serious, all-business professional camera, vs. Canon feels more like a cute, artsy, fun, weekender camera. I got the Nikon in the red finish, which looks absolutely amazing and gorgeous. The menus are very easy to navigate, and I felt right at home. I did not feel like I was missing out from having switched to the Nikon, from the Canon. The backlighting feature is amazing - I had taken countless indoor portrait pictures with my old Canon that were no good because of backlighting (this is when the subject appears all "black" or washed out/shadowed when you take the picture near a window with sunlight coming in, indoors). The video recording is very, very nice, and full 1080p, no doubt. I purchased a Lexar Class 10 SDHC 32GB 133x write speed card ($75) as the memory card. The 10x optical zoom is simply amazing - it presents a huge opportunity for weekend and fun photography. The things I mind, but can live with (cons): While you are recording video, you can *definitely* hear (and it will get recorded) the sound of the zoom lens motor, especially if you are zooming in/out all the way. But it's not the end of the world or a showstopper. If there is other sound that is part of your recording, you will be fine. If there is NO OTHER sound (it's a quiet recording), then yes, if you are zooming in/out, you will hear that, when you play back your recording. I also bought a spare battery and separate charger, so I don't have to "tie up" the camera in order to charge a battery. I give this camera a 10/10 -- it meets/exceeds my expectations.

I was looking for a small point and shoot camera with more than usual zoom, the bonus with this camera is the 1080HD video. I had been using a Canon S5IS 8mp camera with a 12x optical zoom. I liked it, but was looking for a purse/pocket sized camera with similar features minus the bulk. My daughter has this Nikon Coolpix S8100 and I was impressed with her pictures for the size of her camera. Hers was a gift from her husband, an engineer, who does his homework before opening his wallet. This Nikon camera has 12.1mp, and 10x optical zoom, but what cinched this for me was the 1080, not 720 HD video clips. Also, you can zoom while taking clips. For the price you get so much more than other point and shoot cameras. I don't have the patience to read the software and I don't like that cameras only come with a quick start book and the details are in the software, but I had no problems taking pictures right out of the box. I'm having a little problem figuring out the flash. Sometimes the flash pops up when I want to use existing light. I'm sure there's a way to do this, but I just haven't figured it out yet. I'm still in the learning process and, as I said, I'm not very patient. I have had some blurry pictures, but that's most likely the fault of the photographer, not the camera. I just take lots of pictures and delete the duds. Battery life hasn't been a problem. My other cameras operated on NiCad batteries and I was leary of lithium batteries, but I bought a backup battery. I'm very satisfied with this camera with so many features for the money. I chose the gold color so I can recognize my camera quickly at gatherings where all of the black cameras are sitting on a table. My daughter has the red one. ;) This would have been a perfect camera if it had an optical view finder. Unfortunately that little feature seems to be obsolete and the lcd view finder is hard to see on a sunny day. I'm getting used to it.