Low-Cost Nikon S3300 and S4300 Get Stabilisation

Nikon has clocked up plenty of best-selling cameras with its Coolpix S3000 range. While they've never been the best models in their field, the Nikon brand and their competitive price tags have helped turn them into top-selling compacts. With the new S3300 and touchscreen S4300, Nikon has finally brought stabilisation to its budget snappers.

Just like the S220, S3000 and S3100 before it, the S33000 is almost certain to be a bestseller.

However, the S3100 wasn't without its weaknesses, and reviewers seemed a little less enthusiastic about this camera than the buying public. Nikon has therefore decided to upgrade things in this model, as the S3300 gets a new slightly more powerful zoom lens (equivalent to 26-156 mm) and has finally been equipped with an optical stabilisation system. So long as it takes decent pictures, the S3300 could therefore be a great compromise of a camera, especially since its direct competitors usually stick with 4x or 5x zooms.

The electronics have been updated a little, but the new 16-Megapixel resolution isn't likely to make much difference while Nikon is still using a CCD. Video is still 720p HD, sound is still recorded in mono and the screen is the same 2.6-inch, 230,000-dot number with tight viewing angles.

As usual, the S3300 is accompanied by a very similar alternative—the Coolpix S4300—which is basically the same camera but with a higher-def, 3-inch touchscreen.

Both models can be expected to sell for around £150 (pricing TBC)