Nikon Presents S6300, S9200, S9300 Superzoom Compacts

Nikon has updated its superzoom compact range with three cameras that are pretty similar to their predecessors. However, the Coolpix S6300, S9200 and S9300 see Nikon roll out optical stabilisation and bring the 16-Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor seen in the S8200 to more of its models.

A simple way of drawing the buying public's attention towards superzoom models is to boost the number of them on offer in your camera range. Nikon, like many other camera-makers, has therefore expanded its range of superzoom compacts with a couple of extra models. As a result, the S9100 is to be replaced by the Coolpix S9200 and S9300. Note that the only difference between these two models is that the S9300 has a built-in GPS.

A quick glance at the spec sheets shows that both models remain close to the S9100. In fact, they have the same 18x 25-450 mm lens, high-def 3-inch screen and general design as the model they'll replace, although they're now a bit slimmer and use optical instead of mechanical stabilisation. Resolution has been boosted to 16 Megapixels, although that's not likely to have a major impact on picture quality. We can therefore expect the S9200 and S9300 lens to give very similar results to that of the S9100, and sensitivity to be handled in a very similar way to the S8200.



Since last year, Nikon has been accompanying its 8- and 9-series high-tech superzooms with a cheaper and more basic 6-series alternative. The Coolpix S6300 will therefore be taking over from the S6200 in 2012.

In spite of the new curvier design, some of the camera's more disappointing features remain, such as the plastic rear face that looks like it's been stuck on afterwards. The LCD is entry-level stuff too, with a relatively low definition and viewing angles that could be better.

Although it still uses the same 25-250 mm lens as its predecessor, it now has optical rather than mechanical stabilisation. Let's just hope that Nikon will have done something to improve its performances in passing ...

One genuinely new thing about the S6300, however, is that it uses a 16-Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor. Sensitivity should therefore improve and new functions have arrived, such as Full HD video, a 6 fps burst mode (for one second), an HDR mode and a panorama function.