Best Nikon Camera under $200 - 2010

Nikon is one among the Titans of Photography. It's one of the oldest companies in this domain. From the first camera they ever made, the Nikon I (One), to those that I will present in this review, Nikon has advanced a lot, even being the official supplier of cameras for NASA. However, those aren't the subject of this hub :). So let's see what Nikon holds in store for use, let's which is the best Nikon Camera under $200 for 2010. This price range includes the best Nikon Cameras in the Coolpix series. Buying a new camera is sometimes a daunting task, even more so if you aren't sure what to look out for.

However, I advice you to check out all cameras reviewed, that is because, even though the first one is great, fast, robust, easy to use... these characteristics are also true for the others, and you might find yourself wanting the second camera that for a similar price has a build in mini-projector. Now you think to yourself what's the use of that. Stay tuned and find out :)

I'm sure the first camera you had in mind when searching was a simple to use, fast, point-and-shoot camera delivering great results. That's what the Nikon Coolpix S6000 is. It starts up in lest than 0.8 seconds. There is a self timer that has a delay of 3 seconds to 10 seconds. I actually wouldn't recommend any other Coolpix camera in the S series besides the S1000pj that I present bellow. The models in the S series bellow S6000 lack a many features the S6000 has, yes the S4000 has a touch-screen, but on digital cameras that becomes annoying and usually has a lag, making it slower to handle. And the S8000 isn't worth a look, just for a 10x zoom instead of 7x zoom it is ridiculously expensive at a price difference of $400. S6000 is the Nikon point-and-shoot camera to have. I consider this to be the best Nikon Camera under $200.

The Coolpix S6000 is an ultra zoom type camera with a maximum resolution of 4320 x 3240 pixels and a minimum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. It captures videos with a resolution range of 320 x 240 pixels to 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps.

Short list of things you ought to know about the Nikon S6000:

• pictures with a maximum resolution of 4320 x 3240, 14.2 MP
  
• records HD video 1280 x 720, 720p
  
• it has HDMI output
• Smart Portrait System and Skin Softening, it can capture up to 12 persons and automatically shoot pictures when they are smiling and alerts the photographer when someone blinked in a photo
• variable Timer with a delay between 3 and 10 seconds
• uses SDHC memory cards
• 4-way VR image stabilization system
• ISO up to 3200 - ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Auto (auto gain ISO 100-1600), Fixed range auto (ISO 100-400, 100-800)
• weights only 5.5 oz (156 grams) with memory card and battery
  

With the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj you get most of the features of S6000 though it has some drawbacks, 12,1 MP and a zoom of 5x Zoom and it can't record HD movies among others... but why ? The answer is it's built in projector, to implement a mini projector took some tolls on it's specifications. But do not fret. This camera takes exceptional pictures, it is easy to handle... and has a incredibly cool projector to show your photos to everyone.

It's great to share photos without booting up the PC or unplug/plug into a TV. If you are out with friends and taking pictures, you don't need to hand out the camera to everyone in the group the see the photos, just put the camera on the included mini-stand, and use the included remote control to go through the pictures, or even shoot some pictures, no need for a timer anymore, just get in line and press a button on the remote.

Short list of things you ought to know about the Nikon S1000pj:

• pictures with a maximum resolution of 12.1 MP
  
• records video at maximum 640 x 480, 480p
  
• Smart Portrait System and Skin Softening, it can capture up to 12 persons, automatically shooting pictures when they are smiling and alerts the photographer when someone blinked in a photo
• a build in projector that can project your photos everywhere you want at a resolution of 640 x 480
• it has a remote control
  
• uses SDHC memory cards
• 4-way VR image stabilization system
• ISO up to 6400 - ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 80, ISO auto (80-400), ISO auto (80-200), ISO 3200 (3Mpix), ISO 6400 (3Mpix), ISO auto (80-800), ISO 1600
• weights only 5.5 oz (156 grams) with memory card and battery

Projector Specifications:

• Brightness: Up to 10 lumens
• Image size: 5 to 40 in.
• Throw distance: Approx. 10 in. to 6 ft. 6 in.(26 cm to 2 m)
• Endurance (battery life): Approx. 1 hour
• Resolution (output): VGA equivalent

If your not interested in the S6000 I'd recommend the S1000pj as the second best Nikon Camera under $200.

For an extra $20 you will find the Nikon Coolpix L110. You will take the best pictures with this one, it's the best camera from Nikon if you want something better than the stylish S6000. True it has 2 mega pixels less, but picture quality isn't defined only by mega pixels, but by many other factors in which this camera excels. It uses and incredibly well made Nikkor lens that gives you a 15x wide zoom with 4-way VR image stabilization and very high 6400 ISO. It has dual pass noise reduction, for clearer images even with high ISO in low light conditions. It shoots macro at 0.4 inches (1cm). And even shoots 720p HD video with stereo audio.

It has a best shot selector (BSS) shooting 10 pictures continuously and selecting the sharpest one out of those. And it has a sports continuous shutter, that does 120 continuous pictures per second at a lower resolution, ok it says sports continuous, but you can use it anywhere you want, taking picture of your kids while they are on a swing or of your dog jumping after a frees-bee or into a lake, you gotta get inventive with this one. It has tons of features and is incredibly easy to use, just like the S6000 and S1000pj. Though all this comes with a heavier body a little bit more than twice the weight of the S6000, and it also is bigger, though not to be compared to a professional SLR camera.