Nikon Coolpix 4500 Digital Camera (Nikon-25503)
| Overall rating | 80 |
| Image quality: To gauge picture quality, we take a series of shots, with and without flash, at 640 by 480 resolution and at the camera's highest resolution. We photograph a complex still life and a mannequin to see how well each camera captures details and subtle colorings such as skin tones. A panel of judges reviews the on-screen and printed photos and assigns image-quality scores; we then average those scores. | Good |
| Ease of use | Good |
| Features | Good |
| Maximum effective pixels | 4 megapixels at 2272 by 1704 |
| Bundled media | 16MB CompactFlash |
| Focal range (35mm equivalent) | 38mm-155mm |
| Aperture range | f2.6-f7.5 |
| Shutter speed range (seconds) | 8 seconds to 1/2000 second |
| Viewfinders | Optical viewfinder, 1.5-inch LCD display |
| Video / audio recording | Yes/Yes |
| Semi-automatic/manual modes | Scene, aperture, shutter, manual modes; manual focus |
| Optional lenses | Wide-angle and telephoto |
| Software | ArcSoft PhotoImpression, VideoImpression, Panorama Maker, PhotoBase for PDAs |
| Battery score | Good |
| Battery life | 300 shots, 105 minutes |
| Battery type | One rechargeable |
| Dimensions and weight | 5.1 by 2.9 by 2 inches; 13.6 ounces |
| Support policy score | Very good |
| Support policies | One-year parts and labor warranty, toll-free support for 24 hours daily |

Bottom Line
The midsize and midprice Coolpix 4500 is ideal for novice and advanced photographers looking to share a camera, or for beginners seeking a model they can grow into.
Nikon Coolpix 4500
Coolpix 4500 Digital Camera (Nikon-25503) Review, by Nikki Echler McDonald and Carla Thornton September 25, 2002

Nikon's 4-megapixel, $699 Coolpix 4500 produced some of the best prints we saw in this roundup. Our outdoor shots appeared sharp and realistic, while our indoor pictures showed only slightly oversaturated colors. The camera lost just a little detail in our still-life shot of items on an office desk, and pictures darkened somewhat--though not excessively--when displayed on a monitor.
The 4500's swivel lens, its highest-profile feature, is capable of pointing in any direction along a vertical axis, making it easy to take shots from almost any angle. Though we found manual focusing difficult, Nikon's five autofocus brackets should help--especially if you're taking close-up photos with a tripod. The 4500 shoots beautiful macros at less than an inch away and works with the widest range of add-on lenses here, including a fish-eye.
You use a toggle instead of a button to turn the Coolpix 4500 on and off, which makes booting up the camera smooth and quick. And though this is an advanced model, beginners will appreciate the 16 preset scene modes for matching a wide variety of exposures. Less friendly initially are the slightly arcane hardware controls and Nikon's confusing menu tabs. Once you get the hang of holding down the camera's buttons while turning the command dial, however, it's a snap to tap into the 4500's lode of manual settings. We also had to get accustomed to using the unit's menu selection button. It took a little practice to remember to nudge-instead of press-the button in the direction we wanted to go, but we warmed to the task.
The camera's rechargeable lithium ion battery lasted for 300 shots-below the group average of 383. And its automatic pop-up flash is located where fingers often block it.
Also disappointing was the Coolpix 4500's 1.5-inch LCD, which gets too dark outdoors for easy use. Nikon bundles its limited NikonView viewer software with the camera.
UPSHOT: The midsize and midprice Coolpix 4500 is ideal for novice and advanced photographers looking to share a camera, or for beginners seeking a model they can grow into.
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Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: jeanpollard
Strengths: THE NIKON COOL PIX 4500 CAN SAVE YOU HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR COPYING OLD SLIDES OR B&W NEGATIVES WITH AN ADAPTER YOU CAN PURCHASE. ALSO, THE CAMERA GIVES EXCELLENT CLOSE UP PICTURES.
Weaknesses: YOU DO NEED TO PRATICE DIFFERENT PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES IN ORDER TO GET GOOD RESULTS, WHICH ONLY AN SLR CAN GIVE. YOU CANNOT ZOOM A SHOT.
Overall: I HAVE USED MY COOLPIX FOR OVER 3 YEARS WITH EXCELLENT RESULTS FROM SLIDE PHOTOGRAPHY COPY, OR COLOR & B&W NEGATIVE FILM COPY, WITH AN ADAPTER NIKON MAKES FOR THIS. I HAVE LEARNED TO MAKE CLIP MOVIES AND CONVERT THEM INTO A USABLE FORMAT FOR DVD USE. ALTHOUGH I HAVE ONLY BRIEFLY TOUCHED NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY, I FIND YOU CAN DO ANYTHING A FILM PUSH PROCESS CAN DO, AND EVEN TIME ELAPSE SHOTS. I LOVE MY COOLPIX 4500 AND TAKE IT ANY WHERE I CAN USE IT, CAMPOUTS, HIKING TRIPS, FAMILY GET TOGETHERS, PERSONAL DATES, ECT...
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Reviewed by: Toney
Strengths: Too many to list!
Weaknesses: Menu learning curve is medium to high
Overall: I bought this Nikon Coolpix 4500 18 mo. ago and had never use a camera before other than the old 110 film jobs from the 1970'sI am now making my living off of selling photograph's using this camera. The public loves my work and so do I love the Nikon 4500! What more could one say about any digital camera. :)I paid $517 then and now the price is almost half that. What a deal!!!It was one of the best moves I have ever made.
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Reviewed by: joeca
Strengths: reasonable lens, twist body, fairly sharp pics, 4 mpix, flexibility, macro capability
Weaknesses: burned highlights, very weak flash (better not to use since it messes up exposure many times), complicated menus, battery life
Overall: Too much money for too little performance... there are better choices out there that provide similar or for sure better performance. The fact that highlights re almost always burned unless you spend time adjusting the exposure (underexpose and fix later on PC) is a real annoyance - especially if you are shooting people at parties, weddings, etc. Battery life is nowhere near advertised values. And the menu system... wow! does it really need to be so compliated? (NO!!!)
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Reviewed by: deborah1970
Strengths: tilt viewfinder, quantity of functions and capabilities, closeups!, ease of learning basic and intermediate functions & modes, quality of images, adjustable shutter speeds, photo mode settings
Weaknesses: Difficulty in focusing on close, close ups. Really needs a tripod on other than point and shoots.
Overall: I have had this camera for 4 months. I have had experience in taking photos of glaciers, snow, sun, moon, and sunsets, close ups, action, bright water/sun, indoor bright/dark, landscapes, waterfalls, wildlife, you name it. I have never owned anything other than your typical starter $20 35mm camera. I have found out how much I love this hobby. In 2 days of practice and studying the manual I had learned all I needed to this point. People (I don't know) seeing my photos asked me how much schooling I have had. Those who know that I have no experience have since bought Nikons without regret. I have printed up to 8x10s with awesome resolution. (Family is putting in hints for Holiday gift ideas for framed copies of my photos) My printer is part of the success I am sure (Epson 960), but these photos rock. the salesman that sold me this camera had this comparable model for 2 yrs prior, takes college photo classes, works in a "high end" camera store, centers his life around photography, belongs to clubs and enters contests and wins money. He does not intend to upgrade for some time. This camera will take you as far as you want to go he told me and I believe him. I am looking for a small, thin line digital camera to fit in evening bags as this is too big for that and too floppy around the neck for steep incline hiking without having to put it in the case, take it out for 1 picture, put it away, take it out in another minute and so on.Otherwise I love it.
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Reviewed by: jozefm
Strengths: Macro 2 cm, swivel, picture quality, teleconverter allows 8x or 12x zoom.
Weaknesses: focusing at low light and while using Nikons TeleMicro, manual focusing should show distance
Overall: Great camera! Learning how to use it takes a few days. Manual focus is in 51 steps changes distance every step according to the following sequence in cm: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,30,32,35,40,45,50,60,70,80,90,1m,1.1,1.2,1.3,1.5,1.7,2,2.5,3, 4,5,7,10,inf. Camera should display it and manual should list it.
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