Nikon Coolpix S3000: A User-Friendly Camera for Capturing Stunning Photos

Nikon Coolpix S3000 is one of the most popular point-and-shoot cameras available in the market today. It is packed with features that are perfect for taking beautiful photos and videos. This camera is designed for beginner photographers who want a compact, easy-to-use device that produces high-quality images. In this blog post, we will explore the features of Nikon Coolpix S3000, its benefits, and drawbacks, and help you decide if it’s the right camera for your photography needs.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Coolpix S3000 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 03 2010

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight116g
MSRP$149USD

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Nikon Coolpix S4000 thumbnail

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Overview of the Coolpix S3000

Are you tired of lugging around bulky cameras when all you need is something small and handy to capture your best moments? The Nikon Coolpix S3000 might just be the perfect solution for you. With a 12-megapixel resolution, 4x optical zoom, and a 2.7-inch LCD screen, this camera is packed with features that make it easy for both beginners and professionals to take stunning shots. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what makes the Nikon Coolpix S3000 so popular, and why it’s one of the most user-friendly cameras on the market. So, let’s dive in and discover all the features and benefits of this handy, little device.

Nikon Coolpix S3000 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Coolpix S3000 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution imaging
Compact size and design
Easy to use interface
Built-in image stabilization
Wide angle lens
Affordable price point
Good battery life
Multiple shooting modes
Face detection technology
Quick shutter speed

Cons

Limited zoom range
No manual controls
Small LCD screen
No viewfinder
Average low-light performance
No external flash connection
Limited video capabilities
Limited ISO range
Plastic build quality
Slow autofocus

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Coolpix S3000

Weather sealed
Dimensions94 x 56 x 19mm
Weight116g
Thickness19mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeUltracompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.70" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Nikon Coolpix S3000 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Nikon Coolpix S3000 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Coolpix S3000 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon Coolpix S3000 has a 12MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Nikon Coolpix S3000 has a native ISO range of 80 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Feb 03 2010

Announced

80 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4000 x 3000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon Coolpix S3000 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Coolpix S3000 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC, Internal
Battery Life
Battery ModelEN-EL10
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 supports SD/SDHC, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 uses the EN-EL10 model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon Coolpix S3000?

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 features a CCD sensor

Is the Nikon Coolpix S3000 weather sealed?

No the Coolpix S3000 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Coolpix S3000 announced?

The Nikon Coolpix S3000 was announced on Feb 03 2010

Does the Nikon Coolpix S3000 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Coolpix S3000 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon Coolpix S3000?

The Coolpix S3000 has a native ISO range of 80-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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