The
Nikon Coolpix 4500 is the replacement for the Coolpix
995, which we reviewed exactly one year ago. Unlike the 995, the 4500
is a new model, albeit one that retains the split-body design of the 900
series, but with a new CCD and some important changes, both externally
and internally.
Externally, the most notable changes cover a range of areas.
Although many of the controls of the Coolpix 4500 remain similar to those
found on the Coolpix 995, their shapes have been rationalized, and they
are easier to use.
The controls on top of the grip, outlined by a lighter blue gray plastic
section — one of the very few parts made of plastic — are more
accessible in use.
The Power Switch is a push-on, push-off type, cleanly surrounding
the Shutter Release.
Closer
to the back, the silver Command Dial has a better texture and shape,
making it easier to turn.
The Command Dial is used in conjunction with the Mode and Function
buttons, for:
Mode
Function
Auto
Mode,
Aperture
Priority,
Shutter
Priority,
Manual
Mode,
Programmed
Auto,
Scene
Modes.
Record
a small size copy of an already captured image while in
the Playback mode.
Exposure
Compensation,
Record
an audio memo,
Playback
an audio memo,
Access
customized function:
Continuous
shooting,
Image
quality,
White
balance,
Metering.
The screen section of the Coolpix 4500 provides a 1.5 inch LCD —
down from the 1.8 inch size of the Coolpix 995 — with 3 buttons
above and 3 buttons below.
The first of the upper buttons, ,
is for the Screen and information overlay, on or off, in sequence.
The second
offers both a Quick Review of a just captured image, and access to the
Play Mode. The third is the zoom button, which also shows thumbnails in
Playback (W side), or magnifies an image being displayed on the screen
up to 6X (T side).
Starting
from the left, the other 3 buttons below the screen are for:
Landscape,
Macro, Macro and Self-timer (10 or 3 seconds) when used
by itself; or when pressed and the Command Dial is rotated, activating
the Manual Focus mode. In Playback, the button provides single
image delete.
Menu
simply calls up the camera menus.
and
last, on the right, is a newly designed Multi Selector which
is not only used for navigating the menu and making selections when
pressed straight in, but is also used to select one of 5 focus areas
from the screen. Moreover, pressing the Multi Selector at the centre
acts as an AE/AF Lock, or can be reconfigured to one or the other
only.
The
lens section
The upper part of the lens section also provides a button used to select
Flash modes (Auto, Forced Off, Auto + Redeye Reduction, Forced
On, Slow Sync). Although by default the flash pops up automatically when
needed, the button can also be set to release the flash manually in the
camera's menu. In addition, when the flash button is pressed and the Command
Dial is turned, the ISO sensitivity of the CCD can be changed (100, 200,
400, 800 ISO).
The controls are much
simpler to use than previous models, but the camera has lost none of its
functionality, and in fact offers major improvements: the multi selector
is very precise and genuinely user-friendly, particularly when it is used
for the focus point selection when it is clearly more effective than the
system used with the Coolpix 995.
,
is for the Screen and information overlay, on or off, in sequence.
The second 
offers both a Quick Review of a just captured image, and access to the
Play Mode. The third is the zoom button, which also shows thumbnails in
Playback (W side), or magnifies an image being displayed on the screen
up to 6X (T side).
The upper part of the lens section also provides a button used to select
Flash modes (Auto, Forced Off, Auto + Redeye Reduction, Forced
On, Slow Sync). Although by default the flash pops up automatically when
needed, the button can also be set to release the flash manually in the
camera's menu. In addition, when the flash button is pressed and the Command
Dial is turned, the ISO sensitivity of the CCD can be changed (100, 200,
400, 800 ISO).
