This is a welcome fashion version of the Nikon with basic parameters including sensor 12 million pixels, wide angle lens 27 – 108 mm (4x), LCD screen 2.7 inch 230,000 pixels, video usually 47 MB of internal memory and SD card support.
The S3000 is also quite fashionable with a thickness of only 19 mm, one of Nikon’s innovations in 2010, especially with the launch of the “7 Rainbow Shades” (silver, pink, green, black, blue, red and orange). The S3000 is designed with a glossy metallic casing and the buttons are so big that they are easier to handle than other models.
Scene modes include auto and scene modes. Scene is adjusted with the back button. Although slim, the S3000 has a huge advantage, which is a wide-angle lens (27mm) and an optical zoom of up to 4x. Another plus is dual charging mode, S3000 can charge not only with adapter but also with USB cable when connected to computer.
However, like the other Coolpix models, the S3000 does not make a difference either. The image quality is quite good, with ISO 80, smooth image, no noise, full detail display. However, with the inherent disadvantages of small-sensor camera, the higher the ISO image quality, the worse is due to the image processor interfere quite a lot.
Nikon Coolpix S3000 12.0 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Plum): Buy it now
Nikon Coolpix S3000 12.0MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black): Buy it now
Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue) (OLD MODEL): Buy it now
Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver): Buy it now
Colors are well controlled, but images on the S3000 tend to be slightly overexposed when taken in the sun. The focus system works correctly but is unstable, especially with objects slightly closer to the lens. To focus the photographer forced to use the tip, it is through the central focus mode to solve the problem.
The “Smart Portrait” mode is quite fun, but it’s still not as easy to use as the photo is as beautiful as the “smart” mode of this mode. The “smile timer” and “blink-proof” mechanism only blink when the smile is detected and the notification when the user blinks seems interesting, but actually complicates the operation. It is usually shooting, viewing images on the LCD and shooting again if needed.
The focus feature is also attached, it sounds interesting, but due to slow speed, it takes a few seconds to lock the object so if the photographer was moving too fast, this mode does not catch up. In addition, anti-vibration of the camera is just electronic rather than optical or sensor.
The Nikon S3000, in terms of looks and price, is an acceptable travel camera with a number of advantages, such as easy controls, wide angle and 4x optical zoom.
Image Quality
Sensor and Resolution
12-megapixel CCD sensor, nothing groundbreaking even for its time, but it does what it needs to. 12MP handles A3 prints and online sharing without bloated files. EXPEED processor takes care of color and noise reduction behind the scenes.
The NIKKOR lens gives you 4x zoom, 27-108mm equivalent. Wide enough for landscapes and group shots, reaches just far enough for portraits or subjects a bit further off. There’s a digital zoom too, but use it sparingly — it costs you real image quality.
Color’s genuinely nice, typical Nikon character: vibrant, well-saturated, natural skin tones, consistent across different light. Dynamic range is unremarkable but fine for casual shots — throw it at a high-contrast scene and you might need to fix the exposure afterward.
Autofocus is contrast-detect, which was the norm here — not quick, but it gets the job done for everyday subjects. You’ve got center, face-priority, and subject-tracking AF, plus a macro mode that focuses down to 8cm for close-up work.
Continuous shooting sits around 0.9 fps, and the buffer fills after a handful of shots. This was never meant for action photography.
The EN-EL10 battery is good for about 220 shots a charge — enough for a casual day, though a spare’s worth having if you’re shooting a lot.
Video is VGA — 640×480 at 30fps. Low-res even by the standards of its own era in some ways, and it can look grainy on anything bigger than a small screen, but it’s fine for casual clips. The mono mic is nothing special. One-button movie mode, and the scene presets carry into video too.
The menu’s simple, buttons for flash, exposure comp, and self-timer sit right where you need them. Manual control is minimal, but exposure compensation and white balance adjustments are there if you want to fiddle. Scene modes: portrait, landscape, sports cover the basics.
It’s small enough to actually carry around without noticing, which counts for a lot in a travel camera.
Set next to anything modern and the gap is obvious: sensors now hit 16-40MP with far better low-light handling, autofocus uses hybrid phase/contrast systems that track motion properly, video goes up to 4K or 8K with real stabilization, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/NFC are just expected now — none of which this camera has.
It gets the basics right: easy to use, compact, good-looking, and it takes decent shots as long as the light’s cooperating, all at a price that doesn’t sting. Everything else, though, is a struggle: barely any manual control, a screen that hasn’t aged well even by old-camera standards, no HD video, and autofocus that taps out as soon as the light dims.
Still, if you just want something small and cheap that takes decent pictures without asking much of you, it does that job fine, especially if you’re new to cameras or just want to point and shoot. It was never trying to be anything more.
Related Posts
Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.