Nikon Coolpix S4

The Coolpix S4 landed in late 2005 as Nikon's first swivel-lens camera since the Coolpix SQ from 2003, reviving a design concept that dated back to the legendary E9xx series. The distinctive rotating lens section could pivot 270 degrees independently, offering compositional freedom that conventional compacts simply couldn't match—you could hold the camera high, low, or at odd angles while still seeing the LCD clearly, perfect for shooting over crowds or getting low-angle perspectives without lying on the ground. This swivel design paid homage to Nikon's groundbreaking early digital cameras, when manufacturers were still experimenting wildly with form factors instead of converging on boring rectangles.

NO FILTER: SHOT ON S4

Coming soon

THE LOOKS

The S4's design is immediately recognizable with its two-section body—the larger half houses the lens and swivels independently, while the slimmer side holds the controls and LCD. In silver with metallic accents, it has a retro-futuristic aesthetic that references Nikon's groundbreaking early digital cameras. The plastic lens cover that slides over the 10× zoom looks utilitarian rather than elegant, but it gets the job done.

THE SPECS

The S4 uses a 6-megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor with ISO 50 to 200 (expandable digitally). The 10× Zoom-Nikkor lens covers 38-380mm equivalent with apertures from f/3.5 at wide angle. The 2.5-inch LCD has 110,000-dot resolution. Face-priority AF, D-Lighting for shadow recovery, in-camera red-eye fix, and 13 scene modes help automate shooting. It runs on two AA batteries and includes 16MB internal memory plus SD card slot.

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

• 270-degree swiveling lens section: The independently rotating lens allowed shooting from virtually any angle while keeping the LCD visible and comfortable to view.
• 10× optical zoom in swivel body: Nikon fit serious telephoto reach into the swivel design, offering compositional range far beyond typical compacts of its size.
• AA battery power: Using standard AA batteries meant you could buy replacements anywhere, a practical advantage for travel or extended shooting.

THE VERDICT

The Coolpix S4 is a distinctive swivel-lens camera from Nikon's mid-2000s lineup. The rotating design and 10× zoom made it genuinely versatile for photographers who wanted compositional flexibility, though the lack of optical image stabilization and relatively slow performance were compromises you had to accept for that unusual form factor.