Coolpix 4100: 4 Megapixel Entry-level Nikon for Under $200

The Timing Tests

* NOTE: For all of our time tests, the camera is reset to its factory default settings and set to record using the highest resolution and quality setting. It is set to record in Auto mode. We also disabled all sounds. A PNY 512MB SD card was used.

Before reading our results, please refer to our Testing Procedures page.

Startup Time

The startup time is recorded from the moment that the power button is pushed to the moment that the shutter sounds. The camera is set to record in Auto mode.

Startup time (seconds)
Canon SD300	1.84
Casio EX-Z40	2.15
Pentax S40	3.63
Olympus Verve	3.76
Nikon 4100	4.02

The Nikon Coolpix 4100 takes 4.02 seconds to power on and take a shot when startup sounds are disabled. This time slows to 4.58 with the startup sound enabled. In comparison to similar models that we have reviewed, the Nikon 4100 seems quite leisurely in its startup operation.

Shutter Lag

To record shutter lag, we perform two tests with the lens at its widest angle setting. For the first test, we pre-focus the lens and measure the amount of time that it takes the camera to take a picture after the shutter button is pressed. The second test measures the time that it takes for the camera to take a picture after we press the shutter button without pre-focusing. Each test is performed 3 times and the results are averaged. For more information regarding our testing procedures, please refer to our Testing Procedures page.

	With Pre-focus (seconds)	Without Pre-focus (seconds)
Nikon 4100	0.09	0.55
Canon SD300	0.08	0.62
Olympus Verve	0.13	0.64
Pentax S40	0.29	0.78

Compared to the competition, the Nikon 4100 does very well with regard to shutter lag. The camera has a lag of just 0.09 sec. when it is pre-focused. When we include focusing time, the 4100 comes out on top with a time of 0.55 sec. In short, we are very impressed with its shutter lag performance.

Write Times

We recorded 5 different write times with a PNY 512 MB SD card:

Single Shot - The time that it takes for a single picture to be written completely to the flash card (the time that the "activity light" is on).
Shot To Shot (STS) - The time until the second shot can be taken after the first (shutter to shutter).
Shot To Shot w/Flash - The time that it takes the camera to take two pictures with the flash, starting from the moment that the first flash is fired to the moment that the second is fired.
Shot To Shot w/Buffer Full - The time between the last shot of a burst that fills the buffer to the moment that the shutter sounds again.
Clear Buffer - The time that it takes the camera to clear the buffer after a full burst of pictures is taken.

We performed each test three times and averaged the results. Below are the resolution, quality setting, and average file size used for the tests.

	Resolution (pixels)	Quality setting	Avg. file size (MB)
Nikon 4100	2288x1712	High	1.34
Canon SD300	2272x1704	Superfine	2.33
Olympus Verve	2272x1704	SHQ	2.56
Pentax S40	2304x1728	Superior	2.48

	Single Shot	Shot to Shot	Shot to Shot w/Flash	Shot to Shot w/Buffer Full	Clear Buffer
Canon SD300	*	1.24	5.07	N/A	N/A
Nikon 4100	*	1.90	12.07	3.54	9.99
Olympus Verve	3.08	1.93	11.47	2.85	20.05
Pentax S40	1.26	3.75	12.21	1.58	N/A

* Because these cameras do not have precise activity lights, we were unable to record a Single Shot time.

The Nikon 4100 takes a somewhat average 1.90 seconds between shots without the flash. When the flash is enabled, shooting slows to a very slow 12.07 seconds between shots. In our test, the camera takes 4 or 5 frames at 1.65 fps in Continuous drive mode. Then, the camera slows to 3.54 seconds between shots. When the buffer is full, it takes nearly 10 seconds (9.99) to clear the images out to the flash card. The number of frames that the camera can take in Continuous mode will vary depending on the file size.