Like a bird migrating to the same nest year after year, Nikon has an on-going fascination with twistable cameras. The latest model to get it in a flap is the Coolpix S4, with its 6Mp sensor and hefty 10x zoom lens squeezed into a flat-ish design that can only be described as 'camcorder fallen over'.

Previous twisters from Nikon have been gawky and awkward, but the S4 feels more comfortable, even natural, to hold. The twopart design still takes a little getting used to, at least until you realise that holding the screen steady and moving the lens assembly gives the most workable configuration. Don't be fooled by the shiny metal front detailing either, as this is largely a plastic camera.

A twisting camera has some real advantages. You can hold it right down to the ground or over your head and still frame images. Or at least you would be able to if the screen was up to the job. The S4's 2.5-inch LCD is sharp, responsive and works hard in dim conditions, but just can't hack it in strong sunlight. Strangely for a rotating camera, its viewing angle is also quite restricted.

More annoying still is the location of the Menu button and joystick which run across the top of the screen. In use, your thumb obscures a third of the screen - this is even more of a problem when using the Delete key and (largely redundant) Display toggle.

Jumping across to the other half of the camera is more reassuring. Nikon knows how to put a lens together and the 38-380mm equivalent glassware is impressive. Zooming is camcorder style - internal, silent and fast (about 2.5 seconds from wide angle to telephoto).

Purple fringing occasionally pops up, although never enough to ruin an image, and there's very little sign of any serious distortion at the extremes. Autofocus isn't fast, but it gets there in the end.

Absence of stability

However, one feature is conspicuous by its absence: image stabilisation. When you're dealing with a 10x lens and sensitivity that maxes out at ISO400, you really need help keeping the camera steady, even in daylight.