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Apart from the headline improvement of a larger, 12MP sensor and 4x, wide-angle zoom lens, the Nikon Coolpix S3000 offers a 2.7-inch rear screen with simple, easy to use menus and a variety of smart portrait modes.
Face-priority AF is standard these days, but there are also some more unusual widgets such as Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Blink Warning.
These are nice to have, but hardly killer apps, and smack of 'new bullet points for the press release' rather than genuine innovations.
Most people know not to blink excessively or close their eyes when being photographed and it's quicker to take the shot again than delve into the Nikon's menu and turn these widgets on. It's not immediatly obvious how to first get to the portrait modes, either (via the top left scene button on the back).
Rather more useful on a daily basis is the Electronic Vibration Reduction, where the image processor automatically compensates when it detects blur. It's worth turning on as this is a very light camera and you have to make a conscious effort to hold it steady.
There's also motion detection, whereby the camera detects camera shake and subject movement with shooting, and automatically compensates by increasing shutter speed and ISO sensitivity. Blur is reduced to a level equal to a roughly two-step increase in shutter speed.
In terms of usability, the the Nikon Coolpix S3000 is okay, but there are some niggles. The menus are simple enough to read and navigate, and the shutter release/zoom lever nice and chunky.
It's a shame, then, that the rear Mode dial feels cramped and not all obvious. The flash, Exposure Compensation, Macro and Timer settings are adjusted by the outer, touch-sensitive ring, but the icons are tiny – so tiny that many less-experienced photographers might not even realise they're there. Give the camera to someone with poor eyesight and you can see the potential problem…
