Nikon’s latest compact Coolpix range has taken a leap for the better in the design stakes. The S3000 is a slim and attractive camera that, while inexpensive, doesn’t belie its asking price in terms of the overall aesthetic. Clad in an attractive brushed metal finish, the look and feel is rather similar to the recently tested Canon IXUS 105 IS. As we’ll see later, these two cameras share more than just these exterior similarities.
Measuring 55.9x94.3x19mm and weighing 116g, the S3000 comes in an entire gamut of colours: silver, black, red, purple and magenta. The back of the camera houses a 2.7-inch LCD screen and silver-tipped control buttons that provide an attractive finish against the black rear panel. At the base, a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery slides in next to the memory card ( SD or SDHC) . Like the other Coolpix cameras, the battery is charged in-camera from a power source or via USB.