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Nikon S3600

 
Nikon Coolpix S3600 front
 
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 58 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Nikon S3600 summary

Nikon S3600 is Nikon's Small Sensor Compact digital camera initially announced on January of 2014. The camera houses a 20MP, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a full resolution of 5152 x 3864.

The S3600 comes in at #49 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras & overall #771 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our database. Please use our Advanced camera search to find camera results based on your personalized criteria.

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Here is a chart of various factors used in the rating system.

Nikon S3600 history

The Nikon S3600 is part of a family of digital cameras. You can read the full range underneath.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Nikon-Coolpix-S9900 front thumbnailNikon S9900
S3600 vs S9900
25-750mm
F3.7-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S810c front thumbnailNikon S810c
S3600 vs S810c
25-300mm
F3.3-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2014
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Nikon-Coolpix-S9700 front thumbnailNikon S9700
S3600 vs S9700
25-750mm
F3.7-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S5300 front thumbnailNikon S5300
S3600 vs S5300
26-208mm
F3.7-6.6
16MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S3600 front thumbnailNikon S360025-200mm
F3.7-6.6
20MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S3500 front thumbnailNikon S3500
S3600 vs S3500
26-182mm
F3.4-6.4
20MP1/2.3"2013
C500 Mark II gets new Cinema RAW Light modes from Canon
Nikon-Coolpix-S800c front thumbnailNikon S800c
S3600 vs S800c
25-250mm
F3.2-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S9500 front thumbnailNikon S9500
S3600 vs S9500
25-550mm
F
18MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S5200 front thumbnailNikon S5200
S3600 vs S5200
26-156mm
F
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S6500 front thumbnailNikon S6500
S3600 vs S6500
25-300mm
F2.8-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S9300 front thumbnailNikon S9300
S3600 vs S9300
25-450mm
F3.5-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
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Nikon-Coolpix-S3300 front thumbnailNikon S3300
S3600 vs S3300
26-156mm
F3.5-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S4300 front thumbnailNikon S4300
S3600 vs S4300
26-156mm
F3.5-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S6300 front thumbnailNikon S6300
S3600 vs S6300
25-250mm
F3.2-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S8200 front thumbnailNikon S8200
S3600 vs S8200
25-350mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S6200 front thumbnailNikon S6200
S3600 vs S6200
25-250mm
F3.2-5.6
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S100 front thumbnailNikon S100
S3600 vs S100
28-140mm
F3.9-4.8
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S9100 front thumbnailNikon S9100
S3600 vs S9100
25-450mm
F3.5-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S6100 front thumbnailNikon S6100
S3600 vs S6100
28-196mm
F3.7-5.6
16MP1/2.3"2011
OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus
Nikon-Coolpix-S8100 front thumbnailNikon S8100
S3600 vs S8100
30-300mm
F3.5-5.6
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S5100 front thumbnailNikon S5100
S3600 vs S5100
28-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S8000 front thumbnailNikon S8000
S3600 vs S8000
30-300mm
F3.5-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S6000 front thumbnailNikon S6000
S3600 vs S6000
28-196mm
F3.7-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S640 front thumbnailNikon S640
S3600 vs S640
28-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S570 front thumbnailNikon S570
S3600 vs S570
28-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S1000pj front thumbnailNikon S1000pj
S3600 vs S1000pj
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S630 front thumbnailNikon S630
S3600 vs S630
37-260mm
F3.5-5.3
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S620 front thumbnailNikon S620
S3600 vs S620
28-112mm
F2.7-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009

Nikon S3600 Pros and Cons

Below is a checklist of advantages and disadvantages of the Nikon S3600 based on factors which are usually regarded as important in a digital camera.

built in image stabilization (Optical)
good zoom range (25-200mm 8.0 x zoom)
great minimum ISO (80)
has built in flash
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
pretty wide (25mm)
provides face detection focusing
provides tracking autofocus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
external flash not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of external mic support
lack of HDMI out
lack of headphone support
lack of phase detect AF
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution screen (230 k dots)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
manual focus not available
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no aperture priority
no manual exposure
no shutter priority mode
screen does not articulate
screen is small (2.7 inches)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
slow at full zoom (f6.6)
slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Nikon S3600 Sensor info

The measurement of the sensor on the Nikon S3600 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor can capture 5152 x 3864 pixels . The camera comes with Image Stabilization (Optical). Optical stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization since the latter can lead to cropping.

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The CCD sensor has 20 megapixels and delivers a standard ISO range of 80 to 3200. Unfortunately, RAW files are not supported therefore the user has less room to maneuver in post.

The image underneath illustrates the S3600's sensor dimensions when compared to other popular sizes. The S3600 sensor has a crop factor of 5.8 and is pointed out in green.

Nikon Coolpix S3600 sensor size Jaw-Dropping Space Capture Exposes Earth's Mesmerizing Golden Luminescence

To get a sense of different aspect ratios, you can refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Nikon S3600 dimensions

Nikon S3600 weighs 0.28 lb (125 grams or 4.41 ounces) & the sizing of the camera is 97mm x 58mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8"). The weight of average Small Sensor Compact camera is 174 grams and the Nikon S3600 is less heavy when compared with other rivals.

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Here is a image of the Nikon S3600 next to a soft drink to help you to get a sense of its scale.

Nikon Coolpix S3600 dimensions scale

The top view underneath will show you the button layout on the S3600.

Nikon Coolpix S3600 topview buttons dials

Nikon S3600 Lens info

The S3600 offers an inbuilt lens providing a focal range of 25-200mm giving it a 8.0 x zoom which isn't really outstanding nevertheless it is going to be convenient in some situations.

At the widest 25mm, it comes with an aperture of f3.7 which is very slow and not ideal for low light situations and you will find it difficult to get a shallow depth of field. You could also need to boost the ISO producing noisy images. Towards the tele end, 200mm comes to f6.6 which is quite slow and you might need to utilize slower shutter speeds.

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Nikon S3600 Connectivity

The S3600 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Digital cameras that contain NFC or Bluetooth connectivity can easily be controlled wirelessly with smartphones. You will be able to copy images and usually change settings with no need to connect physically to the camera.

Certain applications even give a Liveview and release the shutter if you are not near the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI port, it could be attached to an external monitor. Almost all cameras enable you to recharge the battery pack using the USB port.

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Nikon S3600 Video info

The highest possible video quality on the Nikon S3600 is 1280 x 720 and you can capture in file format. 720p is terrible for today's requirements. You really should shoot for a minimum 1080p quality for video recording. The camera does not offer a microphone or headphone socket which means that you have no control over the audio. It is perhaps best to purchase another model should you want better audio for your videos.

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Nikon S3600 Weather Sealing

There is no environment sealing on the Nikon S3600 so you need to be careful in wet and dusty conditions.

Nikon S3600 Screen and Viewfinder

The Nikon S3600 is equipped with a 2.7" fixed screen boasting a resolution of 230k dots.

Unfortunately the screen isn't a touch screen.

Nikon Coolpix S3600 screen and viewfinder AI-made Images of Food Appear More Delicious Than Real Photos

The ViewFinder specifications for Nikon S3600 are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

For sunny outdoor conditions which make the camera displays washed out and difficult to see, viewfinders can be rather helpful.

Nikon S3600 Shutter info

Nikon S3600 can shoot continuously at 1.0 frames per second. The max shutter speed is 1/1500s.

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Nikon S3600 Flash and Hot shoe info

Nikon S3600 comes with only built-in flash with missing external flash support.

Nikon S3600 Autofocusing info

Nikon S3600 comes with just Contrast Detect Auto Focus & is missing Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection focusing is a lot more quicker and accurate when compared with Contrast Detect focusing. The camera supports Face detection which is helpful for portrait photography.

The Sensor supports 99 focus points to pick from. It also includes Tracking Auto Focus for moving things. Nikon S3600 has not got manual focus. Manual focus can be useful during low light situations or you want more exact control on depth of field.

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Nikon S3600 Battery life

The battery life (EN-EL19) on the Nikon S3600 is made to last for 230 shots as per the CIPA standards making it similar to it's rivals. The average Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 features the best (470) battery life within this type of cameras.

Listed below is a number of Small Sensor Compact cameras having the highest battery life:

Nikon S3600 for various types of photography

The following diagram gives a outline of the Nikon S3600 for various types of photography. To check out more, visit the specific paragraph underneath.

Nikon S3600 Portrait photography factors

The Nikon S3600 has a score of 38 which is awful, meaning that it is just not appropriate for portraits. Photographing portrait images favors heavily to sensor size, RAW support plus the flexibility to use off-camera lighting.

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megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support

Nikon S3600 Street photography highlights

Coming in at a above average rating of 65, the Nikon S3600 is a respectable fit to use in street photography. A very good street photography camera has a fine balance of picture quality plus portability.

Jaw-Dropping Space Capture Exposes Earth's Mesmerizing Golden Luminescence
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files

Nikon S3600 Sports photography info

A awful sports photography rating of 43 indicates the Nikon S3600 is just not appropriate for shooting sports. A camera must have very good tracking plus shutter speeds for sports photography.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus

Nikon S3600 Travel photography factors

Portability is really critical when buying a camera for travel. All round, the Nikon S3600 gets a very good 70 as a travel camera which is a respectable option to buy for your travels.

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lighter than competitors in class (125g)
resolution is good (20MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.7)

Nikon S3600 Landscape photography information

When you're looking to choose a digital camera for landscape pictures, the most vital factor will no doubt be image quality. The Nikon S3600 with it's awful score of 41 as a landscape camera is just not appropriate amongst it's competition.

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really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode

Nikon S3600 as a Vlogging camera

A vlogging camera really should have a moving screen, microphone port and preferably image stabilization. Taking all things into account, the Nikon S3600 is just not appropriate for vlogging as it receives a awful rating of 33.

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really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than competition (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port

Nikon S3600 Alternatives

If you need alternatives to the S3600, here is a selection of the highest placed cameras that fall into the category of Small Sensor Compact.

The diagram down below offers you a bird's eye view of the S3600 versus it's top scoring rivals suggested above.

There are more cameras you may look into as alternatives. To go through a extensive comparison, visit the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand
Nikon
Model
Nikon Coolpix S3600
Category
Small Sensor Compact
Launched
2014-01-07
Physical type
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Peak resolution
5152 x 3864
RAW images
Highest native ISO
3200
Minimum native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points
99
Lens
Lens mounting type
fixed lens
Lens focal range
25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture
f/3.7-6.6
Macro focus distance
2cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen size
2.7 inches
Resolution of screen
230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology
TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Minimum shutter speed
4 secs
Fastest shutter speed
1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate
1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range
3.50 m
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280x720p (30fps) , 1280x720 (25p), 640x480 (30fps )
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
125 gr (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions
97 x 58 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
Other
Battery life
230 photographs
Battery style
Battery Pack
Battery model
EN-EL19
Self timer
Yes (10 or 2 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots
1
Price at release
$200