Nikon's 2012 budget slim compact — 16MP CCD, 26-156mm 6x zoom with optical VR, 720p video
The Nikon Coolpix S3300 was a budget slimline compact announced in February 2012 as the replacement for the S3200. It sat near the bottom of the style-oriented S-series, selling in large numbers in several colours as an inexpensive everyday camera in the last big years of the compact market.
A 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sits behind a 6x Zoom-Nikkor covering a 26-156mm equivalent range with genuine optical vibration reduction, unusual at this price point. The 2.7-inch anti-reflection TFT LCD handles composition, sensitivity runs ISO 80-3200, and video tops out at 720p HD. It takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, is Eye-Fi compatible, and runs on the EN-EL19 lithium-ion battery rated around 210 shots. The body measures 95x58x19mm and weighs about 128g.
The S3300 is a fully automatic point-and-shoot with scene modes and Nikon's Smart Portrait tools but no manual control. It suits casual users and those wanting a cheap, genuinely pocketable CCD compact with a useful wide-to-tele zoom and effective stabilisation.
Used examples are plentiful and cheap. Verify the EN-EL19 battery charges — it is shared across many small Coolpix models so third-party cells are easy to find — and note charging was often via USB adapter, so check what is included. Test the VR-equipped lens for rattles, confirm zoom travels the full range, and inspect the plastic body for cracked corners from drops.