Nikon Coolpix S1
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"Tiny, Easy, Slick, Face-Weighted Focus" on by BoogieNYC
Pros: Ultra-Portable, Great Pictures, Easy to Use, Slick, Cradle Incl.
Cons: A Bit Small for Large Hands, Delicate
Summary: I opted to get the 5MP S1 over the 7MP Canon SD500. The S1 offers so many options -- many, like the 20 optional scene settings -- are easily chosen and effective and enhance the shot when/if. Being that the camera is so damn small, I can envision this camera, paired with a 1- or 2-GB card, being a portable photo album as well as an able everyday camera.
The cradle is really just a small plastic housing for the camera to simultaneously charge and upload photos; the ac adapter that powers the cradle can be removed and packed in a bag on vacations or biz trips, so the camera is always charged. And since the camera weighs nothing, once it is charged you'll forget you're carrying it.
The sophisticated aspect of the camera lies in its built-in programs: most notably, face-centric focusing, Nikon's red-eye reduction mechanisms, and the variety of scene choices. These include the beach, landscape, architecture, backlight, sports and panoramic assist modes. On top of that, the camera offers optional color-centric settings (sepia, B/W, blue and vivid color). Really impressive, and relatively simple to access. Choice can complicate things, but this camera -- right out of the box -- is ready and able to impress.
I had been waiting for it and when I happily discovered it in the case of a local NYC electronics store, I snapped it up along with a cheap CaseLogic case (one that shows the Sony T-111 digicam) and a $50 SD UltraII 512MB card. I'll eventually add an AC adapter and perhaps a second battery, but my only concern -- which is fading fast -- is because the camera is tiny, I am hoping it is as well-made as it looks. Also, the 2.5 display is beautiful even in sunlight, but if the camera is dumped in a pocket, the screen might very well get scratched, so it won't be seeing anything but the inside of its case.
Really slick, takes excellent (and diverse) pictures, and I am thrilled that it finally came out.
Also, at $400, I think it's a steal. Unless you need a higher-end resolution like 7MP or 8MP, I don't think you can go wrong.
It's missing a viewfinder, but unless you require that type of precision, I doubt you'll miss it.
This one is a keeper. Highly recommended. -
"Almost as good as it looks" on by a4phantom
Pros: Small, quick, nice pictures, elegant, recessed screen, functions easily accesible, face priority focus works well, voice record function
Cons: Quicktime video, no 2 or 3 sec timer, best quality only available on 5mp setting, flash pictures sometimes have spots
Summary: I really like this camera. It's small and elegant, fitting easily into my jeans pocket along with my wallet or cellphone. The pictures seem generally very good, although I am not an image quality snob. The face recog portrait mode works very well, although the D-lighting function adds a huge amount of noise to the picture, I think brightening on the computer is better. The screen is visible enough in sunlight, it doesn't look good but you can frame your shot. You can also brighten it, although the battery life is not great (compared to Casio ultra-compacts). Very importantly, it is slightly recessed into the camera, which helps keep it unscratched. The autotimer is available with the click of a button, which is nice, but bafflingly there is only a 10 sec option, nothing shorter for when you simply want to take pictures in low light and not be moving the camera by pushing the button at the same time it takes the picture. Also, the flash is very close to the lense and sometimes reflects off particles in the air, making little bright dots and circles on the photo. The layout of the buttons is pretty good. There's a voice recorder (unlimited audio recording) function which not many people seem to care about but is useful to have and surprisingly absent on many cameras (Canons, Sonys). The flash seems surprisingly strong for such a tiny camera, and the red light reduction is spectacular. The dock is plastic and feels cheap but does its job. There's a PC mode, which takes pictures at 1024X768 res (about one megapixel), which is great and should be on every camera, because with a 256mb sd card you can take over a thousand pictures, and they look just as good on a 17in monitor as ones using all 5mp. That's very useful when you're travelling and taking a lot of pics without a computer to unload them to, and of course you can change to higher resolution for pics you think you'll want to print. Sadly, and wierdly, the highest quality (lowest compression jpeg) mode is only available at 5MP, whereas on Casio's you can take any size picture at 3 levels of quality. Nonetheless, it's an awesome camera.
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"Great camera for its intended purpose." on by David P.
Pros: Easy to operate, with multiple modes that can be utilyzed for any type of situation.
Cons: Not like my Nikon 35mm workhorse. You need to provide loving care for this baby.
Summary: I've read countless reviews of this and every other micro digital. It seems that you either love them or hate them. Most of the criticism centers on manual controls or picture quality. If you want either, then you don't want a micro digital. Purchase a 35mm or spend $5,000 on a high-end digital. If you want ease, convenience and something that’s unobtrusive, then I suggest the Nikon S1. I’m very pleased with the quality of the prints and its ability to travel with me during my business and pleasure trips. Sure, the screen is fragile…but so are the others. Purchase a case…any case. Clip it to your belt or put it in your briefcase so it’s close by. I wouldn’t suggest putting anything like this in your backpack no more than I would put my 35mm anywhere without a lens cap.
Go ahead and buy one…it won’t bite. You’ll love the results unless you have a professional lab diagnose the prints with a fine toothed comb. -
"Don't get caught by the "form factor"!" on by dreamwalker
Pros: Huge 2.5 " screen
Cons: Weak flash, ergonomics, cradle and bulky power unit
Summary: I have had an S1 for several days now and I am returning it for three primary reasons:
1) If you take a lot of in door picures in low light ...the flash stinks! For indoor shots at night, the flash is really weak...especially compared to my wife's Canon SD200...side by side pictures are MUCH brighter with the Canon.
Using "D" light correction adds TOOOO much noise to the picture...especially when it is very dark! So this is not helpful. The "indoor" scene helps only a little.
The flash leaves also leaves a bluish tint to the picture when there is moderate lighting...unlike the Canon flash which does not do this.
2) The ergonomics of the camera are poor...at least for me....holding the Nikon S1 with your left hand thumb on the bottom and your left hand index finger on the top (which is a natural grip for me) leaves my fingers cramping after prolonged holding. This is because although the camera is thin, it is rather tall. Holding a Canon SD 200 is much more comfortable.
3) The Nikon has an incredibly cumbersome charging unit and it requires a cradle for picture down load. (And no... I also don't want to have to carry a card reader to down load). I travel a lot and I don't want to carry a cradle and bulky powerpack with long cord around. The Canon's have a small battery recharger and you can down load right from the camera to a computer via a small USB cable.
I realize these are pretty personal gripes but I hope this helps a few others....Don't get fooled by the chique form factor of the S1.
I am going after a Canon SD300 or SD400. -
"User friendly is the goal" on by t_chan123
Pros: User friendly, good picture quality, lots of functions
Cons: a hard to use if you have man-sized hands
Summary: I believe this camera was released in response to Sony's range of ultra compact, large LCD cameras (T1, T3, T33, and T7), and also in response to the increasing demand of high-quality, simple, and easy to use cameras.
"User friendly" is the key phrase to describe this camera. It is fantasically easy to use and so intuitive that I didn't even need to read the user manual. The picture quality is superb - the Nikon lens and folded optics technology really work well for Nikon here.
Build quality is excellent - none of that creaking plastic here, it boasts an all metal structure. The negative comments made by another reviewer was most likely to be an angry response to a broken LCD screen due to negligence. The LCD is made to the same high standard as those made by Sony - the average user will certainly have no problems.
The camera uses SD cards, which are much more popular and less expensive than Sony's memory stick.
Would i recommend it? most definitely. A well built, good looking camera with high quality images, and easy to use.
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