Nikon Coolpix S5 Review

Nikon Coolpix S5 is a powerful digital camera.Pictmotion with high-quality music,Eye-catching wave-surface design,Large LCDs ,Rotary multi selector and improved GUI,Built-in Wi-Fi and One-touch portrait functions.

Coolpix S5 is one of two new cameras in Nikon’s S range of ultra-slim pocket compacts. The S series itself is relatively recent, starting with the 5.0 megapixel S1 launched around this time last year. All the cameras in the series share the same basic layout, with a 3x optical zoom non-protruding lens mounted in the top right corner of the front panel, and only a bare minimum of external controls. The S5 has a 6.0 megapixelssensor, a high resolution 2.5in LCD monitor, a hi-capacity Nikon EN-EL8 battery and a strong metal body. It measures 93 x 59 x 20mm and weighs 165g including battery and card – it may be neither the slimmest nor the lightest camera on the market, but it is small and light enough to slip into a shirt pocket or purse without leaving much of a bulge.

Nikon COOLPIX S5 Features:

• Highly compact dimensions of (W x H x D) S5: 93 x 59 x 20mm (3.7 x 2.3 x 0.8 in.);


• Approx. 135g (4.8 oz.), S6: Approx. 140g (4.9 oz.)


• 21MB (approx.), S6: 20MB (approx.) of internal memory, SD Card compatibility
  BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest shot automatically from ten sequential shots


• Exposure BSS automatically selects and saves the shot most closely matching user-selected criteria from five sequential shots


• USB connectivity supports easy transfer of data to computers and other peripherals


• Swift startup of approx. 0.8 seconds; Continuous shooting at up to 2.2fps


• Date Counter visually records countdown of days to an occasion or number of days since an important event


• Help Button provides easy-to-understand explanations for functions on main menu


• Blur Warning informs user after shooting if an image is blurred


• Menu available in a choice of 20 languages


• Noise Reduction produces better results during low-light conditions


• Time zone function enables the camera clock to be set to local time, anywhere in the world
  4x digital zoom extends compositional freedom


• Rechargeable EN-EL8 Li-ion Battery (supplied) can shoot approx. 210 shots (S5)/ 200 shots (S6) on a single charge


• Field Jacket FJ-CP1 water-resistant case (optional) lets users keep the COOLPIX dry to underwater depths of 3 meters


• Dock Insert PV-10/PV-11 (supplied) enable direct printing to compatible ImageLink printers
  Choice of White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 6-mode manual (Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash and White Bal. Preset)


• Voice recording available for duration of up to 5 hours or until memory capacity is reached

In the Nikon Coolpix S5 box

Apart from the usual straps and cables, the Nikon S5 comes with a handy Quick Start guide plus an elaborate 95-page instruction manual which clearly explains all the finer things of the camera and how to put them to good use. The Nikon S5 buyer is provided with ample info about the all new Pictmotion function to show your images as slide shows with added music on TV or PC. There are many tips on what settings to choose in various image situations and direct printing is explained in great detail as well.

There is no SD memory card with the camera as the Coolpix S5 is equipped with 21Mb of internal memory, which could hold about 8 to 10 six-megapixel shots at its finest resolution. Considering the prices of memory cards today, a 1GB SD card would be a good investment with this camera. This should keep you happy for a week's holiday, shooting about one hundred 6-megapixel images a day.

The proprietary Li-ion EN-EL8 battery provides enough power for almost 200 shots between charges. As other manufacturers manage to get quite a bit more out of their power cells, our best advice with the Nikon would be to buy a spare battery and keep it charged at all times. Charging the battery takes about two hours and is done by placing the camera in the supplied Cool Station MV-14, which acts as a camera dock to send pictures to PC or printer or to connect the S5 to a your home television.

Software comprises Nikon's Picture Project CD-Rom for Windows or MAC to transfer and store images on your PC. Its functions include adjusting brightness and contrast and performing some basic imaging functions. Images can be arranged in folders according to date or subject or shared with others.

Image quality

Nikon's Picture Effects Mode is a very basic "cut to the chase" set of in-camera image adjustment options. Users can select Standard Color, Vivid Color, Black-and-White, Sepia, and Cyanotype (gives images a retro blue-hued monochromatic look).

The Nikon S5 consistently delivers outstanding picture quality, above average performance, and puts the fun back into taking pictures. It is stylish, very well designed, user friendly, surprisingly versatile, and capable of dependably excellent results.