Nikon Coolpix S2 Easy Camera Review

One of the biggest selling points for this camera is its size. The Coolpix S2 measures 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 inches and has a minimal body weight of 5 ounces – it’s hard to ask for more portability than this. To protect against those keys in your pocket, the sliding cover over the inset lens supplies ample durability, while the camera’s splash proof exterior will help shield critical components from the occasional light rain. However, without an optical viewfinder, the user will have to rely on the large, 2.5-inch LCD, which contains relatively low resolution of just 115,000 pixels.

The S2’s auto mode ironically provides the most opportunity for manual adjustment, while there are also 15 preset shooting modes included to orient the camera for specific shooting scenarios. The S2 enables the user to control exposure compensation, white balance (with a custom setting and presets), and ISO on a scale from 50 to 400. Shutter speed, aperture, metering and focus are not manually controllable. The shutter speed has a very stunted scale of 2 to 1/350th of a second which will pose a challenge when attempting to capture images in low light situations without relying on the flash or in bright daylight.

The Coolpix S2’s color reproduction wasn't anything to write home about, with a tendency towards exaggeration of most portions of the color spectrum. While the occasional overly brilliant red can cause flattering portraits, an entire souped-up spectrum will result in unbelievable photo results, and not in a good way. The sharpness on the camera was a miserable 59% usage of a 5 MP CCD and the noise levels were high in both auto and manual ISO modes. Don't think that this camera is going to provide print sizes larger than small format snapshots.

The movie mode is shoots video at resolutions of 640 x 480, 320 x 240, and 160 x 120 with frame rates that are atrociously slow at 15 frames per second. Several of the cameras listed below offer higher quality video at the same price or less. The microphone is also poorly placed on the top of the camera in the exact spot that would get covered by two-handed shooting.

The Nikon Coolpix S2 provided speed and timing results that were both positive and negative. The start-up to first shot for this camera was a sluggish 4.21 seconds from opening the lens cover to first shot. Add in fumbling with the cover and this time becomes a minimum estimate. The shot to shot times turned in a far better score with a delay of only 0.65 seconds between shots. And finally the shutter to shot time of 0.48 seconds is nothing stellar. Make sure your subject is comfortably posed.

In the end the Nikon Coolpix S2 provides plenty of style and convenience but not quite enough performance for the price point. This camera may be able to separate itself from the cameras in the comparisons chart if the price continues to drop. Otherwise, cameras like the Sony DSC-T5 or the Canon PowerShot SD500 will be more attractive with their expansive user control options and impressive physical specs.

Nikon Coolpix S2 - THE BOTTOM LINE.... Rating: 275.20

Likes

- Stylish camera body - Splash-proof design - Large LCD screen - Help guide - Decent battery life

Dislikes

- Short shutter speed range - Horribly inept at capturing action shots (action meaning anything that moves) - High price - Grainy and slow 15 fps movie mode - Wire-infested COOLSTATION - Poor LCD resolution

Nikon Coolpix S2 Compared to...

Casio Exilim EX-S500 Rating:	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5 Rating:303.86	Fujifilm Finepix Z1 Rating:266.95	Nikon Coolpix S1 Rating:	Canon PowerShot SD550 Rating:
Better	Better	Better	Better	Better
-No lens cover means faster start-up -Body comes in three colors -640x480 video at 30 fps -"Manual Focus" -4.05 ounces -Center/Multi/Spot metering systems -Slender frame at only 0.63 inches -Better positioning of microphone -Snapshot in Movie feature -three self timer settings -Fewer cables for direct printing	- More than double the pixels on 2.5 inch LCD, far better res. - 32 MB memory card - Overall Color - Sharpness and resolution in strong light -Less complicated direct print -Auto and manual ISO noise levels  -Faster start up to first shot and shutter to shot times -Slightly faster movie mode speed at 640 x480 -5 step "manual" focus -3 metering modes -Lower price	-ISO 800 rating -Thinner body -Sliding door construction over lens -Matte black finish separates it from silver bodied competition -Manual ISO setting results -Startup to first shot times -Faster shutter to shot times -Resolution/ sharpness -2.5 inch 115 K pixel LCD screen -Better movie mode settings of 640x480 at 30 fps -Larger shutter speed (although auto mode only) -Monococque design is sturdy and well constructed	-Lower MSRP of $329.95 (current) -Slender body sleek -12 MB internal memory -Center weighted, spot and matrix metering systems -Voice Recording mode -17 preset shooting modes -Mono Audio -Direct Print options -Lighter camera	-7.1 MP CCD -Color reproduction accuracy -Well placed audio mic away from fingers -Auto noise rating -Faster start up to first shot time -Better shot to shot times -5.28 Res score with a "good" rating -Faster shot to shutter time -Viewfinder and lens away from fingers -Higher resolution on the smaller LCD screen - Faster 30 fps movie rate with 640x480 frame resolution -Slight grips on camera body -3 metering mode options -Maximum Image parameters -Picture Effects settings and "My Colors" mode -32 MB SD memory card included with purchase -Custom self timer mode -Larger shutter speed range, although full auto only
Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal
-Manual ISO settings -5 MP CCD -3x optical zoom lens -Manual White Balance settings -Mono audio recording -EV Compensation Scale -No viewfinder -Smooth body means less grip -Small on camera flash -Direct Printing options -Lens may be covered by fingers	- Direct Print options - EV Compensation settings - 2.5 inch LCD screen - 3x optical zoom lens - 5 MP CCD - Manual ISO scales - Manually sliding lens  door - Body Size - No viewfinder - Audio recording with video clips -Blurring photos	-Comparable list price but can be found online for less -Lens is placed for optimum finger obstruction -Direct Printing -Audio Recording capabilities -Poor microphone placement -EV Compensation scale and setting structure -No manual focus control -Multi Metering mode only -Internal lens structure, non- telescoping -Self timer control option -Weak flash range -Small and hard to use controls	-5.1 MP CCD -2.5 inch/110 K pixel LCD screen -AF Focal Modes -Movie Mode options of 640x480 at 15 fps max -Maximum Image Size -Two step aperture -2-1/350th shutter speed range -Contrast TTL-AF system -Slick camera design without grips means dangerous in wet conditions -3x optical zoom lens -Manual White Balance settings -Fingers may obstruct lens	-Direct Printing (easier than Nikon) -Audio recording options -No manual focus modes -EV Compensation scale and setting options -Manual White Balance Settings -ISO scale options -3x optical zoom -Auto aperture modes -Auto shutter speed only
Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse
-Higher Price (currently) -2.2 inch LCD screen -8.3 MB memory -2560x1920 max image resolution -1/8 to 1/2000th shutter speed range is stunted -84,960 pixels on LCD -Less lens protection -No splash body protection	- Slightly slower shot to shot times - Fewer custom image presets - No manual white balance setting - Smaller shutter speed range	-Auto ISO noise scores -Terrible color reproduction -Shot to shot times, slower burst -Slightly heavier camera body -Scuff marks when add-on cradle is used-tarnishing camera finish -Fewer custom image preset settings -No burst mode settings -Fewer picture effects settings -No manual white balance settings -No splash proof design -Slow maximum aperture range -Black finish will show finger prints and smudges	-Less protection for small in-camera lens -No splash protection for poor weather	-1 ounce heavier -MSRP of $499.99 -Pointless viewfinder -2 inch LCD screen -More noise in Manual ISO noise -Flash may be easily covered by fingers -Slightly thicker body has smaller height and length -9 preset scene shooting modes -No splash proof feature -9 point or 1 point AiAF only