Nikon Coolpix S3 Digital Camera Review

Review:

The 6-megapixel Coolpix S3 combines high-quality shooting performance with an ultra-slick design. Despite its size, the camera features a 2.5 inch LCD as well as the D-Lighting system, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and the exclusive Face Priority AF technology. The included Li-ion rechargeable battery supplies power for up to 190 shots. The optical viewfinder has been replaced by the large 2.5 inch and 110,000 pixels LCD. The display has an adjustable backlight that dims when the camera is not in use yet on, so that battery energy is conserved. The display has been covered with a glare-reducing surface that lacks in the S4.

The Coolpix S3 and the Coolpix S1 are the most compact cameras in the Nikon range. Unlike the S1, the Coolpix S3 features a more powerful 6-megapixel CCD sensor and black matte body. Yet, both cameras use the same 3x internal Nikkor zoom lens. Intended as a point & shoot camera, the S3 allow for only a few manual adjustments such as White Balance and ISO; everything else works in auto mode, with no less than 16 predefined exposure modes. The camera can also display framing outlines on the LCD as composition helping guides. The Sequential shooting modes (Continuous, Multi-shot 16 and Interval Timer) allow for up to 10 6MP images to be recorded in only 5.6 seconds. The interval timer allows the user to choose the interval between two consecutive shots between 30 and 60 seconds.

The internal Nikkor 3x optical zoom lens produced sharp images with only moderate barrel distortions at the wide end and pin cushioning at the tele end of the lens. Its movement is quiet and smooth. Unfortunately it is not continuous, having around 7 steps between wide and tele ends. Thus, precise compositions might require for some body movement in order to achieve the wanted zoom level.

The overall image quality is good especially when shooting at 6-megapixel Fine mode. Images shot outdoors have correct exposure and nice color saturation. While sensitivity levels of ISO 50 and 100 show only scarce noise, it becomes more obvious at ISO 200 and ISO 400. Some highlights can also cause chromatic aberrations. On the other hand, the small integrated flash unit can’t handle outdoor backlit portraits.

Aside sharp, well exposed and natural looking indoors images, the camera also allows for self-portraits thanks to the self-timer and tripod socket. The autofocus is aided by the AF assist light but the system works well only at distances up to 3 meters and at the wide end of the lens. The Face Priority AF mode works well in general while the Red Eye Fix feature and the red eye reduction flash mode are highly effective.

Macro photography is one of the S3’s strong points, allowing for accurate focus at distances as small as 1.6 inches from the lens. The flash will self-adjust in order to create well exposed pictures. Macro shooting is also aided by the Best Shot Selector or BSS feature; the camera takes up to 10 photos and saves only the sharpest one. This feature is especially useful when shooting in natural light conditions.

The camera features two more unique technologies: Blur Warning and D-lighting. The first one detects blurred images and warns the user, while the second one brightens underexposed photos and saves them with different names.

The S3 records movie clips with sound at three resolutions (640x480, 320x240 or 160x120) with lengths limited by the available memory. The optical zoom can only be used when composing the scene and not during the recording. Instead, the Digital zoom is available at the price of image quality. The quality of the recordings is rather disappointing but the camera uses only 500kb for each second of movie recording.

Recommendation:

Features:

• 6-megapixel CCD sensor
  
• 3x optical zoom (35-105mm equivalent)
  
• 2.5-inch TFT color display
  
• Program AE and 16 predefined Scene modes
  
• Face Priority AF for portrait shots 
  
• 4 shooting modes (Single, Continuous, Multi-Shot 16 and Time-lapse)
  
• QuickTime movies with sound (up to 640x480 at 15fps)
  
• Exclusive Nikon D-Lighting and In-Camera Red-Eye Fix technology 
  
• Voice memo function (up to 20 seconds attachable to images)
  
• 256-segment Matrix Metering, Center-weighted and Spot AF metering
  
• White Balance Bracketing + 7 manual white balance settings
  
• 12MB internal memory
  
• PictBridge and USB compatible

Accessories:

• PictureProject image editing and processing software (Windows XP, 2000, Me or 98SE, Macintosh Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later)
  
• rechargeable battery
  
• MV-11 Coolstation cradle
  
• hand strap
  
• AV and USB cable