Compare Prices : Nikon Coolpix S1 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Aimed squarely at snapshooters looking for a carefree pocketful, this ultracompact does all the hard work and delivers decent picture quality.

Pros: Simple operation, face-recognition autofocus, postcapture correction of red-eye and exposure, versatile burst mode, time-lapse capabilities.

Cons: Few manual controls, slow autofocus in dim light, average image quality, limited shutter speed range.

Review summary: An ultracompact camera with some nifty automatic features but few manual options.

Pros: Can connect to a network of up to 16 cameras, Smooth wireless performance, Motorised panning and tilting, Physically intimidating, Simple operation, Face-recognition autofocus, Postcapture correction of red-eye and exposure, Versatile burst mode, Time ...

Cons: Defaults to Internet Explorer, Probably the first thing that thieves will smash or steal, Few manual controls, Slow autofocus in dim light, Average image quality, Limited shutter-speed range

Verdict: Aimed squarely at snapshooters looking for a carefree pocketful, this ultracompact does all the hard work and delivers decent picture quality.

Review summary: The Coolpix S1 lacks some features enthusiasts might expect, but point-and-shooters who need a bit of guidance will like its easy operation and excellent color.

Pros: Images have excellent color and low noise ; large 2.5-inch LCD ; Face-Priority AF automatically focuses on your subject

Cons: Limited manual controls ; no histogram ; no optical viewfinder ; shutter speed tops out at 1/350 second ; long write times ; docking station (plus power brick and cord) required for picture transfer ; movies are only 15 frames per second

Verdict: Unlike most compact point-and-shoot cameras, the S1 lacks an optical viewfinder. Instead, you'll find an oversized 2.5-inch LCD. The menus are large and easy to read, and Help messages offer brief explanations of most features. Conveniently arranged ...

Pros: Simple operation ; face-recognition autofocus ; postcapture correction of red-eye and exposure ; versatile burst mode ; time-lapse capabilities

Cons: Few manual controls ; slow autofocus in dim light ; average image quality ; limited shutter-speed range

Verdict: Aimed squarely at snapshooters looking for a carefree pocketful, this ultracompact does all the hard work and delivers decent picture quality.

Review summary: Nikon's Coolpix line of consumer digicams has always been well-received, appreciated for their image quality and ease of use. The Coolpix S1 starts a new design trend for the company, packing a lot of features, a 5.1-megapixel CCD with 3x zoom lens, ...

Pros: Attractive design, well-built, Good accuracy from the LCD viewfinder, LCD stays pretty visible under bright lighting (better than average in sunlight)

Cons: Rather soft corners in its images (unfortunately rather common in subcompact digital cameras), Very bright color (a liability if you like more natural-looking color)