sailingshot's Full Review: Nikon COOLPIX S1 Digital Camera
Sorry to say that Nikon still trails the competition when it comes to consumer cameras. I own 7K worth of Nikon lenses and DSLRS and several P&Ss. Nikon DSLRs rule the world, as they should!
Here's the lowdown on the new S1.
Style and Handling
This camera is small and slim, but less so than some Casio/pentax/Panasonic models. Compared to others, the S1 feels and looks cheaper. Handling ergonomics are okay.
Performance
Some slight shutter lag and SERIOUS focus issues plague this camera along with a fairly mediocre set of optics. Like every Nikon P&S I've had, this unit cannot focus as well as far cheaper cameras. My Casio Z120 costs much less and can focus 90% of the time. The S1 is closer to 40% in identical low light shooting. Image quality of the S1, even when there is good light is average at best and quite soft in many cases.
Durability
This camera died when dropped onto a sofa from about 2 feet!!! Nikon sent a replacement under warranty and that unit also had a blank screen after I hit a big bump in my van. The camera was on the seat and did not drop! I have not seen a camera this fragile before. 2nd repaired unit will be promptly sold off. If you search you will find many accounts of the S1 blacking out after a minor bump or drop. Some will claim that it's unfair to rate the camera poor on this count, but believe me, this is a VERY fragile unit on any scale.
Feature set:
It's ironic that Nikon is pushing their new face priority focus system, while failing to make a camera that can focus is reduced light. There is a focus assist light that has a near useless range of 3-4 feet. Again, this is unacceptable when most other units do a far better job. Even my aging Pentax Optio S5i can focus MUCH better in low light. The S1 does shoot okay movies and in bright light takes average looking photos, which suffer somewhat due to the tiny lens.
Finally:
Keep walking, nothing to see here. This may be one of the worst units from Nikon yet. Almost anything from Casio, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic or Kodak will give you a higher amount of keepers when you shoot. Folks with little experience with digital may be unaware of how poor this camera is, which is Nikon's best hope.
DO NOT BUY.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 329.00 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
5-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints 3x optical zoom with Zoom-Nikkor lens; 2.5-inch LCD display Exclusive Nik...More at Amazon Marketplace
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2010 Shopping.com, Inc.