Product Description

Sleek, compact, Nikon Coolpix S210 is set to deliver still and movie images that it stores on SD and SDHC memory cards. Transfer images to PC and Macintosh or print directly on a PictBridge compatible printer. It's a serious camera that's fun to use and own!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8645 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Plum
• Brand: Nikon
• Model: 26103
• Dimensions: 2.20" h x .80" w x 3.50" l, 1.70 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 8.1-megapixel resolution for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches
• 3x optical zoom; Electronic VR image stabilization
• 2.5-inch, high-resolution LCD
• In-Camera Red-Eye Fix; enhanced Face-Priority AF automatically focuses on up to 12 faces
• Capture images to SD memory card (not included)

Manufacturer Description

Functional beauty in an alluringly slim body. Packing sophisticated style, advanced functions and high performance into its ultra-slim design, the Coolpix S210 fits comfortably in the hand and simplifies operation.

Coolpix S210 Highlights

VR image stabilization Compensating for the effects of camera shake to realize sharper results, electronic VR image stabilization frees you to enjoy capturing special moments without worrying about slight hand movements, particularly in lower light conditions.

ISO 2000 capability Light sensitivity range up to ISO 2000 allows the use of faster shutter speeds to avoid blurred results when shooting moving subjects or in locations with insuffi cient lighting. ISO sensitivity is automatically optimized in High-Sensitivity mode.

Coolpix Premium Features

Coolpix in-camera technologies give you the edge when it comes to taking beautiful pictures more easily and with greater enjoyment. Included are innovative functions that increase shooting opportunities in a broader range of situations, help to optimize images, and add a new dimension of fun to sharing those results.

VR image stabilization Nikon Coolpix cameras offer an array of VR technologies that produce blur-free images when shooting in unsteady conditions or at slower shutter speeds. Selected models are equipped with one of two types of Optical VR, Lens Shift VR, which delivers sharp and steady images effective for shooting and faster framing with the LCD, or Image Sensor Shift VR, which moves the image sensor to accurately compensate for camera shake. Other models offer Electronic VR which applies movement data to image processing to turn blurred images into beautifully clear results.

Better pictures in lower light Selected Coolpix models offer ISO capability beyond the range of conventional digital compacts. An exciting advantage that greatly increases photographic possibilities, high ISO capability delivers excellent exposure in challenging conditions, broadens the scope of possible subjects and allows scenes to be captured beautifully without compromising natural light.

Face-priority AF Available only with Nikon Coolpix cameras, the clever Face-priority AF function helps ensure satisfyingly crisp portraits no matter where the subject is in the shot. By automatically detecting people's faces in the frame, the photographer is free to press the shutter for sharp portraits with focus exactly where it's wanted.

D-Lighting Only Nikon delivers the advantage of D-Lighting, a unique technology with the ability to rescue underexposed images or shots taken with excessive backlight. Accessible in Playback mode, this innovative feature automatically creates a copy of the image, adding light and detail added where necessary, while leaving correctly-exposed areas untouched. As a result, images are significantly improved in a manner that is much more natural looking.

In-camera red-eye fix Coolpix cameras offer refined red-eye reduction capability that surpasses other digital compacts. First, a series of pre-flashes stimulate the subject’s pupils, causing them to constrict. The camera then analyzes the captured image for the remaining presence of red eyes, automatically correcting them in-camera before saving the image to memory.

Customer Reviews

Nice point and shoot for price, but has drawbacks
This is the first time that I bought something new on the market. Typically, I buy something after it has been reviewed for at least 6 months, but I had to replace the "family point and shoot" before Easter. I was replacing my old Nikon Coolpix 5900 (which was a little bulky, but took FANTASTIC photos). I also loved the video quality. I stayed with the Nikon family because it is what I know, and I just am not ready to pay so much for the Canon lines (and I don't like the photo quality - can't explain, but I like my Nikon better).

I got the camera 2 weeks ago, and so far I have found:
1) That it is incredibly small - which is good and bad. It can go anywhere, but holding it makes you kind of nervous, like you could drop it easily.
2)The large viewscreen is large, and I am very worried that I may drop it and shatter it easily. The camera itself is very smooth, and feels "slippery" in your hands.
3) The one complaint that I know I even had with my old Nikon - shutter/recovery time is slow with this camera - you can't just "click" away. This is not so nice when you have fidgety children, and you want to capture a moment.
4) The scene/mode setup has slightly changed for me, and to get to a different "mode", you can't just turn the dial, like I did on the old 5900, you have to push a few more buttons. This will be tedious when you are moving from different environments, and want to alter the settings.
5) The biggest complaint I have is that this camera is has a very sensitive at autofocusing, and based on what I have seen so far, it will not take pictures closeup unless you actually set it at the macro mode.

I don't think I will return it because I have found that unfortunately, these new digital cameras don't seem to last, and I won't invest over $200 for a point and shoot. This is good for quick shots when you are out on the go, and can fit in your back pocket. For the better photos, I use my D80 (it is a dream).

4/4/08 UPDATE - I have used the camera a little more. I have noted that:
1) to get the shots to come out, you really have to become quite knowledgeable with how to adjust your settings (exposure compensation, mode, light source, white balance, etc.) READ THE MANUAL, and PRACTICE. Once you figure that out, your pictures are fine. This does get a little tedius when you are trying to capture that moment with fidgeting subjects (i.e. children & animals).
2) Also, the movies are not MPG's anymore they are now in the AVI format. They still turn out fine, and the mic is SUPERSENSITIVE
3) The latch for the battery compartment is still the same - this worries me because this is what failed on my 5900, (and my mom's Canon). Once that went out, (and we went on vacation), the camera was never the same (i.e. beach air, sand, AC - you do the math). You would think they would fix this problem, but I am seeing it with not just one line, but others as well.
4) I am not a real fan of the way you switch from regular camera, to a specific scene (i.e. indoors, niteshots, etc), to movie mode. You have to push a MODE button, scroll, and then push OK. The buttons on the back are the same as my old 5900, just a little smaller (men with big fingers could get annoyed easily).
5) The on/off button is TINY and is right in next to the button that you use to take the photos/and take videos (at the top of the camera). Honestly, I confuse them at times, and will turn the camera off when I want to begin a video.

All in all,If I could do all over again, I wouldn't go ultracompact and would go more compact. It serves it's purpose, but remember - you are getting what you paid for.

UPDATE 1/9/09: By September 08, I had to get another camera because this one decided to break down on my family vacation - I am TRULY not a fan of this camera (the Lens just decided to not open and close). I will just give it to my 4 yr old, and let her play with it. I gambled and got the waterproof Pentax, and so far, I am pleased (not elated, but will be satisfied for now).

Great to Carry Around
I just bought this camera two days ago from a camera store (yes, of course it's cheaper here). I have four other cameras, two film (Nikons) and two digital (one Nikon and one Olympus), but I wanted something that I could fit in my purse or backpack. Many times I want to take pictures, but am too lazy to carry my camera gear unless I'm planning a photo outing. This camera literally fits into my jeans pocket so I will be able to carry it every day.

So far I find the camera's menu systems are similar to the menu on my other Nikon cameras (N80, D70). This makes the learning curve easier. When you turn the camera off, the lens collapses into the body of the camera, and there is a lens cover that closes over the lens to protect it. That isn't shown in the photograph.

I like that the camera allows you to turn off the flash if you don't want it on. I like to do natural light photography; sometimes I don't want the flash. Too many point-and-shoots try to think for the photographer and "fix" everything for you, but sometimes you want to do silly things when you're doing experimental art! The camera has several white balance options, as well as monochrome, sepia, and cyanotype (blue). The photographer has the option of using these or adjusting the settings manually.

There is a good user manual with the camera. I found it easy to find things in the table of contents, or the index. Instructions are pretty straightforward so you can go to the section you want without having to read the whole chapter.

Nikon Coolpix S210 8mp
Turns on very fast
Very compact, excellent to take anywhere
Nice strap to fit around your hand, very easy to pull it out of your pocket and turn it on all with one hand safely, while your holding other things in your other hand
Battery seems to last forever enough for so many many pictures a day
Great quality pictures
Easy uploading to computer, software easy to install.