Product Description

Nikon Coolpix S52 has some unique features you simply may not find at this price range. New EXPEED Image Processor ensures high-quality pictures with stunning color and sharpness Optical Vibration Reduction Image Stabilization compensates for camera shake to prevent blur and produce clearer, sharper results in lower light or unsteady conditions 9 Megapixels for up to 3456 x 2592 still image resolution 3-Inch Bright LCD screen with 170-degree wide view angle Scene Modes - Portrait, Night Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Party, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show Built-in electronic flash with maximum distance up to 18 feet USB Video out

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12831 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Red
• Brand: Nikon
• Model: 26106
• Dimensions: .80" h x 2.30" w x 3.70" l, .65 pounds
• Display size: 3

Features

• 9-megapixel resolution for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches
• 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor glass lens; Optical VR image stabilization
• 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD display; 170-degree viewing angle
• One-touch Portrait Button automatically activates In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and Face-Priority AF functions
• Capture images to SD memory card (not included)

Manufacturer Description

The Coolpix S52 combines Nikon's stunning wave-surface camera body with advanced features designed to produce incredible pictures with ease. With 9.0 effective megapixels, a 3x, 38-114mm Zoom-Nikkor lens, and manual sensitivity settings as high as ISO 3200, the Coolpix S52 is for anyone looking for a stunning camera that takes equally stunning photos.

The Coolpix S52 also features Optical VR Image Stabilization technology, which compensates for camera shake, as well as ISO capabilities up to 3200, which provide more opportunities to capture fast moving subjects and greater flexibility and clarity when shooting in low-light settings. These cameras also boast an Auto ISO control, which automatically selects the optimal sensitivity across a range between ISO 100 and ISO 800, and up to ISO 2000 in High-Sensitivity mode.

Providing even more control and freedom in photo taking, the S52 comes with a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens designed to capture brilliant detail and vivid colors in every photo and a huge 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD screen allowing easy sharing and viewing of images. Also, these new cameras are built on Nikon's innovative EXPEED digital image processing system designed to enhance noise reduction and improve the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio.

Like all cameras in the Coolpix line, the S52 includes Nikon's unique image innovations including enhanced Face-priority AF, which automatically finds and focuses on up to five faces within the frame; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images.

Coolpix S52 Highlights

9.0-megapixel resolution for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches Plenty of sharp resolution to capture the finest details, crop creatively and produce incredible enlargements.

3x optical Zoom-Nikkor (38-114mm) lens This lens is built on Nikon's proud heritage of producting precision camera optics that deliver superb color and razor-sharp results.

New EXPEED image processor ensures high-quality pictures Nikon's comprehensive digital imaging processing concept incorporates the know-how and the technologies acquired throughout our long history of photographic and digital imaging development. EXPEED is customer-tuned for Coolpix and renders natural-looking pictures of incredible quality and quick response so you won't miss that special moment.

Optical Vibration Reduction image stabilization Compensates for camera shake to prevent blur and produce clearer, sharper results in lower light or unsteady conditions. In addition, the benefit of Nikon's VR system extends to faster framing on the moniter and smoother action in the S52's movie mode

Huge, bright 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD Offers 170-degree wide-angle of view making it easy to compose shots and play them back anywhere. The ultra-wide 170° viewing angle makes it easy for you to share your pictures with everyone at once. In addition, the high-contrast and anti-reflection coating on the screen assist in clear viewing, even in direct sunlight.

Slim, stylish all-metal design Slips right into your shirt pocket or purse! Not only is the camera easy to carry around, it is great to be seen with. Nikon's beautiful wave-surface design and sweeping lines make it the camera that takes great pictures, and looks great doing it!

Auto adjusts up to ISO 3200 Take sharper, more natural-looking pictures in lower light conditions.

One-Touch Portrait Button Automatically activates In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and Face Priority AF to create stunning portraits. There is no more fumbling through menus or worriyng about pressing the wrong button. With the One-Touch Portrait Button on the top of the camera, it's as easy as a single press of one button to get a great portrait -- without red-eye.

Nikon Image Innovations Include: In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which will automatically look for and fix most instances of red-eye; Face Priority AF is Nikon's face-finding technology that can quickly find and focus on up to five faces in a group portrait; and D-Lighting will rescue those pictures that are too dark for printing by enhancing the underexposed areas of the picture while not touching the properly exposed areas.

All-new Pictmotion Select your favorite pictures and movies and combine them with music. There are five pieces of music pre-installed, and you can upload up to ten pieces of your own music to the camera! Add a choice of visual styles that match the mood of your photos and you can creative amazing slideshows with music right in the camera. In addition, Pictmotion is now offering VGA quality so displaying your slideshow on a flat-screen TV will be more enjoyable then ever.

High-quality TV movies with sound Now just a press of a button away with your Coolpix. Record TV-quality movies with sound whose duration is only limited by the available space on your SD/SDHC card. Connect your camera to your TV and you have instant home movies.

Customer Reviews

Nikon Coolpix S52 - A Near-Perfect Point And Shoot Camera
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1FQOQ680FTH84 The Nikon Coolpix S52 9MP Digital Camera Zoom with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Red) is as close to perfect as you can get in a point and shoot camera. Canon seems to get all the attention in this space, but I like the Coolpix family of cameras best out of point and shoot models in this price range. For $200, you get a great camera with quality pictures and an awesome interface.

The screen on this camera is GREAT. This camera has the nicest screen out of a point and shoot out there. I mean it is BIG. If you're anal like me, you'll want to get a screen protector. But careful handling of my S50 has proven to me that the glass is very durable and not easily scratched.

The control wheel lets you scroll through your photos when displaying them on the screen for review. Only one button to delete a picture and easy access to all the menu functions.

There are some interesting functions, included red-eye correction and image cropping. Once again, most people will be loading their pics on their computers and then dealing with those edits. Still, it's nice to be able to do them.

The zoom on this camera, as with all S5x models, is internal. That means no waiting for the lense to zoom in and out, ad no worries about the mechanical issues with those external lense extension cameras. This is a huge plus for this camera, and helps to maintain the slim profile.

There are thinner cameras, but none of them are as affordable and as packed with features as this one.

For those that want increased digital zoom, I would caution you that that feature is usually a gimmick. The 3X optical zoom is more than enough for point and shoot use and yields clear pictures even at full zoom. Digital zoom just uses software to zoom in to the already captured image, but technically it doesn't zoom at all. So with that in mind, I can live with 3X optical zoom.

This unit also comes in other colors such as the Nikon Coolpix S52 9MP Digital Camera Zoom with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Midnight Black). If you must have the newer wireless features, you are going to want to wait for the Nikon Coolpix S52c 9MP Digital Camera Zoom with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom with Wi-Fi (Vibrant Black), which has a wireless network card inside it and can upload pictures without hooking up to your computer. For now Amazon is still only selling the red model, but the others should be more available here soon.

This is an update to the S50 and S51 versions and adds more megapixels (9M!) so that you can produce prints up to 16X20. Just keep in mind, almost nobody buying this camera is trying to produce prints that large! But more megapixels never hurt anybody. :)

The only real cons you should be aware of is that your battery will need to be recharged after a few full days of use. That is pretty normal, but it did annoy me at first that I didn't have a spare battery. So get yourself a spare battery and keep it charged. Probably good advice for any camera. The other con is that you have to buy a little case for this camera, which seems like something that should be included.

Bottom line, get yourself this camera if you want to have a nice camera for everyday general use. This camera is durable, easy to use and loaded with features.

Enjoy!

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Update: Testing of video quality and ease of use
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It truly has taken me quite a while to upload a video sample. While I have been travelling without access to all my computer stuff, I can say honestly I know why I never used this feature much with them before. The files are saved as Quicktime (mov) files. I still have to see if there is any way to change that. With my Mac at home, I didn't have the native software on my Vista computer and I had to load it. Long story short: video is better and easier with either my Canon or Sony point and shoot cameras. Obviously this wasn't a deal breaker for me, I still bought this camera (and have even given one of them as a gift to somebody too). But needless to say, if video is a key desire for you, this really isn't it. On the bright side, this video was shot late at night under very difficult circumstances from 40 feet away. Also, in order to meet Amazon's size requirements I had to convert it to WMV, so there might have been quality loss there (not sure). I will repost a better video now that I've set up all the software I need in order to access it.

Hope this helps those who asked for this. Sorry for the delay.

Enjoy

Standards PLEASE!
I haven't had this camera for long, but I've just run across the first thing that makes me regret buying it... It uses a NON-STANDARD USB CABLE!

I avoided Sony because of their proprietary memory types, but this isn't any better. I know that once I get my memory card it won't be an issue, but why not just use an industry standard USB cable. I suggest the general public should vote with their money and avoid non-industry standards. These companies will get the hint.

Other than that, this camera does a good job. You can't touch the abilities and quality in this size or at this price point. I could recommend some improvements (like a manual mode and/or aperture priority-shutter priority modes). For my own needs, I'd like to be able to set some longer exposure times (from 1 to 30 seconds would be great), but I don't know how many people would benefit from that.

The tiny internal lens does a pretty nice job and is much safer than a camera that's lens shoots out the front when it turns on.

The jog-dial is nice but it's easy to bump past what you wanted. Easy enough to turn back, but they should build some lag into the software so that doesn't happen.

My BIG peeve is that non-standard USB cable, c'mon Nikon, you know better than that!

Would be a 4 to 4.5 star rating if it weren't for that cable.

EDIT: After farther review...

I've been using this camera quite a bit now. The size is a HUGE positive--no pun intended. I can carry this camera everywhere I go. The lens door does protect the camera from dirt very well, but with this thing in my pocket all the time, I do occasionally have to hit it with a can of air.

There are two drawbacks between this and my DLSR (maybe an unfair comparison, but here it goes anyway), 1) The photos get noisy with high speed shots or dim situations. I don't mean a little noise, I'm talking VERY noisy. If you can avoid those situations with this camera, this won't be a problem. I often like to shoot without flash and this has been an issue for me. I think this is because the lens in this camera is pretty darn small and a dim situation has to be over compensated by the chip.

2) LAG! This camera takes photos about one second after you wish you would have taken the shot. I've missed a lot of shots because of this. It also takes it's sweet time getting ready for the shot. I'm so used to saying something to get people into a natural smile and snapping the photo. Many times with this camera I've done that and had a great opportunity for a natural shot... and the camera gives me the white reticule (as if I hadn't pushed the button) and then I release and hit it again and it's red, then it's green--all the while the person is now in permafrost smile. Finally I get green and take the shot and the natural shot is gone. I'll have to get used to the camera's lag and compensate.

Another positive, the camera takes great little movies. If you like shooting a bit of video, this thing does the job.

As a side note, the manual says it only takes up to a 2GB card. I bought an 8GB Kingston SDHC (I recommend SDHC compliant cards as does the manual) and it works just great. However, the battery will die long before you can fill this card. I think I'll be in the market for another battery very soon.

Great pocket Nikon, but requires some patience

I needed a VIP gift for a person so important that other people carry their camera and shoot their pictures for them.
Price was no object. And I began testing little cameras.
I ended up keeping this one for myself.
Why? Well, after shooting 1500 pictures with this camera, I believe I can tell you.
First, small and sleek, beautifully designed, the optics are internal with no lens to protrude. It carries in a pocket like a hundred dollar bill.
Second, a 3 inch LCD that makes it so easy to check focus, or review pictures. A huge and useful viewing screen. There is no optical viewfinder nor any need for one.
Image quality is very good, and Nikon handles noise and high ISO speeds so very well.
The vibration reduction (VR) really works: and I can shoot from a fast moving car at high ISO speeds - up to 3200! *WOW* - with no noticeable blur and high sharpness. The higher speeds are predictably grainy, but the grain is pleasingly mild.
Battery life is good, 150 shots or so. When I feel serious, I carry a spare charged battery.
If you like, turn off the flash, and turn off the the synthetic camera sounds from "settings", and you have a discreet and silent camera.
Keep the camera below or above eye level, covert shots can be easily taken.
Since the focus assist lamp is bright, I turned it off from the settings menu. I found that the secret to getting a focus lock in low light without the assist lamp is simply holding the camera still.
The macro mode continuously focuses. It draws a little more from the battery, but can be useful for faster shooting.
The color saturation is very good, the auto white balance works well, surprisingly so, since so many expensive DSLR cameras cannot do this.
Picture quality? Color?
What you see is what you will get.
Nikon means good images. Hear that Nikon? You have a new slogan.
I am Happy. Well, almost..
Downsides...
There is this thing called "shutter lag"...

The time to focus an image can run to 2 seconds or so.
The time to write an image to the SD card can be 3 seconds or more, even with high speed cards. In fact, there does not seem to be any difference in write speed between high speed and regular cards. I know as I tried both types side by side.

Expect to have to concentrate while shooting, which may not be a bad thing. You will get better pictures.
Its not quite a "point and shoot" process, but "frame the shot, then hold down the shutter release half way to focus, and then shoot".
It suits me, but I am from the old school of the manual camera.

Another annoyance is that the lens stays open while reviewing pictures, and can easily get smudged by a wandering fingertip.
The only way to clean the lens is to have the camera on, so the lens is actively suspended while you clean it. Not a great idea, but the only way.

The USB cable is not standard and is a pain to use. After plugging it into the delicate looking port on the Nikon (That thing is going to break someday) the cable has only half of its length going to the camera, and the other half dangles.
The person who designed this was probably dropped on his head as a baby.

The power switch is not well defined by touch, and is easily turned on while the camera is being replaced or removed from the pocket, or when replaced or removed from the camera case (which you will purchase; it is not included).
I learned to set the display timeout to go to standby mode in 30 seconds to save battery life in case of accidental turn on.

So, if you are patient and can live with a few annoyances, you will have a sleek little camera that goes anywhere and gets the most use.
And I really love it.