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Top Nikon Coolpix S5 and S6 Camera Reviews
DC Views wrote a review of the
Nikon Coolpix S5 and said: "The Nikon ED f/3.0-5.4 35-105mm
optical zoom lens produces sharp results in the centre of the image
throughout its range, but there is some notable vignetting in the
extreme corners of the pictures. Also we noted that corners were
definitely lacking in sharpness. The latter would not be too obvious
in most day to day photo situations but vignetting will be clearly
visible in images with uniform colours, such as the blossom image
you can see here. There is no evidence of purple fringing in extreme
contrast situations. A fair amount of barrel distortion is visible
at wide angle, which slowly changes into some pincushioning when you
zoom in."
Trusted Reviews wrote a review of the
Nikon Coolpix S5
and said: "Noise control was generally very good, producing very
clean results at 50 ISO, but there was some colour distortion in
darker areas visible from 100 ISO upwards. The worst offender
though was the lens, which is usually a Nikon strongpoint. This
time I found badly blurred corners at both ends of the zoom
range, as well as severe barrel distortion at the wide-angle
setting, something I’d associate with cheap cameras at the other
end of the price range."
Digital
Camera Info reviewed the
Nikon Coolpix S5 and S6 and said: "These
models are on the higher end, price-wise, for slim, stylish
cameras but come with some added features not available in
competing brands. For instance, the upgraded S6 model has WiFi,
which is not available in any competing cameras in the slim
class. In addition to their decent 6 MP sensors, both cameras
have high-resolution, large LCDs, excellent designs and high-end
construction, the interesting new Pictmotion slideshow feature
and Nikon’s suite of exclusive features such as Face Priority
AF, D-Lighting, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, a speedy new jog dial, a
new One-Touch Portrait Mode, a new GUI and Best Shot Selector."
Nikon Coolpix S5 and S6 News Release Summary:
Nikon UK is pleased to announce two exciting new cameras – the
COOLPIX S5 and S6. These stylish new cameras combine
high-quality imaging performance with a striking wave-surface
design. Both cameras have the ability to improve images
in-camera, large LCDs and a powerful new “Pictmotion” function
that allows users to create entertaining in-camera shows.
The brand new Pictmotion function lets users create much more
than just a slideshow, allowing users to select their favourite
images and movie files, pick a style, and then select a music
file from one of the five pre-installed files in the camera to
create a unique show. The show can then be played at any time on
the ample-sized LCD monitors (COOLPIX S5: 2.5-inch; S6:
3.0-inch), and because each of these monitors offers a wide
viewing angle of 170° (both horizontal and vertical), such
in-camera entertainment can be enjoyed by everyone at the same
time. Both cameras also feature “Auto Image Rotation”, which
detects pictures that have been taken with the camera held
vertically, automatically rotating them to suit in-camera LCD
playback.
Both the COOLPIX S5 and S6 offer a 1/2.5-inch CCD and 6.0
effective megapixel resolution to produce images that stay sharp
even when significantly enlarged. They also feature a
high-quality 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens with a range of 35-105mm
(35mm equivalent) that gives the photographer the flexibility to
zoom out for beautiful landscapes, zoom in for tightly-composed
portraits, and enjoy macro photography from as close as 4cm.
Both the COOLPIX S5 and S6 have been specially designed to be
visually appealing as well as easy to use. The eye-catching
wave-surface designs are more than just about great styling -
their thin, compact dimensions and form make the COOLPIX S5 and
S6 really comfortable to hold.
The COOLPIX S5 and S6 feature a new rotary multi-selector that
allows fast circular scrolling for speedy image browsing at up
to 10 frames per second, a range of buttons that further
simplify operation and an on-screen icon with a cursor that
tracks circular scrolling, making it easy to select desired
features. Furthermore, users can select functions by name or
icon according to their personal preference, and all menus and
icons have been made easier on the eye with a new colour scheme
and optimised icon dimensions.
The COOLPIX S5 and S6 also boast a new one-touch portrait
button, conveniently located at the top of the camera body,
making it much simpler to take better quality pictures by
offering easy access to Nikon’s unique Face-priority AF,
In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and D-Lighting functions. With
Face-priority AF*, the camera can automatically detect people’s
faces in the frame, no matter where they are located, to produce
sharply focused portraits.
In-Camera Red-Eye Fix detects the unfortunate red-eye effect
that can sometimes happen in flash photography, automatically
compensating for it in-camera to produce more pleasing results.
D-Lighting (available in playback mode) enables users to improve
images that are underexposed or taken with too much back light –
creating a copy of the image with light and detail added where
necessary while leaving the well-exposed parts exactly the way
they were.
The COOLPIX S6 delivers the additional advantage of Wi-Fi
capability. Offering IEEE 802.11b/g support, it allows users to
send images wirelessly to a computer as soon as they are taken
or to transfer in one go all images stored in memory to a
computer. The COOLPIX S6 also supports cable-free printing**,
enabling images to be sent directly to PictBridge-compatible
printers without the need to use a computer .
A selection of 15 Scene modes – 4 with scene assist – allows
COOLPIX S5 and S6 users to achieve satisfying results, aided by
clear focus and optimal exposure in diverse situations. All the
user has to do is select the most appropriate scene mode and
compose the shot, leaving the camera to automatically select the
best settings.
Three movie modes with sound are also available for capturing
action at up to 30 frames per second. Both cameras also feature
“Time-lapse” movie shooting capability that allows dramatic
results to be created out of slow-moving action..
The COOLPIX S5 and S6 help speed up the user’s search for
recorded images thanks to a calendar function that automatically
sorts images according to the date they were taken. For further
versatility, the COOLPIX S5 and S6 come complete with the
COOL-STATION MV-14 and MV-15 respectively, to allow batteries to
be recharged while they are still in the camera. They also offer
USB connectivity and can even be hooked up for TV display.
Finally the COOLPIX S5 and S6 come bundled with Nikon’s
complimentary PictureProject software and an easy-to-use
wireless camera setup utility which employs a simple wizard to
configure the camera for wireless operation. The beauty of
PictureProject is that it makes editing pictures, organising
shots and sharing images remarkably simple, while a range of
available plug-ins lets users extend capabilities as they like.
* Face recognition capability may be limited in some shooting
conditions.
** Requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
Sales release schedule: This camera is scheduled for release in
February 2006.
Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard
accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.
Nikon COOLPIX S5/S6 Feature Highlights
Pictmotion with high-quality music
Nikon’s new Pictmotion is much more than a simple slideshow
function. Available on both the COOLPIX S5 and COOLPIX S6, it
allows you to select your favorite images and movie files, then
pick a style and add a music file of your choice from among 5
pre-installed ones, or load your own choice of music* to suit
the images. The COOLPIX S5 and S6 then automatically analyse
each element to produce an entertaining show with pace and
transitions determined by music and style for in-camera viewing
anywhere on the generous LCD which has an impressive 170°
viewing angle that makes it easy for everyone to see.
Furthermore, to heighten enjoyment of audio elements, both
cameras also feature a large speaker that delivers heightened
sound pressure and a sampling frequency which is increased from
8 to 22kHz * Via PictureProject for Windows only.
Eye-catching wave-surface design
Both the COOLPIX S5 and S6 have been created with a unique
wave-surface design that is both esthetically appealing and very
comfortable in the hand. They are also available in an
attractive range of colours (availability may vary by country or
region), with each exterior combining a range of attractive
textures comprising a high-grade glossy main aluminum body with
elements of protective acrylic, resilient stainless steel and
silicone paneling.
Large LCDs
The COOLPIX S5 and S6 feature large 2.5-inch and 3.0-inch
230,000-dot TFT LCDs respectively. Such generous size does away
with the need for a viewfinder and makes for easier composition.
Both LCDs also offer an impressive 170° viewing angle that makes
it easy for everyone to enjoy the playback of still images,
movies and entertaining Pictmotion shows anywhere, at any time.
Rotary multi selector and improved GUI
Operation has been made smoother, simpler and faster. A new
rotary multi selector incorporated into the camera back enables
high-speed image browsing with circular scrolling action at up
to 10 frames per second, while a range of buttons built into the
rotary multi selector make for more intuitive operation. There’s
also an on-screen icon with a cursor that tracks rotary multi
selector scrolling to make function selection even simpler
still. The COOLPIX S5 and S6 also feature various screens and
menus created with a colour scheme that’s easier on the eye,
functions can be selected by the user’s choice of name or icon,
and all icons have been optimised and made clearer for easy
viewing.
Built-in Wi-Fi
The COOLPIX S6 features the additional advantage of built-in
Wi-Fi capability to add further enjoyment and flexibility to
digital photography. Providing IEEE 802.11b/g support, it
enables individual images to be wirelessly transferred to
computer as soon as they’re recorded, allows all stored images
to be sent to a computer simultaneously and also supports
cable-free direct printing* with PictBridge-compatible printers.
* Requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
One-touch portrait functions
A standalone One-touch portrait button is conveniently located
on the top of the COOLPIX S5 and S6, giving direct access to
three innovative Nikon features for in-camera improvement.
Face-priority AF automatically finds and then focuses on
people’s faces no matter where they are in the frame for
pleasingly sharp portraits time after time. In-Camera Red-Eye
Fix can automatically detect the annoying red-eye effect that
sometimes occurs in flash photography, then compensate for it
in-camera to give natural-looking portraits. And D-Lighting can
improve underexposed images or shots taken with too much back
light by creating a copy with light and detail added wherever
necessary and well-exposed areas kept exactly as they are.
Nikon
Coolpix S5 and S6 Best Price:
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