Nikon Coolpix S51 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Matte Black) by Nikon
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon Coolpix S51 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Matte Black)
Digital camera Review: Camera Distorts Images
Summary: 1 Stars
This camera distorts images, almost like looking through a fisheye lense. It is going back.Digital camera Review: Compact, slick, and slow to respond
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this camera as an all-around point-and-shoot for my family's use, and plan to return it and pick another - probably a Canon SD850 or similar.
First, the good. Photos are very good overall, with the exceptions noted below, and much better than my previous camera, a Nikon 4300. The camera is small, nice looking, and has a huge LCD. I also appreciated the integrated (and internal) lens cover and non-protruding optical zoom. The image stabilization was another selling point for me.
Then I got the camera home... The slick look is slick (as in slippery) to hold, too. The tiny buttons are not well differentiated, and like other reviewers I found myself accidentally hitting the power switch frequently. The big LCD always looks grainy, making me think my photos weren't very good until I viewed them on my PC monitor. I also found the interface confusing (and I'm no electronics newbie).
But the real killer is the camera's speed. Although it snaps open and lights up extremely quickly, it refuses to take a photo for about two seconds. Press the shutter button again, and you're waiting 1 or 2 more seconds while it focuses and processes - by then the kids have turned away and are on to something else. In short, it's just unbearably slow in everyday use.
Back in the box, then.
UPDATE: I returned this camera and purchased a Canon SD850 IS as a replacement. I am much happier - the Canon is SUPER quick so I no longer get photos of the backs of the kids heads, their ears and hair, or the background when I was setting up the shot... Other quirks with the Nikon that I noticed in a week of use: The battery/card door is VERY hard to open and feels flimsy; the charger requires a big bulky power cord; the slim design fit very nicely in a pocket.
Digital camera Review: Cool Coolpix
Summary: 5 Stars
This is our second Coolpix. We bought this one because of the large viewing screen plus our good experience with the earlier one. Now that we have used it several times, we find the small slim profile makes it very easy to carry around in purse or pocket -- so it's available on many instances where a bulkier camera would be sitting at home [we also have a D-70 which travels in its own luggage what with accessories and all]. Very easy to operate and surprisingly intuitive so there has been little running back to re-read the manual.Digital camera Review: CoolPix Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
It arrived quickly and was exactly as advertised. My daughter loved it - fits in a small pocket. Less expensive here than in stores.Digital camera Review: Coolpix S51
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been shooting with Nikons since 1984. This is a great, pocket sized, QUALITY camera to use when you don't want to carry the big guns with all the lenses and accessories.