Nikon Coolpix S550 10 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Graphite Black) by Nikon
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon Coolpix S550 10 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Graphite Black)
Digital camera Review: A little noise always hurts someone
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm an advanced amateur photographer and I usually shoot with a Rebel XT. I love it to pieces, but I really needed something smaller for everyday use. I received a Nikon Coolpix S550 as a Christmas gift, and I had great expectations for it. I really, really wanted to love it. Heck, I would have settled for liking it. But honestly, I knew from the beginning it was a doomed relationship. There was too much lag between button-push and actual picture taking. Part of it's red-eye reduction (which does not work as often as I would like) was multiple flashing, which was jarring if you were the subject. When shooting on auto or actually changing to a set mode, say to "Indoor/Party mode", images appeared entirely too noisy. If noise was not an issue, then it was the flash being too intense, and a result, I had to mess around with the exposure. Its vibration reduction technology was virtually non existent. The slightest bit of camera shake or movement by subjects left the image blurred or with a halo. I grew really impatient trying to adjust ISO, exposure, flash compensation and whatnot just to get a clean image. Bottom line: overall image quality was really unimpressive. If you can't just leave it on A and shoot, then what's the purpose in a P&S in the first place? I just don't believe I should have to adjust modes or white balance every time to get a decent photo. Also, navigating the menus was tedious. I know Nikon is a superb camera manufacturer. Their high-end DSLRs are out of this world. But something, and it's a BIG something, is really missing from this little camera.
Today I exchanged it for a Canon Powershot SD790, and I am already impressed. Maybe it's because I already own a Canon, but the menus were super easy to navigate. I just picked it up, left it on auto and started shooting. I shot indoors and outdoors, never changed a setting and I am very happy with the clarity of the images. All the usual modes are still there, and then some. I have not captured red eye yet. I can even go into manual if I'm feeling finicky. There is much less lag between button-push and actual picture taking. I even asked my husband to move around and wave his arms and alas, no softness, no halo. I managed to exchange the cameras and pay a $10 difference. I am very happy with my new purchase.
I'm giving the Nikon Coolpix S550 2 stars because:
Image quality **
Ease of use **
Appearance ****
Features ** (plenty, but they don't always work)
Price for quality *
Digital camera Review: A lot of problems
Summary: 1 Stars
Purchase around Mother's Day.
I decided to purchase the Nikon since I have a D50.
To summarize the problems:
Couple weeks after purchase the shutter would not close and the camera would not shut down without taking the battery out. The camera was in repair ( Best Buy) for a month.
Right after I got it back it would not read ANY memory card without taking the card in and out several times or at all. Plus the camera would not shut down again without taking the battery out.
Went back to Best Buy . Had the camera services for the memory card reader error and the shut down. The camera was in service for a month again. Just received the camera back yesterday and again the camera has a problem reading the memory card. So far it is shutting down.
Best Buy's policy is to bring the camera in 4 times before it is considered a lemon. No matter if it is the same problem. I am taking it back to Best Buy today.
Stay away from this camera. The pictures are not nice. My brother purchased a Cannon and it takes a lot better pictures and he has no problem with it.
Hope it helps.
Digital camera Review: Average Point and Shoot
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this camera to replace my broken Canon SD790 IS, and the quality of pictures and features don't even compare. The zoom rarely takes a picture in focus. It takes nice pictures of anything that you are within 10' of.Digital camera Review: Avoid this camera at all costs. Not worth the money.
Summary: 1 Stars
My son bought me this camera for Christmas last year. The metal ring on the front came loose so I sent it to Nikon repair for service since it was still under warranty. I just found out they are voiding the warranty and claim there is lens damage. There was nothing else wrong with the camera when I sent it to them. It is just there way of not repairing or replacing it. They wanted me to pay $107 to fix it and I told them not to. Avoid this camera other wise you will be as sorry as I am. No more Nikon products for me from now on. Very disatisfied with Nikon. Obviously they don't believe in their product.Digital camera Review: BAD image quality
Summary: 1 Stars
This Nikon product looks cool but only from outside. The image quality is really poor for a 10MP resolution. My 4 MP Fuji takes way better pics.
Day and night mode are equally bad. I will not recommend this to anyone.