"cool"pix | Nikon Coolpix S51c 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Silver)

beautiful | Nikon Coolpix S51c 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Silver)

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	• Nikon Coolpix S51c 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Silver) Nikon Nikon, 2007 average customer review:based on 15 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Great Choice for Picky Snapshooter

Are you looking for a quality digital camera that takes great high-resolution snapshots? One that easily slides into your pocket? One that is reasonably priced? Well, there are lots to choose from, these days. Give the Nikon Coolpix S51 or S52 consideration.

I am a bit picky and I was looking for something more than simple point and shoot for a recent sightseeing trip to Italy. My days of film cameras are over, but the versatility of an interchangeable-lens 35-mm SLR was on my mind. I loved the Nikon FS2S I used for over 30 years. Yet, the bulk of camera and several lenses?and the cost?was of major concern. What if I dropped an $800 camera or worst, it was stolen? I decided to forego the advantages of a new digital SLR and try getting by with the much cheaper and smaller Coolpix S51C. The model with the "C" has Wi-Fi capability. I'm not a professional photographer, so really good "snapshots" with a bit of creativity better categorized my style this trip.

Here are the things I really like:

First, the picture quality is wonderful for such a camera. The high-resolution setting yields sharp pictures suitable for prints 8"x10" and beyond. Regrettably, there is no RAW format, but the dynamic range has pleased so far. Second, the size and weight. I can't say enough about how great it was to slip the camera into my shirt pocket?a bit heavy there?or pants pocket. Here are some more things I like about this camera:
- The settings are easy to make with the thumbwheel control and built-in settings software.
- There are a variety of pre-set modes: landscapes, sunsets, museums, etc.
- Vibration reduction works surprisingly well.
- Almost always, exposures are right on. I did find that manually increasing or decreasing exposure helped in a few unusual lighting situations. This is quick and easy to set.
- The pre-set mode I really like, one you won't find in most other cameras, is panorama assist. This is really neat. Set it and take the first picture. Then one-third edge of that picture appears in the LCD screen, transparent so that you can line up and overlap the next picture. By taking a series of pictures this way you can later create an ultra-wide panorama photo, or if you go all the way around, a 360-degree panorama. Software is provided for stitching pictures together to create the panorama from the individual shots. Traditionally, such pics require a better camera, tripod, and patience. I made several panoramas, even handheld. Works great!
- Battery life is pretty good. I bought two extras so I would never run out. Since I shot mostly without flash, one fresh battery charge would last much of the day, maybe 100 or more pictures. I'd recommend carrying at least one extra battery and recharging at night. I got a cheap, compact recharger and extra batteries before my trip.

Some so-so features:

- The lens is of fairly typical zoom range. It works well for most shots. There were a few times I wished the telephoto was longer. The digital zoom that goes beyond optical zoom adds lots of pixel noise and is unsatisfactory. I won't use it again unless I see Big Foot or a UFO. As for the wide end, it is just okay; not wide enough for great interiors. I just love really a true wide-angle lens, something comparable to a 21mm on a 35mm film camera, but that is unavailable in this type of camera. Again, the zoom range is average, but the quality is very good?it's a Nikon lens.
- Memory card. The memory card that comes with the camera is just too small unless you want to shoot just a few pictures at a time or only shoot medium- or low-resolution. I bought a 4 GB high-speed card and am glad I did. It stored almost a thousand hi-res pictures. I did swap out to a second 2 GB card after two weeks and came home with over 1400 photos, never having to offload images to a computer.

And here are a few dislikes:

- The polished metal case is slippery. Use the hand strap or risk dropping it.
- The lens is in the corner. If you are not careful, you can get your finger in the field when shooting. You will learn how to hold the camera after a number of fumbles.
- Even when selecting one of the pre-set modes like landscape, the auto-focus takes a moment to adjust itself. The lag between pressing the shutter and taking the picture might be a fraction of a second, but a fraction too late for that great shot. I wish I could turn off auto-focus and have several presets from which to choose.
- Wireless Wi-Fi. I thought I would be able to transfer pics through my home wireless network to my desktop computer. Not so, or at least I haven't gotten that to work and can't find anything in any manual. I was able to send several pics to the Nikon server called Picturetown. But, that transfer choked because the wireless is just too slow to handle hi-res pictures. Don't count on sending anything but a few low-resolution pictures to grandma via the direct wireless feature. If you don't absolutely need the Wi-Fi feature, save the money and get the cheaper S51 or S52 model that has everything else and is a tad smaller and lighter.

Now, one day, perhaps soon, I'm going to buy a digital SLR?a Nikon, of course. I like looking through a viewfinder and setting focus myself. Most of all I want a great wide-angle lens. But I am very happy with my Coolpix S51C and will continue to use it on many occasions.

Seeing Italy? I know you will be happy. I think you will be happy carrying along a Nikon Coolpix S51 or S52 too.

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"cool"pix

The camera arrived sooner than I expected, in perfect condition. It is one of the easiest camera's that I have ever used and has features that are great. The screen is large making the images easier to see in most any light and the camera adjusts itself to make picture quality better. It can be hooked up to a TV and view the pictures there and of course they can be e-mailed and downloaded quickly. Great buy. Good price.

beautiful

a great camera ... beautiful still photos and nice video as well.
the screen is amazing and looks great. It would be nice if wifi was easier to work but once you get the hang of it, uploading wirelessly is pretty awesome!

overall a great camera ... highly recommended.

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8.1 megapixel camera that boasts a sleek wave-surface design and advanced wireless LAN capabilities for access to Nikon's internet based photo communication service - My Picturetown. With a right-angle 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, a rotary multi-selector for more intuitive operation, powerful image stabilization technology and ISO 1600 sensitivity. Perfect for people who want to communicate through images, the COOLPIX 51c delivers a performance as stunning as its looks.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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