The Coolpix S10 is the first Nikon compact camera
to be equipped with a stabilized 10X optical zoom
using the VR (Vibration Reduction) system. Retaining
the overall design of the previous model, the S10's body is
composed of two sections that pivot around one another.
On the upper part of the right-hand
section, three controls are aligned to the right of the S10's
speaker. First is the power switch, which contains
a small LED that lights up green when the camera is on. Next
is the two-stage
shutter release button; and last, on the right
is the zoom control.
As is now standard with most compact cameras, the zoom control
has additional functions when the camera is set to Playback.
The W (wide angle) side of the zoom serves to see
index screens of the captured images
with either 4, 9 or 16 thumbnails per screen as the control
is pressed more than once. The T (telephoto) side serves
to zoom into an image on screen ,
allowing a magnification of up to 10X. Moreover, as with many
other recent Nikon cameras, the T side also serves
to display Help screens []
when an option in a menu is highlighted.
Two buttons are embedded in the upper surface of the zoom
lens' housing: the one closest to the front of the lens is
the Vibration Reduction (VR) button and serves to turn
On or Off the optical stabilization system. The VR system
cancels out the small involuntary movements made by the user,
which become amplified by the magnification of the zoom.
The button closer to the back of the lens has two functions,
indicated by black and blue icons:
With the S10 set to a
capture mode the button starts the One-Touch
Portrait Mode, which allows the autofocus to detect
a face and focus on it, while the flash automatically
switches to Red-eye Reduction mode. When this mode is
active
appears on the monitor at the AF point selected to be
where the camera has detected a face. Should there be
more than one face in the shot, the camera detects and
focuses on the closest one.
With the S10 in playback
mode, this button activates the D-Lighting function
which automatically brightens up the darker parts of the
image while leaving the bright parts unchanged.
All the other external controls
of the Coolpix S10 are positioned above the monitor. Four
buttons are aligned on the left of a control called the Multi-selector.
Starting from the left, the buttons serve to:
Delete the last
captured image while the camera is in a capture mode
without having to access the playback mode. While when
the camera is set to the playback mode, the button allows
deleting one or all selected images.
MENU
Displays the MENU associated
with the camera's current mode, and allows returning to
a the main menu level from any given option.
The third button, MODE,
serves to select either the capture or playback mode.
In capture mode, a virtual mode dial (see image at
right)which offers 4 choices, corresponding
to the directions of the Multi-selector:
AUTO is the
most advanced capture mode of the Coolpix
S10. While the shutter speed and aperture are controlled
by the camera, the mode allows the user to adjust
ISO sensitivity, AF mode, use exposure compensation,
etc.
SCENE is
the primary access to the Coolpix S10's 15
scene modes. To select a particular scene
mode, the MENU button must be pressed,
which displays a list of the modes available.
While all the scene programs automatically preset
the camera for specific subjects, four of these
offer additional assistance to frame the shot:
Portrait can display guides on the
monitor to achieve different portrait styles:
portrait left, portrait right, portrait close-up,
portrait couple, or portrait figure, which is
vertical.
Landscape can also display guides to
assist in composition: scenic view, architecture,
or groups of people on the right or the left
of the frame.
Sport captures images at 1.67 frames
per second, or offers a sport composite
mode that captures 16 shots in approximately
2 seconds and saves them in a single 1600 x
1200 frame.
Night Portrait offers the same assistance
as the standard portrait mode, but uses a slower
shutter speed to capture the flash-lit foreground
as well as the darker background.
With one exception, Panorama Assist, which provides
guides to overlap images, the other Scene mode
offer no additional assistance:
Party/Indoor
Beach/Snow
Sunset
Dusk/Dawn
Night Landscape
Close-up
Museum
Fireworks Show
Copy
Back Light
Panorama Assist
The last two sections
of the Scene Mode menu provide options making it
possible to change the Image Quality(see the Characteristics section of the
review for more information) or use exposure
compensation ,
over a range of ±2 EV in 1/3 EV increments.
Voice Recording
mode allows using the Coolpix S10 as digital voice
recorder. The length of the recording is dependent
on the capacity of the memory card in use, and the
charge left in the battery.
Movie mode
is the fourth option that can be selected from
the display. It allows capturing different types
of movies:
TV Movie 640*: 640 x 480 pixels at
30 frames per second with sound.
Small Size 320*: 320 x 240 pixels at
30 frames per second with sound.
Small Size 320: 320 x 240 pixels at
15 frames per second with sound.
Pictmotion 320: 320 x 240 pixels at
60 frames per second but limited to a maximum
recording time of 60 seconds.
Smaller Size 160: 160 x 120 at 15 frames
per seconds with sound.
Time-Lapse Movie: makes it possible
to capture up to 1800, 640 x 480 pixel images
at a specified time interval (30 seconds, 1,
5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes), which are then assembled
into a silent movie by the camera.
With the exception of Pictmotion 120 and
the Time-Lapse Movie mode, the length of
the movie is limited by the capacity of the memory
card in use. Autofocus can be locked at the beginning
of the recording when set to AF-S, or constantly
adjusted if set to AF-C, but the possibility
exists that the sound of the autofocus motor will
be captured. White balance and zoom position are
set at the beginning of the recording, but the
exposure is adjusted as needed. A 2X Digital zoom
can be used if desired; and an electronic
image stabilization system (eVR) is available
as well.
The fourth button above the
LCD monitor serves to switch from a Capture mode
to the Playback mode or vice versa. In addition,
if pressed and held down for more than 1 second, it can
be used to turn on the S10 placing it directly in the
Playback mode.
The last external control of the Coolpix S10 is the most
complex. The Multi-selector can be pressed in to OK
selections made in the menus, or engage the mode that makes
it possible to move the AF point elsewhere on the monitor.
Moreover, when the camera is connected to a computer running
the software included with the camera, pressing OK starts
the automatic transfer ()
of images to the computer.
The Multi-Selector can also be pressed to the right or left,
or up or down just like a joystick, making it possible to
navigate the menus, or review captured images.
Additionally, three of the control's
four directions controls a specific function when the Coolpix
S10 is set to a capture mode, presenting a short menu on the
monitor:
The up direction controls the
flash modes: Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction, Forced
Off, Forced On, or Slow Synch. With the sensitivity controlled
by the camera, the flash has a range of 0.3 to 5.4 m (11.8
inches to 17.8 ft) when the zoom is at the wide angle
end and 1 to 5.4 m (3 to 17.8 ft) when the zoom is at
the telephoto end. A small red led blinks when the flash
is charging, and glows solid when it is ready to fire
and the shutter is pressed to the halfway point.
The left direction starts the
Self-Timer, which can have either a 10 or 3-second
delay. When the Self-Timer is active, the AF Assist lamp
blinks while counting down the time, and glows steadily
when the shutter is about to be released.
The down direction starts the
S10's Macro mode, allowing the camera to focus
on a subject 4 cm (1.6 inch) from the front element of
the lens when the
icon on the monitor changes colour to green.
Overall the Coolpix S10 has
a good ergonomic design. Its external controls are few, but
responsive and their placement makes them easily and generally
accurately manipulated. Similarly, the Multi-Selector is precise
and quick to use. The LCD monitor has a high resolution, and
the fact that it is rotated in relation to the lens section
means that it can be positioned to avoid light falling too
directly on it, which would make it hard to see, while the
lens section can be maintained in position to keep the shot
framed as desired.
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Ergonomics
with either 4, 9 or 16 thumbnails per screen as the control
is pressed more than once. The T (telephoto) side serves
to zoom into an image on screen 
,
allowing a magnification of up to 10X. Moreover, as with many
other recent Nikon cameras, the T side also serves
to display Help screens [
]
when an option in a menu is highlighted.
appears on the monitor at the AF point selected to be
where the camera has detected a face. Should there be
more than one face in the shot, the camera detects and
focuses on the closest one.
(see the Characteristics section of the
review for more information) or use exposure
compensation 
,
over a range of ±2 EV in 1/3 EV increments.
)
of images to the computer.
icon on the monitor changes colour to green.
