Nikon Coolpix S10

Reviewed January 2007

Characteristics

The Coolpix S10 uses a 1/2.5-inch CCD composed of 6.18 million pixels of which 6.0 million are effective. Four image sizes are available, all saved in JPEG format. Only the biggest image size can be saved using either of two compression levels:

• 6M High (2816*): 2816 x 2112 pixels with a low compression, yielding the highest image quality.
• 6M Normal (2816): 2816 x 2112 pixels with a stronger (normal) compression.
• 3M Normal (2048): 2048 x 1536 pixels using a normal compression.
• PC PC Screen(1024): 1024 x 768 pixels
• VGA TV Screen (640): 640 x 480 pixels

Unlike most other cameras whose Auto mode does not allow the user to set the sensitivity of the CCD, the Coolpix S10's Auto Mode is the only mode that lets the user set the CCD sensitivity from a range that starts at 50 ISO and extends to 100, 200, 400 and up to 800 ISO. An additional option, Auto, allows the camera to automatically set the CCD sensitivity between 50 and 800 ISO depending on the ambient light, the need for the flash and the focal length in use. In all other modes, the camera sets the sensitivity as dictated by the mode.

The Coolpix S10 is equipped with a 10X Nikkor optical zoom composed of 12 elements arranged in 9 groups. But the most notable feature of this particular camera is the implementation of a VR optical stabilization system.

The focal length of the zoom covers from 6.3 to 63 mm, the equivalent on a 35 mm camera of a 38 to 380 mm zoom. Apertures start at a constant f3.5 for the lens, closing down to f13.6; while the shutter speed covers from 1/1000 second down to 2 seconds at the maximum.

The lens is protected by a hinged cover that folds back onto the left side of the lens section.

With all the Scene modes the menu presented offers an access to scene modes, the image size and quality settings, and provides an access to the Setup menu. (See the Ergonomics section of the review for a list of the scene modes available.)

Set to the Auto shooting mode, the Shooting menu offers nine options spread over two screens:

• Set up: is the access to the basic settings of the Coolpix S10 (these options are detailed in the Interface and Software section of the review).
• Image Mode: serves to select the image size (resolution) and compression (for the biggest image size) as explained above.
• White Balance provides 7 settings: Auto, White Balance Preset (which serves to set the white balance using a white surface under ambient light), Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy and Flash.
• Exposure Compensation.: serves to correct the exposure over a range of ±2 EV in 1/3 EV increments.

• Continuous:
  • Single: captures one image each time the shutter release is pressed.
  • Continuous: captures up to 8 images at 1.6 frames per second at the 6M* image size.
  • Multi-Shot 16: captures sixteen 704 x 528 pixel images at 1.9 frames per second and saves them into a single 2816 x 2112 pixel (6M Normal) image.
  • Interval Timer Shooting: allows the camera to capture photos with an interval of 30 seconds, 1, 5, 20, 30 or 60 minutes, while maintaining the exposure settings from the first image or not for up to 1800 images or until the memory card is full.

• BSS (Best Shot Selector) contains three sub-options:
  • On: allows the camera to capture up to 10 images while the shutter release is pressed, and then automatically select the sharpest based on contrast.
  • Off.
  • Exposure BBS uses the same parameters as above, but with three sub-options: Highlight BSS which captures the image with the least overexposure; Shadow BSS which captures the image with the least underexposure; or Histogram BSS which records the image with the least over and under exposed areas.

• Sensitivity: sets the CCD sensitivity. Auto ISO allows the camera to adjust sensitivity between 50 and 800 ISO, or it can be set to 50, 100, 200, 400 or 800 ISO.
• Colour Options serves to modify the way colours are captured:
  • Standard: the default.
  • Vivid: increases saturation.
  • Black and White.
  • Sepia.
  • Cyanotype: produces a blue toned image.
• AF Area Mode serves to set the way the autofocus operates:
  • Centre: only focuses using the centre focus point.
  • Manual: allows manually selecting — using the Multi-Selector — any of 99 focus points in the frame.

Set to the Movie mode, the menu offers three options:

• Set up: access to the basic settings of the camera.
• Movie Options: serves to select the movie type and size (see the Ergonomics section of the review for more details).
• Auto Focus Mode serves to decide how the autofocus system will operate:
  • S-AF: Single AF, occurring only at the first frame.
  • C-AF: Continuous AF, adjusting the focus continuously as the recording progresses.

Set to the Playback mode, a press of the button presents the different playback modes available, each selected by a direction of the Multi-Selector:

• Play: serves to review images and movies that are in memory.
• Picmotion by muvee: serves to create advanced slide shows, but is only available when a memory card is in use. Slide Shows can have background music, and a presentation style such as black and white or sepia. The playback order can be random, or sequential, images and music can repeat, or the show can be limited to a preset number of images (10, 20, 30).
• Voice Recording Playback: serves to playback audio only recordings.
• View by date: allows viewing images by their capture date. Up to 30 dates can be listed.

In addition, with the Coolpix S10 in the Playback mode, pressing the MENU button offers the following options:

• Setup: as with the capture menu, this option gives access to the Setup menu (see the Interface and Software section of the review for more information).
• Print Set: serves to select photos that will be printed on a DPOF compliant printer, or a DPOF printing service. Options allow the date, or the shooting data, to be superimposed on the image, and the number of prints to make of each photo selected for printing can be set.

• Slide Show: makes it possible to see all the captured photos in an automatic slide show with a preset on-screen time for the images (2, 3, 5 or 10 seconds), and decide if the show will loop or not.
• Delete: allows deleting all or pre-selected.
• Protect: tags images so that they cannot be deleted accidentally.
• Transfer Marking: serves to select photos for automatic transfer to a computer running Nikon's software (bundled with the camera) once the camera is connected via USB. Images can be selected all at once, or individually, or selections can be cancelled.

• Rotate Image: serves to rotate an image is 90° increments.
• Small Pic: allows creating a small copy of an image, ideal for e-mailing. Three sizes are available: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels, or 160 x 120 pixels.
• Copy: serves to copy images from the Coolpix S10's internal memory to a memory card, or vice versa.

With the camera still in the Playback mode, but without accessing the menu, a voice annotation lasting up to 20 seconds can be added to an image simply by pressing the shutter release. Moreover, while an image has been magnified under review, the shutter release can be used to capture the magnified part of the image as a new image. Furthermore, also with an image under review, pressing the D-Lighting button can be used to brighten the underexposed parts of the image without affecting those that are correctly exposed.

The Coolpix S10 has a 16 MB internal memory and is also equipped with an SD (Secure Digital) memory card slot. The slot is beside the battery, underneath the camera, and both are covered by a solid door that latches securely.

The chart below provides approximate values for the number of images that can be stored in the internal memory, or using an optional 1 GB SD card:

The Coolpix S10 is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion (EN-EL2) battery that clicks into place, preventing it from sliding out when the compartment door is opened to extract the memory card. A charger, MH-61, is supplied with the camera and is able to recharge a fully depleted battery in 2 hours.

There is only one connection on the Coolpix S10 and it is covered by a round door on the camera's right side. The connector it covers has a dual function A/V (Audio/Video) Out, compatible with NTSC or PAL, or USB Port (2.0 High-Speed), depending on which cable is used.