Latest – Review at PCWorld (added 08 September ‘07)
The Nikon Coolpix S500 features 7.1 megapixels, 3x zoom lens, a 2.5-inch LCD, optical image stabilization, ISO range up to 2000, and a one-touch portrait button.
Check Current Price
Reviews – (updated 08 September ‘07)
| PCWorld |
 |
| PopPhoto |
 |
| Good Gear Guide |
 |
| Digital Camera Info |
|
| Lets Go Digital |
|
| Photoxels |
|
| Cameras.co.uk |
|
| Steve’s Digicams |
|
| Trusted Reviews |
 |
| Megapixel |
|
| CNET |
|
| Pocket-lint |
|
| Digital Camera Review |
|
| ePhotozine |
|
| ComputerActive |
|
 |
PCWorld reviews the Nikon Coolpix S500 and writes;
“Pros: Optical image stabilization, face detection.
Cons: Pricey, no optical viewfinder.”
PopPhoto reviews the Nikon Coolpix S500 and writes;
“The 7.1 megapixel S500 is a “Camera of Steel.” The entire body is made of high grade, thick stainless steel that feels rock solid in your hands and has a surprisingly weighty feel to it. The S500 is also considerably boxier than the S50 and is almost utilitarian in its simplistic design. The backside controls on the S500 are also more graphically muted than the S50, having a 2.5 inch (230,000 pixel) LCD viewfinder/screen and button design/function keys that are noticeably larger than the S50. The zoom toggle has a longer width on the S500, but is thinner vertically than the S50, making zoom functions on the S500 more difficult. Yet, even with that one shortfall, the S500 is the overall winner in button placement and design.”
Good Gear Guide reviews the Nikon Coolpix S500 and does not like the scroll wheel for navigating the menu system. The menu system is not as clean and easy to figure out as it competitors Canon and Olympus. New users may run into a problem with selecting high ISO settings because of a quirky Nikon design. This camera uses high ISO settings to achieve the “anti-blur” functionality. However, this camera’s high ISO images are so crummy that making the mistake even acidentally produces pictures that honestly don’t look very good.
Bottom Line: Not up to snuff with its competitors.
Read the Full Review »
Digital Camera Info – 7/16/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “The Nikon Coolpix S500 introduces a new design into the already scattered S-series. Most of the lineup has a slim aesthetic with an internal lens. A few models have split bodies that twist to offer more optical zoom. The 7.1-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S500 instead goes back to basics by offering a flat metal camera body with an extending 3x optical zoom lens. Its features cover the basics too: automated exposure modes and simple slide shows that don’t have music and funky transitions like many of its S-series siblings. It also has a more basic $299 price point. There are a few flourishes like optical image stabilization and a 60 fps live preview on a high-resolution LCD screen. Shutter lag is probably the camera’s biggest drawback with the weak 180-shot battery coming in a close second, although the latter can be remedied by simply carrying around an extra battery. In terms of image quality, the S500 struggles with color and white balance accuracy, but shows average noise characteristics at its lower ISO settings (ISO 400 and below). Dynamic range and video performance are also below our expectations. However, the Coolpix S500’s intuitive interface and automated feature options are its saving grace, providing one of the stronger point-and-shoot designs Nikon has put out in recent years. While there is still plenty of room for improvement, the S500 offers casual snapshooters a basic, stylish alternative at a competitive price.”
Lets Go Digital – 7/11/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “The Nikon Coolpix S500 has pleased me in practice. The camera is extremely users friendly and gives a fine end result. In regards to comfort and user friendliness the Nikon S500 does not seem to need many improvements. Of course, there is always room for improvement in regards to quality. I would like to see improvement in the noise values and I hope that Nikon does not let themselves be tempted by only looking for the larger ISO values. I would like to see pixel quality and with that a high quality ISO value up to 800 instead of the 2000 ISO or higher which the marketing department thinks so highly of. Whoever is looking for an excellent performing compact camera and who has no ambitions to use the camera for extensive digital photographing, will find an ultimately decent camera in the Nikon S500.”
Photoxels – 7/7/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “With understated elegance, the Nikon Coolpix S500 delivers what it promises in being both an easy-to-use digital camera as well as producing very good image quality at the low ISOs. It is well designed and intuitive to operate. The beginner will appreciate the point-and-shoot ease of use; more advanced photographers will appreciate the practical features that help obtain well-exposed pictures in challenging situations.”
Cameras.co.uk – 6/23/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “The Nikon Coolpix S500 is a fairly simple, pocket sized digital camera. Overall it performed well in my tests, but there were one or two areas where the camera does struggle. You should have no problems operating the camera and it has a pleasant no frills style.”
Steve’s Digicams – 6/19/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “Like the S200, I was pleased with the Coolpix S500. This is a durable ultra-compact model that will make a great choice for anyone who wants a point-n-shoot model that offers good image quality, performance, and easy to use exposure modes. With 7-megapixels of resolution, you’ll be able to create beautiful 13×19-inch or larger prints. At about US$299 or less, I feel the Nikon Coolpix S500 has an Ok value for a camera in this category.”
Trusted Reviews – 6/16/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “All things considered, I’d have to say that if the CoolPix S500 is Nikon’s attempt to beat Canon at the ultra-compact game then it isn’t entirely successful. While the inclusion of optical image stabilisation in such a small camera is an achievement, and the build quality and appearance of the camera are excellent, the image noise problems, slow focusing and poor low-light performance are major handicaps. If I was looking to buy a 7MP ultra-compact, I don’t think it would be this one.”
Megapixel – 6/15/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “Positives: Very good image quality – Excellent colour rendition – Excellent metering, including flash exposure metering – VR image stabilization – No chromatic aberration – Excellent monitor resolution – Compact and solid Negatives: No Manual mode – Lack of sharpness in image corners with the widest angle – 1600 – 2000 ISO sensitivity levels almost unusable”
CNET – 6/8/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “The stainless steel body and handy click wheel are two great touches I’d love to see on any camera, but they can’t make up for the S500’s flaws. It shoots too slowly and generates unreasonable levels of noise at ISO 400 and higher. It’s a nice, if sluggish, snapshot camera in bright light, but don’t expect to get any decent fast or low-light shooting done with it.”
Pocket-lint – 5/30/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera writes, “The new camera’s handling is great with the Rotating Multi Selector proving a novel and a nice touch – if a bit over sensitive. Response or rather responsiveness is not the problem for start up times (around 0.8 of a second) or shutter lag, with a very impressive 0.005 of a second being the Nikon quoted speed, so the camera can really be ready to fire as quickly as you when set up properly.”
Digital Camera Review – 5/28/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera and they write, “The S500 provides very good image and color reproduction in a modern-looking digital compact. The camera’s high level of automation and useful features offers easy-to-achieve performance in a user-friendly point and shoot for those folks making their first foray into digital imaging, while its sparkling shutter lag time should appeal to more experienced shooters who prize a precise and responsive instrument.”
ePhotozine – 5/23/2007 – has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera and they write, “You’ll either love the design of the S500, thinking it’s neat and shiny, or think, didn’t the Ixus look like that five years ago? Either way, it’s a very small and tidy camera, though thicker than it initially looks. The small package ensures that the buttons are equally tiny, and these are a little too small, though this does leave plenty of room for a decent size LCD. Performance is excellent in a number of areas, which is very surprising for such a small camera, and while there is a little colour fringing in shots, noise is a problem unless the light levels are quite high. The S500 has a lot going for it with class-leading features, that make it a great purchase if those features match your requirements, but it does have a few flaws as well.”
ComputerActive – 4/24/2007 – has reviewed the 7.1 megapixel Nikon Coolpix S500 digital camera and they write, “Very possibly Nikon’s most attractive compact snapshot so far, there’s little to criticize here save for the fact that focusing could be even swifter and it’s around £50 dearer than those with similar key features.”
Sample Photos – (updated 16 July ‘07)
[Sample Photos at flickr]
[Sample Photos at Digital Camera Info]
[Sample Photos at Lets Go Digital]
[Sample Photos at Photoxels]
[Sample Photos at Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample Photos at Steve's Digicams]
[Sample Photos at Trusted Reviews]
[Sample Photos at Megapixel]
[Sample Photos at Pocket-lint]
Spec Sheet
[Nikon Coolpix S500 Spec Sheet at Nikon]
Owners Manual
[Nikon Coolpix S500 Owners Manual]
Press Release
The technology and the features inside the COOLPIX S500 are worthy of their impressive casing. The combination of 7.1 megapixels of resolution and the powerful 3 x Zoom-Nikkor lens with a range of 35-105mm enables the COOLPIX S500 to deliver excellent picture detail whether the subject is a close-in portrait or a broad panorama, even after the photograph has been enlarged.
Pages: 1 2
Current Price Info At Amazon.com
