Nikon Coolpix S510

Latest - Review and Sample Test Photos at Imaging-Resource (added 07 March ‘08)

Nikon Coolpix S510 features:

• 8.1 megapixels
• 3x optical zoom
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.5 inch LCD
• ISO range from 64 to 2000
• Face priority auto focus
• D lighting
• Camera dimensions are (W x H x D): Approx. 3.5 x 2.0 x 0.9 in (88 x 51 x 22mm) and it weighs 4.4 oz (125 g)

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Read More Reviews - (updated 07 March ‘08)

Imaging-Resource
Cameras.co.uk
DigitalCameraInfo
PhotographyPress
PhotoReview
ThinkCamera
ePhotozine

Imaging-Resource - 07 March’08 - reviews the Nikon Coolpix S510 and thinks this is an easy camera to make friends with. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Pictures tended to be a little on the soft wide but low and behold there was almost zero chromatic aberration. One particular highlight of the camera is its menu system which was intuitive and super easy to read. The review notes they test the camera in a variety of situation and there was not much that could fool the cameras exposure and focusing systems. About the biggest knock on the camera is that the images tended to be a little on the soft side.”

Cameras.co.uk - 30 January’08 - reviews the Nikon Coolpix S510 and feels it’s a straightforward no frill point-and-shoot. Here’s a summary of their review -
“The S510 does a good job in most situations. One complaint the reviewer had was the macro mode was not very impressive. Clearly the camera was designed for ease of use and portability and because of this it does have a lot complicated menus and dials.”

DigitalCameraInfo - 21 December’07 - reviews the Nikon Coolpix S510 and thinks there are just too many competitors in this price range that are better cameras. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“The S510’s image performance isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great, either. While the Coolpix point-and-shoot has accurate white balance, a quick startup time, and low noise levels at low ISO speeds, it suffers from extremely high noise levels and poor dynamic range at higher ISO speeds, poor low light performance, and disappointing resolution. Simply put, the Nikon Coolpix S510 does not have much to set it apart from the slew of similar point-and-shoots available on the market. If you’ll settle for a mediocre camera, consider the S510. Otherwise, you may want to look elsewhere.”

PhotographyPress - 29 November’07 - reviews the Nikon Coolpix S510 and found that indoor photos tended to have an orange cast. Here’s an excerpt from their verdict -
“Overall, the S510 marks a small step up in terms of performance, image quality, resolution and processing but it is also a step down in terms of user control but there’s an ace in the hole that I’ve not mentioned yet. And is its price. At £199.99, it is £50 cheaper than the introductory price of the S500 and makes it a very competitive camera indeed.”

PhotoReview - 08 October’07 - reviews the Nikon Coolpix S510 and notes that pictures had average sharpness and slightly above average contrast. Here’s their verdict -
“General screen readability was good in indoor lighting and average outdoors, where the wide viewing angle provided little real advantage. Good menu design, with a clear, legible typeface, made the LCD usable for changing camera settings in bright outdoor conditions. Playback quality was good enough to confirm exposure accuracy in indoor lighting – but not good enough in bright conditions.”

ThinkCamera - 07 October’07 - reviews the Nikon Coolpix S510 and commented the camera has a lack of creative controls. Here’s their verdict -
“The relatively fast power-up and operation coupled with the camera’s ease of use and in particular its looks make this the ultimate party camera. It has a good battery life from that small lithium-ion battery and the flash range is excellent, both as a deceptively powerful main light source and as a surprisingly subtle fill flash. Images taken within the ISO64-ISO400 range are vibrant and saturated (although noise kicks in at ISO200 and above), but after this the Nikon S510 washes out the colours pretty quickly.”

ePhotozine - 04 October’07 - reviews the Nikon Coolpix S510 and particularly liked the rotary wheel for menu navigation. Here’s their verdict;
“The Nikon Coolpix S510 is a decent little compact for everyday shooting and will satisfy those happy snappers who just need a camera for going out and looking good with. The flash range is great and coupled with the metal body, high ISO capability and image stabilizer suggests it is geared up for going out with.

The camera is attractive to look at and is available in different colors to appeal to more people.”

Sample Test Photos

[Sample Test Photos at Nikon]

Specifications

[Official Nikon Specifications]

Owners Manual

[Owners Manual Download Page at Nikon]

Press Release

August 30, 2007 — TOKYO — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX S510, a new compact digital camera that not only features swift response and outstanding photographic performance, but wraps it all in the world’s smallest body* that exudes stylish beauty. Built on a custom application of Nikon’s innovative EXPEED digital image processing concept and incorporating the precision optics of a NIKKOR lens, The COOLPIX S510 is built to realize optimum performance and maximum image quality.

The COOLPIX S510 teams 8.1 effective megapixels of sharp resolution with the precision optics of its 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens and a new digital image-processing engine that not only delivers the high performance to produce photos with clarity and true-to-life color, but also realizes ultra-swift response that makes the camera a delight to use. Extended light sensitivity up to ISO 2000 prevents blurred shots when shooting in lower light, or when capturing fast-moving subjects.

Quality materials and craftsmanship have created an elegant design housed in a stainless steel body. The solid metallic feel and a reassuringly firm hold immediately convey the functional beauty and classic camera appeal of the most compact digital camera among competing models*. The same dedication to engineering excellence is also found in the slim design of the Zoom- NIKKOR lens and its image-stabilizing optical lens shift VR (Vibration Reduction) unit. In some regions, the COOLPIX S510 will be available in a choice of Silver, Pink and Urban Black body colors.

The S510 delivers the world’s fastest response, realizing a power-up time which allows for the LCD monitor to appear within 0.7 seconds, a practically imperceptible shutter release time lag of 0.005 seconds or less** and high-speed auto focus performance. In addition, a new image processing engine actualizes faster and greatly improved Face-Priority AF.

Price and Availability The Coolpix S510 will be available at photo-specialty stores nationwide beginning September 2007 at a MSRP of $299.95.

*Among competing models with optical vibration reduction as of August 30, 2007 (according to research conducted by NIKON CORPORATION).

** Among competing 8 effective megapixel class compact digital cameras equipped with optical vibration reduction as of August 30, 2007 (according to research conducted by NIKON CORPORATION), when set to “Response priority” mode.

Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.

Nikon COOLPIX S510 Feature Highlights

Proven lens shift VR image stabilization Field proven technology originally developed for interchangeable lenses used in Nikon SLR camera systems, optical lens shift VR image stabilization counteracts the effects of camera shake in lower light or when shooting to help achieve sharper results. Active full time, VR also stabilizes images displayed on the 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD monitor for easier framing and more reassured shooting.

ISO 2000 capability for extended shooting range The COOLPIX S510 makes it easier to take great-looking pictures in lower lighting conditions or to capture fast moving subjects with outstanding clarity by offering manual sensitivity settings as high as ISO 2000. And the new image processing engine preserves high image quality even when shooting with high ISO settings, thanks to enhanced noise reduction and an improved signal-to-noise ratio. Also available is AUTO ISO control, which automatically selects the optimal sensitivity for the shot across a range between ISO 64 and ISO 1000, and High-Sensitivity mode which minimizes blur by automatically selecting optimal light sensitivity from a range between ISO 64 and 1600.

Large 2.5-inch LCD monitor for quality viewing and menu operation The COOLPIX S510 has a high quality 2.5-inch LCD monitor featuring 230,000 dots of high resolution, a wide viewing angle of 160 degrees, anti-reflection coating for better display in bright situations, and a new acrylic panel that prevents scratches and fingerprints.

Nikon COOLPIX S510 Other Features

• Three Unique Nikon Image Innovations 1 Face-priority AF with improved speed and efficiency 2 In-Camera Red-Eye Fix 3 D-Lighting
• Light weight with highly compact dimensions
• Macro shooting from as close as 15 cm (5.9 in.)
• 4x digital zoom extends compositional freedom
• Improved menu interface, available in a choice of 23 languages
• Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations
• Approx. 52 MB of internal memory
• SDHC card compatibility
• USB connectivity
• PictBridge compatibility