Customer Reviews

Nikon Coolpix S51 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Matte Black)

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I purchased this camera as an all-around point-and-shoot for my family's use, and plan to return it and pick another - probably a Canon SD850 or similar.

First, the good. Photos are very good overall, with the exceptions noted below, and much better than my previous camera, a Nikon 4300. The camera is small, nice looking, and has a huge LCD. I also appreciated the integrated (and internal) lens cover and non-protruding optical zoom. The image stabilization was another selling point for me.

Then I got the camera home... The slick look is slick (as in slippery) to hold, too. The tiny buttons are not well differentiated, and like other reviewers I found myself accidentally hitting the power switch frequently. The big LCD always looks grainy, making me think my photos weren't very good until I viewed them on my PC monitor. I also found the interface confusing (and I'm no electronics newbie).

But the real killer is the camera's speed. Although it snaps open and lights up extremely quickly, it refuses to take a photo for about two seconds. Press the shutter button again, and you're waiting 1 or 2 more seconds while it focuses and processes - by then the kids have turned away and are on to something else. In short, it's just unbearably slow in everyday use.

Back in the box, then.

UPDATE: I returned this camera and purchased a Canon SD850 IS as a replacement. I am much happier - the Canon is SUPER quick so I no longer get photos of the backs of the kids heads, their ears and hair, or the background when I was setting up the shot... Other quirks with the Nikon that I noticed in a week of use: The battery/card door is VERY hard to open and feels flimsy; the charger requires a big bulky power cord; the slim design fit very nicely in a pocket.

It is very comfortable and easy to use. The 3 inches screen is fabulous. The revolving wheel is a different way to show the multiple customized options and allows the reproduction of photos in multiple ways, one of them as a carrousel that turns when it rotates.

The stabilizer of real images works efficiently! As if it was firmly supported.

The problem I have is that the on/off button, located on top, reacts to very slight pressures unexpectedly turning on. It usually happens when sliding it into the protective case and into the trousers pocket. Although it turns automatically off in five minutes, the frequency of this occurrence contributes to unload the battery.

I have found that 150 photos by battery load is very little. It forces to buy an extra battery. The battery icon appears too late when very little load on battery is left. It should be present when the camera is turned on as it does for the amount of available photos and the actual setting. This was one of the few things that made me angry about my old Nikon model which I still keep in working.

-=+=-

Muy cómoda y fácil de usar. La pantalla de 3" es fabulosa. La ruedita giratoria en una forma diferente de configurar las múltiples opciones personalizables y permite reproducir las fotos de varias formas diferentes, una de ellas en un carrusel que gira al rotarla y que simultáneamente presenta la selección en una imagen adjunta más grande.
El estabilizador de imágenes realmente funciona, es como si estuviera apoyada firme.

El problema que tengo con ella es que el botón de encendido y apagado, ubicado en la cara superior, se presiona con suma facilidad. Un simple topadito y ya está prendida. Al entrarla en el bultico protector se activa fácilmente. Y en el bolsillo de los pantalones, también se prende a cada rato. Aunque se apaga automáticamente a los cinco minutos, descarga la batería.

Encuentro que 150 fotos por carga de batería es poco. Obliga a comprar una batería extra. El medidor de batería solo se presenta cuando queda poca carga para mostrar la batería floja. Debiera enseñarlo siempre al prender, como hace con la cantidad de fotos disponibles y la configuración actual. Esto era de las pocas cosas que me hacían incomodar de mi viejo modelo Nikon que aún conservo funcionando.

FA

I keep seeing all of these review with silly problems, just read the manual! If it seems slow to take pics, change the shutter speed to the higher/faster speeds and the camera will keep up with your multi fast action photos, no delay as described by others. The power button is just like the one on the L series, although easy to turn on, the camera has an automatic sleep mode before it actually turns off. I love this camera, and when in high resolution photo mode, the display is vivid and quite clear, unlike the grainy lo res pics show on it. I give it a 5+ for outstanding ease and wonderful functions.

This is our second Coolpix. We bought this one because of the large viewing screen plus our good experience with the earlier one. Now that we have used it several times, we find the small slim profile makes it very easy to carry around in purse or pocket -- so it's available on many instances where a bulkier camera would be sitting at home [we also have a D-70 which travels in its own luggage what with accessories and all]. Very easy to operate and surprisingly intuitive so there has been little running back to re-read the manual.

Nikon Coolpix S51 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Matte Black)

I have had it for a week. It is wonderful when on a trip and I can stop at THAT chain of coffee shops and email the picturs to the family. The quality looks fine for the size camera at normal iso. The BAD thing is the damn ower button. Even in the nikon case it often turnes on accidentally. Bad design

This is the first point and shoot digital camera I have purchased. I usually use a DSLR but wanted something I can slip in my pocket and take with me all the time. This camera fits the bill. As with all Point and Shoot digital cameras its image becomes grainy in low light situations making flash use a common occurence.

Its design makes it great for slipping into a breast pocket and heading anywhere. The image is about on par for any Point and Shoot Camera, nothing to write home about. The positioning of the power button and lens are a bit of a nuisance. It is easy to accidentally turn the camera on when slipping in your pocket, and the on several occasions I caught myself with my finger over the lens.

I wouldn't recommend and Point and Shoot camera if your planing on doing any photography, but if your looking for something to slap in your pocket and have available anywhere this camera will work great for you. It has a surprisingly large list of options including manual white balancing. It also has a one button for taking portraits of people, it uses face tracking to insure the right subject is in focus (this option only works write if you have enough light).

I'm sure you could find a better camera for a similar price and a MUCH better camera for alot more money, but I'm not sure you'll find too many cameras with this many features that take such great pictures...& in a compact design that you can literally take anywhere. I have a Canon Rebel that I take with me on trips and to do "serious" photography, but I just love carrying this little camera with me everythere I go in my bag. You'd be surprised how many cool things you come across that you'd take a picture of...if you only had a camera with you. Well, now you can! ...& cell phone cameras don't count! :-)

This is the best camera I've ever had. It takes incredible pictures, and very easy to use. The camera has never given me problems- it works perfectly. The screen size is great and makes it easy to see what your taking a picture of.
I was stupid enough to put it in my pocket once- and then ended up falling on it and breaking it --- i sent it to get fixed- and it came back perfect.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this camera!

I have owned different brands camera like Cannon, Sony, Kodax and Pentax. This Nikon S51 so far is the best. Very clear images even if you download them in the computer. I rarely have any blurred pictures even if I am not using any tripod and my hands are little bit shaking when I take pictures. A good size screen 3" LCD and it is large enough when I view my pictures. This camera is good when I take outdoor and indoor pictures. However, when I go out at night and take pictures outside the street, unless the object is very close by, otherwise, I do not see any objects in my pictures. It is a very good value for a Nikon, 3" LCD camera.

This is a great camera for 99% of us who want to point and shoot. It takes great pictures whatever time of the day, or conditions, and you don't have to do much, they always come out great. Off course, if you want to use it's configuration settings, you can get "exceptional" picutres, but I have to say I'm pretty lazy to do that. I've had a 10.1mp sony cybershot before, and it had so many different options, that unless you configured it just right for your settings, the pictures came out horrible... with the nikkon, you just point and shoot!

The 3" screen is great, it makes a BIG difference from the 2.5" (it doesn't sound like much, but trust me, it is). And don't get impressed by the low price - this camera outperforms sonys, kodaks etc that are twice its price.

Menus are very simple to use. You can't go wrong with this one.