Nikon COOLPIX S5 Digital Camera
- Camera Type: Compact
- Weight: 0.3 lb.
- LCD Screen Size: 2.5 in.
- Resolution: 6.2 Megapixel
- Optical Zoom: 3x
- Features: Red-eye Correction
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Nikon Just Can't get it Right
Pros
Small, skips easily on a lake surface!
Cons
Poor focus, mediocre speed, soft optics, requires expensive Nikon batteries.
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Stay away from Nikon gear likes this.
See my reviews of the 8800 and the more recent models such as the S1. I am a huge DSLR Nikon fan, but Nikon continues to make awful P&S consumer models. I can't believe that over the years they have no done better.
Handling
Much like the S1, slim, harder to hold for big hands. Controls are well placed. Looks nice, but feels cheaper than units from Sony or Casio.
Performance:
Let's just get this out of the way. Nikon has made yet another unit that has serious trouble focusing in conditions that are not well lit. A Camera like the Casio Z-120 is far far FAR better and returns many more sharp photos. The S5 also uses a fixed aperature lens! What were they thinking? This is like a 99 dollar camera with 6 MP and a fancy case. Shutter lag is not terrible, but you'll wait many times for this poor thing to get a focus lock. It also has a small memory buffer. Optics render sharp pics at the center with visible softness at the edges.
Durability:
While my sample still works I've heard a few "fragile!" reports and this may be as bad the easy-to-kill Nikon S1
Features:
This is not a well featured camera at any price. You do get red eye fix, which can also ruin a shot at times. D-Lighting provides a usefull preview of shots.
Finally:
Nikon, get it together. I've been told that Samsung provides much of the hardware for these units. I suspect they get the parts from Yugo. Do your research and you'll see plenty of complaints regarding almost all of the Nikon point and shoots. There are simply better cameras out there for less money.
Capt RB
Handling
Much like the S1, slim, harder to hold for big hands. Controls are well placed. Looks nice, but feels cheaper than units from Sony or Casio.
Performance:
Let's just get this out of the way. Nikon has made yet another unit that has serious trouble focusing in conditions that are not well lit. A Camera like the Casio Z-120 is far far FAR better and returns many more sharp photos. The S5 also uses a fixed aperature lens! What were they thinking? This is like a 99 dollar camera with 6 MP and a fancy case. Shutter lag is not terrible, but you'll wait many times for this poor thing to get a focus lock. It also has a small memory buffer. Optics render sharp pics at the center with visible softness at the edges.
Durability:
While my sample still works I've heard a few "fragile!" reports and this may be as bad the easy-to-kill Nikon S1
Features:
This is not a well featured camera at any price. You do get red eye fix, which can also ruin a shot at times. D-Lighting provides a usefull preview of shots.
Finally:
Nikon, get it together. I've been told that Samsung provides much of the hardware for these units. I suspect they get the parts from Yugo. Do your research and you'll see plenty of complaints regarding almost all of the Nikon point and shoots. There are simply better cameras out there for less money.
Capt RB
