Nikon Coolpix S50c
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc. Part number: 25557
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- While it takes good pictures and it's nice to be able to access private Wi-Fi access points, the lack of a browser keeps this camera from rising to the next level.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Nikon Coolpix S50c price range: $229.99
- Reviewed by: Philip Ryan
- Reviewed on: 05/22/2007
The good: Nice click-wheel; sleek, slim design; supports wireless 802.11b/g photo e-mail via T-Mobile hot spots and private access points; optical image stabilization.
The bad: The lack of a built-in browser prevents you from being able to access most free public Wi-Fi access points.
The bottom line: While it takes good pictures and it's nice to be able to access private Wi-Fi access points, the lack of a browser keeps this camera from rising to the next level.
Some things never change. Some other things, such as Nikon's wireless S-series cameras, change a little bit at a time. Nikon's new Coolpix S50c is a whole lot like the S7c that the company offered last year. It boasts a 7.2-megapixel CCD imaging sensor, a 3X optical, 38mm-to-114mm-equivalent f/3.3-to-f/4.2 zoom lens, a 3-inch LCD, and houses it all in a cute, curvy-yet-slim casing that's available in silver or black. Oh yeah, and it can wirelessly upload (via built-in 802.11 b/g) your images to Nikon's CoolPix Connect 2 Web site and send e-mails to your friends and family so they can retrieve said photos for free. Other than some slight, but welcomed, control changes, the biggest and best difference between this and last year's model is the addition of optical image stabilization instead of the much-less-effective electronic stabilization found in the S7c.
Never ones to mess with a good thing, Nikon stuck with the same elegant, subtle wave design that most of its ultracompacts have used in recent years. However, compared to last year's S7c, there are a couple of minor differences in the control layout. Instead of using a tiny lever next to the shutter to control zoom, Nikon has opted for a tiny rocker on the camera back. I like this better, since the placement of the lever on the S7c was more prone to accidental zooming. Moving the zoom control also forced Nikon to redesign the four hard buttons on the camera back, which you'll now find above and below the click wheel, which provides quick navigation through the camera's menu system.
If you're looking for a plethora of exposure controls, you won't find them here. Like most ultracompacts, the S50c relies on scene modes (15 in this case) to deal with out-of-the-ordinary, or just plain tricky, shooting situations. Exposure compensation lets you tweak the camera's metering in third-stop increments up to plus or minus 2 EV, but in field tests, the 256-segment matrix metering generally did a good job of determining exposure.
In addition to the scene modes, Nikon includes features to make certain shooting situations easier. Easily accessible by a button on the top-left of the camera, the One Touch Portrait mode sets the camera to recognize faces. In this mode, while you frame the photo, the camera puts yellow boxes around the faces in your photo. At the same time, it chooses one as the main face to use for metering and focus, and puts a bracketed yellow box around that one. The hope is that the camera won't become confused and focus on something in the background when you're trying to get a portrait instead. In my field tests, it worked; friends were in focus and their faces were well exposed. In playback mode, the One Touch Portrait button doubles as the D-Lighting button, which tweaks the brightness and contrast of an image in case an exposure doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to.
Just to the left of that button is the Anti-Shake mode button. In this mode, the camera disables the flash, automatically chooses an ISO of up to ISO 1600 in an attempt to force a fast shutter speed, turns on optical image stabilization, and enables the Best Shot Selector (aka BSS) mode. BSS shoots up to 10 photos in a single burst, using only the first to determine focus and exposure, and then analyzes the results and chooses the one it thinks is best. If you want to use BSS mode without the other Anti-Shake features, you can activate it alone in the main shooting menu.
While Nikon included a year's worth of T-Mobile access with the S7c last year, you've got to pay your own way from the get-go if you want to use the S50c at a T-Mobile hot spot. However, you do still get free storage (50MB) on the CoolPix Connect 2 Web site, which can be used to share your photos with friends and family. If you have access to a private 802.11b/g network, you can use it to upload your photos and send e-mail notifications with links to your uploaded photos. The camera can even store network profiles, complete with TKIP, WEP, or AES security keys.
However, despite our ardent suggestions, Nikon hasn't seen fit to include a browser in the camera, which would let you use the camera with one of the many free Wi-Fi hot spots cropping up around the world. Since the vast majority of such connections require you to click a simple button to accept their terms of service (usually a legal disclaimer to limit the provider's liability), you end up with a network error message on the S50c if you try to access such a network. In my opinion, Nikon should really take it a step further to include a browser that would let you enter credit card info, so you can access the Wi-Fi networks offered by most hotels. Want to appeal to affluent business travelers, Nikon? This would definitely help.
To Nikon's credit, the S50c's wireless functioned flawlessly when I used it with my wireless router at home. Setup was simple, and fairly quick, on the camera. After I sent my first picture e-mail, I got an e-mail from CoolPix Connect 2 that prompted me to complete my registration at Nikon's Web site, where I input the camera's key (found in the wireless portion of the setup menu) and was then ready to go.
In our lab tests, the S50c turned in sluggish results. It took 3.9 seconds to start up and capture its first JPEG. Subsequent JPEGs took 2.4 seconds between shots with the flash turned off, and 2.5 seconds between shots with the flash turned on. Shutter lag measured 0.9 second in our high-contrast test, which mimics bright shooting conditions, and 2.1 seconds in our low-contrast test, which mimics dim shooting conditions. In continuous shooting mode, we were able to capture 7.2-megapixel JPEGs at an average of 1.39 frames per second, or VGA-sized JPEGs at an average of 1.68 fps.
Image quality was good, but not outstanding, for an ultracompact. Colors were generally accurate and the camera's automatic white-balance system did a decent job of neutralizing colors under incandescent lighting, though our test shots retained a very slight yellowish cast. Of course, some people prefer this, since it retains a hint that you weren't shooting in daylight. The camera's tungsten and fluorescent settings did a good job with their respective light sources, and the manual white balance turned in the most neutral results of all. Images from the S50c weren't the sharpest we've seen, but they still have plenty of fine details and we were pleased to find only very minor colored fringing.
At the camera's lowest sensitivity of ISO we saw almost no noise, but at ISO 200 noise crept in slightly, manifesting as tiny white specks, but it was only really viewable on monitors and not in prints. At ISO 400, noise grew and included some larger off-color speckles. While Nikon's noise reduction algorithms smooth it out some, it still has a minor appearance in some prints. At ISO 800, noise obscures a large amount of finer detail when viewing on monitors and a significant amount of shadow detail is lost, though smaller prints should still be passable.
Overall, the S50c is a very nice ultracompact camera, though its wireless capabilities could be more useful. Since Nikon offers the S50, which is basically the exact same camera without the wireless, you're probably better off saving some money and opting for that, unless you think you'll get a really big kick out of uploading images through your home wireless router, or you plan on forking over an extra $4.99 a month for the privilege of using one of T-Mobile's hot spots.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
| Typical shot-to-shot time | Time to first shot | Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
User reviews
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YOU WON'T BE DISSAPOINTED
by iCenturion on June 25, 2007
Pros: Great pictures, bright LCD, well built, looks great
Cons: Battery Life
Summary: I have the S50 not the S50c. Same camera without WiFi. Great pictures day or night. With Hi-ISO turned on, pictures taken in low light come out bright and clear. ...
Summary: I have the S50 not the S50c. Same camera without WiFi. Great pictures day or night. With Hi-ISO turned on, pictures taken in low light come out bright and clear. The VR gives clear pictures at full zoom. The movies with sound are clear and smooth. The camera is well built, turns on very fast so you won't miss those great pics. The 3 inch LCD is bright and clear day or night. The only thing else you have to buy is an extra battery...
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I'm reviewing the S50 - not S50c
by jessiethe3rd on June 14, 2007
Pros: Size, image quality, VR, SCREEN
Cons: No screen protector, menu system a bit confusing
Summary: First off let me start off by saying the reviews for this camera SUCK. I do not have the network version... I have a black S50. I also own a ...
Summary: First off let me start off by saying the reviews for this camera SUCK. I do not have the network version... I have a black S50. I also own a D80 with professional glass (70-200 VR & 17-55 lens)... needless to say I know pretty solid equipment. With that in mind I needed a quick and light camera for casual outtings. The S50 is just sexy. Everyone who sees it wants to touch it - the screen is massive and makes all the other mini cameras cry like sissy girls. Image quality? Very solid. The VR antishake functionality is spectacular and provides stable images. High ISOs are pretty much worthless... it creates far too much noise to be useful in general lighting situations.
I have switched to Nikon completely because they just make better products in my opinion. My only compliant is I wish they would standardize their menuing system (the DSLR menu'ing system is easy and fast)2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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WI-FI is VERY Limited
by mikeschumann on May 6, 2007
Pros: Nice Menu Navigation System
Cons: Can't xfer pictures to home computer with WI-FI
Summary: I bought this camera for one reason only: the built in WI-FI capability. It appears that Nikon took a big step backwards from the S7C. You can only use the ...
Summary: I bought this camera for one reason only: the built in WI-FI capability. It appears that Nikon took a big step backwards from the S7C. You can only use the WI-FI to transfer pictures to Nikon's Coolpix Connect Server. You can't use this to directly transfer pictures to your home computer.
This is a HUGE disappointment. To transfer pictures to your home computer, you apparently need to use the USB cable, which itself is also disappointing. It is a combined USB, Video cable. As a result it is BIG!
This camera is going back tomorrow.2 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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not what I expected
by jon159785 on July 6, 2008
Pros: wifi large screen scroll wheel
Cons: image stabilization power button location lens cover
Summary: I 'upgraded' to the S50c from my S7c. I loved the wifi on the S7c and wanted to get the same thing with image stabilization. I have a D70 and ...
Summary: I 'upgraded' to the S50c from my S7c. I loved the wifi on the S7c and wanted to get the same thing with image stabilization. I have a D70 and use my point-and-shoot for parties and other situations where it's not feasible to lug the SLR.
Moving from the S7c to the S50c I found it to be a step down in image quality. From the reading I've done, I found the S7c actually had better quality optical components and the pictures show. I thought the VR would help me get more keepers, but I actually found it to be just the opposite. I found that I actually had more blurry pictures because the stabilization was not fast enough to fix it. If I made sure to hold perfectly still, then I could get sharper pictures using the VR out of this camera than the S7c, but it took a lot of effort to hold the camera perfectly still for the VR to do its thing and that's just not practical at a party, etc where this camera is used.
The other big detractor from this camera is the location of the power button. It sticks up and is way too easy to accidentally hit when the camera is in a pocket. Numerous times I would pull the camera out of my pocket to find that it is either a) already on, or b) the battery is dead because it has been on so much.
Other than those two glaring things, I like the camera, particularly the scroll wheel to move quickly through all of the pictures.
My last beef with the camera is that the movies are stored in .mov format. Without spending some dough on a movie editor that supports .mov I can't edit any of the pictures with some of the commonly available free video editors such as Windows Movie Editor. I also had a couple issues when opening the .mov files with quicktime that it corrupted the file system on my computer and i had to reformat and reinstall, I won't completely attribute that to the camera, but I'm not taking any chances and thus this camera is going on the auction block to be replaced by something with a different movie format and better located power button. -
Very cool design, features and software
by ThePriceIsWrong on December 13, 2007
Pros: WiFi connectivity, software interface and scroll wheel
Cons: Picture quality, battery life
Summary: The scroll wheel and software interface was easy to learn. There arent many customizable settings on this so its hard to get good pictures at night or fast motion.
WiFi ...Summary: The scroll wheel and software interface was easy to learn. There arent many customizable settings on this so its hard to get good pictures at night or fast motion.
WiFi works well as long as you dont have to enter a WEP key. If you have to enter a WEP Key it can get pretty tedious.
The size makes it perfect for pocket portability but the face of the screen will get scratched pretty easily.
All in All I really liked this camera. -
Big Disappointment!
by One_Eyed_Pony on May 30, 2007
Pros: Wifi, Maybe... Nikon Reputation
Cons: Average Quality Pics, Wifi Sux, Video, PRICE, 7MP, YUK!
Summary: Well there are so many troubling areas of this camera, for what I EXPECTED! NIKON, what are you doing for such a newly Released Camera? I guess you are too ...
Summary: Well there are so many troubling areas of this camera, for what I EXPECTED! NIKON, what are you doing for such a newly Released Camera? I guess you are too busy negotiating with the Merger with CANON? Seems NIKON is NOW a Follower in the digital camera business in Quality, Features, Design, Reputation... etc.
Average at Best in most categories!
Here's how I some it up:
The SONY T100 EXCEEDS this camera in Every Single category and by a substantial amount too. Nikon has Wifi, but it's not very good.
I don't like SONY for their Lousy Customer Service and Reliability issues, but I have no choice, NIKON has forced me to switch!
VERY, VERY, DISAPPOINTED!0 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
- Part number: 25557
- Description: The COOLPIX S50c is equipped with a huge, bright 3.0" LCD great for viewing images anywhere, anytime. The impressive 170-degree wide viewing angle makes it easier for everyone to see and enjoy images. The larger high-resolution LCD lets you make the most of smooth, sharp movies, great-looking stills and exciting Pictmotion shows. You can shoot sharper, clearer and without blur with Nikon's ingenious VR Optical Image Stabilization technology improving stability by automatically compensating for camera shake. With Nikon Optical VR Image Stabilization you can shoot at shutter speeds up to three stops slower than other wise possible without camera shake blurring your pictures. The Zoom Nikkor glass lens gives you the power of 3x optical zoom lens, 38mm-116mm (35mm equivalent) while Macro capability lets you get as close as 1.6 inches. This combination is supported by Nikons' world-renowned optical technology delivering crisp, clear images. High light sensitivity up to ISO 1600 opens up a whole new world of photo opportunity. Allowing you to tackle scenes and situations far beyond the capabilities of conventional compacts, high ISO offers you new power to capture fast-moving objects with outstanding clarity and gives you great exposure in significantly lower light.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Width 3.9 in
- Depth 0.8 in
- Height 2.3 in
- Weight 4.4 oz
- Enclosure Color Silver
- Body Material Metal
Main Features
- Resolution 7.2 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Total Pixels 7,410,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 7,200,000 pixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/2.5 in
- Light Sensitivity ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO auto (100-800)
- LAN and Wireless Image Transferring Protocols IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Shooting Programs Copy, Museum, Sunset, Close-up, Dawn/dusk, Fireworks, Landscape, Back light, Beach/snow, Sports mode, Party/indoor, Portrait mode, Night portrait, Night landscape, Panorama assist
- Image Stabilizer Optical
- Image stabilizer feature Optical stabilization helps prevent blurry pictures, especially for handheld cameras at slow shutter speeds or when using high optical zoom.
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Face Detection Yes
- White Balance Presets, Automatic
- Digital Video Format QuickTime
- Still Image Format JPEG
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture QuickTime - 640 x 480, QuickTime - 640 x 480, QuickTime - 320 x 240, QuickTime - 160 x 120
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory 13 MB Flash - Integrated
- Supported Flash Memory MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
- Integrated Memory 13 MB
- Floppy Drive None
- Image Storage JPEG 3072 x 2304, JPEG 3072 x 1728, JPEG 2592 x 1944, JPEG 2048 x 1536, JPEG 1024 x 768, JPEG 640 x 480
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Effective Flash Range 1 ft - 19.7 ft
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 6.3 mm - 18.9 mm - F/3.3-4.2
- Focal Length 6.3 mm - 18.9 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 38 - 114 mm
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Min Focus Range 11.8 in
- Macro Focus Range 4cm
- Lens Aperture F/3.3-4.2
- Optical Zoom 3 x
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 9 group(s) / 12 element(s)
- Lens Manufacturer Nikon
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Additional Features Blur warning, DPOF support, Direct print, Audio recording, Auto power save, Cropping an image, PictBridge support, In-camera red-eye fix, Digital image rotation, Digital noise reduction, Face-priority AF function
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 230,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x USB, 1 x Docking station
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Software
- Software Drivers & Utilities, Nikon PictureProject
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows ME, MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows 98 SE, MS Windows Vista, Apple Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive, SVGA monitor
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Docking station insert
- Cables Included 1 x USB cable, 1 x A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Battery
- Supported Battery Nikon EN-EL8
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
- Labs information All values are expressed in seconds. Please visit our labs information page for information on how digital cameras are tested.
- CNET Labs Flash shot to shot time 2.5
- CNET Labs Shot to shot time typical 2.4
- CNET Labs Shutter lag bright 0.9
- CNET Labs Shutter lag dim 2.1
- CNET Labs Typical burst speed 1.4
- CNET Labs Wake up time 3.9
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Nikon Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Nikon Inc. products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.nikonusa.com/
- Address:
1300 Walt Whitman Rd.
Melville, NY 11747 - Phone: 516/547-4200
- Fax: 631-547-4025








