Nikon Coolpix S60 (red)
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc. Part number: 26134
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Fun features and chic styling make the Nikon Coolpix S60 a tasty choice for casual point-and-shoot use. However, if you need speed or snapshot perfection, this isn't your camera.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 11/08/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Nikon Coolpix S60 (red) price range: $239.00
- Reviewed by: Joshua Goldman
- Edited by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 11/10/2008
- Released on: 08/07/2008
The good: Optical image stabilization; 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD; pretty; fun features.
The bad: Comparatively slow interface; relatively slow for its class; soft images; all but the power and shutter are touch-screen controlled.
The bottom line: Fun features and chic styling make the Nikon Coolpix S60 a tasty choice for casual point-and-shoot use. However, if you need speed or snapshot perfection, this isn't your camera.
If you're looking for a night-out-on-the-town camera--assuming said night is well lit--where superb picture quality and lightning-fast performance take a back seat to looking good and having fun, then the 10-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S60 may slip nicely into your lifestyle. File the S60 in the "ooh-ahh" category of ultracompacts: its high-gloss metallic finish comes in six colors, with chrome accents, a metal wave body design, and a 3.5-inch touch panel covering its backside in glassy glory.
I'm sure that screen adds some weight to the 5.7-ounce body, too. It just barely classifies as an ultracompact, with dimensions of 0.9 inch deep by 2.4 inches high by 3.8 inches wide. The 5x f3.8-4.8 33-165mm-equivalent internally zooming lens sits in the top-left corner on front, making it very easy to put your finger in the shot.
There's no shortage of touch-screen point-and-shoot cameras around, but most of them have at least some physical controls. The Nikon Coolpix S60, however, provides the bare minimum: a power button and a shutter button. While this helps maintain the S60's fashionable look, it also means that any operation besides turning it on and taking a picture requires touching the screen, and unfortunately, the S60's interface proves that not all touch screens are created equal. Those expecting the snappiness of Apple's iPhone will be disappointed; this camera just doesn't respond as quickly. I never had any problem getting it to register my taps, either with my finger or when tapping with the included stylus, but the interface frequently lagged in the menu and setting screens. This will frustrate those who regularly change settings; those who usually just point and shoot probably won't care. Also, when playing back photos you can drag your finger across the screen to the right or left to move to another photo. Just flicking your finger across the screen a la iPhone doesn't always do the trick and will occasionally cause an image to hang or zoom instead.
However, the onscreen shooting controls are as responsive as other touch screens I've tested. Changing between shooting modes (Auto, Scene, and Video) for example is generally fast, as is selecting the flash mode, activating the timer or Smile Shutter, or switching to macro. The one thing Nikon should not have made touch controlled is the zoom. It's responsive, but can be difficult to control and it's too low on the display, making it difficult to take one-handed shots and a bit too easy to switch into the Home menu system.
Now for the fun stuff you can do with the touch screen. If the camera isn't focusing on the subject you want, simply tapping on the subject in the screen will correctly activate the autofocus and it will track the subject and adjust for proper exposure. In the Portrait or Night Portrait scene modes, a one-touch zoom icon appears, letting you quickly zoom focus from waist up to bust up to face only (depending on the distance you are from the subject). You can handwrite and draw on pictures, too, which is not new for touch-screen cameras, but amusing nonetheless and has practical uses as well.
Other notable features include distortion control to correct for distortion (common with compact cameras), optical image stabilization, a rather overzealous warning that pops up if it thinks someone in the photo blinked, auto scene selection from one of seven options, in-camera contrast enhancement and perspective control, and a mini-HDMI port for connecting directly to an HDTV for slide-show playback. Absent are manual controls, with the exception of exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity--not exactly surprising, given the target user.
The S60's performs adequately, but lags in its class. It takes 0.6 second to focus and shoot in bright conditions and 1 second in dim light. Shot-to-shot time falls slightly below average at 2 seconds, but turning on the flash added only 0.2 second to the wait. In burst mode, it captured 1.3 frames per second, which isn't great, but I was able to get some impressive action shots all things considered. The only real downer is its 2.4-second time from power on to first shot.
Photo quality is mixed. The photos can be good to very good in well-lit conditions. On one hand, it exhibits accurate color and exposure. In outdoor shots, colors are very good and natural. Indoors, as with many cameras, the auto white balance produces overly warm results; I recommend either using the camera's manual white balance or the appropriate preset.
However, the lens isn't very good. In addition to overall soft photos, there's quite a bit of pincushion distortion, making the distortion control setting pretty much mandatory (though it's not the default). And while noise is acceptable and fairly typical for its class up to and including ISO 200, at ISO 400 it looks like Nikon simply throws a strong blur across the photo and it gets progressively worse from there. Video quality was typical of its class: 30fps VGA good for Web use, but not much else, and you can't zoom while shooting.
There's no denying the Nikon Coolpix S60 is a hot camera design. It would be great if the touch-screen interface was a little snappier in areas and a physical zoom rocker or at least moving the onscreen one higher on the display would be welcomed. Finicky snapshooters will definitely find menu navigation frustrating and the photos not up to par with its price; if you fall into that category, look at our list of best compact cameras for better options. But if you're itching for a stylish pocket/purse camera for casual use, the S60 is just that.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Typical shot-to-shot time (flash) | |
Typical shot-to-shot time | |
Shutter lag (dim) | |
Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
User reviews
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Sub par pictures, bad touch screen interface.
by staryan on October 14, 2008
Pros: The camera looks awesome and being able to write on the screen is kind of neat.
Cons: LCD is low quality, touch screen has slow response and pictures do not really appear crisp even when you put it on the computer.
Summary: I thought this camera was very cool looking but looks can be deceiving it has a slow touch screen and all the cool things about the camera do not work ...
Summary: I thought this camera was very cool looking but looks can be deceiving it has a slow touch screen and all the cool things about the camera do not work as great as you see on the commercial. when you try and slide pictures with your finger the camera thinks you are trying to zoom in. when you turn the camera to get a different view of the picture it sometimes freezes in that posistion. The LCD screen has low resoultion so your pics do not look that great after you take them. I took my camera back after using it for one weekend.
5 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A product unworthy of its fun marketing campaign.
by sfenster78 on October 26, 2008
Pros: Big LCD screen
Cons: All controls, with the exception of the on/off and shoot buttons are on the touch screen. Its a cool concept except the touch screen is not very efficient. I have a lot of patience but this made me crazy.
Summary: Don't buy this if you want this for social events and may at some time want other people to use it to take pictures for you. Its a foreign ...
Summary: Don't buy this if you want this for social events and may at some time want other people to use it to take pictures for you. Its a foreign creature and is not very user friendly at all.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Touch screen is easy to use. Takes great pictures.
by TessMarie on October 29, 2008
Pros: The 3.5 inch screen provides a good view. Icons are easy to see and use. You can use it as a point and shoot on auto, but you can also control the settings. The 5X zoom brings the subject close and in good focus. Nice for carrying in a pocket.
Cons: Battery doesn't last very long, so I purchased a second one as a backup.
Summary: This camera is really fun to use. I find using the included stylus works better than using my finger and I have mine on the camera cord which keeps it ...
Summary: This camera is really fun to use. I find using the included stylus works better than using my finger and I have mine on the camera cord which keeps it handy. Reading the manual really helps to learn all of the camera's functions and I have expermented using all the settings and comparing the results. I'm pleased with the quality of the pictures as well as the movie feature. I have an 8GB card so I have plenty of space to record. This may not be a good choice for an experienced photographer, but for someone just wanting a fun easy camera that takes great pictures, then I would highly recommend this one.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Overall, it's pretty great!
by drdawn32 on October 11, 2009
Pros: quick shots, appealing, small, good battery life
Cons: inside pictures are sometimes grainy
Summary: I love this camera. It's a great point & shoot camera. It's a tad heavier than new digital cameras, but it's good. The touch is great; not ...
Summary: I love this camera. It's a great point & shoot camera. It's a tad heavier than new digital cameras, but it's good. The touch is great; not slow.
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Returned and buying a Cyber-shot T90!
by Sonataish on July 25, 2009
Pros: It looks nice.
Cons: Slow touchscreen, picture quality, flash, and everything!
Summary: I wanted a nice camera for any occasion. Do not buy this camera! It has slow responses for touchscreen and wasn't worth a dime.
Summary: I wanted a nice camera for any occasion. Do not buy this camera! It has slow responses for touchscreen and wasn't worth a dime.
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Quality is just not there.
by mom2co on July 22, 2009
Pros: We have been able to get some good shots outdoors.
Cons: Overall AWFUL quality photos.
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Horrendous
by brentpaxton on July 7, 2009
Pros: Large LCD screen
Cons: Poor quality LCD screen
Extremely blurry pictures
Horrible interface
Deceiving ad campaignSummary: Worst camera for the money I've ever seen. Stay away. Looks like a great gift for you wife/daughter but it's not worth $1, much less $300. If ...
Summary: Worst camera for the money I've ever seen. Stay away. Looks like a great gift for you wife/daughter but it's not worth $1, much less $300. If you have to have a touch screen, go with a Sony instead.
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The Nikon touch screen really works!
by colacokeqt5 on July 4, 2009
Pros: It has a great color(Purple), Awesome pictures, Perfect videos, and much more!
Cons: Nothing at all.
Summary: The product will work fast, zoom, and do whatever you tell it to do. Bottom line is, this is a great product!
Summary: The product will work fast, zoom, and do whatever you tell it to do. Bottom line is, this is a great product!
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Worst Nikon I have owned
by no1nhere on June 30, 2009
Pros: Video is handy. I actually liked the touch screen!
Cons: Terrible photos. In full sun or with the flash it always picked the wrong ISO. Manual ISO helped a little, but not enough to overcome the muddy pictures. All pictures seemed washed out.
Summary: I was looking for a point an shoot camera to carry when I could take my Nikon SLR. I picked this due to the internal zoom. I was so disappointed, ...
Summary: I was looking for a point an shoot camera to carry when I could take my Nikon SLR. I picked this due to the internal zoom. I was so disappointed, I returned the camera.
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This is the absolute worst camera I have ever used!
by cndaugherty on June 23, 2009
Pros: Touch screen big deal! I thought the point of a camera was to take good photos.
Cons: The whole unit is expensive junk
Summary: Stay away might take good close up pics but if anyone moves its so blurry you have to delete it.
Summary: Stay away might take good close up pics but if anyone moves its so blurry you have to delete it.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
- Part number: 26134
- Description: The Coolpix S60 offers intuitive fingertip shooting control and a variety of exciting playback options, all seamlessly integrated into an innovative touch screen interface. With a newly developed 3.5-inch LCD monitor featuring a 16:9 widescreen display, the only physical button to press is the shutter - and even that isn't needed when using handy features such as the self-timer or the Smile Timer. The optimized interface offers a choice of three different HOME screens with large icons that make fingertip selection of operating modes and controls easy and accurate. Even the 5x zoom can be controlled via icons on the touch screen. Advanced features include the ability to lock autofocus and exposure on a subject by simply touching the corresponding location on the screen. The camera then follows the subject's movement to ensure sharp focus when the shutter is pressed. And, when used in conjunction with the Portrait One-touch Zoom function available in Portrait or Night Portrait scene modes, one more touch of the screen commands the camera to automatically zoom in and capture the subject with just the right amount of framing.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Width 3.9 in
- Depth 0.9 in
- Height 2.4 in
- Weight 5.1 oz
- Enclosure Color Crimson red
- Body Material Metal
Main Features
- Resolution 10 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Total Pixels 10,340,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 10,000,000 pixels
- Light Sensitivity ISO 64, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 2000, ISO 3200 (5Mpix), ISO auto (64-800)
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Shooting Programs Copy, Food, 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
- Still Image Format JPEG
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Supported Flash Memory SD Memory Card
- Integrated Memory 20 MB
- Floppy Drive None
- Digital Storage Media None
- Image Storage JPEG 3648 x 2736, JPEG 3584 x 2016, 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
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 5.9 mm - 29.5 mm - F/3.8-4.8
- Focal Length 5.9 mm - 29.5 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 33 - 165 mm
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Min Focus Range 23.6 in
- Macro Focus Range 9cm
- Lens Aperture F/3.8-4.8
- Optical Zoom 5 x
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 10 group(s) / 12 element(s)
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Additional Features Face zoom, Face detection, Audio recording, Touch-screen control, In-camera red-eye fix, Digital image rotation, Face-priority AF function, Blink Detection technology, Smile Detection technology, Camera orientation detection
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3.5 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 230,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
- Microphone Technology Electret condenser
- Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x HDMI output
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Software
- Software Drivers & Utilities
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive
Miscellaneous
- Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
- Included Accessories Stylus, Carrying strap
- Cables Included USB cable, A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Battery charger - External
Battery
- Supported Battery Nikon EN-EL10
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Product series
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Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10 megapixels, 5 x, 3.5 in LCD display
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Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10 megapixels, 5 x, 3.5 in LCD display
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Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10 megapixels, 5 x, 3.5 in LCD display
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Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10 megapixels, 5 x, 3.5 in LCD display
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Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10 megapixels, 5 x, 3.5 in LCD display
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Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10 megapixels, 5 x, 3.5 in LCD display
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
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