Connectivity
Software (6.5)
The Nikon Coolpix S2 comes with PictureProject software version 1.5, which includes ArcSoft Panorama Maker 3 and QuickTime 6. It took my computer about ten minutes to load it– and my computer takes its sweet time doing everything, so it shouldn’t take yours any longer than that. This software is quite easy to use. There is a row of buttons across the top with the following options: transfer, import, print, mail, share, slide show, muvee (yes, this is how it’s actually spelled), burn, auto enhance, auto red-eye, and help. There are editing functions down the right column: brighten, D-lighting, color booster, photo effects, sharpen, and straighten. The cropping icon is just above the photograph. This program is very easy to use, but is missing a contrast tool (which is necessary for this camera’s inadequate black-and-white color mode).
In practice, the red-eye correction feature did not perform as it should. When I uploaded a picture of my son with classic red-eye, which should have been corrected by the in-camera feature to begin with, the PictureProject software only half-fixed the issue. When I hit the automatic red-eye button, only one eye was corrected – leaving my son with a demented one red eye, one black eye look!
Jacks, Ports, Plugs (7.0)
The S2 comes with a COOLSTATION camera dock that is chock full of ports, plugs, and the like. This requires an exorbitant amount of wires. The actual dock is a single piece of plastic with holes and metal jacks sticking out all over. The camera sits on top of a USB jack. At the back of the COOLSTATION, there are three ports: USB, A/V out, and DC in. The USB hooks up to the computer or printer. The A/V out connects to the television. The DC in is what recharges the battery and consists of a wire that runs into an AC adapter; another cable connects the AC adapter to an electrical outlet. This does clutter your desk top, but the real estate on the actual camera body remains open and functional.
Direct Print Options (6.0)
The included COOLSTATION is required along with the camera to print pictures because the has the USB key. Once the camera and printer are connected via the COOLSTATION, the user must enter the setup menu and select the printer option in the USB mode. This certainly isn’t the easiest method of transfer, but it is not extremely difficult either. Users can print photos one at a time or select a group of images and have them printed all at once.
Battery (6.0)
The S2 comes with a thin lithium-ion battery (EN-EL8) that lasts for up to 190 shots. It recharges inside the camera when it is docked in the included COOLSTATION. There is a battery life indicator on the LCD screen. You can tell that the S2 is low on battery life when the LCD keeps shutting off.
Memory (3.5)
There are 12MB of internal memory on this camera. Since that will only get you five pictures at full resolution, you’ll want to purchase an extra SD card. The slot sits next to the battery slot beneath a door on the right side (when viewing from behind).
Other Features (7.0)
Blur Warning – A shaking hand shows up on the screen to warn you that your picture will be terrible; if you can do without the warning, it can be turned off.
Welcome Screen – You can have the welcome screen depict the Nikon logo, an animation of the Coolpix logo, or a picture of your own.
Date – While every camera admittedly has this feature, setting the time on other cameras isn’t as novel as it is on the S2. The S2 has a tiny map on its LCD and a list of cities in each time zone. You simply scroll sideways and select the city and area of the map you’re in. Easy!
Languages – The S2 can speak your language, as long as it’s German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Swedish, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, or Korean.
Auto Off – This digital camera can be programmed to shut off, and therefore save battery life, after 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 30 minutes.
Sounds Settings – The Nikon S2 has a small portfolio of different sounds. The shutter can sound like the shutter of a traditional film camera, a water droplet, or some sort of strange alien noise. Beeping for scrolling through menus can be turned on and off. All of these sounds can be controlled by the volume, which can be set to loud, normal, or off.
Self-Timer – The Nikon Coolpix S2 has a standard 10-second self-timer.
Best Shot Selector – This function captures images at a rate of about 2 frames per second while the shutter release button is pressed down. The camera then selects the least blurry, best exposed picture and saves it.
