Nikon Coolpix S500

Connectivity
Software (6.5)
The Nikon Coolpix S500 comes with a CD-ROM that includes a USB driver, QuickTime, ArcSoft PanoramaMaker, and PictureProject 1.7 software. The PictureProject software has all the bells and whistles of typical software included with digital cameras and even throws in a few interesting features. Like other programs, pictures and videos can be browsed in folders or as thumbnails, previews, or lists. There is a search filter that allows users to find images based on date, file name, keyword, and tag. The search filter is located on the right side of the screen along with the file information, properties, and space for users to type in keywords.

Options along the top of the window provide easy access to lots of tools: transfer, import, print, mail, share, slide show, Pictmotion, burn, auto enhance, auto red-eye, and help. There are also buttons to Organize, Edit, and Design. The editing features include brightness, D-lighting (like exposure compensation), color booster, photo effects, sharpening, and straighten. Images can be cropped from here too. The Design tab is disabled and probably requires an upgrade before it functions. With the Pictmotion option, users can create and make slide shows DVDs, which is not often included with digital camera software.

The included software is above average compared to what is often included with point-and-shoot digital cameras, but still won’t replace Photoshop on most computers.

Jacks, ports, plugs (6.25)
The Nikon Coolpix S500 has a single jack that connects to the included AV and USB cables. The AV function can be set to NTSC or PAL standards and the USB can be set to PTP or Mass Storage. In the setup menu, users can also choose whether images should automatically transfer to the printer or computer when the camera is on and connected to the USB cable.

Direct Print Options (5.5)
The Nikon S500 makes printing simple by allowing users to create print orders before hooking up to the actual device. In the playback menu, there is a Print Set option that allows users to select images and how many prints from 0-9 copies. The print set is saved and transferred when the camera is hooked up to a PictBridge compatible printer with the included USB cable.

Battery (3.25)
Buried in the box with the camera is a tiny EN-EL10 lithium-ion battery. It is small and thin and doesn’t last very long. It gets about 180 shots per charge, which is quite awful. Even the cheaper S200 gets 230 shots with the same battery. The unimpressive battery can be supplemented by an extra battery or an optional AC adapter EH-62D. The battery is cheap – it sells for about $25. Also in the camera box is a charger. It isn’t a wall-mount type, which is disappointing as those are the most travel-friendly and space-efficient. The MH-63 battery charger consists of a base and a cord that connects it to the wall.

Memory (3.75)
The Nikon Coolpix S500 comes with 26 MB of internal memory and no other media. Users can purchase or use SD, SDHC, or MMC memory cards. In the playback mode there is an option that allows images to be copied from the internal memory to the memory card and vice versa.

Other features (3.5)
Voice Memo – Users can attach up to 20 seconds of audio to each image in the playback mode by pushing the central button in the rotary dial.

Voice Recording Mode – This feature is becoming more and more common on digital cameras. The Nikon S500’s voice recording mode can be found in the playback mode when the mode button is pushed; it appears on the virtual dial. It can record up to 5 hours of audio at a time and more than 40 minutes just on the internal memory.

Best Shot Selector – When this is selected in the recording menu, the camera will select and save one picture out of a string of up to 10 images as long as the shutter release button is held down. For example, if your finger holds the button down for only three shots, it will choose one of the three. If your finger holds for nine shots, still only one is chosen. The camera doesn’t display the images side by side or let users in on the selection process; it automatically selects the picture with the best focus and exposure. This seems a little risky to me, but people who find themselves hitting the delete button all too often anyway may appreciate this.