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Introduction
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01.Testing/Performance
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02.Components
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03.Design / Layout
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04.Modes
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05.Control Options
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06.Image Parameters
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07.Connectivity / Extras
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08.Overall Impressions
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09.Conclusion
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10.Sample Photos
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11.Photo Gallery
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12.Specs / Ratings
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13.Comments
Nikon Coolpix S510
Previous: Page 2
ComponentsNext: Page 4
Modes
Model Design / Appearance (7.0)
The Nikon S510 is uniformly proportional and generally attractive. With a shiny, flat body, the Coolpix has an aesthetically pleasing layout. Overall, the Nikon Coolpix S510 is a looker.
Size / Portability (7.75)
Measuring 3.5 x 2.0 x 0.9 inches, the Nikon Coolpix S510 is small enough to fit into a pocket. The Nikon S510 blends elements from smaller, metal Nikon S-series cameras with the thickness of the Coolpix L-series cameras, but without the right hand grip. At 4.4 ounces without battery or memory card, the camera could easily be strapped to a user’s wrist for extended periods of shooting.
Handling Ability (6.25)
The Nikon Coolpix S510 doesn't handle well. While the 0.9-inch thickness adds some girth to hold onto, but it lacks a textured surface or right hand grip. There are small raised dots located where the thumb rests, but its small stature makes thumb support null. The rotary dial has raised lines that are actually fairly effective for navigation.
Lefties will have additional room to rest their thumbs next to the LCD screen and the front of the camera without covering the flash, avoiding a common problem with point-and-shoot designs. Overall, though, the camera sufficiently allows a user to shoot a few frames with comfort, but for extended shooting, users should consider a chunkier compact.
Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (6.75)The control panel puts looks ahead of practicality. While the button design is aesthetically pleasing, it’s not intuitive. The buttons are extremely small, suited for dainty hands, and don’t utilized the extra space on the back of the camera. The buttons are located where they should be, but their itty bitty size hinders ease-of-use. The buttons are also not that deep, which means users will have a harder time pressing them.
The one thing Nikon got right regarding the control panel is the rotary selector, carried over from the earlier Coolpix S500. In lieu of a four-way controller, the selector serves as both a menu navigator and four-way controller for Flash, Self-Timer, Focus, and EV compensation. The rotary dial is a successful integration into the Nikon system, but the rest of the mini buttons make it a bit too difficult to use.
Menu (7.5)
The Coolpix S510 carries over from the S500 a simple, easy-to-use menu system centered on the rotary multi-selector.
Instead of a traditional mode dial, Shooting mode access is moved inside the menu. Shooting mode, High ISO, Scene, Audio, Video, and Setup Tools are laid out in a circle, highlighted in yellow when selected. Each tool opens another menu with gray backgrounds and black or white text. The fonts are easy to read and navigate. Users can switch from a text-based layout to an icon-based layout, much like cell phone menus.
The Shooting menu has settings including pixel resolution, named Image mode, and White Balance with a live preview overlay. Most settings are spelled out with text and icons, except for "BSS," which stands for Best Shot Selector.
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Recording menu
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Image mode
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8 M High (3264*), 8 M Normal (3264), 5 M Normal (2592), 3 M Normal (2048), PC Screen (1024), TV Screen (640), 16:9
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White Balance
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Auto, Preset manual, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash
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Continuous
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Single, Continuous, BSS, Multi-shot 16, Intvl timer shooting
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ISO sensitivity
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Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000
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Color Options
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Standard color, Vivid color, Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype
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AF area mode
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Face priority, Auto, Manual, Center
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The Setup menu is standard:
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Setup Menu
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Format card
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No, Format
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Language
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Czech, Danish, German, English, Spanish, Greek, French, Indonesian, Italian, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Finnish, Swedish, Turkish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai
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Video mode
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NTSC, PAL
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Reset all
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No, Reset
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Firmware
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COOLPIX S510 Ver.1.1
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Menus
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Text, Icon
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Welcome Screen
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Disable welcome, Coolpix, Select an image
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Date
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Date, Time zone
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Monitor settings
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Photo info (Show info, Auto info, Hide info, Framing grid), Brightness
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Date imprint
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Off, Date, Date and time, Date counter
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Vibration reduction
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On, Response priority, Off
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AF assist
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Auto, Off
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Digital zoom
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On, Off
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Sound settings
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Button sound (On, Off), Shutter sound (On, Off)
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Auto off
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30s, 1m, 5m, 30m
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Some users might miss the physical mode dial, traditionally located on the top of the camera, but the intuitive rotary dial and strong internal menu system gives the right amount of logical options and direct navigation.
Ease of Use (6.25)
First-time users will have a relatively easy time using the Nikon S510 right out of the box. With a thorough, simple menu system, the camera is easy to use. Some buttons are too small, but the intuitive rotary dial helps. Portability is sufficient. The inclusion of a help display, which explains settings, and live previews for white balance and color shooting will help beginner photographers develop their skills.
Shop for the Nikon Coolpix S510
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