Value (6.25)
At $299.95, the Nikon Coolpix S510 looks pretty ordinary when compared to other comparably-priced cameras. Good for Nikon for putting optical image stabilization and full resolution shooting at ISO 2000 on the S510, but other manufacturers offer a more advanced feature set for the same near-$300 price tag. Consumers should know they can get updated face detection, more built-in editing, touch screen LCDs, HD still output, or wireless photo transfer for the same price.
Who’s this Camera For?
Point and Shooters – As another 3x optical zoom lens camera in a portable body, the Nikon Coolpix S510 absolutely suits this segment.
Budget Consumers – At the $299 original price and about $250 online price, the Coolpix S510 isn’t the least expensive camera around. Customers can find plenty of options for less than $200.
Gadget Freaks – Technies would snub their noses at the Nikon Coolpix S510. It doesn’t serve their gadget needs like the other Nikon Wi-Fi-enabled cameras, nor is it equipped with HD output or touch screen capabilities as some competitor models are.
Manual Control Freaks – Lacking aperture and shutter control, the Coolpix S510 doesn’t suit this population well. Photographers who like to flex their creative muscles are better off buying SLRs, ultra-zoom compacts, or the less common point-and-shoot with PASM functions.
Pros / Serious Amateurs – Because of the lack of manual control and average image performance, the Nikon Coolpix S510 would not interest professional photographers.
Comparisons
Nikon Coolpix S500 – At the same original price of $299.95, the Coolpix S500 is the predecessor to the Coolpix S510. The more recent S510 touts a higher 8.1-megapixels, up from the 7.1-megapixel S500. Both carry 3x optical zoom lens with optical Vibration Reduction stabilization and sensitivity speeds of up to ISO 2000. Aside from the higher resolution, the Coolpix S510 also has an updated Expeed Processor, which Nikon claims reduces noise at high ISOs. Testing shows both models produce significant noise at high ISO settings. The S500, however, performs worse in video than the newer S510. Essentially, there really isn’t much of a difference between the S500 and S510 performance-wise, although the S510 has more resolution and a faster processor.
Canon PowerShot SD1000 – The 7.1-megapixel Canon SD1000, announced in February 2007, shares the same original $299 price tag as the 8.1-megapixel Nikon S510. Both cameras are fitted with 3x optical zoom lenses but differ in stabilization methods. The Canon camera does not have optical or mechanical image stabilization, while the Nikon point-and-shoot does with its lens-shifting Vibration Reduction system. Both cameras are fitted with 2.5-inch LCD screens with 230,000-pixel resolution. While the PowerShot has a threshold of ISO 1600 at full resolution, the Coolpix has a maximum of ISO 2000. Both the Canon SD1000 and Nikon S510 employ face detection systems and wide 16:9 shooting.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC T70 – At $299.99, the Sony T70 has the same 8.1-megapixel count as the Nikon S510. Both cameras are fitted with a 3x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization. The Sony camera, however, touts a more advanced 3-inch LCD with touch screen abilities, compared to 2.5-inch non-touch screen Nikon monitor with the same 230,000-pixel resolution. Both cameras have face detection systems, although Sony T70 only reads up to eight faces while the Nikon S510 can reportedly read up to 12 faces. The Sony T70 also offers HD output for still image and more built-in retouching functions.
Fujifilm FinePix F50fd – The Fujifilm F50fd, at the same original price of $299.95, touts a noticeably higher 12-megapixels compared to the 8.1-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S510. Both cameras are fitted with a 3x optical zoom lens, but each employs a different image stabilization method. The Fuji camera utilizes CCD-shifting mechanical image stabilization, and the Nikon point-and-shoot uses lens-shifting optical image stabilization. Both the FinePix and Coolpix have face detection, but the Fuji F50fd boasts second-generation face-finding technology that detects up to 10 faces at slightly profiled angles, compared to Nikon’s maximum of 12 faces that need to face forward. The Fuji F50fd also has a slightly larger 2.7-inch LCD, versus the Nikon 2.5-inch LCD with the same 230,000-pixel resolution. The Fuji camera, however, only has ISO 1600 at full resolution, compared to the ISO 2000 maximum of the Nikon camera. The FinePix F50fd also adds IrSimple wireless photo transfer.
Olympus FE-300 – With the same original price of $299.99, the Olympus FE-300 carries more resolution at 12 megapixels, compared to the 8.1-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S510. The FE camera and the Coolpix camera are each fitted with a 3x optical zoom lens. The Olympus camera, however, features digital image stabilization, while the Nikon camera is equipped with the more desirable optical image stabilization. Both have equally-sized 2.5-inch LCDs with 230,000-pixel resolution. While the FE-300 only has a maximum ISO 1600 at full resolution, the Nikon S510 is capable of ISO 2000 shooting at full resolution. The cameras both offer face detection systems.
