The Coolpix S60 is a stylish new addition to the wide-ranging Nikon lineup. It boasts a handsome 3.5-inch touch screen LCD and a surprising lack of buttons and switches: the screen is the only method of input, However, this seems to be a case of form over function, as the screen's response time is mediocre, the manual controls minimal, and parts of the camera shoddily constructed. The Nikon Coolpix S60 ships in September for $349.99
Conclusion Nikon's S60 is a gorgeous slip of a phone, bedecked in a spangled body. It's pleasant to hold and even more so to look at. Functionality wise, the focus is fast, it has a good zoom, and a decent amount of white balance control. The ability to tap any area of the screen to focus directly on it is a nice feature too. However, the camera isn't without its problems. The port cover for the HDMI connector feels incredibly fragile, and the USB port has no protection at all. The touch-screen feels slow and unresponsive, which is a game-killer for a camera where this is the only means of interface. The menus are sluggish to navigate, and have too many levels, and there are almost no manual controls. Plus the beautiful body gets smeared and besmirched by fingerprints far too easily, and the battery life is sub-optimal. The S60 feels like a definite case of style over substance. It's as easy as possible to use, and is a gorgeous piece of gear in any set of hands. But if you want any real control of your shooting experience, then this isn't the camera for you. The Nikon Coolpix S60 is available for $349.99
Likes
- Stylish look
- Tap to focus - Manual white balance
Dislikes
- Limited manual control - Fragile or no port protection - Sluggish and low resolution touch screen
Nikon's S60 is a gorgeous slip of a phone, bedecked in a spangled body. It's pleasant to hold and even more so to look at. Functionality wise, the focus is fast, it has a good zoom, and a decent amount of white balance control. The ability to tap any area of the screen to focus directly on it is a nice feature too. However, the camera isn't without its problems. The port cover for the HDMI connector feels incredibly fragile, and the USB port has no protection at all. The touch-screen feels slow and unresponsive, which is a game-killer for a camera where this is the only means of interface. The menus are sluggish to navigate, and have too many levels, and there are almost no manual controls. Plus the beautiful body gets smeared and besmirched by fingerprints far too easily, and the battery life is sub-optimal. The S60 feels like a definite case of style over substance. It's as easy as possible to use, and is a gorgeous piece of gear in any set of hands. But if you want any real control of your shooting experience, then this isn't the camera for you. The Nikon Coolpix S60 is available for $349.99