Nikon Coolpix S700

Connectivity
Software (7.0)
This Nikon digital camera includes a software suite that includes, of all things, Kodak EasyShare Software. It also includes ArcSoft PanoramaMaker 4, Nikon Transfer software, and QuickTime.

It doesn’t take long to install the Nikon Transfer software from the CD-ROM. That’s probably because there isn’t much to it. It can upload pictures from the camera only, and doesn’t do much else. It can’t edit images either. It saves them into designated folders and allows users to view them. Most computers come with a program preinstalled that does this same function. Nikon’s Transfer software is a waste of disk space.

Nikon Transfer Software

The Kodak EasyShare Software takes quite a few minutes to install. It tries to amuse users with a slideshow of how awesome the program is: "calendar view lets you quickly find your pictures by day or by month." Once the software is installed and opened, users must manually add pictures to the program. Pictures can be loaded in folders, so it’s not terribly tedious, but it isn’t automatic either. Images can be viewed as thumbnails with a sliding bar that adjusts the size of the thumbnails. There are a few quick buttons just above the viewing window to view image details, print, add to an online print order, select all, tag as favorite, tag to hide, rotate, and delete. Above these icon buttons are larger buttons for more functions: add pictures, new album, edit, burn CD/DVD, and slide show. Along the left side of the window are various multimedia functions: my collection, print at home, e-mail, order prints online, creative projects (a marketing plug for Kodak’s photo mugs, cards, etc.), and EasyShare center.

Kodak EasyShare Software

The editing features of this version of Kodak EasyShare Software are decent. They include crop, rotate, red-eye fix, auto enhance, scene balance, color balance, scene effects, and fun effects. There is also a help function that can be found in any of the program’s windows. The EasyShare software is an odd inclusion because it is made by another camera manufacturer, but if the Transfer software is indicative of Nikon’s software offerings then it is best to stay away from their programs anyway.

Kodak EasyShare Software

Jacks, ports, plugs (4.0)
The S700 has a single port on its bottom that connects to a multi-connector cable that has AV-out and USB functionality. The port on the bottom is open, exposing it to dust and moisture and making it vulnerable to more wear and tear. Most ports on digital cameras are located on the sides and are protected with rubber covers. The placement of the S700’s port is worrisome because users will have to rest the camera on its front or back to plug it in. This will likely cause the surfaces to get scratched.

Direct Print Options (5.5)
The PictBridge-compatible Nikon Coolpix S700 can create print orders in the Playback menu. The second option down, print set, allows users to select and check images for printing. Users can choose to print an image 0-9 times. If users would like to imprint the date, that must be done separately in the Setup menu. Some digital cameras allow users to imprint the date in the same sub-menu as the print orders, but not the S700.

Battery (3.25)
The S700 comes with a skinny EN-EL10 lithium-ion rechargeable battery that gets about 150 shots before it needs to spend some time in the charger. The battery fits into a slot on the bottom of the camera beneath a flimsy plastic door. The door looks like it could break off at any moment; oddly, the camera still works when the compartment door is open. Battery capacity is rated at 3.7V, 740 mAh. The 150-shot battery life is a bit below average for a trim camera like this with a skinny battery. The Canon SD950 gets 240 shots per charge and the Panasonic FX100 gets 320 shots. The Nikon S700’s charger is included in the box, and it takes about 100 minutes to fully charge.

Memory (4.25)
The Nikon S700 includes 52MB of internal memory. This is more than what the average camera offers, but keep in mind that it offers more resolution than the average camera too – and thus needs more space to record images. Nine full-resolution images can be recorded to the internal memory. The camera also has a card slot in the same compartment with its battery, so users can insert an SD or SDHC card to snap more than nine images. In the Playback mode, images can be moved from the internal memory to the card and vice versa.

Other features (3.5)
Voice Recording Mode – On the virtual mode dial there is a microphone icon that represents the voice recording mode. It allows users to record mono audio – albeit not the best quality – for up to five hours at a time.