Nikon Coolpix S7c First Impressions Review

by Emily Raymond
Published on September 29, 2006

Navigation
Intro	Physical Tour
Components	Design / Layout
Modes	Control Options
Image Parameters	Connectivity / Extras
Overall Impressions	Conclusion

 

The front of the camera looks very flat, but the side with the lens in it is actually thicker than the rest of the body. The Coolpix S7c has a wave design that keeps the left edge slightly thicker and the immediate body inside thinner. The wave then crests again near the lens. The top left side of the front has a Nikon logo. The center of the right side has a Coolpix S7c logo. On the far right edge are a set of specs for the lens that are vertically aligned: “Zoom Nikkor ED 5.8-17.4, 1:2.8-5.0 VR.” In the top right corner is a combination of features that look almost like one element. The built-in flash is on the left of the lens, with its window running into the side of the lens rim. The lens rim is awfully tiny, as is the window to the actual glass lens. The lens never extends from the camera. To the right of the lens is a small auto focus assist lamp.

 

Back

The back side of the Nikon Coolpix S7c is almost completely flat. The large LCD screen on the left is just slightly raised but doesn’t protrude enough to catch on pockets or create any discomfort when stashing in a small space. There is about an inch of space to the right of the big screen that is filled with controls. At the bottom of this strip is the multi-selector, which consists of a central OK button surrounded by a rotating dial. The top of the multi-selector does double duty by selecting the flash mode. The left side chooses the self-timer and the bottom activates the macro mode. There are icons to the side of the dial that indicate that the OK button transfers images and activates the vibration reduction mode. Above the multi-selector are two buttons aligned horizontally: the Menu button is on the left and the Delete button is on the right. In the top right corner is a curved thumb divot with bumps to aid in grip. To the left of the divot are two more buttons aligned vertically: the top switches the camera from recording to playback mode, and the bottom button changes exposure modes.

The left side of the S7c is a shiny polished chrome that bulges outward at the top where the WiFi antenna is housed. There is a WiFi logo on this side, near the top, along with an LED below it to indicate when the camera is connected.

The right side is completely plain except for a wrist strap eyelet in the center of this side.

The top of the Nikon S7c shows off the wave design with the crest of the wave on the left side where the lens is housed. The left edge of the top has a chrome cap on it, mainly for decoration. The skinny one-touch portrait button is also on that side. To the right of the button are four holes that make up the microphone. On the right side of the top is a chrome oval that encases three features. The tiny circular power button sits on the left edge of the chrome with a green LED next to it. The larger oval shutter release button is in the center, and a tiny zoom switch sits on the right edge of top. The zoom switch moves side to side and is tiny enough that fingernails will need to be long to make any adjustments with the lens.  

The bottom of the Nikon Coolpix S7c has a battery compartment door on the left side that slides toward the back and springs open on a wide hinge. The skinny battery and SD card fit into slots in here. There is a port in the center of the bottom; this connects to the included CoolStation camera dock. To the right of the port is a metal tripod socket, which is the standard quarter-inch size. The serial numbers and other information are on the right side.