Imature technology, unresponsive touch screen, battery-hog, and poor playback quality
The idea of this product was very good. That's why I couldn't wait to get one for my wife. Unfortunately, the technology is just not mature at all.
First, the touch screen responsiveness is wildly inconsistent. Usually, it responds immediately. However, sometimes, it takes 3 to 5 sec. You would think that you didn't touch correctly and you would try to touch again, and again. Then you would have touched the same thing twice or 3 times. And you would have to undo the 2nd or 3rd touches.
Second, the battery won't last 100 shots. If you use flash or touch the screen a lot, it probably is good for 60 or 70 shots. You would need 2 or 3 batteries for your trips if you plan to take a lot of shots.
Picture quality is so-so. For a 10 mega-pixel camera, I expect a lot more than my old Canon 4 mega-pixel P&S. Even though my old pictures were taken in low resolution mode (300k to 500k in size each only) and the pictures from this camera were taken at the highest quality mode (4+ M in size each), I hardly notice any difference. Needless to say, there is not even any comparison with my Olympus e-520 DSLR.
For a while, I thought video taking would be ok. It responded pretty fast. Sound wasn't too bad either. However, when I downloaded and watch the video on my computer, it was truly disappointing.
Worst of all, on the live view, your pictures would look even worse. So bad that I didn't even know if any of the pictures I took would be decent. I guess the good thing was they all looked a bit better on the computer than on the live view playback mode since the live view screen was just plain terrible.
I should have given it a 1 star, but I gave it 2 just because of the innovative idea. But the quality of this product is just plain terrible. And it is the first Vietnam-made electronic product that I have ever seen. I think that may explain the poor quality.
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My Hands-on test proves it is too annoying for me
If you haven't been using one of these ultra-compact internal sliding prism digital cameras, then you are missing out. I have over 5000 pictures and 500 videos of experience with cameras like this. I started with the Sony DSC-T1, then the DSC-T9, and most recently the DSC-T300.
They enable you to have a camera/camcorder on your person 24/7. They are not the best at either role, but I have found that one good camera/camcorder in your pocket is way more useful than carrying two bigger devices (a great camera and a great camcorder) - especially when you have left them in your in your car or at home.
Perhaps most surprising is that even the video and sound quality on these little cameras was quite good all the way back to the DSC-T1, so I pretty much stopped using a camcorder at that point.
I'm sure that others will post more thorough reviews soon, but I wanted to get this info out as soon as possible to help others. For example, it is already enough for me to make my purchase decision, and it answers a key question that I have not been able to find the answer to after weeks of research, which is "Can it zoom while recording video?"
Based on reviews of previous models of this camera, I had high expectations. I expected high image quality and good low light performance. I was planning to buy it after I verified that it could zoom while recording video.
After getting my hands on one and playing with it for about 10 minutes, I did verify that it can zoom while recording video, and although I have not yet been able to test its image quality, I will not be buying one of these.
I frequenty switch between video and still photos, and I use zoom extensively. This kind of usage would be very annoying with this camera because both of these features are controlled through the touch screen, which is sluggish, unresponsive, klunky, etc., and thus I would miss many shots. I would not want to have to look forward to this kind of annoyance for the next two years.
If the DSC-T500 has good enough image quality, I will buy that instead. It has mechanical controls for video/photo and zoom, and it has trail-blazing 720p HD video with stereo sound. It also records video in Mpeg4, which should be viewable on my iPod Touch. Its predecessor, the DSC-T300, felt like it was built with much higher quality than the S60, and it had very responsive zoom, unfortunately it had poor image quality.
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Nikon should be ashamed!
I bought this camera because I've heard nothing but good things about Nikon and I was ready for a new P&S, as mine is five years old. The Nikon DSLR's may be a favorite of photographers, but their P&S's - if this camera is any indication - is severely lacking!
I have five-year-old 3MP Fugifilm camera that takes much, much, much better photos than this camera. The additional features, such as "retouch" to draw on the screen and add frames is a complete joke. The drawing feature is kind of cute if you like the five colors you have to choose from. The frames are graphics from 1996 era of websites, and on top of that, you only have five to choose from again. The polaroid one is kind of cute. You can also add "stamps" of hearts, flowers, stars, etc. They, too, are straight from 'My First Website' circa '96. Juvenile at best.
The screen is unresponsive at times. The idea of having a touch screen was wildly appealing to me, but perhaps it's just not a good idea for a camera. I would have to see it to believe it would ever be more than novelty. The screen is also terribly grainy and, once again, worse than my tiny screen on my five-year-old camera.
The pictures it took, regardless of scene mode, were ridiculously bad. Grainy, off-color, blurry - just terrible!! I have been wanting a new camera for quite a while, but this camera has made me appreciate how awesome my camera actually is. I did side-by-side comparisons and I feel like it's a waste of time to even type about how absurd the differences were. Like I said, Nikon should be ashamed.
It was slow taking pictures, but fast loading.
This color is pretty. That is honestly the only good thing I can say about this camera.
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Nikon S60 Does Well
I have had much better experience with my Nikon S60 than the other reviewers. We were headed on a vaction to Big Sur, and the cameras came out 2 weeks before we left. First one I received from Amazon had a cold solder joint internal to the camera, and would quit working when exposed to a 5 to 10 degree temp change. Amazon quickly replaced it (Thanks Amazon) and we were off to the coast. Took about 200 pics and videos during the trip, with most being big scenery. I agree with the other reviewers about the screen delay....but that is why it got a 4 instead of a 5. Picture quality was good, and the screen was easy to read, with no deciphering functions of tiny buttons grouped together like other P&S I tried. Once using the camera, it was easy to switch between still and video, though it took about 3 screen taps. Zoom was impressive, including the digital zoom. Using the digital zoom, you have to be stabilized on something...tripod, fence, etc or the pics come out blurry. I took some great face shots of harbor seals that were about 25 feet away, but I had the camera on the pier handrail for stability. Video was good, but the microphone is very susceptible to wind noise. I am going to check into making a foam cover for it. Camera ON time is very quick...3 seconds so you don't miss the shot waiting for the camera to wake up. One "feature" I was confused about...I accidentally shot video instead of still, with the camera in the vertical position. So to watch the video, I have to look sideways. Nikon does not supply software to right these images. Windows Moviemaker will do it though. Transfer of the pics to computer works great...but don't do it without using their software if you want to play the images back using the HDMI feature. Camera keeps files of pic info, and if you make any changes to any of the pics, the info files don't match the pics and the camera does not recognize the pics anymore. You can still download via the memory card, you just can't use those cool playback features any more. I imagine that is a software upgrade that Nikon will correct. Overall I am happy with the camera, and look forward to many years' use.
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Innovative, but not first-rate
I like the sleekness and the design, as well as the large LCD. It has been a hit with friends because of the innovative touch screen technology. But I have to agree with the others about the sensitivity of the touch screen. It lacks consistency.
The pictures I took of landscapes are not bad. The colors and details are sharp. I'm not so crazy about portraits and anything taken indoor. Comes off grainy. Quality and the sound of videos are not remarkable. It's just like any other digital cameras.
I would love to have a tangible zoom button.
So if you're going for dazzle and functionality, you might as well get the Sony DSC-T77 or T700.
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Steer Clear!
Generally, I love Nikon products. I have a Nikon D40 DSLR and it is the best camera I have ever owned. This camera does a disservice to the quality Nikon (and Nikkor) brand.
First of all, the touchscreen is a joke. It is very inconsistent, and having to use the screen to zoom is a pain in the butt. It is difficult to delete images (need to go into playback mode, zoom in on them, and then click the trash can). It is impossible to delete movies from the device, as the software is very buggy. The graphics look like they came straight out of the 1980s - all white blocky text, and very limited pictograms for the icons. The terrible UI basically negates any redeeming features this camera might have (VR, HDMI to name a few)
As far as picture quality, this thing takes worse pictures than my Motorola RAZR!! And the RAZR is only 1.2MP! It takes MUCH worse pictures than an iphone. Nikon seriously dropped the ball on this one. EVERY picture I took came out incredibly grainy, and I dont know if its due to the sensor, or the ISO speed, because there is no way to select which ISO you would like to use. Seriously, pictures from this camera are worthless. I bought it yesterday with next day shipping so I could have it for the weekend. After using it for like 10 minutes I decided I am going to return this incredibly sub-par product. I went to Best Buy and bought a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS and it is far and above this abomination.
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Looks good and that's all!!
One of the worst cameras I've ever had.The pictures are terrible. I upgraded from a cannon with 6 mps and 3 speed optical zoom which is 100 times better. Very very disappointed.
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Bad experience
I ordered this Nikon S60. It was clearly said on the item description that the item is brand new. I received the product and is damaged. The picture was blur, eventhough I set it as automatic. I know what the picture resolution should be, specially for 10 MP! It made horrible pictures, even a disposable camera would make better pictures! I was so disapointed by this, I really like the camera feature, I love the touch screen, it's my dream pocket camera. So I had to return it, and thank's God, they gave me a refund, but then I have to search for the camera again that fit me and not broken one.
I was so dissapointed that a big company like Amazon could make a big mistake like this. I will not buy anything anymore from this company.
Nikon Coolpix S60 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom (Crimson Red)
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Disappointed
When I first heard about this camera, I was so excited I pre-ordered through Amazon. I'm so disappointed that I'm taking the time to write my first review ever.
This is a beautiful camera. I took it to my company party and everyone asked me about it. People love the fact that you can scroll through pictures "IPhone style". But the pictures from the party came out terrible. It was grainy and sometimes blurry. I dismissed it because I was still sooo hot for this camera.
When I start taking pictures and videos of my kids at home, the true color came out. Under bright indoor condition, the color looked awful. The video switches color while the video is being taken! Picture looked reddish at times. I started playing in the manual mode and it did look a little better. But still not nearly as good as my 4+ year old 5M camera. Outdoor shots the pictures looked ok.
My mother in law was also in the market for a new camera so I lend her the S60. She's not very tech savvy so it's a real world test. She immediately had problems with the viewing and the "flipping" of the pictures. She also had problem zooming pictures in and out. Needless to say she didn't like it. I bought her a T700 from Sony and she loves it.
I already got the return # from Amazon and it'll be my first return ever from an online purchase. I hope you find my review helpful. I used to work in a photo lab and I owned 2 digital cameras before. Both, sadly to say, were better than the S60.
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Not on par with competition
Probably the worst digital camera I've bought.
The touch screen is difficult to use and I agree with other users that it tends to be unresponsive.
The camera will take about 10 pictures before running out of memory. An extra memory card is necessary.
The images on the touch-screen display are grainy and of overall poor quality.
The actual images themselves (after download to computer) are below average. The pictures are washed out, of poor color, and many times slightly out of focus. Wasn't this supposed to be a point and click camera? Terrible.
I'm surprised at Nikon. With so many competitive cameras out there, you would think they would have delivered a top-notch product before the holiday buying season. However, after one night's use with this camera I returned it. Not worth the money. Looks cool, though.
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nikon s 60
This product is not all as it seems. Quality is very poor for a 10MP camera especially in the night, even while using the night scenes. The touch screen is not all that good as well.
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All That Glitters or How I Got Punk'd!
The S60 is a piece of expensive crap. "Useless" is a understatement. I should have known better than to buy any camera which isn't some form of TTL. This is strictly LCD and when it's sunny out you can't see didly. So, how about indoors? Nada! Forget it! The quality of the images is disgusting. Blurry, dark, even when you adjust the exposure. Whether you're doing close ups or wide shots all images are equally horrible. Connecting to my IMac is also a problem. It doesn't come up as a HDD, if anything at all and thus you must install some pretty worthless software. I can't begin to explain how furious I am for falling for the eye candy rather than the function. No wonder I hate Ashton Kutcher...I got PUNK'D!
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nice camera
camera works great and takes great pictures. i dont like having to take the battery out to charge it and i wish the lens was in the center.seems my finger gets in the way.
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lovin it!
I have loved loved loved my new camera. The quality of the pictures is awesome for a small digital camera. I love the fact that when you move the camera from side to side the picture changes positions like an iPod. The settings work fantastic as well and I love the touch screen. It also takes pictures close up very well. The resolution is good where as with other cameras I've had a problem of close ups. I recommend this camera for everyone-maybe not if you have really big or clumsy fingers because you might not like the touch screen since the icons are kind of small.
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Great stylish camera for your night outs!!!
Bought this camera for almost a month and i absolutely loves it! A lot of people are complimenting on the camera especailly saying how cool and stylish it looks. It also takes great pictures. I'm not sure what other reviewers are reviewing but this is a decent camera with a good VR and Zoom.
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Great camera
I've had this camera about a month now and really like it. The picture quality is great, it's easy to use and fun as well. I especially like the 'scene' option and use the sports selection when I want to get an action shot, finally I can take pictures of my dogs doing more than sleeping! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the touch option to move between pictures is a bit slow, not a real problem because clicking on the arrow works just fine.
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Great!!
I love this camera! It got here fast and I was so excited. it takes great pics and you can do so much more with them! I love how big the screen is too!
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nikon s60 write on screen
The write on screen is perfect for enhancing Native American rock art pictures on site. Often very faded rock art turns out to be a picture of a rock unless you are on site and can see the faint outlines which you can then mark on the picture. Bet they didn't think of this use!
NOw how about a bigger lcd?
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