Nikon COOLPIX S52 Reviews

May.16, 2008 in Nikon

The Nikon Coolpix S52 is identical to the S52c, with the exception of its finish colors and the latter camera’s 802.11b/g wireless network connectivity. The camera features a stylish design, 9-megapixel resolution, an f/3.3-4.2, 38mm-114mm (35mm equivalent) 3x zoom lens, and optical image stabilization. Its 230,000-dot, 3-inch LCDs has an antireflective coating.

The COOLPIX S52 offers a unique combination of style and technology. Fast image processing and responsive operation is guaranteed with Nikon’s EXPEED technology., and we have also ensured that the high exterior quality of these cameras matches the advanced innovations inside.

Features:

* 9.0 effective Megapixel CCD
* F3.3-4.2, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 38 - 114 mm
* Optical image stabilization (VR)
* Ultra-compact metal body comes in black and fed
* 3-inch LCD display with 230,000 pixels
* Point-and-shoot operation
* Same “usual Nikon features” as P80 above
* Fancy movie mode with music and special effects
* 38MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
* VGA movie mode with sound (I think)
* Uses EN-EL8 li-ion battery; 200 shots per charge
* USB 2.0 High Speed support

Images are framed and reviewed on a 3.0″ LCD display with 230,000 pixel resolution - the only choice, since there’s no optical viewfinder on the Nikon Coolpix S52. There’s 38MB of internal memory on which to store your images, and the Nikon S52 also accepts Secure Digital memory cards. Power comes from a proprietary EN-EL8 Lithium Ion battery pack rated as good for 200 photos on a charge. Connectivity options include USB 2.0 High-Speed for data transfer to computers and the like, and AV output connectivity.

COOLPIX S52 Reviews from Photographyreview

Pros

* Ergonomic design and controls
* Pocketable size and weight
* Bright, high resolution LCD screen
* Strong image quality
* Usable high ISO capability

Cons

# Auto focus needs bright light
# No RAW format
# Card write speed is average
# Slow shot-to-shot speed
# No continuous shooting in scene modes

COOLPIX S52 Reviews from Cnet

The good: Numerous dedicated buttons for different settings; 15x optical zoom; 3.5-inch LCD, top color viewfinder display; mechanical rings for zoom, manual focus and exposure compensation; dual jog system; above average battery life; excellent continuous shooting mode.

The bad: Bulky and heavy in weight; handgrip may feel uncomfortable during prolonged usage due to shallow chassis; no image stabilization but sports a high-speed mode.

The bottom line: If you don’t fancy changing lenses very often and can compromise on the oddly positioned electronic viewfinder, Samsung’s Digimax Pro 815 with its 15x optical zoom should satisfy most enthusiasts and dSLR users looking for a spare camera.