| The Good |
|---|
| ISO Speeds up to 3200, Video at 30 FPS (Standard Resolution), 12.0 Megapixel Sensor, 4-Way Image Stabilization, 2.7” LCD, Inexpensive, Compact, Manual or Automatic ISO Settings. |
| The Bad |
| Low Quality Viewing on LCD, Low Battery Life, Poor Quality with ISO Speeds Above 800, Poor Ergonomics. |
| Yay or Nay |
| If you want a point and shoot camera that goes anywhere and can handle a lot of use, this is for you. Remember, it’s not a professional camera, and you won’t get the best shots in the world, but there is still something to be said about this little camera. |
Overview
Nikon is notorious for great cameras, and they tend to produce excellent quality in all of their lines. The Coolpix S570 lives up to those expectations, and as a point and shoot camera, far exceeds most people’s preconceptions about compact cameras. The wide angle lens and the user determined ISO settings make this a great camera to use. Unlike other compact point and shoot cameras, setting the ISO at 3200 doesn’t result in the loss of a noticeable amount of quality. Additionally, it’s not impossible to produce print quality work with lower speeds.
Snapshots
This is a very user friendly camera thanks to its fairly simple controls. Anyone can use the automatic settings, and even hobbyists will enjoy the ability to freely choose between the settings. On top of that, the 12.0 megapixel sensor adds a great deal of detail to photos. With its built-in editing systems and image stabilization, this camera has everything you would expect from a camera of this size and class. Unfortunately, there is no continuous shooting available on this camera, which means that all fast action shots must be shot in video mode and freeze framed later.
Video
Even though video has always been hard to produce reliably with digital cameras, the S570 makes one of the better attempts. Despite only being able to record video in standard formatting (640×480), it does a respectable job of creating videos are very usable. Nevertheless, there are drawbacks to any video system in a digital camera, and you cannot expect the same results that you would get from a camcorder of the same quality.
Photo Quality and Extras
With 12.0 megapixels and a plethora of ISO options, it’s no wonder as to why so many owners of this camera sing its praises. Nikon has provided the same quality parts and service with this camera as they do with their higher end models, which have many more options and are much more expensive.
Some of the most notable extras that are included with this camera are the fully adjustable ISO speeds from 80 to 3200, and the fact that it has a great Nikon wide angle lens. However, the more overlooked aspects are that this camera also has beginner friendly settings like active zoom, onboard editing to adjust quirky aspects of photos and even macro shooting capabilities to allow for super close photos to be taken.
Downside
The most notable pitfall is that this camera runs on AA batteries. While these are accessible, they are not that cheap when compared to Lithium Ion rechargeable power sources. Another big drawback is the lower quality LCD of this camera, which is small and relatively grainy.
Conclusion
This is an excellent point and shoot camera that won’t cost an arm and a leg to buy. With a price range of $150 to $200, this camera is a great deal for anyone who wants to get the best camera their money can buy. However, it’s important to remember that these cameras are not professional and because of their super small design, they are somewhat delicate. If these are all factors you can live with, then this would make an ideal camera for those on a budget, travelers or even just someone looking for a back-up camera.
