Nikon CoolPix S560 Comments

Someone's been burning the midnight oil again! No chromatic aberration? Take another look at that last shot in 'Details and Lens Performance' section. I see <del>red</del> purple! ;-)

wow! sounds pretty nice! I need a simple point and shoot, and this might be it! (I'm a Nikon fan, so it's even better)

I'd rather see a larger sensor -- maybe 1/1.6" -- and a wider, faster lens than (to me at least) silly features such as blink detection or a dedicated food mode. Why aren't the big brands upping sensor sizes in their compacts, instead of simply adding el-cheapo firmware extras? Profit margins methinks!

Despite the good job on NR, the over-dense sensor still suffers from a rather limited dynamic range.I wish we could see the same potted plant picture with the F40fd, to be able to compare that aspect too, not only NR. Any pointers on that,Cliff?

Bigger sensors are coming - remember 4/3rd micro?

I have just ordered on of these based on this good review. I shall let you all know how good it is when it arrives.
S.

I purchased Nikon Coolpix S560 last month and as I was going on a vacation I hoped for some great photos. When I downloaded the photos on my computer after my vacation, I was horrified to learn that despite all the features like portrait, night photos, auto and the sizes that I had carefully selected and used while taking the photos,99% of the photos were grainy and not at all sharp. I have used a Canon Ixus for the last five years and that produced better results every time. I am very disppointed that despiate all the great features like smile, face detection, and blink= built in Nikon S560 with its 10 megapixels, it fails misreably at the basic features- it cannot take sharp digital photographs. I will be returning my camera to the supplier.

After having owned my New camera for 3 days I have a few more comments to add. Overall it is a very good camera although it does have a few annoying "features".
It is not the most idiot proof camera I have used and needs careful setting up if decent photo's are to be achieved.
One basic flaw is that if ISO speeds much over 100 are used the photo's do come out very grainy. If anything less is used indoors the photo's appear dark. In practice if the camera is used in Auto ISO mode the camera usually selects ISO 400 for indoor shots which results in grainy photo's and lots of noise. I disagree with the review of this camera where it mentions that the camera has good noise control, I find it pretty bad in this respect and worse than my previous Lumix FS5 Panasonic.
It would be far better if the camera selected slower shutter speeds in lower light conditions rather that up the ISO as then better shots would be easier to achieve, but it doesn't. if the ISO is fixed low the shots come out too dark.

Photo's taken outdoors with good light do appear excellent though, with good detail and sharpness.

Overall I am happy with the camera, but it does require careful use in order to get good results. As a simple point and shoot it leaves a lot to be desired.

Simon.

i have this camera and although it is not quite as good as the ixus 970 it's 1/2 the price and amazingly gd every 1 should have this camera!!!! o and if you live in the south of england get it from a kodak shop it's £149.99 + a free case and 1gb memory card

So, I'm no camera techinical junkie, so I really don't get a lot of stuff here.
I am left asking one very layman question.

Is the time between when you hit the button [With no flash] and when the camera actually snaps the shot short? Thats really important to you average photo-taker -- seeing as we're not all "photographers"--, because we all want the shot from when we hit the button! NOT two seconds later!

I would estimates that it takes about half a second between pressing the button and it taking the shot. This is to allow the camera to focus etc.
If you press the shutter button halfway to focus before hand, then press the shutter fully when you wish to take a photo the shutter will release pretty much straight away.

So I just bought the s550, and I was wondering if you feel like the difference between it and the s560 is worth spending the extra money.
I just bought the s550 for around $160, and I have a feeling that the differences aren't worth the money. Would you agree?
Also! Thank you for answer my post!

No problems mate. I can't really say if the s560 is much better than the s550 though as I have never used one. If I knew what I knew now though I would probably buy a Canon Ixus 90S, I am ever so slightly dissapoinetd with the Image quality of my s560.

Why do Nikon insist on using the Coolpix brand in the UK. No doubt 'COOLPIX' looks um, cool, to kanji-accustomed eyes but to mine in sucks. As a Nikon DSLR owner I've much love for the brand, but their compacts could try harder.

This is the worst camera I have ever used. The pictures are blurry and the camera picks up all the light and in the background. I would not get the S560.

After having lived with this camera for a few more weeks I thought I would share a few more comments. I recently took this camera on holiday with me where most of my shots were outdoors. These shots came out very well, nice and clear with very good vivid colours. However I have also used the camera indoors, and to be honest I am very dissapointed with its indoor performance. The camera very rarely focuses correctly indoors, and the face detection also very rarely works, even with the focus assist lamp on the focusing indoors is is very dissapointing. Also if you leave the camera set to auto ISO it usually selects 400ISO which results in further reductions of image quality. If you set the ISO lower manually then the photo's come out too dark.
The problem is also more of an issue as they look fine on the LCD screen, and you only notice the pictures are poor until you connect to the PC or print them out.
If there is a bright area of light on indoor shots such as a window, the light from the window also bleeds across the other portions of the photo completely ruining it.

So in summary, the more I use this camera the less I like it. I am probably going to sell it and buy something else. I certaily would not give it 9 out of 10 like this review did. I would give it probably 5 out of 10.

I got this camera for Christmas and HATE it! Almost every indoor picture will be noisey. I had a cheap camera from Wal-Mart that cost me under $100.00 and was only an 8 MP and took pictures a thousand times better than this coolpix. If you are outside and there is natural light beware if it can reflect anywhere in to your picture...you will end up with a rainbow. Complete waste of money!!!!!

@Cliff...
(I couldnt find a way to send u this messege so I am posting it here hope u will see this and answer it)
My question is very simple... In the features table, there is a property called manual focus. If it is "Yes" then I think it gives me the ability to zoom in however and whenever I want right? I am between two models right now. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS7 vs. Nikon CoolPix S560. In the properties of panasonic it is stated as there is no manual focus and I couldnt understand why. I know it can auto focus but not a single person in this world wouldnt want to adjust the zoom time to time by their will. I am kindda confused at this point. I completely believe the sincerity of your work although some other people think that you are getting money from the manufactures. I also wanna thank you for your efforts for this site. It is awesome.
Looking for your answer...

Hi All,

I purchased Nikon Coolpix s560 on business tour in Beijing. It is the worst camera I have ever come across and not at all expected from Peoople like Nikon.

Nothing works properly, despite choosing appropriate modes or even in auto mode. The worst part is color reproduction and image stabilization. There will no single photo that is not blurred even by least. AF is extreemly poor. finally battery lasts only for about 50 to 60 shots contrary to claims of 160 shots.

I will rather use my sons toy camera to NIkon coolpix s560.