Nikon Coolpix S6700 Point & Shoot Black

Overall Review

Nikon Coolpix S6700 offers a 20.1 megapixels CCD sensor and an optical zoom lens with power up to 10x. The 35mm equivalent focal length range is 25-250mm. For sharper and stabilized shots, you can make use of the optical image stabilization feature. When you shoot objects in motion, you can make use of target finding autofocus that identifies and focuses closely over your desired subject. There is also the scene auto selector that automatically optimizes the settings for the camera for the scene at hand, you can choose from a set of 18 scene modes to find which one will suit better. The smart portrait system alongside involves smile timer, red eye fix and blink proof alert. After you have taken your portraits, they can be improved by using advanced glamor retouch options, which include 12 retouch effects like hide eye bags and make-up.

You can also edit the images through the retouch menu with 32 effects that can be added quickly, apart from using selective color. Videos can be recorded in HD resolution with frame size of 1280 x 720 pixels. Coming to white balance performance, under incandescent lights, the AWB (Auto White Balance) works well. The incandescent preset performs slightly better. And coming to fluorescent lights, AWB works brilliantly, for the fluorescent preset takes an image with a clean color cast. S6700 covers ISO sensitivity range, beginning from equivalent ISO80 and reaching up to ISO1600. Under auto mode, the range can be extended up to ISO3200. The macro shots can be taken via minimum focusing distance of 5cm from front of the lens to the subject. The 3 inches wide LCD monitor comes with a resolution of 230k dots.

The CCD type sensor is of 20.1 megapixels. Beyond the sensor is lens, the focal length range of which covers almost all forms of landscapes that are generally accorded to all portrait/close-ups. The optical image stabilization feature stabilizes the images and videos well enough and the advanced glamour retouch menu system adds to the creativity of the images. The camera can be availed in Black and Red color. As far as the specs go, S6700 is an acceptable one given its cost. This digicam is good for the novices to start with to gain experience as they turn from this profile to a professional one.

Design and Build Quality

Nikon Coolpix S6700 is a compact imaging device that comes with a pocketable body and sports a metallic front. For better grip, there are a number of dots at the back where your right hand thumb can rest. At the top of the camera there is power button, alongside it are the shutter release and zoom rocker. At the back, there are some physical buttons; playback, menu, video record, delete and a d-pad that cycle through the menus. With d-pad, you can get quick access to macro, self-timer, flash and exposure compensation. The 3 inches monitor has resolution of 230k dots and comes with an anti-reflective coating. You can look at the screen under bright sunlight too.

Focus and Face Detection

Nikon Coolpix S6700 has the following focusing modes - manual, face detection, centre and autofocus. For macro shots, the distance is 10cm wherein, you can shoot objects in motion via target finding autofocus that identifies and keeps your subject in focus.

Lens and Image Stabilization

Nikon Coolpix S6700 offers an optical zoom up to 10x. In 35mm terms, the focal length range covers f/3.2 and goes over to f/5.8. At both the ends of the lens, images cast decent detail and are indeed softer at corners. Although, purple fringing can be avoided, some barrel distortion cannot. For macro shots, the minimum focus distance is of 5cm, which is a fair enough distance for a compact camera.

Screen and Menus

Nikon Coolpix S6700 has a simple menu system that one can easily navigate through, thanks to the presence of a dpad at the back. The LCD monitor is 3 inches wide and holds a resolution of 230k dots.

Battery

Nikon Coolpix S6700 derives its power from a rechargeable Li-ion battery named EN-EL19. As per CIPA rating, it can achieve 230 shots, which is quite decent for a compact camera within budget. The device is shipped with an AC charging adapter EH-70P.

Video Mode

Nikon Coolpix S6700 records videos in HD resolution. The quality of the video is decent enough. You can use optical zoom while recording videos, the noise of the lens zooming in is picked by the mic. Although the zooming stays plausibly quiet, the other resolution you can work with is VGA, in which the frame size remains at 640 x 480 pixels. The frame rate for all resolutions is 60fps and the sound comes in stereo format. In this device, optical zoom along with video recording can be used.

Sensors

Nikon Coolpix S6700 features a 1/2.3-inch sized CCD sensor with 20.1 megapixels resolution. The width of the pixel is 5152 and height is 3864. The aspect ratio can be 4:3 and 16:9. From ISO 80, over to 200, covering 100 equivalents, noise levels are low. Noise is not an issue at ISO 400. Images become soft at ISO 800 and even softer at ISO 1600. At ISO 3200, image capture resolution gets restricted to 4 megapixels.

Pros

• Nikon Coolpix S6700 uses a 3 inches wide screen for framing and reviewing shots
• Optical image stabilization
• Easy to handle
• Image quality is decent
• A number of pre and post shooting special effects

Cons

• Nikon Coolpix S6700 comes with basic features
• Shot to shot time gap is large
• Battery life is quite short
• Barrel distortion is noticeable