amazon Nikon Coolpix S630 reviews
The design of the Nikon Coolpix S630 is quite aesthetically pleasing. While most other point-and-shoot cameras are box-shaped, the camera has a slightly curved body to the right to help keep the camera more secure.
The 2.7-inch LCD screen is a rotatable 4-way rotary wheel, which controls the self-timer, light, focus and exposure compensation. The swivel wheel is a convenient design when navigating a long menu. Around the round button are four other buttons that control the preset shooting modes, image playback, main menu and delete button. The buttons are conveniently positioned so that they can be operated with just one hand.
The design has a slight downside: the mini-USB port cover and A / V out are not completely opened so the plug is slightly entangled.
The S630 has a lot of rich features, but it lacks some of the must-have features of today’s point-and-shoots.
The 7x optical zoom lens is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the 4x. It is useful to capture subjects that are relatively distant. However, its widest angle of just 37mm is a drawback compared to competitors with an opening angle of 28mm or larger.
If someone just needed a point-and-shoot camera, the S630 would fit. It does not have the option of manual adjustment completely and if you have to adjust the exposure can only compensate for the offset button only. There are 16 preset scenes for optimizing images in specific situations.
The S630 has a Quick Retouch function that adjusts color and saturation in the image playback mode. In some cases this function helps to darken the dark area to get some more detail.
The HD video recording mode also consumes a lot of memory cards, but many people like it and may be disappointed that the S630 is only capable of 640 x 480 pixel resolution.
The S630 has an internal memory of 44MB and an SD / SDHC card slot.
where can you get a Nikon Coolpix S630 online
Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Jet Black): Buy it now
Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Midnight Blue): Buy it now
Nikon Coolpix S630 12MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Ruby Red): Buy it now
The S630 takes less than 2 seconds to start up and the shutter lag is 0.05 seconds, which is pretty good, equivalent to the Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS.
Standard shooting mode is 1.2 frames per second, but up to 7 shots can be taken in continuous shooting mode. Of course, the resolution will have to accept only 3 megapixels. In addition, the machine makes little noise when setting shooting modes.
Optical anti-shake mode is relatively good, the picture is clear when shooting at 1/20 second hand. Focusing is relatively quick and accurate, although it’s a bit difficult to get out of the dark.
The S630 has an ISO of 64 to 6400, but the resolution is reduced when ISO is set to 3,200 or higher. Either way, avoid ISO 800 and higher.
At ISO 64, the image is clean and detailed. At ISO 100 and 200, it starts to feel a little bit overwhelmed by screen scans at 100% magnification. The image at ISO 400 looks quite jammed and the details start to blur. At ISO 800, the photo looks like watercolor painting.
Compared with the Canon IXUS 980 IS or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48, the image quality of the Nikon S630 slightly less than a bit, but in return it has a longer zoom range.
Color image from the S630 is relatively honest and saturated well. The white balance works correctly even in complex light situations. The flash is relatively balanced, no matter where the subject is white light.
In general, the Nikon S630 is a good looking and beautiful camera, but compared to other cameras on the market, it seems to lack some of the highlights, such as wide-angle lenses and high- Customers are easily attracted to these features. There will also be many who find the 7x optical zoom quite useful especially in a compact body.
Image Quality
Sensor and Resolution
The Nikon Coolpix S630 is equipped with a 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor. This sensor size is typical for compact cameras and provides a good balance between image quality and portability. The 12-megapixel resolution allows for detailed images, suitable for printing and cropping without significant loss of quality.
Lens and Zoom
The camera features a 7x NIKKOR optical zoom lens with a focal length range equivalent to 37-260mm in 35mm format. This zoom range is versatile, covering wide-angle to telephoto shots and making it suitable for various photography scenarios, from landscapes to portraits and distant subjects. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.3, which is adequate for general photography but may struggle in low-light conditions.
Color and Detail
The S630 produces vibrant and well-saturated colors, characteristic of Nikon’s imaging technology. The camera’s automatic white balance performs well in most situations, delivering accurate color reproduction. Detail rendition is good, particularly in well-lit conditions, with images displaying sharpness and clarity. However, fine details can be lost in lower light conditions due to the camera’s noise reduction algorithms.
Dynamic Range and ISO Performance
The dynamic range of the Coolpix S630 is typical for a compact camera, capturing a reasonable amount of detail in both highlights and shadows. The camera’s ISO range extends from 64 to 6400, providing flexibility in different lighting conditions. At lower ISO settings (64-200), images are clean and detailed, but noise becomes more noticeable at higher ISO settings. Beyond ISO 800, noise reduction efforts can lead to a loss of fine details, impacting overall image quality.
Autofocus and Speed
Autofocus System
The S630 features a contrast-detect autofocus system with options for single AF, continuous AF, and face-priority AF. The autofocus system is generally quick and accurate in good lighting conditions, but it can struggle in low-light environments or with fast-moving subjects. The face-priority AF mode is particularly useful for portrait photography, ensuring that faces are in sharp focus.
Shooting Speed
The camera offers a continuous shooting mode with a speed of approximately 0.9 frames per second (fps). While this speed is modest compared to more advanced cameras, it is adequate for casual photography and capturing moments with moderate action. The buffer size allows for a limited number of shots before the camera slows down, making it suitable for short bursts of continuous shooting.
Features and Functionality
The Nikon Coolpix S630 includes a variety of features designed to enhance the user experience and expand creative possibilities.
Image Stabilization
The camera is equipped with lens-shift image stabilization, which helps to reduce camera shake and produce sharper images, particularly at longer focal lengths or slower shutter speeds. This feature is beneficial for handheld shooting and improves the chances of getting clear images in challenging conditions.
Scene Modes and Creative Controls
The S630 offers a range of scene modes that optimize settings for specific shooting scenarios. These modes include Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, and more. Additionally, the camera includes creative controls such as Color Options, which allow users to adjust color settings for different effects, including Standard, Vivid, Black & White, and Sepia.
Smile Timer and Blink Proof
The camera includes a Smile Timer function, which automatically takes a picture when it detects a smiling face. This feature is particularly useful for capturing candid moments and ensuring that subjects are smiling in portraits. The Blink Proof function detects when a subject’s eyes are closed and can take two consecutive shots, saving the one where the subject’s eyes are open.
D-Lighting
Nikon’s D-Lighting feature enhances underexposed areas in an image, improving the overall balance and bringing out details in shadowed areas. This feature is useful for high-contrast scenes where the dynamic range is challenging to manage.
In-Camera Editing
The Coolpix S630 offers several in-camera editing options, allowing users to make adjustments without needing a computer. These options include cropping, red-eye correction, and filter effects. While these tools are basic compared to dedicated photo editing software, they provide a convenient way to enhance images on the go.
Handling and Ergonomics
The handling of the Nikon Coolpix S630 is generally excellent, thanks to its well-designed ergonomics and intuitive layout. The camera fits comfortably in the hand, with all major controls easily accessible. The buttons and dials provide a satisfying tactile response, and the mode dial on the top of the camera allows for quick changes between different shooting modes.
Menu System
The menu system of the S630 is straightforward and easy to navigate. It provides access to a wide range of settings and customization options, allowing users to fine-tune the camera to their preferences. The on-screen display is clear and well-organized, making it simple to adjust settings.
Battery Life and Storage
Battery Life
The Nikon Coolpix S630 uses a proprietary EN-EL12 lithium-ion battery, which provides approximately 220 shots per charge according to CIPA standards. Battery life is adequate for most shooting sessions, but it is advisable to carry a spare battery for extended use or when traveling.
Storage
The camera supports SD and SDHC memory cards, offering flexibility in storage capacity. SDHC cards are widely available and provide ample space for storing images and videos. The camera’s internal memory is limited, so using an SD card is essential for capturing a large number of photos.
Video Capabilities
Video Recording
The Nikon Coolpix S630 offers video recording capabilities with a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels (VGA) at 30 frames per second (fps). While this resolution is sufficient for basic video capture, it falls short of the high-definition (HD) standards found in many modern cameras. The camera records video in AVI format with mono sound.
Limitations
The lack of HD video recording and stereo sound limits the camera’s appeal for users who prioritize video capabilities. Additionally, the absence of advanced video features such as manual exposure control and external microphone support further restricts its use for serious videography.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Compact and Portable: The S630’s small size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around and suitable for travel.
- 7x Optical Zoom: The versatile zoom range covers a wide variety of photography scenarios, from wide-angle shots to telephoto images.
- Vibrant Color Reproduction: The camera captures bright and well-saturated colors, suitable for various subjects.
- Lens-Shift Image Stabilization: This feature helps to reduce camera shake and produce sharper images, especially at longer focal lengths.
- User-Friendly Features: The Smile Timer, Blink Proof, and Scene Modes enhance the overall shooting experience.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Low Light Performance: High noise levels at higher ISOs impact image quality in low light conditions.
- No Viewfinder: The absence of an optical or electronic viewfinder can make composing shots challenging in bright light.
- Basic Video Capabilities: The lack of HD video recording and advanced video features limits its appeal for users interested in videography.
- Modest Autofocus Performance: The contrast-detect autofocus system can struggle in low-light conditions and with fast-moving subjects.