This is a great little camera with alot of fun features. I had a hard time deciding between the s8100 and the s6100 because the s8100 takes faster pictures, 1080 video, a better sensor, and bigger zoom.The features listed below are the reasons I chose the s6100.Touch screen--can use your finger but it can be a little tricky to move it just right. It does come with a stylus that allows you to move through the screens quickly. Makes it very easy to get through the menus. The menu on the left has the options for flash, self-timer, macro, and exposure compensation. The menu on the bottom has the options for touch shutter, image mode, movie options, and settings. The battery levels are always displayed in the left hand corner so there is no guessing how much battery is left. Above that the scene mode is displayed.
Scene selection--There are 19 scenes to choose from plus the scene auto selector. When you push the scene button and all 20 options are listed there is a question mark box in the upper right hand corner that will explain the different modes to help you choose the right one.
Filter Effects--It has the ability to draw or write on photos, add decorations, cross screen, fish eye, selective color, black and white, sepia. I have messed around with a few of these features, I will try to upload a few pictures. It also has glamour retouch and skin softening.
Playback button--Has options to star a photo as favorite, delete, slide show, protect, print, draw, retouch, voice record, and settings.
Charger--This camera can charge through your computer or it also has an adapter much like most cell phones now do so you can use the USB cord to charge using an outlet. There is a light on the back that flashes to let you know it is charging.
The dedicated movie button makes it very simple to record videos. Unlike the 8100, you cannot take a photo while you are recording with the 6100.
From the opinion of a hobby photographer, I think there are alot of features nicely packaged into this pocket-sized camera.
Only complaint I have with the camera is the image review after taking a picture lasts a seemingly long time. If you are trying to take multiple pictures quickly it can be annoying as the previous image takes up the screen so you can't preview your next picture. Also, the touch-panel LCD isn't as responsive as you'd like it to be, but if you use the included stylus on the wrist strap it works just fine. Just don't expect iPod Touch-quality responsiveness.
Bottom line:
Purchase this camera if you are looking for a point and shoot camera with good features, optical zoom, and a decent MegaPixel rating that come in a small package.I've owned this camera for 3-months and waited until now to write a review because it was a gift and I really wanted to like this camera. But the more I've used it the less I like it. To be fair, it can take a descent picture under optimal conditions if you are careful, but so can a 1968 Kodak Brownie in the right hands. I really expected more from Nikon and modern electronic technology.
Let me give you a little more background... I'm 63 years old and I've been taking pictures since I was 8 years old. Last winter I suffered a stroke which affected the coordination in my left hand and I found it difficuly to operate my Nikon D50 SLR. My wife, trying to be nice to me bought an S6100 for my birthday because she assumed that a point-and-shoot would be easier and less frustrating for me to use than my D50 SLR. I was excited to get it and try it out. The Nikon S6100 was smaller, lighter and easier to carry. As far as being easier to use,
it is NOT! A person would expect an automatic point-and-shoot camera to be just that, point it, press the shutter release and get a fair picture most of the time. That's something this camera can't do with any regularity. A pox on Nikons house for the damn touch screen controls! Why have a touch screen shutter release function that duplicates the function of the shutter release button? While you try to hold the camera with your right hand you are almost forced to touch the screen while trying to frame the image and push the "real button". This more often than not activates the shutter resulting in a picture of the ground, your pant leg, or shoe. Then while you wait for the exceedingly slow electronics to store that image on the memory card, you miss several oportunities to try for a good shot. Would that this was the only problem with the touch screen. Nikon designed this cameras controls so the ONLY way to control various camera functions is through a menu system controlled using the touch screen. If that were not bad enough the screen itself is not sensitive enough to respond well to a finger touch unless you use a long finger nail or the little stylus hung on the wrist strap. This almost insures that you can't make any sort of quick option changes while you try to shoot. You may wonder if that screen does anything else. Yes, it shows a fairly bright image to use as a viewfinder or to review pictures of your shoes taken by mistake. Of course it is constantly smugged and dirty because you have to be touching it all the time.
How about the overall function? The S6100 is as functional as most of it's competitors in the crowded point-and-shoot field. It's a snapshot camera at best loaded with difficult to control features and totally unecessary post shooting editing functions that are much better done on your computer after you download the pictures. I expected better from Nikon and I certainly thought that a 16 megapixel sensor would capture better quality shots. Again I was disappointed. My 6 megapixel D50 captures better images and it's over 5-years old. In anything other than optimal light, the automatic functions of the S6100 bump up the ISO a few clicks and once that's happened the image quickly gets grainy without gaining good exposure. Again I sure expected better from the newer class of sensors and software. The S6100 can also take Quicktime movies with a single press of the movie button on the back. This would be a nice function if the movie button were not small placed directly below the right side thumb grip, almost ensuring that you will take some short movies you didn't want, again usually of the ground, your shoe, or the sky.
Oh, and then there is battery life. Not too good. I can get maybe 200 shots and a short movie before the "battery exhausted" message pops up on the screen, and then you are done since the only way to recharge it is to plug the whole camera into the charger or a computer USB port, you will be out of luck in the field unless you invest in a second battery, keep it charged and in your pocket while you'r out shooting.
Do you think I've been be too negative about the S6100?
Here are the good things about it:
1. It's small, light, and fits easily in a shirt pocket or purse
2. The zoom lens is Nikon, and they do make the best optics and the wide to full zoom is all you will probably ever need.
3. When you manage to get a snap shot it's usually of adequate quality, at least for your family album.
MY RECOMMEDATIONS:
If you want a point-and shoot Nikon, check out the S8100 or S9100, both much better cameras at only a slightly higher price.
If you want great pictures and care about control of your camera functions get a Digital SLR and learn how to use it.
If you want a touch screen get a smart phone. Most of those will take pictures and movies too, and might be easier to use than this camera, plus when you get frustrated with the smugged up touch screen, at least you can use it to call someone who cares.I have had this camera for about 4 hours now, so I am obviously a professional here. But I am amazed at this camera. I'll try and keep it short. The camera pictures are great indoors, great outdoors, great macro, good 7x opti zoom, Good white balance, great low light. Functionally, it is a simple interface, fast start to shoot time about 2-3 seconds, no noticeable shutter lag, flash is good for very short range, poor after about 7-10 feet and tends to not illuminate the entire photo, unless subject is very close.
Unless you are well schooled in SLR cameras, this will take as close to a perfect photo within a near range of subjects. If you want to zoom in on a players nose hairs from the balcony of the stadium, this camera will not do it. If you want to photograph your kids in normal light to dusk at 1-60 feet away. I don't believe you could improve upon this camera. I have not used it in bright outdoor light yet, so no opinion there. Unless you need a stronger zoom or flash, you cannot go wrong with this camera. It is simple fast and takes near magazine quality photos.We have a Sony DSC-W100 and after vacationing with some friends decided we need a new camera. The Sony had some REALLY bad shutter lag, therefore causing us to miss shots. After using a friends Kodak, i realized that my 7 year old camera was not cutting it. I spent weeks deciding what P&S camera to buy. The catch is I didn't want to spend over $200. I have a Nikon DSLR so naturally i looked at Nikons first. I did look at Fuji, Sony, cannon (i know i know) Kodak and Olympus. Not being in the camera market for years, i was amazed at how things have changed so much. I'm accustomed to my SLR and was not willing to give up much. My old Sony has quasi-manual settings, and great control over the camera for a P&S. After looking at the s4100, i noticed that there was too much shutter lag. I then looked at a cannon, and thought this is the one. For some reason I kept gravitation towards Nikon. Then, I found an absolute steal on the s6100 so decided to go for it. Right out of the box, the Nikon was ready to go (after a full charge of the battery). Downside is there is no physical manual. What am I supposed to read in the bathroom?? This is a very common occurrence with almost all electronics nowadays. Besides, it's good for the environment. Being a "tech geek" who needs a manual anyways, isn't that was playing around is for?? My first impression of the camera was very positive. Lightweight, very fast start up time, and ready to go (in daylight). The touchscreen is very easy to use overall use is very intuitive, however might be too much for a first time digital camera user. Picture quality is amazing. DPI at full resolution (why would you do anything else?)is at 200. Compare that to my old sony which was 72 dpi. Higher quality and resolution. There are 3 shooting modes. One is automatic. This mode is pretty self explanatory. Now move to the scene mode shooting. Here's where this camera really shines for me. I took a low light picture in auto mode, then switched to scene mode and selected " scene auto selector" The second picture in auto scene selector was MUCH better. I'm not sure which scene it chose but the background as well as foreground were lit properly. Something not achievable on my Sony... EVER. I'm used to being able to light a scene properly with my SLR and external strobe, so I was impressed. Something else that turned me on to the s6100 instead of the s8100 was the static flash. I know it's a minor complaint, but it's less moving pieces for me to worry about. Then theres' the tracking mode. Touch something on the screen (providing it stays still long enough for the camera to lock in) and it tracks the subject. Great for kids moving around! IT has many more features such as blink detect, face recognition and even a touch of the screen shutter mode. Movie mode has a continual focus mode and the ability to zoom in and out, all while recording in 720p HI DEF!! Granted the s8100 does record in full 1080P. I don't use the video mode enough to care to be honest. An to top it all off, it includes a full version of Nikon View NX2 which is a great importing and light editing program. It also includes a file transfer program as well. Absolute seamless integration with windows 7! The size is perfect. Small enough for a pocket, and to be taken anywhere and not be a burden. While still feeling substantial in your hand. 3 weeks later and I still love this camera and it's ability to take great pictures. The only thing i really gave up with the s8100 is 3x more zoom, and full 1080p recording. For the money I paid for the camera I couldn't be happier.
Pros: Picture Quality. Ability to take great pictures on low light. 16mp at 200dpi at full resolution. Size. Fast start up. Very little shutter lag if any. Nikon view NX2. Seamless integration with windows 7. Ease of use.
Cons. 7x zoom instead of 10x. only 720p in video mode. No flash compensation for low light situations or zoom.
Update: I'm not sure exactly what I was thinking when I wrote this review but after using this camera for a while, this camera ended up being a huge waste of money. This camera took great pictures in daylight, but in low light situations this camera failed miserably. The final draw was a missed picture of my son and his cousins on the back of a fire truck and could not take a picture no matter what I did. Granted it did take some good pictures at times, but after upgrading to a new sony, I really got an idea on how bad this camera really is. so bad in fact that after reading reviews on newer nikon cameras, I will probably never buy another Nikon P&S. (this is coming from a die hard nikon SLR user for the past 8 years)
No comments:
Post a Comment