Review: 14-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S710
The Nikon Coolpix S710 wants to be the camera you take with you while your digital SLR stays home. It offers a robust set of manual controls, a high-resolution 14.5-megapixel sensor, a 28mm wide-angle lens, and sensitivity that goes up to ISO 3,200 at full resolution and ISO 12,800 at 3 megapixels. However, it lacks the speed dSLR users--and even many snapshooters--are used to. If you're used to shooting fast, the S710's performance comes up short. Otherwise, it's a respectable high-end point-and-shoot that is a good option for those looking for lots of shooting flexibility in a pocket camera.
Nikon Coolpix S710
Nikon Coolpix S710
Nikon Coolpix S710
The S710 offers Program, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, and manual modes, which Nikon previously only included on its Coolpix P-series cameras and dSLRs. In manual you can select shutter speed, aperture, and ISO onscreen without diving into a menu system, while the Menu system provides options for white balance (including a preset manual), metering, drive modes, color options, and autofocus and AF area modes. There is no manual focus, but there is a manual AF area mode.
Of course, being a snapshot camera, it has a regular Auto mode in addition to its Scene mode with 11 scenes to choose from; a Scene auto selector that picks the most appropriate Scene mode depending on what you're shooting; high-speed continuous shooting at 3 megapixels; and Smile mode that continues shooting pictures when it detects smiles. Because of all these options, the camera is best suited for someone either already comfortable making adjustments, beginners looking to experiment, or a household with mixed user types, as the camera is flexible. Anyone looking for a simple pocket camera will likely find the array of choices confusing and a waste of money.