Nikon Coolpix S550 Digital Camera

When Nikon revealed its Fall 2007 lineup, something was missing: a 10-megapixel camera. The S-Series models jumped from 8 (S510) to 12 megapixel (S700). This oversight has now been addressed with not one but two new 10-megapixel cameras, the S550 and the S600. They are different enough that we'll dedicate a separate page to each.

The S550 is a small and handy little camera that will appeal to those who like to get close. That's because it, unlike any other S-Series Coolpix, has a 5X optical zoom. Depending on the kinds of pictures you like to take, that can make a huge difference. Following the trend of offering cameras in different colors, the S550 comes in plum, cool blue and graphite black. And with a list price of just US$229, it's a bargain.

Nikon S550 - Features
• Improved Face-priority AF
• In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
• Nikon D-Lighting
• Active Zoom allows smoother zooming for close-ups
• Macro shooting from as close as 10 cm (4 in.)
• Three movie modes with sound, plus time-lapse movie mode
• Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations
• SDHC card compatibility
• Approx. 50 MB of internal memory
• USB connectivity
• PictBridge support

Specifications

Effective pixels
 10.0 million

Image sensor
 1/2.3-in. CCD; total pixels: approx. 10.34 million 

 
Lens
 5x Zoom-NIKKOR; 6.3-31.5mm (35mm [135] format picture angle: 36-180mm); f/3.5-5.6; 8 elements in 6 groups; Digital zoom: up to 4x (35mm [135] format picture angle: 720mm)

Focus range (from lens)
 35cm (1 ft. 2 in.) to infinity (∞), Macro close-up mode: 10cm (4 in.) to infinity (∞) at wide-angle

 
Monitor
 2.5-in., approx. 230k-dot, wide viewing angle TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating

 
Storage media
 Internal memory (approx. 50 MB), SD memory cards

 
Image size (pixels)
 3648 x 2736 (High: 3648/Normal: 3648), 2592 x 1944 (Normal: 2592), 2048 x 1536 (Normal: 2048), 1024 x 768 (PC: 1024), 640 x 480 (TV: 640), 1920 x 1080 (16:9)

 
Vibration Reduction (VR)
 Electronic VR

 
ISO sensitivity
 ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000, Auto (auto gain ISO 64-800), High-Sensitivity mode (ISO 64-1600)

 
Interface
 Hi-Speed USB

 
Power sources
 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL11 (supplied), AC Adapter EH-62E (optional)

 
Battery life
 Approx. 200 shots with EN-EL11 battery (based on CIPA standard)

EN-EL11

 EN-EL11 is a 500mAh 3.7V li-ion battery pack 

Dimensions (W x H x D)
 Approx. 90 x 53.5 x 22 mm (3.6 x 2.1 x 0.9 in.) excluding projections

 
Weight
 Approx. 120 g (4.2 oz.) without battery and SD memory card