Nikon Coolpix S550 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Graphite Black) | 
| Brand: Nikon
List Price: $229.95
Buy New: $195.00 (On sale from $199.00)
You Save: $4.00 (2%)
New (53) Used (4) from $178.66
Rating:  47 reviews
Sales Rank: 461
Color: Graphite Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 5
Digital Zoom: 4
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Focal Length: 31.5
Minimum Focal Length: 6.3
Maximum Resolution: 10
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.8
Dimensions (in): 3.5 x 0.9 x 2
nv:Sensor: 10.0 Megapixel
Size: 1/2.3-inch
Image Resolution: 3264 x 2448
Memory Included: 52MB Internal
Storage Media: SD/SDHC Memory Card
Compressed Format: JPEG/EXIF v 2.21
Compressed Format: DCF
Compressed Format: DPOF
Movie File Format: WAV
Movie File Format: AVI
Optical Zoom: 5x
Focal Length: 36-180mm
Focus Mode: Auto
Focus Mode: Face-Priority AF
LCD Monitor: 2.5-inches
LCD Pixels: 230,000 pixels
LCD Coverage: 100%
Maximum Aperture: F 3.5 - 5.6
Exposure Modes: Auto
Exposure Modes: Scene Mode
MPN: 26108
Model: 26108
UPC: 018208261086
EAN: 0018208261086
ASIN: B0011N17RU
Release Date: March 5, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 10-megapixel resolution for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches | | • | 5x optical zoom; Electronic VR image stabilization | | • | 2.5-inch, high-resolution LCD | | • | In-Camera Red-Eye Fix; enhanced Face-Priority AF automatically focuses on up to 12 faces | | • | Capture images to SD memory card (not included) |
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Product Description
10-megapixel effective recording * 5X optical zoom (4X digital/20X total zoom) * 2-1/2" color LCD screen * 35mm equivalent focal length: 36-180mm * top JPEG resolution: 3648 x 2736 * face priority autofocus and blink alert for better portraits * in-camera automatic red-eye correction * high sensitivity mode for better low-light and flash-free shooting * D-Lighting mode brightens dark areas of recorded images *
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| Customer Reviews: Read 42 more reviews...
 Not quite up to par April 1, 2008
Brendan Ross (Washington, DC USA)
79 out of 85 found this review helpful
The camera is small, light, highly portable and easy to use. It takes nice pictures under good lighting situations, and particularly outdoor situations. However, I've found a few issues with it:
1. ISO noise seems excessive. The noise at ISO levels 400+ is really among the worst I have seen, even for a point and shoot. As a result, it's really not my first (or second) choice for low lighting (often indoor) shots without using a flash. It works well enough with a flash, but so do most cameras. Trying to take non-flash pictures indoors with this camera is a chore because of the high level of noise at even moderate ISO settings.
2. Odd juxtapositions in the design. For example, the camera cannot both date stamp and use its electronic vibration reduction function at once -- that's a very odd trade-off, and smacks of some very odd engineering decision.
3. Limited on-screen information. While shooting it will at least provide your aperture and shutter speed, but it doesn't on playback, and there is no option for controlling that display information. Other cameras (like Panasonic's DMC-FS3) display aperture, shutter speed, ISO and WB all on the playback screen. I like to review these things when looking at an exposure to determine whether I want to adjust anything for the next one, and not being able to see this information on the review display is quite annoying on a camera that has been recently released.
In all, this is a fine camera for quick outdoor shooting. For virtually anything else I plan to do with a point and shoot, my first choice is Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FS3. I'm not happy to say that, because I am generally a fan of Nikon equipment, and my digital SLR equipment is all Nikon ... but the Panasonic beats this camera pretty much across the board, I'm afraid, while also being slightly cheaper.
small camera with big zoom March 25, 2008
CA or Bust (MD)
74 out of 77 found this review helpful
I like the camera and the photos. The zoom is good and unheard of for a camera this size. easy to use even without reading the manual. One problem, it comes with a rechargeable battery# Li-ion EN-EL11 but...I can't find anyone who sells it yet (I like a backup battery). The screen is large but I do miss the option of using a view finder, which helps in bright light. Photo colors look real.
a detailed and helpful review March 27, 2008
Barbara P. Spell (Charleston, South Carolina)
41 out of 51 found this review helpful
this camera is the best camera i have ever owned. i love it, but i do feel the picture does not do it justice. the blue nikon s550 is not dark blue like in the picture. it is more sapphire. i love the color. i think it is better than the dark blue of the one in the picture. it is gorgeous. the camera is easy to use. it has a 5X optical zoom, but is also has a 4X digital zoom. that means the picture you are taking is 20X closer than without a zoom. the camera does terrific close-ups, has clear shots, and has awesome color options. you can change the color of your shots to black-and-white, sepia, cyanotype, vivid color, and standard color. it shoots unlimited video (it will film until your card is full). the camera without a card holds about 30 pictures! the camera feels sturdy but is very sleek. the black version is more of a gray-black, so i find the blue or plum much prettier, but i like colors. the camera warns you before the battery is dead. it warns you with enough time to finish what you're doing. one of my only criticisms is that the camera will take a little bit to focus if you are shooting a close-up. i'm only talking maybe 5 seconds, but it is totally worth it. the camera does pretty well in low lighting, you just have to make sure your hand stays still, so the picture is clear. i am in love with this camera. it is amazing! :)
 Unimpressed Is An Understatement May 19, 2008
Ranting Reviewer (Boston, MA)
28 out of 31 found this review helpful
I bought the Nikon Coolpix S550 after doing fairly extensive research online and talking to multiple salespeople at camera stores. I had narrowed my selection down to the Nikon or a Canon Powershot Elph. When I walked in to the store and asked the salesman what point and shoot digital camera he would recommend, he immediately said "Nikon", so I bought it. Thank goodness the store has a 10 day return policy. If you use the camera for a few days and do not like it, you can return it (along with the box and everything that came in it) for a full refund within 10 days of the date of purchase. There is no restocking fee like many of the other local retailers.
After using the Nikon Coolpix S550 for one day, I knew I hated it. The shutter speed was slow, especially when using it indoors with a flash. The red eye reduction flash was even worse...it flashed about 12 times before taking the picture and then would not focus (or didn't think it was focused), so it would flash and beep at me before the shutter would actually go off. That made for a good 5 - 10 second lag between pushing the shutter and actually capturing the image. Meanwhile, because the flash went off so many times, people were moving or talking by the time the picture was actually taken. I really didn't want to have to say "this is going to flash a bunch of times before the picture is taken, so just stay still and I'll tell you when the picture is done" for the rest of the camera's life ( I had to do that with an old film camera of mine for years, it's not fun!). The camera is equipped with red eye recognition and will supposedly correct red eye within the digital image after the picture is taken...doesn't that eliminate the need for the crazy multi flash? It was bad enough that I hated that aspect of it, but the subjects who I was taking pictures of complained as well.
Not only was the shutter speed slow, but the recovery time between pictures was long. I knew going into it that the Nikon shutter speed was a bit slower than other digital cameras, but that in addition to the long lag time between pictures is unbearable.
As for the facial recognition, it is non-existent. Not once in all the pictures I took did the camera recognize and lock onto anybody's face. I was taking pictures of people facing fully toward the camera too. Now, I don't need facial recognition, but if the camera has it, it certainly should work.
Also, the menus on this camera are difficult to maneuver through. I think I would have had to carry the instruction book along with me at all times just in case I ever wanted to do anything other than auto focus! The good news is the instruction book is very informative and easy to follow.
I really wanted to like the Nikon, but I knew after that first night that I would be miserable with it. I brought the camera back and purchased the Panasonic Lumix DCM-TZ4. The Lumix is 200x better than the Nikon Coolpix! It has 8MP, 10x optical zoom and up to 40x digital zoom. It always recognizes faces even if it is only a picture of a face. The images are sharp and beautiful! The camera is a little larger and heavier than other compact digitals but I am thrilled with it. I am sad to say that this experience with the Nikon has turned me off to their product completely. It would take some major improvements in their product line to make me try a Nikon again.
 A great little camera April 1, 2008
P. Novak
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
I bought this to replace my Lumix DMC-LZ7 (horrible) which replaced a Sony DSC-W55 (great camera). I wanted something with a decent zoom, that was small. This camera has not disappointed. It is sturdy, weighs nothing, tiny, and fast. It starts fast, and there is very little lag between shots. Picture quality is excellent. I would agree with the comment about the battery door, it can be difficult to close. The macro modes are a little hard to find too, but then I haven't read the manual yet..
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