Nikon Coolpix S220 – Digital Camera Review

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The Coolpix S220 also includes four movie modes that allow you to capture short videos with the digital camera. While this camera is certainly no replacement for a device that specializes in video recording and the results can be a little grainy, it’s still a nice supplement to the camera’s other capabilities.

Despite all of the automated features, you probably will need to experiment some with the settings and options in order to get the most out of the Coolpix S220. You certainly can start using the camera “right out of the box”, but your pictures will turn out a lot nicer if a little effort is put into understanding the capabilities of the camera.

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The major controls for the camera are easy to locate and large enough that you shouldn’t have to worry about too much fumbling around when operating it. Although this may not seem like such a noteworthy point to some, this issue can cause frustration in other digital camera designs due to the compact form factor.

The Coolpix S220 is available in several different color schemes, including purple, magenta, cobalt blue, and aqua green.

As I mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t have any trouble snapping decent photos with the Coolpix S220 as soon as you get the battery initially charged. The camera controls are easy to interpret and use, and the LCD screen does a pretty good job with helping you line up your shots. However, if you want to take advantage of all of the features found in this digital camera, be prepared to spend a little bit of time reading, experimenting, and practicing.

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The Nikon Coolpix S220 has a suggested retail price of $199.95 Canadian. (The U.S. list price is $149.95.) This price includes the camera, the Li-ion rechargeable battery, a battery charger, a USB cable, an audio/video cable, a camera strap, and accompanying software.

The only thing missing is a memory card for additional storage, but since the camera has a small amount (44 MB) of internal memory, you can still start taking photos as soon as the battery is charged. I still recommend purchasing a memory card as soon as possible – that initial 44 MB gets used up awfully fast, especially with 10 MP photos.

Depending on your planned usage, you may also want to check into getting a spare Li-ion EN-EL 10 battery at some point.

The Nikon Coolpix S220 is an excellent choice for those that don’t want to invest a lot of money but still want access to a lot of excellent automated features. It would also make a great starter camera for those who aren’t quite sure just how far they want to take their digital photography hobby yet. If you’re a bit more serious about your photos and want more flexibility and control, you would probably be better served to check into some of the higher-end models in the Coolpix line. But, for its price and intended audience, the Coolpix S220 is a deal that’s hard to beat.