Nikon S2500 Review

Nikon Coolpix S2500 Overview

Posted: 02/08/2011

The Nikon Coolpix S2500 is a European model based around a 1/2.3"-type, CCD image sensor with an effective resolution of 12.0 megapixels. The sensor is coupled with a Nikkor-branded 4x optical zoom lens. The S2500's lens offers actual focal lengths ranging from 4.9 to 19.6mm, which equates to 27 to 108mm on a 35mm camera - a useful wide angle to a moderate telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.2 to a rather dim f/6.5 across the zoom range. Ordinarily the S2500 can focus on subjects as close as 20 inches (50cm) at wide angle, or 32 inches (80cm) at telephoto, but in macro mode this range is reduced to just 3.2 inches (8cm).

Images and movies are framed and reviewed on the same 2.7-inch TFT LCD panel with 230,000 dot resolution, which now serves as an input device courtesy of a touch-panel. The display's resolution equates to around a 320 x 240 pixel array, with each pixel comprising separate red, green, and blue dots. In concert with an EXPEED C2-branded image processor, the Coolpix S2500 offers sensitivity ranging from ISO 80 to 1,600 equivalents under automatic control, and as high as ISO 3,200 controlled manually. It's also possible to cap the Auto ISO function to either 400 or 800 equivalents at the top end.

The S2500 offers 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel) movie recording. The Nikon S2500 stores images on Secure Digital cards, including the latest SDHC and SDXC types, or in a not-so-generous 16MB of built-in memory. Data transfer to a computer is catered for with a USB 2.0 High Speed connection. Power comes from a new EN-EL19 lithium ion rechargeable battery pack, said to be good for 220 shots on a charge to CIPA standards.

The Nikon Coolpix S2500 isn't currently scheduled to ship in the US market.