The large viewing screen is useful to notice pictures being spoiled by any dirt on the lens. Its resolution is relatively low – 110,000 pixels – comparing to other models like the Sony Cybershot DSC-T7 (which features double the pixels) but the 2.5 inches viewing screen serves its purpose. Picture framing is easy and the lack of an optical viewfinder passes unnoticed. The size is also good for menu browsing: the “Scene Mode” offers 15 pre-shooting settings (Museum, Backlight, Close-Up, Landscape, Underwater etc) plus some sub-settings. Navigating by them is pretty easy.  

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Figure 2: Viewscreen menu on.

The camera use Secure Digital memory cards and has a built-in 12 MB flash memory (which at the lowest resolution of 640x480pixels has enough room for about 17 pictures). With a 256 MB SD memory card the user have a storage capability of some 99 pictures on 2592 x 1944 resolution (5.1 Megapixels) and 195 pictures on 2048 x 1536 resolution (3.2 Megapixels). Image transferring is done by the Cool Station – a docking station all-too similar to Kodak’s Easy Share. The device serves a dual purpose: image transferring and recharging the camera, although you can plug the charger directly into the base of the Coolpix S1 therefore bypassing the docking station. However the only way to transfer the pictures is by docking the camera on the Cool Station and plugging it on a USB port on your PC. The Cool Station has the not so cool habit of tipping over. The alternative – the one preferred by this reviewer – is simply using a memory card reader already plugged on the PC and inserting the SD card onto it.

All ultra-compact cameras use some sort of proprietary battery and not regular AA-bateries which help them size-wise but is a bummer when you run out of juice. The charger replenishes the EN-EL8 lithium-ion rechargeable battery in about 2 hours – whether plugged to a PC or a regular power outlet. Fully charged, the compact battery has 2.7 Wh of energy and lasts for about 200 shots. There’s a portable battery charger sold as an accessory for traveling needs.