Overview
The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj is the first digital camera to have a built in projector. This gives you the opportunity to show a slideshow of your holiday snaps. It can also be used to good effect at a party too. The projector can work at a maximum distance of 6 and a half feet. Images displayed are a maximum size of 40 inches. Nikon estimates a fully charged battery can run the projector for one hour.
Aside from this feature the Coolpix S1000pj has 12 megapixels and a 5x wide angle lens. It also has a 2.7 inch LCD screen and image stabilisation. It is capable of shooting standard definition movies.
Why Buy The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj
If you like the idea of a digital camera with a built in projector then this is the only camera around with this capability as at November 2009.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
12
5x
2.7 inches
62.5 x 99.5 x 23mm
155g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
2cm
No
No
Lithium-ion Rechargeable
SD/SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
This photo highlights the fact I found it quite hard to control the amount of zoom I was using with the Coolpix S1000pj. This made it difficult for me to frame the scene exactly how I wanted to. The sharpness of this photo is below average and the camera also found it hard coping with the glare from the sun.
Digital cameras with wide angle lenses have a tendency to produce softer images when the lens is zoomed out, as in this picture. This is the case with the Coolpix S1000pj. There is also a degree of fringing in the shot. Of greater concern to me is the darkness that creeps into the corners of the photo.
I normally like the amount of brightness Nikon digital cameras manage to inject into a photo, but in this case I think it is overdone. The picture looks too light and some detail is lost from the scene. Focusing also slips away as you move towards the edges of the photo.
The brightness has been toned down in this picture, giving a much better result. Sharpness also fades in this photo and darker patches also show in the top corners. All of these problems are masked to a large degree if you go with a small print size, but large scale prints will start to highlight these problems more.
Portraits
This portrait shot works really well. To my eyes the colouring of the photo is spot on. Focusing is crisp too.
The flash light looks a little harsh, but it does generate plenty of light, giving a bright picture. It is very difficult for smaller compact cameras to balance the light perfectly in this type of shot.
On the day this photo was taken there was not a great deal of light available. Therefore light was provided by a typical incandescent, household light. Although this has generated enough light for the Coolpix S1000pj to control noise fairly well it has produced a purple tinge to side of the face and neck.
Macro and Colours
I think the macro shot is the best photo I have taken with the Coolpix S1000pj. There is a high level of definition in the shot and it works very well.
Aside from one over bright photo I was pleased with the colours produced by this camera. They were vivid when they needed to be and at other times lent a warm feel to my test photos.
Summary
To be honest I was a little disappointed with the quality of the photos I captured with this camera. The picture quality should not be too much of an issue with smaller prints or indeed if you are planning to set up a slideshow, but larger sized prints may begin to highlight one or two problems.
Style
The Coolpix S1000pj has a very rectangular look. The projector sits in the middle of the camera on the front. To facilitate this, the lens has been situated in the top left hand corner of the camera.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
Turn on Time
0.32 seconds
13.37 seconds
0.45 seconds
12.45 seconds
2.58 seconds
Ease of Use
There are not that many buttons to get to grips with. The menu system is fairly simple too. It is also very easy to read.
Points I Like
Ease of use - colours - picture quality - projector
Where it Could Improve
Darkness can creep into corners when the lens is zoomed out - loss of picture sharpness in places
Verdict
As you would expect the inclusion of the projector really does add a considerable premium to the price of the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj. So this is a case of buy this camera if you would like a digital camera with a projector, but buy a different model if you think you are unlikely to make good use of this feature.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Review Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Specification Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Sample Images Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Features Nikon Coolpix S1000pj vs Samsung ST550
Review Date
November 2009
