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By Leonard Goh
Apr 14, 2008

Nikon is claiming two titles with its new Coolpix S600--world's smallest 28mm point-and-shoot and fastest startup time in the same class. Taking over the 7-megapixel S500, the 10-megapixel S600 is a revved-up version over its old man. The optics have also been improved not just to show more with a 28mm lens, but also to get closer with 4x optical zoom. If you are a diehard Nikon fan, this camera will not disappoint.

Design

The first impression we had of the S600 was its size--it's really petite. We tried to fit it in one of our regular camera pouches and there was still a lot of room to spare. The stylish brushed metal body looks classic with the "Coolpix" logo embossed on the chassis.

Despite its humble size, the shooter offered a sturdy and comfortable grip with our thumb resting on the zoom rocker.

The buttons layout is imported from its predecessor, including the wheel dial which also acts as a four-way directional pad for navigation. It seems the multifunctional rotary is quite a popular feature, with other major manufacturers like Canon and Fujifilm applying it to their cameras as well.

Unlike other shooters we've tested, the S600 was unable to return to shooting mode with a half-press on the shutter button. We had to press either the Play or Menu button (depending on which mode we were in) to return to shooting mode. This slowed down our capture speed a little, and we hope Nikon will make some improvements for its future models.

The point-and-shoot is available in silver, black or champagne gold. However, some colors may not be available in certain regions, so do check with your local retailer for your preferred hue.

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