Nikon Coolpix S5200 Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification


The Nikon Coolpix S5200 is a Wi-Fi enabled digital camera and has a 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and 6x optical zoom. It also records full 1080p HD videos with stereo sound. It is available in silver, black, red, blue and plum for £180.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Features

The Nikon Coolpix S5200 has a 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a 6x optical zoom lens which is a 35mm equivalent of 26-156mm. To counteract camera shake there is lens-shift (VR) vibration reduction. In high-speed continuous shooting mode you can record at up to 10fps.

When shooting there is auto mode which adjusts the camera settings automatically, as well as 19 scene modes and Easy Panorama 360°/180°. There is also the smart portrait system which includes a smile timer, blink proof alert and glamour retouch.

When you've finished shooting you can edit your pictures in the retouch menu, which includes selective colour and cross screen. Your pictures can be transferred to a smart phone or tablet using the built-in Wi-Fi. This also allows you to use your mobile device as a remote control.

Videos are recorded in full 1080p HD with stereo sound.

Key Features

• 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor
• 6x optical zoom lens (35mm equiv: 26-156mm)
• Lens-shift (VR) vibration reduction
• 3.0 inch 460k dot LCD screen
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• Full 1080p HD movie recording
• ISO 125-3200
• 5cm minimum focusing distance
• 10 fps high-speed continuous shooting
• Smart portrait system

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Handling

The S5200 has a small compact metal body, it's fairly lightweight therefore ideal to carry in your pocket. The 3 inch screen has a good resolution at 460k dots and is easy to view in varying lighting conditions. There are a standard set of buttons for a compact camera with an on / off switch, shutter release and zoom rocker on the top. On the rear is a d-pad with an OK button in the middle as well as movie record, scene mode, playback, menu and delete buttons.

The S5200 has a new and improved menu system, with a neater interface that is easy to navigate. When you take a shot, there is an option which pops up with the preview that allows you to apply a quick effect to your image. There is an extensive choice of options such as pop, toy camera and selective colour.

To make use of the Wi-Fi you need to download the Wireless Mobile Utility app to your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android). This allows you to use your mobile device to download pictures from the camera to edit and share them. You can also use it as a remote release. A preview appears on your mobile device, you can control the zoom or set a timer. Other information appears on the screen, such as shutter speed, aperture, number of shots left and battery life.


Battery life is rated at 160 shots according to CIPA test results, which is quite poor, particularly as the Wi-Fi will use a fair amount of power in use. We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.

Shutter Response		0.1 secs
Wide - Focus / Shutter Response		0.4 secs
Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response		0.6 secs
Switch on Time to Taking a Photo		1.5 secs
Shot to Shot without Flash		0.9 secs
Shot to Shot with Flash		2.8 secs
Continuous Shooting H		9.9 fps
Continuous Shooting L		2.1 fps
Continuous Shooting H: 120 fps		103.8 fps
Continuous Shooting H: 60 fps		48.5 fps

Continuous Shooting H and L record at full 16 megapixel resolution. Continuous Shooting H: 120 fps records VGA size images, Continuous Shooting H: 60 fps records at 1 megapixels.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Performance

Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Sample Photos

Sample Photos - Images have good colour reproduction and are well exposed, with portraits having decent skin tones, while being free from red-eye when using the flash.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Lens test images

Lens Performance - Detail is OK at both ends of the lens, although they are softer in the corners. Purple fringing can be seen in contrasting areas, but isn't too bad. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 5cm, which allows the camera to take a decent macro shot.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - Noise is low at ISO 100, with a small increase at ISO 200 and 400. Images become soft and detail starts to become lost at ISO 800, with a significant loss in image quality at ISO 1600.  Image quality becomes poor at ISO 3200, this setting is best avoided where possible.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Under the incandescent lights in our studio, the auto white balance (AWB) performs well, with the incandescent preset taking a very similar image. Under the fluorescent lights, the AWB produces an image with a magenta cast, the fluorescent preset takes a much better picture.


180 Panorama | 1/800 sec | f/3.8 | 5.3 mm | ISO 125


360 Panorama | 1/2000 sec | f/3.8 | 5.3 mm | ISO 125

Panorama mode - Panorama images have a decent amount of detail and are well stitched together.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Digital filters

Digital Filters - The S5200 has a number of colour options and creative filters, with a number of examples above.

Video - Below is a video recorded in full 1080p HD. Quality is good, you can also watch a video recorded using the optical zoom on the ePHOTOzine Youtube page.

Value For Money

The Nikon Coolpix S5200 is a available for around £180. Other options with 6x optical zoom to consider are the Pentax Optio LS465 at £49.99, Sony Cybershot W710 at £84.99, Olympus VG-180 at £89.99, Canon Powershot A3200 IS at £64.79 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS50 at £102.91. There are many cameras now available with Wi-Fi, if this is the feature which attracts you the most there is the Canon IXUS 240 HS at £152.00, Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 at £109.99 and Nikon Coolpix S800c at £222.70. There are also Wi-Fi memory cards from Transcend and Eye-Fi.

You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Verdict

The headline feature on the S5200 is its built-in Wi-Fi, this allows you to share photos with smartphones and tablets for editing and sharing. You can also use your mobile device for remote shooting. You can also edit pictures on the camera, each time you take a shot you can enter quick effects to enhance your pictures. Other than that, the camera is a fairly standard digital compact, with a 16 megapixel sensor and 5x optical zoom. Its image quality is OK, ideally suited for those who share on the web.

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Pros

Built-in Wi-Fi
Records at up to 10 fps
Easy Panorama 360°/180°
Available in a range of colours

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Cons

Short battery life
No optical image stabilisation
Images are noisy from ISO 800 upwards

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

Nikon Coolpix S5200 Specifications

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