Nikon Coolpix S710

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By Leonard Goh
Nov 19, 2008

Point-and-shoots these days seem to be following two key trends: Higher resolution and wide-angle optics. The Nikon Coolpix S710 has both of them, which is an upgrade from what its predecessor, the Coolpix S700, had to offer. What has remained unchanged is the full array of shooting modes and the overall look-and-feel of the camera. However, we found the S710 slow to respond for some operations. Fortunately, it delivered where it mattered most and produced good image quality, which surpassed our expectations of this 14.7-megapixel camera.

Design

At first glance, it was difficult to distinguish the Coolpix S710 from its predecessor, the Coolpix S700. Upon closer inspection, the only visible differences we could find were the buttons on top, which has gone from angular (in the S700) to round.

The Coolpix S710 is bulkier and heavier than its predecessor, but retains the same stylish chassis.
(click for larger image)

However, we did notice that the S710 was heavier and bulkier than the S700, but that's understandable given the larger 3-inch LCD and the wide-angle lens. Overall, the S710 still looks sleek and stylish. The brushed metal chassis lends a touch of class but at the same time, the shooter doesn't appear too flamboyant either.

The rear control panels are neatly laid out and buttons were clearly labeled. However, users who are new to Nikon compact cameras may find themselves having to toggle between the Mode and Menu buttons to switch between different shooting options. It can get a bit confusing at first but once you get the hang of it, the operations can be quite intuitive.

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