The S2 Pro is compatible with about 90% of the F mount Nikkor lenses (including new AF-S and G type) made. You need to use a focal length conversion factor of 1.5x to determine proper focal length coverage compared to the 35mm format.

On the left side of the lens mount is the Depth of Field (DOF) preview button, on the right side is the lens release lock button and the 3-way switch is used to select the desired focusing mode (Manual, Single AF or Continuous AF).

The S2 Pro's AF-Assist Illuminator (upper lefthand corner of picture above) operates automatically in low-light conditions when the auto focus system can not find enough subject contrast. It has an effective range of 1.6 - 9.8ft (0.5 - 3 m) and can be used with AF Nikkor lenses from 24 - 200 mm.

There are three focus modes; AF-S (single AF servo), AF-C (continuous AF servo) and MF (manual focus). In the AF-S and AF-C focus modes there are two different AF Area mode options; Single-area AF and Dynamic AF. In Single-area AF the user manually selects the desired AF point using the 4-way controller. The Dynamic AF mode will automatically select one of the five AF points depending on the subject. This is good for tracking fast-moving objects. This mode also has a sub-option called Closest-subject Priority AF. The focus point will be selected by the area containing a subject that's closest to the camera.

The S2 Pro operates the best when using the latest Nikkor type D or G optics with the built in CPU.   Here's the new AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm F3.5G, on the S2 Pro it becomes a 36-128mm zoom.

The S2 Pro has a built-in manual pop-up type flash with a GN: 12 (ISO 100). D-TTL (Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash controlled by five-segment TTL Multi Sensor) with built-in Speedlight and external Speedlights. Coverage for 28mm to 300mm CPU lenses (with hoods removed) as close as 0.6m.

The accessory shoe on top has dedicated flash contacts for Nikon SB-28DX, SB-50DX, SB-80DX, X-contact only; flash synchronization up to 1/125 sec.

Flash sync modes are: 1) Front Sync (normal, 2) Red-Eye Reduction, 3) Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, 4) Slow Sync or 5) Rear Sync.

The Nikon SB-28DX, SB-50DX or the new SB-80DX (shown above) Speedlights feature 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash (with D or G-type AF Nikkor lenses) and were designed specifically for digital SLR cameras.

You can easily connect the S2 Pro to external studio flash units via the built in PC Sync Terminal.

The eye level pentaprism finder shows approx. 95% of the captured frame. It has dioptric adjustment and a comfortable eye relief with a fairly wide viewing angle. The focusing screen uses the Vari-Brite Focus Area display system. In bright light the focus brackets are black and in low light they are momentarily illuminated in red. This red illumination may be enabled full-time if desired.

To the right is the AE-L / AF-L (auto exposure / auto focus lock) button and around that is the metering selector switch with positions for center-weighted, matrix or spot. (With D- or G-type Nikkor lenses 10-segment 3-D matrix metering is used, factoring in the distance to subject as well as maximum brightness contrast.)

The S2's viewfinder display - in the center are the 5 focus zones and the center-weighted metering circle. The focus zone that is selected or active will turn red when the shutter is pressed. The horizontal and vertical grid lines are optional and can be enabled or disabled via the menu.

Across the bottom is the digital readout that shows the autofocus status, focus area, metering mode, multiple exposure/AE-L, shutter speed, aperture, exposure mode (P, A, S, M), analog exposure scale, flash compensation, exposure compensation and the flash status.

On the back is a high quality 1.8-inch, color TFT LCD with 118,0000 pixel resolution. It allows for instant, in-field review of captured images with thumbnails, onscreen zoom plus optional histogram charts. Exposure data is displayed via the data LCD above it. All of the playback features are detailed on page 5

The mode dial has positions for "P"rogram AE, "S"hutter speed priority, "A"perture priority and "M"anual exposure modes.   It also activates the Custom Settings Menu on the color LCD with the "CSM" position and quickly change the "ISO" sensitivity speed.

(If you select "P", "S" or "A" exposure mode when you are not using a Nikkor lens with the builtin CPU, "F--" appears on the top display panel and the camera will not take pictures. You can take pictures using the "M"anual mode and the aperture ring on the lens. You cannot use the camera's metering system.)

The selector underneath of the Mode Dial is for changing the drive mode; Single, Continuous (7 frames @ 2fps), Self-timer (settable for 2, 5 or 20 seconds), Multi-Exposure. The lock button prevents accidental changes of the drive mode selector.

Looking down on the grip side we see the large monochrome data LCD which lets you know all of the most important camera settings at a glance. The button to the right turns on the LCD's back light when needed.

The monochrome data LCD displays the CR123 lithium battery status, shutter speed, aperture, icons for Program-Shift, exposure compensation, flash compensation AE Bracketing, Custom function, flash mode and focus area.