The Coolpix S3 is equipped with a 3x Nikkor optical zoom lens with 35~105mm (in 35mm equivalent) focal length coverage. The maximum aperture is F3.0-F5.4. This all-glass lens is constructed of 12 elements in 10 groups. The lens is protected by a builtin shutter when the camera is powered down.

Auto focus is handled by a contrast detect TTL system with aut-multi and center AF areas, low light focusing is aided by an AF-assist LED. Single AF and Continuous AF modes are available and the focus range is:

12 in. (30cm) to infinity in normal mode and

1.6 in. (4cm) to infinity in Macro mode

The flash range is approx. 1-8.2 ft./0.3-2.5m (W), 1-4.6 ft./0.3-1.4m (T) at ISO Auto and can be set for Auto Flash, Auto+Red-Eye Reduction, Fill Flash, Slow Sync or Disabled. The flash fires several times before the exposure in Red-Eye reduction mode. The S3 also features In-Camera Red-Eye Fix which will automatically detect and remove most occurrences of flash red-eye in people pictures.

Controls on top: The power on/off button and the shutter release.

There is no optical viewfinder but there is a large 2.5-inch color LCD with 110,000 pixels of resolution and an adjustable backlight. It serves as the viewfinder and is used to review/share your images and movies and access the menu screens. The display automatically dims when no buttons are pushed to conserve battery power. The screen is covered with a nice glare-reducing surface (why didn't Nikon use this on the S4?)

Controls on the back: The zoom controls that functions as the Index and Magnify buttons in playback. When accessing menus you can press the Tele button to bring up the help function. The Menu button calls up and dismisses the menu system. The 4-way selector is for navigating menus and selecting pictures, press it straight in to accept selections. In record mode pressing it "Up" selects the desired flash mode. Pressing it "Left" activates the 10-sec self timer. Pressing it "Down" enables the macro focus mode. In playback mode you press the OK button to enable the D-Lighting function. The "blue arrow" button puts the camera in Play mode. The Trashcan button is for deleting images in playback. The Mode switch has positions for Record, Scene and Movie modes.

The Coolpix S3 is equipped with 12MB of internal memory and a SD memory card slot, no card is supplied with the camera. Images and movies can be copied from internal memory to SD card or vice-versa. We recommend the purchase of at least a 256MB (or larger) SD card or your picture taking will be very limited at 6MP.

Approximate Storage Capacity

The included EN-EL8 3.7v 730mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery is good for up to 190 shots per charge based on CIPA testing standards.

The S3 comes with this MV-11 COOLSTATION docking cradle which charges the battery whenever the camera is placed in it.

On the back is the USB 1.1 port for downloading images to Mac and Windows computers or to connect to a PictBridge photo printer. There's an Audio-Video port for connecting to a TV set. The video signal is selectable for either NTSC or PAL standards. It is powered by an AC adapter.

The optional WP-CP5 case allows you to take the S3 underwater safely at depths up to 133 feet. It can also be used as an all-weather protection case.

Fantasea FS-1 Underwater Housing

The Fantasea FS-1 housing is ideal for outdoor and underwater photographers who prefer to use the cameras automatic exposure features for capturing fast action pictures easily and creatively. Underwater photographers can dive or snorkel and capture all the excitement of this fascinating world, while outdoor photographers also have the option of capturing the action of such activities as white water and paddle sports, sailing and boating, surfing, fishing and hunting, backpacking and camping, and for family activities around the swimming pool or at the beach. The Fantasea FS-1 will protect the Coolpix cameras from water, sand, dust, and other damaging elements.

The FS1 housing provides a built in anti-glare hood over the LCD screen.