Nikon Coolpix S210 Review

AUTO record is the point-n-shoot mode that lets anyone get great pictures with little or no fuss. The "8M*" icon indicates the image resolution is 8-megapixels at High quality, there are 986 pictures remaining at the current image resolution. The zoom lens gauge is shown for a few moments whenever the focal length is changed (not shown above.)

When you half-press the shutter release the autofocus is locked and the exposure is calculated and set. If autofocus was successful the AF brackets will turn green, if it fails they will be red and blink.

Pressing the mode button brings up this screen which allows you to choose your shooting mode from the selections above or the settings menu.

Record mode menu:

Image mode - 8M* High, 8M Normal, 5M Normal, 3M Normal, PC, TV, 16:9
White balance - Auto, Custom WB, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent,
Cloudy or Flash
Continuous - Shooting mode: Single frame, Continuous, BSS, Multi-Shot 16 or
Intvl timer shooting
ISO sensitivity - Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000
Color options - Standard color, Vivid color, B&W, Sepia, Cyanotype
AF area mode - Face Priority, Auto, Manual, Center

Pressing the 4-way selector "up" changes flash modes, "left" enables the self-timer, "right" adjust exposure compensation, and "down" changes the focus mode. You set these options via onscreen popups as shown above.

Scene mode options include: Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close Up, Museum, Fireworks Show, Copy, Backlight, Panorama assist, and Image mode.

Nikon macro tip #1 - a lot of people never read their user manuals and don't know the "secret of the sweet spot" - in macro mode run your zoom in and out until you see the macro flower icon turn green (or yellow on some Coolpix cameras). This is the setting that allows you to shoot the closest possible shots. And by all means, use a tripod and the self-timer for the sharpest possible shots.

Movie mode options:

TV Movie 640* - Color 640 x 480 pixels, 30fps
Small Size 320* - Color 320 x 240 pixels, 30fps
Small Size 320 - Color 320 x 240 pixels, 15fps
Time-lapse Movie - Without sound 30fps
Electronic VR - On or Off