Nikon Coolpix S9 Review

AUTO record mode is the point-n-shoot mode that lets anyone get great pictures with little or no fuss. The "6M*" icon indicates the image resolution is 6-megapixels at Fine quality, there's 726 pictures remaining at the current image resolution, and the "ISO" indicates we are using the ISO Auto setting 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 dot icon is green, if it fails it is red and blinks.

To change the record mode you press the "M"ode button and then select the desired mode from this onscreen virtual mode dial.

Record mode menu:

SET UP - Enter the Setup menu
Image mode - 6M* High, 6M Normal, 3M Normal, PC, TV
White balance - Auto, Custom WB, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy or Speedlight
Exp +/- - Exposure compensation
Continuous - Shooting mode: Single, Continuous, Multi-Shot 16 or Interval Timer
BSS - Best Shot Selector: On or Off (Shoots up to 10 frames and then automatically saves the best [sharpest/clearest] one)
Sensitivity - Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400
Color options - Standard color, Vivid color, B&W, Sepia, Cyanotype

The Menu option lets you display menu screens in icon or text format. You can call up HELP for any menu function by pressing the "T"elephoto zoom button.

The info or HELP function will give you a brief description of any menu option, by pressing the "T"elephoto zoom button.

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

Scene mode options include: 4 modes with Scene assist (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait), 11 Scene modes (Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close Up, Museum, Fireworks Show, Copy, Back Light, Panorama assist)

Face Priority AF mode actually detects the presence of a human face in the frame and focuses on it. Some of the other portrait scene modes have onscreen framing guides to help you properly position your subject for the desired effect.

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
Smaller Size 160 - Color 160 x 120 pixels, 30fps
Time-lapse movie - Color 640 x 480 pixels w/out sound, 30fps
Stop-motion movie - Color 640 x 480, choose 5, 10 or 15fps
Autofocus mode - Single or Full-time AF