The Coolpix S500 is equipped with a 3x Nikkor optical zoom lens with a 35 - 105mm (in 35mm equivalent) focal length coverage. The maximum aperture is f/2.8 - 4.7 and it has a dedicated macro mode. When powered down the lens retracts into the body and is protected by a built-in shutter, no lens cap needed.

Auto focus is handled by a contrast detect TTL system, the focus range is from 1ft 8in (50cm) to infinity. Macro close-up mode gets you even closer at 5.9 in. (15cm) to infinity.

The built-in speedlight has a shooting range of approx. (W) 1ft. 8 in. to 24 ft. 7 in. (0.5 to 7.5m), (T) 1 ft. 8 in. to 13 ft. 1 in. (0.5 to 4.0m) ; at ISO Auto, and can be set for Auto Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill Flash, Slow Sync or Disabled.

The large 2.5-inch color LCD with 230,000 pixels of resolution and features an anti- reflection coating to help make it more usable in harsh outdoor lighting. It serves as the only viewfinder for framing as well as for reviewing your images/movies and accessing the menu screens. In lower light conditions the LCD will "gain up" for better framing and provides 100% coverage.

Controls on top include the Anti-Shake mode button, One-touch portrait mode button as well as the Power On/Off button and the Shutter release. The One-touch portrait button also enables the D-lighting function in playback mode.

Controls on the back: The Zoom controls, which also serve as the index and magnify controls during playback.

The Mode button calls up the onscreen mode dial to select from: Auto, High ISO, Scene, Voice recording, Movie and Setup options.

The Playback button enters review mode

The 4-way selector/jog dial is for navigating menus and selecting pictures. In record mode pressing it "Up" selects the desired flash mode, "Left" activates the selftimer, "Down" enables the macro focus mode, and pressing "Right" adjusts exposure compensation. The center OK button accepts menu selections and enables Auto Transfer of images in playback mode. Rotating the dial with scroll through the menu settings quickly.

The MENU button calls up and dismisses menu screens. The "trash can" button is for deleting images.

Located on the right is the combination I/O port that handles USB (2.0, full speed) connection to you PC or Pictbridge compatible printer as well as Audio/Video (NTSC or PAL) output to your TV set.

The Coolpix S500 is equipped with ~26MB of internal memory and a SD/SDHC 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/SDHC card or your picture taking will be quite limited.

The camera is powered by a proprietary EN-EL10 rechargeable Li-Ion battery that is charged in the included MH-63 battery charger. Nikon claims this pack provides approx. 180 shots (CIPA standard) per charge.

An optional power adapter EH-62D allows the camera to be powered from an A/C wall outlet.