The new Coolpix S620 from Nikon must feel a bit out on a limb. Usually accompanied by a Wi-Fi model, the new S6xx series compact will not be coming in a wireless version. This doesn’t really matter as it gains several pixels in compensation and a REAL zoom. The S620 is also devilishly quick. Lets move on to our critique.

Handling

The casing of the new Coolpix S620 is obviously from the same family as the previous model (S610c tested here). The design is therefore relatively neutral and we’ll let you choose from the different colours on offer (the pale salmon pink not necessarily pleasing everyone in editorial). The casing is well finished and ours handled being carried round in a pocket well: coins, keys…

In size it is almost identical to the previous model and at the back is a 2.7 inch LCD screen that can display 230,000 points. Angles of vision are wide and fluid. So it’s a relatively comfortable screen. The navigation scroll remains a good point, enabling rapid setting of parameters. The fact that the compact does not have a priority mode on the scroll (or at least exposition correction) is a lack however. Commands are a little larger which makes handling easier. There is a real zoom (around the shoot catch) which is a bonus.


The menus are pretty much the usual and you can get to grips with the S620 without needing to consult the manual. There is a help function available (using the zoom command) which details the different functions. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to quit the menu by simply pressing the shoot so as to react to an unexpected situation.

The Coolpix S620 is very fast in start-up (see the inset) and just about ok on the other times. We have noticed several vagueries especially when you try and take two photos one after the other (the AF seems to lag). The compact has other autofocus systems such as the detection of smiles or following a subject; both modes are far from infallible.

Image quality

12 Mpix sensors are now standard on top end cameras. The Coolpix S620 is no exception to the rule. The optical zoom 4 has a welcome wide-angle and has good uniform sharpness across the whole image surface. Distorsion is visible on the wide-angle but nothing too serious. It is regrettable perhaps that the Nikon does not have an automatic correction of this fault as some other models of the same brand have. The images delivered by the 12 Mpix sensor are nice at 100 ISO. There is marked accentuation but this allows you to print directly. Exposition is often only just ok and contrast is very present. A4 prints are of pretty good quality. There are however some drawbacks such as very present fringes of colour on transition zones. The white balance is a little too warm (image tending towards yellow) in our studio but in full daylight the colours are well respected.