Nikon S30 Waterproof Compact for Kids

While waterproof compacts have been popular for a while, there was no sign of an underwater snapper from Nikon ... until now, that is, as the new S30 is a low-cost model aimed specifically at children.

Kids can be clumsy—they need sturdy cameras that won't break easily. Kids are very rarely bothered about cutting-edge tech specs—they need simple cameras that do the job. Kids are boys or girls—they need cameras that are blue or pink.

In response to those needs, Nikon has come up with the Coolpix S30, the firm's first waterproof compact. But while the S30 is a pretty basic camera, it's likely to be a fair bit better than the usual crop of kids' cameras (think Kidizoom, Lexibook etc.).

The S30 uses one of the smallest 10-Megapixel CCD sensors out there—a 1/3" model (3.6 x 4.8 mm). Sensitivity should therefore be on par with standard-sized 16-Megapixel CCDs ... which isn't necessarily a compliment—the S30 isn't likely to be a fan of low-light conditions.

The 3x zoom lens isn't too bad for this kind of camera, as even the Kodak Sport uses a fixed-focus lens. Similarly, the 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot screen is pretty poor for a current compact, but it's really not bad for a kids' camera. What's more, the S30 films 720p HD video while many competitors opt for VGA at best.

Handling has been simplified to the extreme, with a button on the right for taking pictures, a button on the left for filming video and an arrow pad for zooming. The four buttons next to the screen no doubt all have specific functions, but until we test this model for ourselves there's no way of telling what they're for.

The S30 is waterproof to three metres and shockproof to 80 cm. Plus, it has a symmetrical design so kids can grab the camera with both hands without covering up the lens.

At around £100 (pricing TBC), this Nikon snapper is something of a luxury toy, but it really doesn't look bad as far as kids' cameras go. For the moment, Nikon is only offering the camera in pink and blue ... let's hope the firm has a few more neutral colours in the pipeline ...