IFA: First look at the Nikon S1000pj

On its stand at the IFA trade fair in Berlin, Nikon was showing off its latest cameras, including the S1000pj.  This compact digital camera is the first to have a video projector built in.  The idea is to make photo sharing easy--all you need to do is find a white wall and turn off the lights: there's no need to find cables and a computer or a TV.


The camera's build quality isn't anything exceptional and is perfectly average for a compact this size, and nothing more.  The LCD screen at the back is more disappointing: with just 230 000 pixels and a TN panel, it has some of the worst vertical viewing angles we've ever seen.  At the same time as launching the Coolpix S70 with an OLED screen, it seems rather a shame to not include the same technology on the S1000pj--which is, after all, supposed to mark a new era.



The top of the camera includes controls for the projector.  On the left is the button to turn it on, and in the centre is a slider to adjust the focus based on the distance from the screen.  Like with other pocket-sized projectors, there is no optical correction, so you have to make sure the S1000pj is pointing straight at the wall.


It was so bright on Nikon's stand that it was difficult to produce any kind of image at all, so the manufacturer had prepared a dark corner with a special white screen.  Unsurprisingly, the limitations of a projector this size were easy to spot: the image was pale, washed-out and lacking in contrast.  Despite the special screen, though, the conditions were less than ideal, but the photos were being projected from a distance of only 40 cm or so.  It's difficult to think that the quality would improve as you moved further back to produce a larger image.

That said, a lot of visitors were very enthusiastic.  It's a popular concept, but it remains to be seen whether or not that will lead to a commercial success.  Speaking of which, it's already available on pre-order from some online stores …

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj     Camerabox limited  279.99  Dixons  295.77  UK Digital Cameras  309.99  Warehouse Express  321.99  dabs.com  335.36      Compare prices

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