Nikon Coolpix S800C - the Android powered compact [video]

Nikon Coolpix S800C – the Android powered compact [Video]

by Tim Gee, Compact digital cameras at Photokina 2012 20/09/2012

What is the Nikon Coolpix S800C?

The Nikon Coolpix S800C is a compact digital camera that runs the Android operating system. This means you will be able to download and run apps from the Google Play store.

The camera includes a 16Mp sensor and has a 10X optical zoom, plus has an ISO range of 100-3,200.

It is operated using a 3.5-inch touchscreen and has built-in wi-fi and GPS for transferring images and marking where each photo was taken.

[video id=1848469546001 width=550 height=358]

Below are just our first impressions based on a short time with the product, not a full review. Read our compact camera reviews for full reviews of the latest compact cameras and to see which produce the sharpest shots and sport the quickest speeds. Read about how we test compact cameras for an in-depth breakdown of our tests.

Tim’s impressions of the Nikon Coolpix S800C

The S800C’s key feature is the Android operating giving it access to hundreds of thousands of apps through the Google Play store. It’s a good idea and means you can easily choose how you share your photos as well as being able to add a range of filters to your photos as well as do things not traditionally associated with cameras such as play games and use it for GPS navigation.

The camera feels fairly well made although I did find that the fact the touchscreen makes up almost all of the back of the camera means it can be tricky to hold when you are taking a picture. Samsung has also brought out its own Android powered camera and it has got around this by adding a large grip to the front of the camera- although this means it won’t fit as easily into a pocket as the S800C.

Read our first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Camera.

Using operating system on the camera is OK although when compared to most smartphones the 3.5-screen feels quite small and the touchscreen response isn’t anywhere near what You might have come to expect of even budget smartphones. Saying that it is one of the more responsive touchscreens we have seen on a camera.

For a compact camera the specs are fairly reasonable with a decent 16Mp resolution and 10X zoom and on first impressions the pictures looked OK, if not anything particularly special.

Overall, the S800C offers far more flexibility than most compact cameras – and as more Android cameras appear expect more camera focused apps to be released - but don’t expect it to be particularly good as a device for playing games and doing the things you would with your smartphone.