Nikon Coolpix S33 is a basic point and shoot waterproof camera. I have had it since November 2016. Played around with it for 3 trips. Sample photos and video included. Here’s my thought.

Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-8544.JPGMy smart phones have been waterproof since 2014. So my expectation of a waterproof camera is pretty much ability to be in deeper water for longer, clear photo and hardiness in the sand / drop. I bought this as an “occasional” camera, with the sole purpose for beach holidays and SCUBA.Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-8547.JPGI have always regretted not filming underwater when I did shark cage diving, so this time I decided to invest in a camera. Let’s face it, as a blog post, it was pretty shitty to not have the actual underwater filmed. But then again, I’m not a professional blogger. I did consider other “action cameras”. There are not that many basic options. E.g. Canon’s waterproof only had D30, which is EUR200+ Other brands are mostly EUR300+ Go-Pro specs are terrible, especially at their price point; I can’t understand their hype. Olympus Tough TG-5, you’re a beautiful machine but I am not worthy, because I won’t use you enough etc. I don’t live under water and no adrenalin junkie. It’ll be ridiculous to invest in any EUR300+ camera that I know I’ll not use regularly.Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-8550.JPGMy rational is: For a gadget that has less than 5 expected use per year, should cost under EUR100.

 

So in the end, I decided to go as basic as possible. I paid EUR69 for this camera; bought it from FNAC at a discount because mine was their display camera. Their original price was EUR89.

 

Interface

The menu is intuitive. Shooting mode is categorised by subject e.g. food, underwater, people. It’s easy to understand. I do like it that it has chunky physical buttons. It makes selection easier.

 

The response is rather slow, mild lag; I’m talking about split seconds here, but it is split seconds that I can feel. It is annoying. Putting things into perspective though, I only need to do the setting once before I start to shoot up a storm, so it is bearable. It can also be that I have a natural preference for the Canon interface. I have owned 4 Canon point and shoot cameras in the past, none of them have had this lag.

 

Photo quality

I have only experimented it in daylight / outdoor conditions. I didn’t bother with night time, the camera is f/3.3 and my phone is f/2.0; what’s the point in comparing? For walking around (above water) sort of photos, it performed okay. A bit more noisy than I’d like, but viewing on the phone / ipad mini, no one can tell that there’s grain.

 

All sample photos and video used have no photo editing beyond watermark and compression.

Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-sample-photo-4842
40% compression, original photo was 5.58MB. f/3.3
Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-sample-photo-0057
40% compression 5.48MB. f/3.3
Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-sample-photo-4846
40% compression, original was 6.06MB. f/6.6
Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-sample-photo-3473
40% compression, original 5.91MB, f/3.3

For underwater, it definitely did better than my phones. It’s probably because of the better flash? Also the fact it has some sort of auto adjustment.

Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-sample-photo-0162
7m under water, 40% compression, 6.09M
Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-sample-photo-0144
Under water, no zoom, near the water surface, 40% compression, 6.38m
Nikon-Coolpix-S33-review-sample-photo-5009
3x optizoom 2m under water. Compression 40%, original was 6.11MB.

Video quality

It has grains, but I’m happy with it.. Here’s a clip with zero editing straight from the camera. Forest, humid condition; fast moving object.

The underwater video was probably it’s best attribute. Can see clearly what’s happening. Not much difference in what I saw in real life.

Reason to buy this camera?

  • Affordable
  • Family photo / memory without breaking the bank
  • Great option if you only need a hardy camera occasionally. Like under 5 use per year.
  • Fuzz free, frill free shooting
  • Hardy, no need to worry about drop or water
  • Light weight (180g include battery and SD card)
  • Great camera for young kids
  • Bright fun colour options – comes in blue, pink, yellow and white

 

Reason not to buy this camera?

  • You want high density, razor sharp photos
  • Cannot stand slow menu reaction
  • Can’t go deeper than 10m diving
  • Intend to shoot 300+ photos without spare battery (the battery died on me before 300 photos)

 

Tip:

For best under water photo, be as close to the object as possible.

 

**Photos of the camera were taken by Canon 5D mark 3. Contrast and white balance has been adjusted.

 

Signature small

Bloglovin’ / Google+ / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest

Author

Salut, I am Joyce. 40 something living in Paris. Appreciate little things and share giggles. Prudent, no nonsense reviews. #ExploreLaughRepeat

156 Comments

  1. Ремонт и дизайн жилья https://giats.ru просто! Полезный блог с лайфхаками, трендами, советами по планировке, цвету, освещению и отделке.

  2. Блог о мелочах https://ugg-buy.ru которые делают жизнь лучше: организация быта, семейные советы, домашние рецепты, удобные привычки.

  3. Ремонт компьютеров https://aka-edd.ru и ноутбуков: блог с советами от мастеров. Разбор типичных поломок, пошаговые инструкции, обслуживание, апгрейд.

  4. Стажировки для студентов https://turbo5.ru вузов: реальный опыт, развитие навыков, участие в проектах. Возможность начать карьеру в крупной компании.

  5. Продажа сплит-систем https://split-s.ru и кондиционеров для дома, офиса и коммерческих помещений. Широкий выбор моделей, установка под ключ, гарантия, доставка.

  6. Купить недвижимость https://karado.ru в Белгородской области просто: проверенные объекты, помощь в оформлении, консультации.

  7. Thanks for the detailed review! I’ve been considering the Nikon Coolpix S33 for my next trip, and your insights really helped.

  8. Монтаж систем отопления https://elitmaster1.ru в домах любой площади. Газовое, электрическое, комбинированное отопление. Подбор оборудования, разводка труб, запуск.

  9. Служба ремонта https://rnd-master.ru все бытовые услуги в одном месте. Ремонт техники, сантехники, электрики, мелкий бытовой сервис. Быстро, качественно, с гарантией.

  10. Купить обои https://nash-dom71.ru для дома и офиса по доступным ценам. Виниловые, флизелиновые, текстильные, фотообои. Большой выбор, доставка, помощь в подборе.

  11. Looking for something to help you get lean without the crazy side effects? primo 100 might be what you need. It’s known for helping keep muscle while cutting, and it’s pretty easy on your system too. Perfect if you want results without going overboard. Definitely worth checking out.

  12. ЖК «Атлант» https://atlantdom.ru современный жилой комплекс с развитой инфраструктурой, охраняемой территорией и парковкой. Просторные квартиры, благоустроенные дворы, удобное расположение.

  13. Ремонт квартир https://domov-remont.ru под ключ: от дизайн-проекта до финишной отделки. Честная смета, контроль этапов, гарантия до 5 лет. Работаем точно в срок.

  14. Выберите формат отдыха, который запомнится надолго. Комфорт и яркие впечатления подарит [url=https://morskie-progulki-1sochi.ru/]сочи катание на яхте[/url] — это отличная идея для выходного дня.

    Морские прогулки в Сочи – это уникальный способ провести время у моря. Морские прогулки в Сочи становятся все более популярными среди отдыхающих.

    Вдоль побережья Сочи расположены различные компании, предлагающие услуги морских прогулок. Туристы могут выбрать разные маршруты, включая короткие экскурсии и долгие туры.

    Морские прогулки открывают захватывающие виды на волны и окружающие горы. Некоторые экскурсии предлагают шанс увидеть дельфинов и других животных в их естественной среде обитания.

    Не забывайте захватить с собой фотоаппарат, чтобы запечатлеть эти мгновения. Морские прогулки в Сочи – это отличный способ провести время с друзьями и семьей.

  15. Скрытая мини-камера https://baisan.ru с Full HD, датчиком движения и автономной работой. Идеальна для наблюдения в квартире, офисе или автомобиле.

  16. Оборудование для сантехники https://ventsan.ru вентиляции и климата — в одном месте. Котлы, трубы, вытяжки, кондиционеры, фитинги.

Reply To esim-617 Cancel Reply