In Travel

Nikon Coolpix S33 review… of a tourist

1,485 Comments

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

Related Posts

1,485 Comments

  1. Davidinsow Reply

    Заботьтесь о здоровье сосудов ног с профессионалом! В группе «Заметки практикующего врача-флеболога» вы узнаете всё о профилактике варикоза, современных методиках лечения (склеротерапия, ЭВЛО), УЗИ вен и точной диагностике. Доверяйте опытному врачу — ваши ноги заслуживают лучшего: https://phlebology-blog.ru/

  3. EnigmaReelD5six Reply

    J’aime l’atmosphere de Locowin Casino, ca transporte dans un univers envoutant. La diversite des titres est epoustouflante, comprenant des jeux adaptes aux cryptos. Renforcant l’experience de depart. L’equipe d’assistance est remarquable, accessible a tout instant. Les operations sont solides et veloces, bien que quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient apprecies. Pour synthetiser, Locowin Casino est une plateforme qui excelle pour les aficionados de jeux contemporains ! En outre le design est contemporain et lisse, facilite une immersion complete. A souligner aussi les paiements securises en crypto, offre des privileges sur mesure.
    Obtenir les bonus|

  4. NeonPulseG5six Reply

    J’apprecie l’environnement de Locowin Casino, on detecte une vibe folle. La gamme de jeux est spectaculaire, avec des slots au style innovant. Le bonus d’accueil est attractif. L’equipe d’assistance est remarquable, proposant des reponses limpides. Les retraits sont realises promptement, de temps a autre des offres plus liberales ajouteraient de la valeur. En fin de compte, Locowin Casino fournit une experience ineffacable pour les joueurs a la recherche d’aventure ! Par ailleurs la navigation est simple et engageante, facilite une immersion complete. Particulierement attractif les options de paris sportifs etendues, garantit des transactions securisees.
    DГ©couvrir dГЁs maintenant|

  5. CrazySpinQ4six Reply

    Je suis accro a Locowin Casino, il offre une experience unique. La selection de jeux est phenomenale, avec des slots au design innovant. Pour un demarrage en force. Le support client est exceptionnel, garantissant un support de qualite. Le processus est simple et efficace, parfois quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient cool. En resume, Locowin Casino vaut largement le detour pour les fans de casino en ligne ! Cerise sur le gateau le site est rapide et attrayant, ajoute une touche de confort. Un autre atout majeur les paiements securises en crypto, propose des avantages personnalises.
    Voir toutes les infos|

Reply To CrazySpinQ4six Cancel Reply