Nikon Nuvis S APS Camera

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $125.00 from As new on Ebay aucti

Summary:
Bought the camera basically to play with. Wanted to move outside the 35mm and digital formats to see what the APS system was all about. Frankly, the results are disappointing; more because the film is not up to par, not because the camera can''t handle the job. Nikon delivered on the promise with a camera that''s easy to use, solidly built (could improve the battery cover), and with more features than most people will use. Now, if Kodak and Fuji can fix their grain and contrast problems, this format might make sense for the majority of film-based camera users.

Strengths:
Small size encourages taking it everywhere. Solidly built (except battery cover) Wealth of adjustments for almost all situations.

Weaknesses:
Kodak and Fuji were not truthful about the format''s picture limitations. Nikon calls the zooming "whisper quiet." Only if you''re deaf.

Similar Products Used:
All Nikon F''s up to the F5 Nikonus IV Mamiya C330

Customer Service:
Have not needed their help with this camera. Not happy with Nikon service in the past.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $260.00 from Wolf camera Miami

Summary:
I already took about 350 pictures with my NIKON nuvis S , and so far I don’t have any complaints . For what I paid I expected a lot less , I was very surprise on the great quality in such a small camera .In my case I consider this small camera excellent for tourist purposes , you don’t fill its weight and is a very strong case . I proved it in several occasions and is still working like the first day . I am so happy with it that last week I order a new one for my daughter .

Strengths:
very light

Weaknesses:
The controls are very small

Similar Products Used:
Olimpus Stylus zoom 140 DLX

Customer Service:
never needed

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
3 votes

Price Paid:  $300.00 from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Summary:
THIS CAMERA HAS DONE EVERYTHING I REQUESTED WITHIN EXPECTED LIMITATIONS---KEEP ONE THING SPECIFICALY IN MIND ...THERE ISN'T A SINGLE VEHICLE THAT IS GOING TO DELIVER EVERTHING YOU WANT. DO YOUR RESEARCH!!

Strengths:
VERY TRAVEL-WISE, STURDIER CASE THAN OTHER BRANDS,NIKON QUALITY, SIMPLICITY IN DIFFICULT SHOOTS, WELL THOUGHT OUT DESIGN.

Weaknesses:
AFTER DOING THE RESEARCH OF THIS CAMERA, I RECEIVED THE RESULTS THAT I EXPECTED: A SMALLER FORMAT TO BE ALL CONSIDERED CHIEFLY; BUT IN REAL LIFE, FOR TEN DAYS OR SO AS A SCOUTER AT PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH LUGGING ANSEL ADAMS 8X10 VIEW CAMERA AROUND---YOU GET TO UNDERSTAND THAT QUALITY IS STILL IN THE EYE AND COMPOSITION-NO PROBLEM WITH THAT CONCEPT...HOW MANY RESPONDIES HAVE EVEN PLAYED WITH A PINHOLE---RESEARCH YOUR ENDEAVORS BEFORE YOU COMPLAIN- IT BE YOUR FAULT IF NOT MON!

Similar Products Used:
2- NIKON F-2
1- NIKON F-3
2- LEICA 2@3
1- NIKKOREX
1- NIKON FTN
2- NIKORMATS FTN
1- KODAK/ LEICA RETINA 3

Customer Service:
HAVEN'T ANY COMPLAINTS IN DEALING W/ NIKON

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $219.00 from Fotoshop

Summary:
Alot of the reviews on here really give this camera a bad rating. I can hardly agree. This is not a pro-level camera so lets stop treating it like one. To compare apples to apples I did a little test shoot of with the Nuvis S and my Olympus XA2. For those not familar with the XA2 it is a small sized (about the same as the Nuvis) Auto exposure camera with 3 focus zones on a fixed focal length lens. I shot a roll of Kodak 200 in each camera of the same subjects. Here are the results: The XA had a slight edge in image sharpness. I would expect this since the fixed lens is a simpler design than the zoom of the Nuvis. As for exposure, color saturation, and contrast the Nuvis was much better. The qualtiy of the exposures were much more consistant. Grain was a touch rough with the Kodak Advantix film, I'm trying Fuji Nexia 200 in my next test. I've heard that it is much better. I was happy with the results from the Nuvis and they were in line with expectations and I will be keeping the camera.
I bought the Nuvis S for traveling and when I travel I camp, hike and bike around and I thought it would handle the rough and tumble existance better.
As you can see I've used a few cameras and a couple of really great ones. If you are worried about absolute image quality buy a Hasselblad. If you want some nice pics of your trip and dont want to carry ten pounds of stuff, the Nuvis S will make you happy.

Strengths:
Small Size
Durability
Ease of use

Weaknesses:
Weak Flash
Hard to get zoom right where you want it.

Similar Products Used:
First APS Camera
Other cameras I have owned/used:
Pentax IQzoom 60
Olympus XA2
Nikon F
Nikkormat FTN
Pentax ME super
Canon AE1
Canon A1
Mamiya C330
Mamiya RZ67
Mamiya RB67
Hasselblad 500cm
Bronica SQAi
Pentax 645

Customer Service:
Never used it.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $149.00 from Smile Photo

Summary:
I liked the small size of the APS cameras; however, reading all the APS reviews I was uneasy about purchasing one. Couple of months a ago I bought a disposable Kodak APS camera and liked the pocketability and the photo quality was not as bad at all.

Finally last month I decided to take the change and buy one. I found a good price at the Smile Photo ($139 for refurbished but they gave me a new one--I still don't know why) as a toy. I tried various films, Kodak Advantix and Fuji Nexia (200 ASA and 400 ASA). The print quality was very good. The pictures from the Nexia 200 ASA was as good as the photos taken T4. I am very happy with this camera.

A last word, if you never tried APS, buy a disposable and see for yourself how you like the quality of the prints. As far as the camera’s quality is concerned, I like Nikon; it has been my experience that high end Canon products are great. However, at the middle range or below they seem to have lower standards. Nikon on the other had tends to be a bit more expensive but maintains its quality across the board.

Strengths:
Nikon quality
A very good passive auto focus
Mid-roll-change ability
Also, the camera looks nice

Weaknesses:
Not much.

Similar Products Used:
Cannon F-1
Yashika T4
Nokon point and shoot Tele 35-70 (12 years old)

Customer Service:
Have not used customer service.