The Coolpix SQ definitely has the looks to make it cool. But is it more style than substance?With no optical viewfinder and a rather unusual swiveling lens design, the 3-megapixel Coolpix SQ will not fit everyone. But point-and-shooters looking to be hip should give it some consideration. Weighing just over 200g with battery and media installed, this Nikon, when packed, will sit easily in your pockets.
The Coolpix SQ gives a refreshing twist to the Minolta Dimage X series with the similarly squarish design. Unlike most other conventional cameras, the SQ owes its sleek pocket-size shape to its unique swivel lens. When in use, the lens rotates slightly more than 180 degrees (from the front to back). The lens zooms internally and thus never protrudes out from the housing. This is a plus, but it'll take some getting used to as the conventional way of gripping a camera doesn't work here. There is also a compromise on the flexibility commonly associated with such lenses. For instance, the flash unit covers the LCD screen when taking self-portraits--which severely limits your view on the 1.5-inch monitor (Although the software automatically scales the image down).
The SQ's controls require some time to master, but its features are simple enough to understand and grow accustomed to. The most notable is the exclusion of the "Ok" button that most competing cameras require. This function is not needed on the SQ's software as user confirmation is done with the "right" button.
Something that seems quite misleading at first glance is the power switch. It actually appears like the push-pull zoom controls found on most other digital cameras. Instead, two buttons on the rear manipulate the lens mechanism. We'd actually prefer if the roles were changed as the location of the power switch seems more comfortable and much more appropriate for zoom. We were also quite disappointed to find out that the unit does not power on when the swiveling lens is rotated.
The Nikon Coolpix SQ is targeted at the point-and-shoot crowd. As such you'll find the user interface uncomplicated and easy to use. Everything you'll expect from such a model is present. This includes simple tweaks like white balance, exposure compensation and metering, as well as built-in speakers and mic for full video capture and playback. The exposure compensation, though, requires the user to press two buttons concurrently in order to select between +2.0EV and -2.0EV in 0.3EV to 0.4EV steps.
Steering away from conventional, the Coolpix SQ does not offer the use of an optical viewfinder. Which is not such a bad thing considering how unnatural a viewfinder will be to use, regardless of its location. The 1.5-inch LCD display becomes the only medium for composing your shots. The screen, though, can best be described as adequate. It doesn't display too well under bright sunlight but is sufficiently viewable.
In our tests, we found the camera's performance to range from sluggish to average. It's able to start in about 3 seconds--provided the lens cap has been removed prior. The shot-to-shot interval was about 4 to 5 seconds with the image quality set to fine mode. The auto-focusing system seemed quite zippy, taking around 2 to 3 seconds. It even worked similarly in dim lighting. In continuous shooting mode, the SQ recorded four images in 3 seconds before choking--which is average in this class of cameras.
Due to the uncommon design, we found it too easy to take blurry shots, especially when we first started out. It also proved hard to take spontaneous shots as there's a need to remove the lens cover as well as twist the swivel lens, in addition to switching on the unit. In terms of image quality, the SQ captured usable photos with properly reproduced colours. In close proximity, the flash tended to give images a blue tinge. There's also noticeable barrel distortion on a number of pictures. The camera's automatic white balance, on the other hand, proved capable as it was able to handle most lighting conditions.
The Nikon Coolpix SQ is definitely something out of the ordinary. Everything from the swivel lens to the brushed metallic body screams cool. If not for its lackluster performance and design flaw for self-portraits, the SQ would seem to have both form and function. Nevertheless, this multi-pliable Nikon will keep you atwist with hours of fun.
The Coolpix SQ will be available in Austalia on 23 June 2003.
Nikon Coolpix SQ
Company: Nikon
Price: AU$995
Distributor: Maxwell Optical Industries
Phone: (02) 9390 0200
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