Only the major camera manufacturers know if they were sufficiently aware of how quickly smartphones could become a threat to compact cameras, but from the outside, it appears they were blindsided. The fact that the manufacturers’ newest compact cameras are still being produced from the same mold and with the same marketing strategy would indicate they haven’t yet thought of how to respond to the smartphone/camera challenge. Then, during August 2012, Nikon seemed to become conscious of the situation and released the Coolpix S800c, the first compact from a major manufactured powered by the Android OS. Downside with compact cameras is that they don't have capabalities like super zoom that we get from Nikon Coolpix P1000 digital point & shoot camera.
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As communication devices, it’s easy to understand why the public gravitated to smartphones so quickly; but the reason why they may have compact cameras by the throat is their apps/software versatility. Even the best compact camera (or any camera) is “just” a piece of hardware that produces photos; and this basic, and only, primary capability doesn’t change from the day it was new to the day its replaced with an upgraded model. A smartphone, however, with its operating system, is a piece of hardware that can utilize both the apps its manufacturer creates as well as a never-ending stream of new apps from third-party developers.
Presumably, someone at Nikon had this insight, which led to the company combining its Coolpix compact camera technology with Android’s 2.3 OS. Now, the compact camera has a fighting chance, as the S800c can run any app that a smartphone with the same OS version can; PLUS, the S800c still retains the major advantage of all compact cameras over smartphones: a better photographic device. From the photographer’s perspective, choice is the key word because with the Nikon Coolpix S800c, there are many more photo apps available to edit images in the camera, add enhancements or whatever the latest Android-based photography app is capable of offering.
Of course, the Android OS gives the Coolpix S800c the same access to mobile data services, which in turn opens all the doors to Wi-Fi networks, Internet browsers (and email) and sending and sharing photos via social networking. Another upside of the S800c with Android OS is the possibility that third-party app designers may create apps specifically for this camera, considering its superior photographic quality.
The current technological standoff still remains, however. Do you want a communication device (phone) with Android OS and all the apps available, but with limited photography features and image quality? Or, do you want a much better photographic device that can also access all apps based on the Android OS, but is not a phone? Peering into the crystal ball shows that, at some point in the future, all of it will eventually be included in a single device.
That day hasn’t arrived yet, however, so you still need both a smartphone and a compact camera; and the Nikon Coolpix S800c becomes a very compelling choice. It’s more than sufficient 16-MP 1/2.3”type BSI CMOS sensor delivers better picture quality, especially when the light is low, compared to smartphone cameras. In fact, the combination of its sensor and 3.5” WVGA OLED touchscreen and Internet access essentially makes the Coolpix S800c a mini-tablet computer. The S800c’s optical zoom lens with a 25–250mm (35mm equivalent) focal length range and f/3.2–5.8 aperture range makes it possible to shoot more kinds of photography, and with greater optics, than smartphones. Another important distinction is that the Coolpix S800c, like most compact cameras, has removable memory and batteries, allowing for the easy interchange of cards and the use of cards with more memory, and new or charged batteries.
Nikon Coolpix S800c Primary Features
- 16MP 1/2.3"-type BSI CMOS sensor.
- 25–250mm equivalent f/3.2–5.8 lens.
- 3.5" WVGA OLED touchscreen.
- Android v2.3 OS (Gingerbread).
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.
- 2GB of internal memory (690MB for apps).
- As much as 8fps continuous shooting.
- 1080p30 video.
With a weight of 6.5 oz. (184g) and dimensions of 2.4 x 4.4 x 1” (60 x 111.4 x 27.2mm), the Nikon Coolpix S800c is certainly portable and fits in pocket or purse. Designed with those smartphone inter-connecting capabilities, the S800c is easy to control via the touchscreen: either the camera’s menu or the Android home screen and its camera app.
With the Coolpix S800c, Nikon’s strategy appears to be a willingness to “race” smartphones to that future date when the features and capabilities of both are found in a single device. There’s no reason why a traditional camera manufacturer, such as Nikon, couldn’t cross the finish line first, by adding a smartphone’s telephone functions to a compact camera.
The Nikon Coolpix S800c compact camera is available from Amazon for $296.95
This article about "Nikon Coolpix S800C Compact Camera" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-equipment-reviews/2848-nikon-coolpix-s800c-compact-camera-bridging-the-gap-with-android-os
