Nikon Coolpix S640 (Digital Compact Cameras)

The Coolpix S640 provides a simple to use, high-resolution snapper for the masses with focusing and start-up performance as claimed benefits, among other cool features.

Good image quality at low sensitivities, compact design, simple to use, clear menu system

Sluggish start up, slow write-to-storage speeds, high ISO image noise, limited manual control

Nikon’s Coolpix S640 arrived with Nikon claiming it to be the fastest Coolpix yet with ultra-fast focusing and very speedy start-up time, 12-megapixel resolution and a neat, compact design. But the focusing is not as fast as we’d hoped and other...

With its 12-megapixel sensor, 5x zoom lens and 2.7in screen, the S640 risks blending in with countless other mid-price compact cameras. Not every compact claims start-up and autofocus performance to rival a digital SLR, though.

Impressively fast to switch on and focus but not so nippy from then on. Otherwise, it’s an unremarkable, slightly overpriced camera.

The Nikon CoolPix S640 is a standard, pocket-sized point-and-shoot digital camera. It's an ideal camera for social happy snappers, and its quick start-up time makes it great for when you need to whip a camera out of a pocket or handbag to capture a...

Priced at around £199, the Nikon CoolPix S640's picture quality is just average, as chromatic aberration and digital noise really got the better of our images; its controls need work and it's slow to show images on its screen. The redeeming features,...

The Nikon Coolpix S640 may not be a market-leading camera, but it's no slouch either, offering very good photos, decent performance and a high-end feel

Good design ; Easy to use ; Excellent photo quality up to ISO 200 ; Improved autofocus and start-up performance compared to other Coolpix cameras

High ISO settings aren't worth using ; No high-definition video mode

For a 28mm-equivalent wide-angle lens, the S640 has little in the way of barrel distortion and no discernible pincushion distortion when the lens is fully extended. In high-contrast areas of photos, there's some purple fringing, but the amounts are...

Nikon's latest high-performance luxury compact

Although it doesn't live up to Nikon's extravagent marketing claims, the CoolPix S640 is still a very competent camera. Build quality is good, it handles well, performs briskly and takes a decent picture in a wide range of situations; low light...

This point-and-shoot touts a quick startup time which the company claims to be borrowed from the shooter's dSLR compatriots.

Quick autofocus; wide-angle lens; 5x optical zoom

Fast to startup but takes a few seconds to initialize; no HD video; noisy images above ISO 400

This Coolpix has snappy performance but the deal could be sweetened with better picture quality.

The latest Coolpix offers super-quick focusing

A well-specified little camera with impressive focusing performance and image quality but let down by lack-lustre design and operation. On the whole, a good all-rounder

A high-spec ultra-compact, the Nikon S640 not only boasts a 28-140mm 5x zoom lens, 12.2MP and a 2.7in 230k LCD monitor, but it also has lens-shift optical image stabilisation. Our Nikon CoolPix...

Image quality, build quality, performance

Price

Although it is a little expensive, the Nikon CoolPix S640 offers a good specification, with a 5x zoom image stabilised lens, superior build quality, fast and easy-to-use operation, excellent low light performance and very good image quality even at...

This is a fairly standard pocket camera. Picture quality is good, although I did find one or two issues. I like the look, design and feel of the camera. Sometimes it is hard to give either strong reasons why a camera should be bought ahead of others or...

Ease of use - simple design

Slow start up time

The Nikon Coolpix S640 is a solid offering. It looks good and is very straightforward too. There is plenty of choice when it comes to buying a pocket camera, but this camera is a good choice if you think the features it offers are what you are looking...

The S640 is the latest evolution of the S600 line that's now a few years old. When we reviewed the S620, we criticised it for feeling a little insubstantial. This model feels just a little heftier, which we like, and a little more compact too, with...

Super-compact and luxurious, but sluggish in use and Canon edges it on desirability