While its specifications are interesting, the Nikon Coolpix S6 is worst than the average ultra-compact digital camera. There is truly no reason to buy this camera. Someone who wants a WiFi enabled camera should look at the Canon Powershot SD430, which does not compromise on image quality to squeeze in its WiFi capability. If WiFi is not important, there are lots of better ultra-compact digital cameras like the Fuji Finepix F30, the Fuji Finepix F10, the Canon Powershot SD800 IS and the Canon Powershot SD550. Particularly, the two ultra-compacts from Fuji have excellent image quality, fantastic high-ISO performance, much more powerful flashes and significantly longer battery-life.

 

The Nikon Coolpix S6 suffers in terms of both image quality and ergonomics. Even though it is expected that ultra-compact cameras can lag in image quality, the S6 is outclassed by most its competitors. The most alarming problems are strange color casts, first noticed by DC Resource, vignetting and pronounced edge softness. The camera also suffers from increased image softness at ISO 200 and up. This, combined with a narrow lens aperture near telephoto, makes it difficult to obtain sharp images in many situations. Then, there are usability problems. The S6 does not feature an optical viewfinder nor an anti-reflective coating to make its LCD usable in bright light. Many of the S6's controls, including the zoom controller, are absolutely tiny and hard to manipulate. There is also not much space to hold onto the camera's rear.