The
Nikon coolpix S1000PJ
World’s first camera with an ultra-small, built-in projector
provides new ways for enjoying your pictures anytime and anywhere.
Depending on how much you like viewing your photos or letting others
view your photos, the
Nikon Coolpix S1000pj is either really cool or a waste. The compact
camera houses an ultrasmall projector able to display photos and video
at sizes up to 40 inches diagonal at the press of the button. However,
the rest of the camera is completely basic: 12-megapixels,
28mm-equivalent wide-angle lens, 5x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD, and
nearly fully automatic shooting options.
The camera's design is simple and stylish and other than a little
window on the front, there's nothing about it that immediately says,
"Hey, I have a built-in projector." What's most interesting about the
S1000pj is that the addition of the projector adds little to the weight
or size of the camera; it's really not much bigger than a compact
camera with similar features sans projector. Controls are, for the most
part, the same as on any other compact Coolpix.
On top, along with the power and shutter release buttons and zoom
ring are a slider for adjusting focus for the projector and a button
for turning on the function. In back to the right of the bright
LCD and below the studded thumb rest are buttons for changing
shooting modes, playing and editing images, accessing photo, video, and
system setting menus, and deleting pictures. There's a directional pad
for navigation and setting exposure, flash, timer, and macro. Again,
it's all pretty standard. There are also two small squares--one in back,
one in front--for receiving IR signals from
the bundled remote control. (It can be used for playback and shooting.)
Now, on to the projector: It sits at the center of the camera's front
and is oddly unprotected. Press the Projector button on top and move
the camera forward or back until the picture is the size you want it,
and then use the focus slider to fine tune the picture. It can be set
as close as 10 inches from the screen or back as far as 6.5 feet.
You can immediately start navigating through your photos or hit the
Menu button to start a slideshow as well as turn on transition effects
and background music, adjust interval time. Included is a little stand
that angles the camera upward to avoid any objects that may be on the
surface you're using. The angle, though, creates a keystone effect
distorting projected images; you're better off using a tripod or an
unobstructed level surface. Also, since there is no automatic
orientation of photos, you'll need to go through and rotate images
before playback. The projector is quite bright, but, of course, the
darker the room, the better the experience. All in all, it's a
successful feature that will no doubt be fun at parties with family and
friends gathered around. It would be particularly nice for vacations
where you want to instantly relive something you've just done or seen.
Lastly, I can see it having some solid business uses, such as in real
estate where you'd be able to give an impromptu showing of a house on a
client's wall.
