Nikon’s new projector-equipped camera has broken cover today and we’ve naturally had slightly play around with it. Regrettably, the Japanese DSLR dominator had pretty early firmware on board and refused to let us take any sample pictures or video, but we were in a position to compile a number of impressions anyhow. Firstly, as to the S1100pj’s body, it’s your typical compact affair — feeling sturdy and light-weight, it’s basically fit for its intended purpose, but no kind of than that. We found accessing the compartment for the battery and memory card a pain, as it doesn’t auto-lock after you close it, requiring an unnecessary bit of finger adroitness, and removing and replacing batteries will also be a fiddly affair. There’s not much good to assert concerning the built-in ” tilt stand” at the bottom, either — it only alters the attitude of projection slightly and feels too plasticky — but no less than it offers you an additional option.
On the plus side of things, the battery is a generous 1,050 mAh unit, and there’s a pleasingly instant access scheme for the camera’s most regularly used functions. Video recording has a dedicated button, as does switching to projector mode. Both seem to work quite well too, with the 720p video looking smooth and buttery, but then on-camera playback would be deceiving. We got to try those 14 lumens of projection power in a dimly lit room, and came away with a pair of impressions. Firstly, try to be ready to squeeze out a respectable-ish 40-inch image out of this shooter in case you set the suitable mood together with your lighting, and secondly, focusing is a relative cinch with the included controls on top. All in all, in view that it’s intended as a quickie display station at parties, we expect the S1100pj does what it promises. We rarely praise compact camera software here, but we’d be remiss not to note the saturation adjustment tool on this touchscreen shooter. It was a specific highlight for us and something we could definitely see ourselves getting creative with.
We also spent a while with the S5100, which surprised us with its quick autofocus and customarily snappy execution of instructions. Its 720p movie mode also looked competent, but take into account that it doesn’t assist you to zoom while recording video. Ah well, such is the fate of budget shooters, we suppose. Hit up the galleries for the hands-on imagery.
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