Nikon 1 S2: The Perfect Camera for Easy Sharing and Capturing Incredible Shots

In a world where sharing and capturing moments is the norm, the Nikon 1 S2 bridges the gap between sharing and the power of photography. It’s easy-to-use, compact, and produces high-quality images that will make your social media feeds pop. As an entry-level camera, it’s a great tool for stepping up your photography game and exploring your inner creativity.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon 1 S2 article cover photo

Key Features

May 21 2014

Announced

14.2 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1'
SensorCMOS
Weight190g
MSRP$599USD

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Overview of the 1 S2

Looking for a camera that can help you create and share stunning images with ease? Look no further than the Nikon 1 S2. This budget-friendly camera features a 14.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and a quick autofocus system, making it the perfect choice for capturing action-packed moments. Its compact design allows you to take it anywhere, and it's easy to use even if you're new to photography. With the ability to shoot Full HD videos, you can easily capture memories and relive them for years to come. Whether you want to snap pictures of your travels, document moments with loved ones, or just take beautiful photos for Instagram, the Nikon 1 S2 is the camera for you.

Nikon 1 S2 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon 1 S2 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Fast autofocus
Compact size
High-speed shooting
Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
Good battery life
Excellent image quality for its size
Easy to use and navigate menus
Affordable price point
Interchangeable lenses
Good low-light performance

Cons

Limited selection of lenses
No viewfinder
No hot shoe for external flash
Relatively small sensor size
Limited manual controls
No 4K video recording
Limited dynamic range in images
Limited ISO range
No weather sealing

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon 1 S2

Weather sealed
Dimensions101 x 61 x 29mm
Weight190g
Thickness29mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Nikon 1 S2 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Nikon 1 S2 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Nikon 1 S2 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the 1 S2 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon 1 S2 has a 14.2MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 14.2 pixels. Nikon 1 S2 has a native ISO range of 200 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

May 21 2014

Announced

200 - 12800

ISO Range

Sensor1'
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4592 x 3072 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon 1 S2 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the 1 S2 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1'

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StoragemicroSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Battery Life270 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL22
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon 1 S2 supports microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon 1 S2 uses the EN-EL22 model of battery pack. This is rated for 270 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon 1 S2 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Nikon 1 S2 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon 1 S2 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 171 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon 1 S2?

The Nikon 1 S2 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon 1 S2 weather sealed?

No the 1 S2 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon 1 S2 announced?

The Nikon 1 S2 was announced on May 21 2014

Does the Nikon 1 S2 have in-body image stabilization?

No the 1 S2 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon 1 S2?

The 1 S2 has a native ISO range of 200-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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