Nikon Coolpix S51 Users Manual

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Using the Flash
Basic Photography and Playback: Auto Mode
jShooting When Lighting Is Poor and the Flash Is Disabled (B) 
• Use of a tripod is recommended to stabilize the camera during shooting and avoid the 
effects of camera shake. Turn vibration reduction (c111) off when using a tripod.
•The W icon is displayed when the camera automatically increases sensitivity. Pictures taken 
when W is displayed may be slightly mottled.
• When W is displayed and higher sensitivity is applied, noise reduction may be automatically 
applied as pictures taken are recorded; results in increased recording times.
jNote on Using the Flash
When using the flash at a wide-angle zoom position, reflections from dust particles in the air 
may appear as bright spots in pictures. To reduce these reflections, set the flash mode to B 
(Off) or zoom in on the subject.
kThe AF-assist Illuminator
If lighting is poor, the AF-assist illuminator may light to assist the focus operation when the 
shutter-release button is pressed halfway. The illuminator has a range of about 3.5 m (11 ft. 
5.7 in.) at the maximum wide-angle position and about 3 m (9 ft. 10.1 in.) at the maximum 
telescopic position. The AF-assist illuminator can be set to [Off] manually (c111), although 
in this case the camera may not focus when lighting is poor.
kThe Flash Indicator and Flash Lamp
The flash indicator and flash lamp show flash 
status when the shutter-release button is pressed 
halfway.
•On: Flash will fire when picture is taken.
•Blinks: Flash charging. Wait a few seconds and 
try again.
•Off: Flash will not fire when picture is taken.
When pictures are taken using the flash and a low battery, the monitor display will turn off 
and the flash lamp will blink until the flash is fully charged.
kRed-Eye Reduction
The COOLPIX S51 is equipped with an advanced red-eye reduction system. Pre-flashes are 
fired several times at low intensity before the main flash to reduce “red-eye.” If the camera 
detects “red-eye” after a picture is taken, Nikon’s own In-Camera Red-Eye Fix processes the 
image as it is recorded. Therefore, there is a slight delay before the shutter-release button 
operates normally to take another picture. 
• Not recommended for when shutter-release timing is essential.
• Red-eye reduction may not always produce the desired results.
• In some rare cases, other portions of pictures may be affected.
Use flash modes other than auto with red-eye reduction in above cases.
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Basic Photography and Playback: Auto Mode
Taking Pictures with the Self-Timer
The camera is equipped with a ten-second and three-second timer for self-
portraits. When using the self-timer, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn 
vibration reduction (c111) off when using a tripod.
1Press H (self-timer).
The self-timer menu is displayed.
2Use the rotary multi selector to choose 
[10s] or [3s] and press d.
[10s] (ten seconds): suited for important occasions 
(such as weddings)
[3s] (three seconds): suited for preventing camera 
shake
The mode selected for self-timer is displayed.
If a setting is not applied by pressing d within a few seconds, the selection will be 
cancelled.
3Frame the picture and press the 
shutter-release button halfway.
Focus and exposure will be set.
4Press the shutter-release button 
the rest of the way down.
The self-timer starts and the self-timer lamp 
will blink. The lamp stops blinking one 
second before the photograph is taken and 
remains lit until the shutter is released.
The number of seconds remaining before 
the shutter is released is displayed in the 
monitor.
To stop the timer before a picture is taken, 
press the shutter-release button again.
3s 10s
Self-timer
5
MM
101010
L
5
5
MM
101010
L
5
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Basic Photography and Playback: Auto Mode
Macro (Close-up) Mode
Macro mode is used for taking pictures of objects as close as 4 cm (1.6 in.). 
Note that the flash may be unable to light entire subject at distances of less 
than 30 cm (11.8 in.).
1Press L (macro mode).
The macro mode menu is displayed.
2Use the rotary multi selector to choose 
[ON] and press d.
The macro mode icon (F) is displayed.
The monitor will return to the normal display for the 
current mode if the setting is not applied by pressing 
d within a few seconds.
3Press v (k) or t (j) to frame the 
picture.
The camera can focus at a distance of 4 cm (1.6 in.) at 
the zoom position at which F glows green (the zoom 
indicator is positioned over F).
4Focus and shoot.
The macro mode applied in L (auto) mode or high-
sensitivity shooting mode is stored in the camera’s 
memory even after the camera is turned off.
kMacro Mode
In macro mode, the camera focuses continuously, even when the shutter-release button is 
not pressed halfway to lock focus.
Macro mode
FFFL
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Basic Photography and Playback: Auto Mode
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested 
by the camera to make pictures brighter or darker.
1Press the rotary multi selector I 
(exposure compensation).
2Use the rotary multi selector to adjust 
exposure.
• When the picture is too dark: adjust the exposure 
compensation to “+” side.
• When the picture is too bright: adjust the exposure 
compensation to “-” side.
• Exposure compensation can be set to values 
between -2.0 and +2.0 EV.
3Press d.
•The I icon is displayed in the monitor.
• The monitor will return to the normal display for the 
current mode if the setting is not applied by 
pressing d within a few seconds.
• The exposure compensation applied in L mode or 
high-sensitivity shooting mode is stored in the 
camera’s memory even after the camera is turned off.
Exposure compensation
5
MM
WW
L
5
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Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
High-sensitivity Shooting Mode
In high-sensitivity shooting mode, sensitivity is increased with shooting under 
low lighting to reduce blurring caused by camera shake or subject 
movement, allowing you to capture the atmosphere of the scene. ISO 
sensitivity will be automatically increased to a maximum of 1600 depending 
upon the brightness of the subject.
1Enter high-sensitivity shooting 
mode by pressing C in 
shooting mode, selecting K 
(use the rotary multi selector), 
and then pressing d.
2Frame the subject and take the 
picture.
jNotes on High-sensitivity Shooting Mode
• This mode reduces effects of camera shake even for shooting under low lighting; however, 
when shooting without the flash, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn vibration reduction 
(c111) off when using a tripod.
• Pictures taken in this mode may become somewhat grainy.
• Focus may not be precisely fixed in extremely dark places.
lHigh-sensitivity Shooting Mode
In high-sensitivity shooting mode, pressing m displays the high-sensitivity menu. The items 
available from this menu are the same as those available in the L (auto) mode shooting 
menu (c86), except that [ISO sensitivity] is not available in the high-sensitivity menu. Just as 
with L (auto) mode, the flash mode, self-timer, macro mode, and exposure compensation 
are available.
High sensitivity 
5
MM
5
WW
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Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
Scene Modes
The camera offers a choice of 15 “scene” options. Camera settings are 
automatically optimized for the selected subject type.
1Enter scene mode by pressing 
C in shooting mode, 
selecting n (use the rotary 
multi selector), and then 
pressing d.
2Press m to display the scene 
menu screen, and choose the 
desired scene and press d.
3Frame the subject and take the 
picture.
lImage Mode
[Z Image mode] (c87) can be set in the scene menu. 
Changes made to these settings apply to all shooting modes.
B PortraitH Beach/snowN Museum
E LandscapeI SunsetK Fireworks show
P SportsJ Dusk/dawnO Copy
D Night portraitG Night landscapeL Backlight
C Party/indoorM Close upF Panorama assist
Scene
I
J
G
M
Scene menu
ExitBeach/snow
Sunset
Dusk/dawn
Night landscape
Close up
5
MM
WW
5
Scene menu
Image mode
Exit
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Scene Modes
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
Features
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
kIcons Used for Descriptions
The following icons are used for descriptions in this section: J, flash mode (c28); H, self-
timer (c30); F, macro mode (c31); I, exposure compensation (c32); u, AF-assist 
illumination (c111).
B Portrait
Use this mode for portraits in which the main subject 
stands out clearly. Portrait subjects exhibit smooth, 
natural-looking skin tones.
• Camera focuses on subject in center of frame.
• Digital zoom cannot be applied.
CA*HOff*FOffI0.0*uAuto*
E Landscape
Use this mode for vivid landscapes and cityscapes.
• Camera focuses at infinity. The focus indicator (c24) 
always glows green when the shutter-release button is 
pressed halfway. Note, however, that objects in the 
foreground may not always be in focus.
CBHOff*FOffI0.0*uOff
P Sports
Use this mode for dynamic action shots that freeze the 
action in a single shot and record motion in a series of 
pictures.
• While the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the 
camera focuses continuously until focus is acquired and 
locked.
• While shutter-release button is held down, pictures are 
taken at rate of about 0.8 frames per second (fps) when 
image mode is set to [c Normal (3264)].
• The maximum frame rate with continuous shooting may 
vary depending upon the current image mode setting 
and the memory card used.
CBHOffFOffI0.0*uOff
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Scene Modes
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
1Fill flash with slow sync and red-eye reduction.2Other settings can be selected.
1Fill flash with slow sync and red-eye reduction. Other settings can be selected.2Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
Q: For those scene modes with Q, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn vibration reduction 
(c111) off when using a tripod.
D Night portraitQ
Use this mode to achieve a natural balance between the 
main subject and background lighting in portraits taken at 
night.
• Camera focuses on subject in center of frame.
• Digital zoom cannot be applied.
CA1HOff2FOffI0.02uAuto2
C Party/indoor
Captures the effects of candlelight and other indoor 
background lighting.
• Camera focuses on subject in center of frame.
• Turn vibration reduction (c111) off when using a 
tripod.
CA1HOff2FOffI0.02uAuto2
H Beach/snow
Captures the brightness of such subjects as snowfields, 
beaches, or sunlit expanses of water. 
• Camera focuses on subject in center of frame.
Cz*HOff*FOff*I0.0*uAuto*
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Scene Modes
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
Q: For those scene modes with Q, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn vibration reduction 
(c111) off when using a tripod.
I SunsetQ
Preserves the deep hues seen in sunsets and sunrises. 
• Camera focuses at infinity. When the shutter-release 
button is pressed halfway, the focus indicator (c24) 
always lights; however, focus may not be set for near 
subjects, while the camera focuses at infinity.
CBHOff*FOffI0.0*uOff
J Dusk/dawnQ
Preserves the colors seen in the weak natural light before 
sunrise or after sunset. 
• Camera focuses at infinity. When the shutter-release 
button is pressed halfway, the focus indicator (c24) 
always lights; however, focus may not be set for near 
subjects, while the camera focuses at infinity.
CBHOff*FOffI0.0*uOff
G Night landscapeQ
Slow shutter speeds are used to produce stunning night 
landscapes. 
• Camera focuses at infinity. When the shutter-release 
button is pressed halfway, the focus indicator (c24) 
always lights; however, focus may not be set for near 
subjects, while the camera focuses at infinity.
CBHOff*FOffI0.0*uOff
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Scene Modes
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
M Close up
Photograph flowers, insects, and other small objects at 
close range.
• The camera enters macro mode (c31) and the camera 
automatically zooms to the position at the closest 
distance at which the camera can focus. The camera can 
focus at distances as close as 4 cm (1.6 in.) when F is 
green. The closest distance at which the camera can 
focus varies depending upon zoom position. Digital 
zoom cannot be applied.
• [AF area mode] is set to [Manual] (c94). Press d and 
select the focus area in which the camera will focus.
• While the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the 
camera focuses continuously until focus is acquired and 
locked.
• Turn vibration reduction (c111) off when using a 
tripod.
CB*HOff*FOnI0.0*uAuto*
N Museum
Use indoors where flash photography is prohibited (for 
example, in museums and art galleries) or in other settings 
in which you do not want to use the flash. 
• Camera focuses on subject in center of frame.
• BSS (c92) turns on automatically. 
• Turn vibration reduction (c111) off when using a 
tripod.
CBHOff*FOff*I0.0*uOff
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