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Nikon S640

 
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Nikon S640 summary

Nikon S640 is Nikon's Small Sensor Compact digital camera originally released on August of 2009. It houses a 12 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a full resolution of 4000 x 3000.

The S640 comes in at #181 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras & over all #1115 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our collection. Please check out our Smart camera filter to find camera listings based on your personalized factors.

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Below is a diagram of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Nikon S640 history

The Nikon S640 is part of a family of products. You can read the detailed range underneath.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Nikon-Coolpix-S9900 front thumbnailNikon S9900
S640 vs S9900
25-750mm
F3.7-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S810c front thumbnailNikon S810c
S640 vs S810c
25-300mm
F3.3-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2014
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Nikon-Coolpix-S9700 front thumbnailNikon S9700
S640 vs S9700
25-750mm
F3.7-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S5300 front thumbnailNikon S5300
S640 vs S5300
26-208mm
F3.7-6.6
16MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S3600 front thumbnailNikon S3600
S640 vs S3600
25-200mm
F3.7-6.6
20MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S3500 front thumbnailNikon S3500
S640 vs S3500
26-182mm
F3.4-6.4
20MP1/2.3"2013
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Nikon-Coolpix-S800c front thumbnailNikon S800c
S640 vs S800c
25-250mm
F3.2-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S5200 front thumbnailNikon S5200
S640 vs S5200
26-156mm
F
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S9500 front thumbnailNikon S9500
S640 vs S9500
25-550mm
F
18MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S6500 front thumbnailNikon S6500
S640 vs S6500
25-300mm
F2.8-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S9300 front thumbnailNikon S9300
S640 vs S9300
25-450mm
F3.5-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Photography Glossary
Nikon-Coolpix-S4300 front thumbnailNikon S4300
S640 vs S4300
26-156mm
F3.5-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S3300 front thumbnailNikon S3300
S640 vs S3300
26-156mm
F3.5-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S6300 front thumbnailNikon S6300
S640 vs S6300
25-250mm
F3.2-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S100 front thumbnailNikon S100
S640 vs S100
28-140mm
F3.9-4.8
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S8200 front thumbnailNikon S8200
S640 vs S8200
25-350mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S6200 front thumbnailNikon S6200
S640 vs S6200
25-250mm
F3.2-5.6
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S9100 front thumbnailNikon S9100
S640 vs S9100
25-450mm
F3.5-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S6100 front thumbnailNikon S6100
S640 vs S6100
28-196mm
F3.7-5.6
16MP1/2.3"2011
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Nikon-Coolpix-S8100 front thumbnailNikon S8100
S640 vs S8100
30-300mm
F3.5-5.6
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S5100 front thumbnailNikon S5100
S640 vs S5100
28-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S8000 front thumbnailNikon S8000
S640 vs S8000
30-300mm
F3.5-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S6000 front thumbnailNikon S6000
S640 vs S6000
28-196mm
F3.7-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S1000pj front thumbnailNikon S1000pj
S640 vs S1000pj
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S570 front thumbnailNikon S570
S640 vs S570
28-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S640 front thumbnailNikon S64028-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S620 front thumbnailNikon S620
S640 vs S620
28-112mm
F2.7-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S630 front thumbnailNikon S630
S640 vs S630
37-260mm
F3.5-5.3
12MP1/2.3"2009

Nikon S640 Pros and Cons

Below is a collection of good and bad points of the Nikon S640 based on things which are generally regarded as crucial in a digital camera.

above average minimum ISO (100)
built-in flash
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
in built lens has zoom (28-140mm 5.0 x zoom)
lighter than competitors (130 grams)
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have HDMI socket
doesn't have headphone socket
doesn't have microphone socket
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not have phase detect AF
does not have RAW format
does not offer selfie friendly screen
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual focus
lack of shutter priority mode
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
low resolution screen (230 k dots)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
no aperture priority mode
no external flash support
screen does not articulate
screen is small (2.7")
slow at tele end (f6.6)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Nikon S640 Sensor details

The Nikon S640 features the Expeed processor chip. The dimension of the sensor in the Nikon S640 is 6.08mm x 4.56mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the ability to capture 4000 x 3000 pixels and aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera comes with Image Stabilization (Optical). Optical stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization as the latter can cause cropping.

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The CCD sensor has 12 megapixels and delivers a standard ISO range of 100 - 6400. Unfortunately, RAW format is not saved therefore you have less margin for error.

The picture underneath displays the S640's sensor dimensions compared to other popular sizes. The S640 sensor has a crop factor of 5.9 and is displayed in green.

Nikon Coolpix S640 sensor size Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

To get an understanding of different aspect ratios, you can refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Nikon S640 dimensions

Nikon S640 has a weight of 0.29 pounds (130g or 4.59 ounces) & has external size of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8"). The weight of average Small Sensor Compact camera is 174g so the Nikon S640 is less heavy in comparison with other rivals.

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Underneath is a shot of the Nikon S640 next to a soft drink to help you get a feel for its scale.

Nikon Coolpix S640 dimensions scale

The top view just below will provide the button layout on the S640.

Nikon Coolpix S640 topview buttons dials

Nikon S640 Lens specs

The S640 includes a fixed lens and it has a focal range of 28-140mm giving it a 5.0 x zoom which isn't really amazing nevertheless it could be useful in certain scenarios.

At the widest 28mm, the lens comes with an aperture of f2.7 which will be somewhat slow and not great for low light circumstances and you will probably find it difficult to get good bokeh. You could also need to up the ISO leading to noisy photos. At the tele end, 140mm comes with f6.6 making it pretty sluggish and you might need to set slower shutter speeds.

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Nikon S640 Connectivity

The S640 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Digital cameras that incorporate NFC and / or Bluetooth compatibility are able to be used wirelessly with smartphones. You can send images and oftentimes change settings without the hassle of connecting physically to the camera.

Many applications even enable a Liveview and release the shutter whenever you are not close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI port, it can easily be hooked up to an external display. Most cameras enable you to charge the battery pack with the USB port.

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Nikon S640 Video specs

The highest possible video resolution in the Nikon S640 is 1280 x 720 and you can shoot in Motion JPEG file format. 720p is awful for today's requirements. You should aim for at least 1080p resolution for video recording. The camera does not offer a microphone and / or headphone socket which means that you have little control over the audio. It is probably best to order an alternative model if you need better audio for your videos.

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Nikon S640 Weather Sealing

There is no environment proofing for the Nikon S640 so you need to be careful in wet or dusty situations.

Nikon S640 Screen and Viewfinder

The Nikon S640 is equipped with a 2.7" fixed display screen supporting a resolution of 230k dots.

Unfortunately the display screen isn't a touch screen.

Nikon Coolpix S640 screen and viewfinder President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The View Finder specifications for Nikon S640 are as follows:

  • ViewFinder None

For sunny outdoor situations which make the camera displays washed out and hard to see, viewfinders will be quite valuable.

Nikon S640 Shutter specs

The max shutter speed is 1/8000 sec.

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Nikon S640 Flash and Hot shoe specs

Nikon S640 comes with only inbuilt flash with no external flash support.

Nikon S640 Autofocus specs

Nikon S640 comes with just Contrast Detect Auto Focus & is missing Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is more faster and exact in comparison with Contrast Detect autofocusing.

Nikon S640 doesn't have manual focus. Manual focus is useful in low light occasions or you want to have more precise control on focusing.

Photography Glossary

Nikon S640 Battery life

The average Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 offers the best (470) battery life in this group of cameras.

Below is a listing of Small Sensor Compact cameras with the highest battery life:

Nikon S640 for specific kinds of photography

The following illustration displays a outline of the Nikon S640 for specific kinds of photography. To look at more, browse to the specific section underneath.

Nikon S640 Portrait photography advice

The Nikon S640 gets a score of 21 which is really bad, and means the camera is just not appropriate to use for portrait images. Taking portraits favors greatly towards sensor dimension, RAW support along with the option to work with external flash.

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focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files

Nikon S640 as a Street photography camera

Coming in at a nice score of 63, the Nikon S640 is a very decent option to buy for street photography. A very good street photography camera provides a fine balance of image quality and portability.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (130g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format

Nikon S640 as a Sports photography camera

A really bad sports photography points tally of 34 suggests the Nikon S640 is just not appropriate for photographing sports. A camera needs good autofocus and shutter speeds for sports photography.

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great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus

Nikon S640 as a Travel photography camera

Weight is pretty crucial in selecting a camera for travel. All things considered, the Nikon S640 gets a above average 62 for a travelling camera which makes it a good fit to take on your holidays.

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lighter than competition in class (130 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)

Nikon S640 Landscape photography advice

When you are looking to pick a camera for landscape photography, the most vital aspect will no doubt be image quality. The Nikon S640 at it's really bad score of 32 for a landscape camera is just not appropriate within the current market.

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decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording

Nikon S640 Vlogging highlights

A camera for vlogging should really offer a articulating display screen, microphone input and ideally IBIS. Taking all things in to account, the Nikon S640 is just not appropriate for vlogging as it gets a really bad score of 31.

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relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (130g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket

Nikon S640 Alternatives

If you are shopping for alternatives to the S640, below is a number of the highest rated cameras which fall in to the category of Small Sensor Compact.

The diagram down below gives you a bird's eye view of the S640 versus it's top ranking competitors suggested above.

These are various other cameras you might look into as alternative options. To look at a comprehensive comparison, simply click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Nikon
Model
Nikon Coolpix S640
Category
Small Sensor Compact
Announced
2009-08-04
Physical type
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Processor Chip
Expeed
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area
27.7mm²
Sensor resolution
12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW photos
Maximum native ISO
6400
Lowest native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mounting type
fixed lens
Lens focal range
28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture
f/2.7-6.6
Macro focus range
2cm
Crop factor
5.9
Screen
Type of screen
Fixed Type
Screen diagonal
2.7"
Screen resolution
230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Minimum shutter speed
30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed
1/8000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution
1280x720
Video format
Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
130g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions
91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
Other
Battery model
EN-EL12
Self timer
Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots
1
Launch price
$225