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Nikon Coolpix S550 is the only camera in the test without optical or mechanical image stabilization. Instead, the image are digital, which means that the camera increases the ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed is used to reduce blurry effects of camera shake or worse during the lighting conditions.

S550 is equipped with features that detects smiles and winks when you press down. It warns of the Wink and allows the image immediately be taken again. Smiling feature gives a signal to the camera that automatically takes the picture when a smile is detected.

It takes just over two and a half seconds to start the camera and capture the first image. Typically for a compact camera in its class. Autofocus also takes time to start, but certainly seems to find focus. The real worry is the time between exposures. 

The image quality is average. S550 has a role to correct distortions, straight lines in image edges which will be curved. The feature is called distortioncontrol and works very well.

The sensitivity is the same standard as more of the other cameras. Up to ISO 200 makes excellent pictures, but even at ISO 400 noise becomes noticeable. At ISO 800, it will be disruptive and more than that, in principle useless. Chromatic aberration is present in particular the joint where light and dark details meet. The pictures are relatively sharp. Source: IDG