Launched in February this year, the Coolpix S5 is one of two new cameras in Nikon's S range of ultra-slim pocket compacts. The S series itself is relatively recent, starting with the 5.0 megapixel S1 launched around tthis
time last year. All the cameras in the series share the same basic layout, with a 3x optical zoom non-protruding lens mounted in the top right corner of the front panel, and only a bare minimum of external controls. The S5 has a 6.0 megapixelssensor, a high resolution 2.5in LCD monitor, and a strong metal body. It measures 93 x 59 x 20mm and weighs 165g including battery and card it may be neither the slimmest nor the lightest camera on the market, but it is small and light enough to slip into a shirt pocket or purse without leaving much of a bulge.