Unbiased digital camera reviews, advice, and prices
Note: This camera was first sold in Mar 2005. It has been replaced by the Nikon S50.
Nikon Coolpix S1
Nikon Coolpix S1
D
HQ Grade: D
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 4 out of 5
"So Far So Good!"
  • 4 out of 5
"Works great.Great size.LOVE IT!"
See rating based on 219 user reviews
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Question Answered!
D Loh (D-Loh) 27 pts
February 20, 2007 7:39 PM
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Has anyone succesfully repaired the "black screen of death"?

After over a year of use my Nikon S1 stopped working suddenly. I didn't drop it so abuse should not be the cause. Basically the screen just shows black when I'm in picture or video taking mode. I can still view the set-up menu or pictures taken prior to breakage. This seems to be a somewhat common problem based on the reviews I've read. I'm out of warranty (bought the camera from a friend + over 1.5 years old) so repair costs would be out of pocket. Here are my questions:

1) Has anyone repaired the S1 black screen of death themselves? If so please help!
2) Has anyone paid to have the S1 black screen of death repaired? If so, how much did it cost?
3) Does anyone have the repair manual for this camera?

I'm debating whether to ship the camera back for repairs at all since the problem could reoccur and the money spent to repair the camera could be put towards buying a new one. Any advice, information or insight would be extremely appreciated! If you have a repair manual, please e-mail a copy to derek_loh(at)hotmail.com

Thanks in advance!
Derek
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Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
February 22, 2007 5:05 PM
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Although you are out of warranty, with a little nice attitude, pleasing for mercy of an RMA return, the pointing out that this is a common problem, you may be able to return it under it's RMA policy. It's worth a try at least.
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D Loh (D-Loh) 27 pts
February 22, 2007 5:11 PM
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Hi James,
Thanks for the advice! It's definitely worth a try as I've got nothing to lose.
-Derek
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kpowDK 0 pts
March 7, 2007 7:50 PM
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I got mine broken as well, no abuse or anything. I've tried to search everywhere for a solution, but I guess the best guess is that the CCD is broken, as I can still see the old pictures, menu text and so on and can take pictures, but the pictures are black. I've tried to reset, take out battery, memory card etc, but that doesnt work. James, where u succesful with returning the camera back?.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
March 8, 2007 1:32 AM
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I didn't have the issue. But I was successful with a VCR. If it's a fault in the design and you can point to it's commonality, state your case nicely, you may get some action on it.
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Michele 0 pts
March 19, 2007 3:40 PM
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Derek,

did you ever return your camera? I have the same problem with mine and have done nothing about it for a year now . don't know what else to do???

michele
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Megan 0 pts
April 15, 2007 7:28 PM
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I'm experiencing the same problem.. has anyone figured out a solution???
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
April 16, 2007 11:41 AM
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Michele, if you've waited a year, then chances are your warranty is out of force. Recommend you, Megan, Derek and others get together and contact Nikon en masse. That way, perhaps they will be more likely to repair them for free, rather than trying to convince them one at a time.

Absent that, you may want to get an estimate for repair before you decide what to do. Rule of thumb is that if a repair costs more than 50% of what you paid for it to fix, you're better off getting a new camera.

Good Luck.
Best Answer
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D Loh (D-Loh) 27 pts
April 16, 2007 3:44 PM
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I've sent my camera in for repairs about 1.5 weeks ago and have yet to hear from them. I already bought a new camera so I was sending it to them to do the free evaluation. If it costs more to fix than I can sell it for then I'll just write the camera off. I'll post when I find out more information!
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D Loh (D-Loh) 27 pts
April 17, 2007 12:31 PM
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I just received my estimate in the mail today. It says "B2 Service Repair Rank B2 - $134.00" plus $12.50 Shipping and Handing comes to $146.50. I was only going to repair this camera to sell it but at that price it's not worth it. (I found it for sale used on B&H photo-video for $149 and on ebay for $125 buy it now.) I'm probably not even going to bother having them return it since that would be a waste of $12.50. Hope you guys have better luck.

Thanks James for the helpful suggestions! You got my points.
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Rowie 25 pts
April 18, 2007 4:12 PM
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I have the same problem with my S1 and sent it for repair, did not agree with the repair bill and Nikon returned the camera. I think this is a common problem and Nikon should repair at no cost as the did for the 3100-5700, SQ-5400-4500-5000-3500 This was in a service advisory from Nikon. Same problem with all these other models. Lets all get together and contact Nikon.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
April 19, 2007 1:17 PM
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Perhaps you guys should find a way to contact Nikon together. If they see a group coming to them, they may see the wisdom of issuing a recall.
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Megan 0 pts
April 21, 2007 2:21 AM
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How would we organize this?
I miss my camera.
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kpowDK 0 pts
April 23, 2007 5:00 AM
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Ok, how should we organizae this?.
Writing an official mail with the cc to consumer-survillance departments or?
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
April 23, 2007 4:46 PM
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Suggest someone start a "yahoo group" for you to congregate and go from there. Post it in this thread when you have one.
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Alex 0 pts
April 23, 2007 5:46 PM
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If there is a black screen group coming together put me on the list. My S1 just went black 5 min. trying to taking a picture of my kid.
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Rowie 25 pts
April 24, 2007 1:46 PM
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I just formed a Yahoo group for the Coolpix S1, go to :

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/coolpixS1/

We alneed a google group.
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Ajit 1 pts
August 8, 2007 1:07 AM
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I have 3 of these. One developed the Black Screen and I sent it to this guy on Ebay who fixes it for $30 + $6.20 or so for Shipping. I found him through the Yahoo Group. He turned it around in 1 1/2 weeks and it seems to be working fine now. You should be able to find him on Ebay if you search for Nikon S1.
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Bill C. 0 pts
October 9, 2007 9:45 AM
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Does anyone have the name of the guy who fixes them, the one found on eBay? Or some contact information? Thanks!
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