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Note: this camera was first sold in Sep 2007. There may be newer versions available.
Nikon Coolpix S51
Nikon Coolpix S51
C+
HQ Grade: C+
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
"Overall Pretty Good"
  • 4 out of 5
"Excellent Camera- Bad Service"
See rating based on 168 user reviews
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Question Answered!
Shelly (shells9484) 0 pts
March 6, 2009 9:14 PM
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I receive an error message "Memory Card is right protected" - however it is not the memory card as i have tested multiple types. HELP!

S51
Has worked for one full year and then all of a sudden began this annoying error message.
Chocolate Brown
Purchased from Wolf Camera
Works when no memory card is inserted.
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Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
March 6, 2009 11:39 PM
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First thing I would do is reset the camera. This is a fairly easy procedure which involves either going into your setup menu and choosing "reset" (or intialize), holding down the menu key for 5 seconds, or, removing the batteries for a few minutes. It may be that the firmware loading got corrupted and the camera just needs to be "rebooted," which is something that turning it on/off won't accomplish. But after which, you should have the camera reset to factory default settings.

Another tip is to go to Nikon's website and look for firmware updates. Download and install them. Then, I'd try reformatting the card anyway.
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bukit97 (bukit97) 12611 pts
March 10, 2009 4:45 PM
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There is a tiny switch on one side of the card.
Slide this switch to the unlock pistion will solve your problem.
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Shelly (shells9484) 0 pts
March 10, 2009 9:00 PM
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I have switched the tiny thing on the side of every memory card i have inserted. It is definitely the camera, not memory card...
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bukit97 (bukit97) 12611 pts
March 11, 2009 2:35 PM
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With the latest feedback, the problem clearly points to the contact points of the camera's card reader.
They may be bent, corroded or simply dirty.
There is no way out except to open it up, do a thorough cleaning, and re-adjust any bent pins.

If you search the nets, there are all sorts of home-brew tricks to solve the problem. Some work, some don't.
Among them is a safe way to go about it and that is to tape the small switch in the unlock position with a black tape, just like you do on the floppy disc during the old days.
Quite a few people tried and found it working beautifully. You may wish to do the same.

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
March 11, 2009 10:26 PM
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A risky proposition unless your camera's warranty is long expired. One thing to do to avoid the corrosion is to leave those small silica packets that come with the camera in the camera bag to draw out excess moisture.

I do like your last suggestion though.
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bukit97 (bukit97) 12611 pts
March 13, 2009 3:18 PM
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The statement that ".... S51 has worked for one full year and then all of a sudden began this annoying error message " shows that the 1 year warranty has expired.

Cannot write to memory card usually indicates poor contacts with the 'fingers' of the card, particularly in this case where all cards tested gave the same result.

The camera's ability to write to the internal memory shows that it is in perfect working condition. Anything else you do to the camera will probably make it worse.
Best Answer
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
March 13, 2009 5:56 PM
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Oh, I agree. But a good blowing out of the compartment may help as well. But if the contacts are bent or corroded, Shelly's much better off sending it in for repair otherwise she could make things worse.
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Tracy 25 pts
March 14, 2009 1:19 AM
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I have had the same problem for weeks and even bought a new SD card. I just used a tiny piece of tape on the old SD card to tape the switch into unlock and now it works! Weird! There are hundreds of people with this problem and I have had 2 Nikons with problems and won't buy from them again. This is only a temporary fix and chances are that when I want to use it to take a picture of my son hitting his first home run, it won't work again! Auuugghhh! too much frustration for such an expensive camera that is less than 2 years old! Good luck to you all!
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bukit97 (bukit97) 12611 pts
March 14, 2009 2:20 AM
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Tracy,
it's good to know the tape works for you, even if it's a temporary solution.

I sometimes feel that the card locking mechanism is too delicate and perhaps for that reason, professional cameras opt for the larger compact flash cards.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
March 16, 2009 11:58 PM
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Frankly, I don't understand the need to lock a flash card anyway. I mean, I know you want to be able to preserve the pictures, but if the idea is to get them off the card as soon as possible, then what do you really need a lock for. Just swap out the card for another until you can off load them.

I can certainly undertand the frustration. But it may also be the card has an inferior locking design which can work it's way lose easier than an upper level card. What brand are you using?
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Christine 0 pts
July 10, 2009 11:15 PM
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I have the same problem with my camera right now too. its so frustrating bc right before it did this i used it. i literally turned my camera off and then back on and it the little dreaded message popped up. i will not buy a nikon again bc ive only had mine for 2 years and its already messed up. its too expensive to be having problems like this.
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Nicole 0 pts
August 6, 2009 10:10 PM
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Actually I called Panasonic..... they asked me what GB & type of card I had. I told them SDHC 4GB.... They told me this camera can handle upto 2GB SDHC or 4GB plain SD (NOT HC)...the HC at 4GB apparently is too fast. Which is just great considering the kid at Circuit City told me the card to get. Not once but 2x!! Because I went back thinking it was the card last year. Circuit City by me is closed now & the error actually comes & goes, so i finally got so fed up & called the other day!! Not sure if this pertains to everyone elses situation, but i guess im going to go out & buy a 3rd card & see if it works!
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Nicole 0 pts
August 6, 2009 10:11 PM
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CORRECTION, I called Nikon, not panasonic!
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Stinger 0 pts
September 5, 2009 4:24 PM
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I had the same problem for the different cards I tried, turned out to be poor contacts with the 'fingers' of the card.

I wedged a small piece of thick paper between the battery and the SD card to gently force the fingers to make contact and it now works for me. Saved me having to open up the camera.
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