Nikon

Nikon 26407 COOLPIX S31 Waterproof Digital Camera Blue

4.1 (191 reviews)

Waterproof, shockproof, and ready for any family adventure — the COOLPIX S31 captures 10.1MP stills and 720p video wherever memories happen, no protective case required.

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Overview

The Nikon COOLPIX S31 is built for one purpose: durable, worry-free photography in the hands of families, kids, and outdoor adventurers who need a camera that keeps up with active life rather than requiring protection from it. Waterproof to 1.5 meters, shockproof from 1.2 meters, and dustproof by construction, the S31 removes the anxiety from handing a camera to a child or taking it to the beach. The 10.1-megapixel sensor delivers enough resolution for quality prints and digital sharing, and 720p HD video with built-in audio captures the full sensory record of family moments in a way still images alone cannot.

The camera's design prioritizes accessibility throughout — the 2.7-inch LCD is large and bright relative to the body size, buttons are oversized and tactilely differentiated, and the interface simplifies to just the decisions needed to frame and capture. This is not a camera for photographers who want control; it is a camera for people who want to remember a moment without thinking about settings. In the bright outdoor light where it performs best, the S31 returns clean, colorful images with the Nikon color signature that makes skin tones and saturated outdoor scenes look vivid and natural. Build quality holds up across regular submersion in pool conditions and the inevitable drops that come with child use.

Key Features

Nikon Coolpix S31 Camera Digital

Specifications

Brand
Nikon
Model
Coolpix S31
Color
Blue

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Waterproof to 1.5 meters, the S31 handles pool sessions, beach trips, and rain without a protective housing — meaningful durability for family use where accidental submersion is routine rather than exceptional.
  • The 2.7-inch LCD is bright and simple to navigate, making the camera genuinely accessible to younger family members who haven't operated a camera before.
  • 10.1 megapixel resolution produces images with enough detail for quality 8x10 prints — a step above typical social-media-only snapshot cameras for family album and wall display use.
  • Shockproof from 1.2 meters, the camera survives most dropped-from-hand accidents during active outdoor use — a real-world durability test that family cameras face routinely.
  • 720p HD video with built-in microphone captures both the visual and audio memory of key family moments — birthday parties, vacations, sporting events — in a single compact package.

👎 Cons

  • At 1.5 meters water resistance depth, the S31 is not suitable for snorkeling, diving, or underwater photography beyond shallow pool depth — exceeding the rating risks seal failure and water damage.
  • The fixed lens with no optical zoom limits compositional flexibility — framing a tighter shot requires physically moving closer to the subject rather than zooming from a distance.
  • In low-light indoor environments — evening parties, indoor events — the small sensor produces visible noise at higher sensitivity settings even with flash assist engaged.
  • 720p video resolution is below the 1080p standard now common on basic smartphones, and footage will appear soft on modern 4K displays or large-screen playback.
  • The simplified interface that makes the camera accessible to children is a ceiling for adult photographers — no manual controls, RAW output, or creative exposure modes are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

The S31 is rated waterproof to 1.5 meters (approximately 5 feet) for up to 60 minutes under JIS/IEC IPX8 conditions. This covers pool use, shallow water play, and rain — it is not rated for snorkeling depth or extended submersion beyond those parameters.
The S31 records 720p HD video at 30fps with built-in microphone audio. Video is saved in MOV format. Audio capture is functional for casual family use but is not optimized for quiet environments or windy outdoor conditions.
The S31 uses microSD cards for primary expandable storage, with a small amount of internal memory included for a handful of images. A 32GB microSD card holds thousands of images at 10.1-megapixel resolution depending on compression settings — a card is strongly recommended for any active shooting session.
The COOLPIX S31 is rated shockproof from drops of up to 1.2 meters (approximately 4 feet) under MIL-STD-810F testing conditions. This covers most accidental table-height and hand-height drops; corner impacts on hard surfaces can exceed the rated threshold.
Yes — the S31 is specifically designed for child-friendly independent use. The interface is simplified, buttons are large and clearly differentiated, and the durable construction handles the rough treatment typical of younger users without requiring protective accessories.