Nikon Coolpix S640 Review: Retro Compact Creativity in 2025

A 2009 Compact With New Life in 2025

The Nikon Coolpix S640 landed in 2009, at a time when slim point-and-shoot cameras lived in every pocket. In 2025, it has a different role: a creative tool for photographers who want CCD color, simple controls, and that unmistakable early-digital vibe you cannot fake with a phone filter.

Compared to today’s ultra-clean smartphone sensors, the S640 feels refreshingly imperfect. Its images are a mix of crisp detail and gentle noise, with colors that lean toward the warm, nostalgic side. For music videos, zine-style photography, or daily snapshots with character, this old compact still has something to say.

I found my first forgotten compact at the back of a drawer, battery completely dead and a 2 GB SD card still inside. Once it powered up, every limitation became a challenge: low resolution, slow lens, tiny screen. Instead of fighting them, I leaned in—overexposing in daylight, embracing blur at night, and letting the camera dictate what was possible. The constraints pushed me to compose more carefully and to enjoy the surprise of each frame again.

Key Specs That Still Matter

Core features that hold up

On paper, the Nikon Coolpix S640 is modest by modern standards, but several features still matter in daily use:

• Compact metal body that slips easily into a jacket or small bag.
• Wide-to-telephoto zoom range suitable for street, travel, and portraits.
• CCD sensor delivering distinctive color and highlight roll-off.
• Fast power-on and shooting response for spontaneous moments.
• VGA video recording that produces authentic 2000s footage.

While megapixel counts and 4K video dominate spec sheets, the S640’s strength lies in its tactile experience: a real shutter button, a physical zoom rocker, and a straightforward menu that keeps you in the moment instead of buried in options.

Shooting With the Coolpix S640 Today

Getting the best look from a CCD compact

The Coolpix S640 rewards intention. To make the most of it in 2025, focus on light, subject choice, and a simple workflow.

• ✅ Use daylight to optimize CCD color depth.
• ✅ Experiment with macro mode for soft-focus effects.
• ✅ Enable flash for authentic 2000s pop-up light aesthetic.
• ✅ Shoot JPEGs and tweak color minimally in post.
• ✅ Use a mini tripod for stable retro video recording.

Strong daylight is where this camera sings. Think city walks, café terraces, beach days, and bicycle rides. Macro mode adds dreamy close-ups of flowers, food, or everyday objects, often with charming edge softness that looks more filmic than clinical.

For portraits or nightlife, embrace the built-in flash instead of fighting it. That slightly harsh, direct light is part of the 2000s snapshot aesthetic. Combine it with simple, clean backgrounds and you get images that feel like they were pulled off an old hard drive—in the best way.

Buying the Coolpix S640 Second-Hand

What to inspect before you commit

When you pick up a pre-owned Nikon Coolpix S640—whether locally or in a curated selection of digital compact cameras—a quick functional check goes a long way:

• ✅ Power on and verify fast startup.
• ✅ Inspect the lens extension for smooth motion.
• ✅ Check screen clarity and playback function.
• ✅ Confirm SD card slot reads and writes files.
• ✅ Buy a spare battery—it’s still cheaply available.

After inserting a charged battery and SD card, turn the camera on and off a few times to ensure the lens doesn’t hesitate or grind. Take several test shots at different zoom levels, then review them on the LCD to check for focus accuracy and any strange artifacts.

A slightly worn body is perfectly normal and can even add character, but deep dents near the lens or misaligned panels may indicate an impact. If possible, transfer a couple of images to your computer before finalizing the purchase to confirm that file writing is reliable.

Accessories and Workflow Tips

Keeping a retro compact practical

One advantage of the S640 in 2025 is how easy it is to support with simple, inexpensive gear. Basic photography accessories can transform it from a nostalgic toy into a dependable everyday companion.

Start with power. Original or third-party batteries remain widely available and affordable, so buying a spare is almost essential if you plan to shoot a full day. Pair that with a modest-capacity SD card—4 to 16 GB is usually plenty for JPEG-only shooting and keeps your editing sessions manageable.

For video and long exposures, a small table-top or mini tripod is the perfect match to the camera’s size. Stabilizing the S640 turns its VGA footage into intentional, stylized material that works surprisingly well in edits, especially when combined with modern music and graphics.

Workflow-wise, treat your sessions as short rolls of “digital film.” Shoot a limited number of frames, transfer them, make light corrections, and then archive each session in dated folders. This slower, more mindful rhythm suits the camera’s character and helps your work stay cohesive.

Conclusion: Charm in Constraints

The Nikon Coolpix S640 is not a spec monster, nor is it meant to replace your main camera or phone. Its value in 2025 comes from limits: modest resolution, simple video, a small sensor, and a fixed-lens design that encourages you to work with what you have instead of chasing perfection.

If you enjoy the idea of a pocketable camera that delivers distinctive CCD colors, nostalgic flash photos, and characterful video straight out of the card, the S640 earns its place in your bag. It is a compact reminder that creativity thrives when we accept constraints—and that second-hand gear still has plenty of stories left to tell.

Curious to explore more cameras with personality? Browse our curated digital compact cameras and other point-and-shoot cameras to find a sustainable, pre-loved companion that matches your style.