Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj User Guide — Projector, Controls, and English Settings

Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj User Guide: Controls and Main Features The Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj is one of the most unusual compact digital cameras Nikon has ever produced.

At first glance, it looks like a stylish point-and-shoot camera from the early 2010s. But on the front of the camera is something rarely seen on a digital camera: a built-in projector.

With the S1100pj, you can take photographs and videos and then project them directly onto a wall or other suitable surface without connecting the camera to a television or computer.

That unusual combination gives the S1100pj a character that goes far beyond image quality alone. It is both a compact camera and an interesting example of a period when camera manufacturers were experimenting with completely different ideas about how digital photographs could be shared.

For anyone considering a used Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj today, this review looks at its projector, touchscreen operation, photography performance, limitations, and the important points to check when buying one second-hand.

👉 Interested in why Nikon created a projector camera in the first place? Read our Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj History.

Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj at a Glance

Key features include:

• 14.1-megapixel image sensor

• 5× optical NIKKOR zoom

• 28–140mm equivalent focal-length range

• 3-inch touchscreen LCD

• Built-in projector

• Projector brightness of up to 14 lumens

• Projection size of approximately 5 to 47 inches

• HD 720p video recording

• SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory card support

• EN-EL12 rechargeable Li-ion battery

Most of these specifications are typical of a compact camera from its era.

The projector is what makes the S1100pj anything but ordinary.

Design and the Unusual Front Layout

The front of the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj immediately reveals that this is not a conventional compact camera.

Unlike most point-and-shoot cameras, the S1100pj has two visually prominent optical components on the front.

One is the NIKKOR 5× optical zoom lens, which is used for taking photographs and recording video.

The other is the separate projector lens, which is used to display stored photographs and videos onto a wall or screen.

The front also includes the built-in flash, AF-assist lamp, self-timer lamp, and other components surrounding the camera and projector systems.

📷 Insert Front-Control Image Here

ALT: Front view of the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj showing the built-in projector lens, NIKKOR 5x optical zoom lens, flash, AF assist lamp, self-timer lamp, and projector adjustment dial.

The annotated image above makes the unusual layout much easier to understand.

The projector lens can initially be mistaken for part of the normal shooting-lens system, but the two components serve completely different purposes.

The NIKKOR lens captures the image.

The projector lens displays it.

That separation is one of the clearest visual signs that Nikon designed the S1100pj around more than conventional photography.

The Built-In Projector

The projector is the defining feature of the COOLPIX S1100pj.

Instead of transferring photographs to a computer or connecting the camera to a television before sharing them, the S1100pj can project stored images directly onto a nearby wall or other suitable surface.

Nikon specified a projection size of approximately 5 to 47 inches, depending on the distance between the camera and the projection surface.

The projector offers a maximum brightness of approximately 14 lumens.

By modern projector standards, that is very modest.

The S1100pj therefore works best in a dark or dimly lit room. In a brightly lit room or outdoors during daylight, the projected image can be difficult to see clearly.

That limitation is important when considering the camera today.

This is not a replacement for a modern portable projector.

Instead, the projector should be understood as an unusual integrated feature designed to make sharing photographs immediate and entertaining.

Take a photograph.

Find a wall.

Project it.

Even today, that experience is remarkably unusual for a compact digital camera.

For detailed operating instructions, see our Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj User Guide.

Design and Portability

Despite containing a projector, the COOLPIX S1100pj remains relatively compact.

The additional projector hardware makes the body more complex than a conventional slim compact camera, but the camera is still designed to be carried as a portable point-and-shoot.

Its clean front panel, large touchscreen, and relatively small number of physical controls give it a distinctly early-2010s appearance.

This was a period when compact-camera manufacturers were experimenting not only with image quality and zoom ranges, but also with touchscreens, wireless sharing, unusual body designs, and entirely new ways of interacting with photographs.

The S1100pj fits that era particularly well.

Touchscreen and Rear Controls

The rear of the S1100pj is dominated by its 3-inch touchscreen LCD.

Much of the camera's operation is handled through the screen rather than through a large collection of physical buttons.

The touchscreen can be used for functions such as:

• Navigating menus

• Reviewing photographs

• Selecting camera settings

• Touch-focus operation

• Touch-shutter shooting

• Playback

• Controlling various camera functions

Several physical controls remain available around the screen for quicker access to frequently used functions.

📷 Insert Rear-Control / English Language Image Here

ALT: Rear view of the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj showing the 3-inch touchscreen LCD, English language selection, movie record button, scene mode button, playback button, mode dial, and shutter button.

The annotated rear view shows how Nikon combined touchscreen operation with dedicated physical controls.

The movie-record button provides quick access to video recording, while the Scene and Playback buttons allow common functions to be reached without navigating entirely through the touchscreen interface.

For a compact camera from this period, the S1100pj feels relatively modern in concept.

However, buyers accustomed to current smartphones should keep their expectations realistic.

The touchscreen comes from an older generation of technology and does not feel as fast or fluid as a modern smartphone display.

That does not make it unusable.

It simply reflects the era in which the camera was designed.

English Language Support

One particularly useful feature for international users is the availability of an English-language menu.

Japanese-market compact cameras can sometimes raise concerns among overseas buyers about menu language, so being able to confirm English support directly on the camera is valuable.

The rear-view photograph above shows the language-selection screen with both:

• 日本語

• English

visible on the display.

That provides direct visual confirmation that the camera shown supports English menu operation.

For international buyers, this makes the S1100pj considerably easier to use.

For step-by-step help with changing the language, understanding the touchscreen, and operating the projector, see our Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj User Guide.

Image Quality

The COOLPIX S1100pj uses a 14.1-megapixel image sensor paired with a 5× optical NIKKOR zoom lens.

In good daylight, it is suitable for everyday subjects such as:

• Travel

• Family photographs

• Street scenes

• Buildings

• Landscapes

• Food and cafés

• Casual portraits

• Everyday snapshots

The S1100pj should not be purchased with the expectation that it will compete with a current smartphone or modern mirrorless camera in pure image quality.

Its strengths lie elsewhere.

You are getting a dedicated compact camera with optical zoom, touchscreen operation, a physical shutter button, and one of the most unusual features ever fitted to a point-and-shoot camera.

For enthusiasts of older digital cameras, that overall experience can be more interesting than technical perfection.

5× Optical Zoom

The NIKKOR lens covers approximately 28–140mm in 35mm-equivalent terms.

This is a practical everyday zoom range.

At the wider end, the camera is suitable for subjects such as:

• Landscapes

• Buildings

• Groups of people

• Travel scenes

At the telephoto end, the additional reach is useful for:

• Distant details

• Casual portraits

• Architectural features

• Subjects that cannot easily be approached

It is not a superzoom camera, but the 5× optical range provides enough flexibility for normal everyday photography.

Unlike digital cropping, optical zoom changes the framing through the lens itself.

That remains one of the practical advantages of carrying a dedicated compact camera.

Low-Light Photography

Low-light photography is one of the areas where the age of the S1100pj becomes more noticeable.

Like many compact cameras from this generation, it performs best when there is plenty of available light.

As lighting becomes darker, image noise can become more visible and fine detail can decrease.

For indoor and evening photography:

• Hold the camera steadily

• Use the built-in flash when appropriate

• Avoid expecting modern smartphone-style night photography

• Use a stable surface when possible

• Avoid unnecessary telephoto zoom in very dark conditions

There is an interesting contrast built into the S1100pj itself:

Photography generally benefits from more light, while projection benefits from less.

HD Video Recording

The Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj can record HD 720p video.

By current standards, that is modest.

Anyone primarily interested in modern high-resolution video should consider a newer camera.

For short travel clips, family moments, and casual videos, however, the S1100pj remains usable.

The unusual part comes afterward.

Recorded content can also be viewed using the camera's built-in projector, giving video playback a character that almost no conventional compact camera can reproduce.

Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj vs. a Smartphone

A modern smartphone is stronger in almost every conventional technical comparison.

Modern smartphones generally provide:

• Faster operation

• Better computational photography

• Stronger low-light performance

• Higher-resolution video

• Larger displays

• Instant editing

• Immediate online sharing

But comparing the S1100pj only through specifications misses what makes it interesting.

The Nikon offers something completely different:

• A dedicated camera

• A physical optical zoom lens

• A separate device used specifically for photography

• A distinctive early-2010s digital-camera experience

• A built-in projector

• Physical camera controls

• An unusual piece of Nikon engineering

Nobody really needs a projector inside a compact camera.

That is exactly why the S1100pj remains fun.

Who Is the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj Best For?

Collectors of Unusual Digital Cameras

The built-in projector separates the S1100pj from almost every conventional compact camera.

For collectors interested in unusual digital-camera technology, it is an obvious conversation piece.

Nikon Enthusiasts

The S1100pj shows a very different side of Nikon from the company's better-known DSLR and interchangeable-lens camera systems.

It represents a period when Nikon was willing to experiment with completely different ideas about what a compact digital camera could do.

Fans of Early-2010s Compact Cameras

The touchscreen interface, compact body, dedicated controls, and experimental projector technology strongly reflect the period in which the S1100pj was produced.

Technology Enthusiasts

The S1100pj can be interesting even for people who are not primarily interested in photography.

Combining a compact digital camera and miniature projector into a single device was an ambitious engineering idea.

Travelers Looking for Something Different

The 5× optical zoom and compact body remain usable for casual travel photography.

The projector also provides a distinctive way to share photographs after shooting.

Limitations to Consider

The S1100pj is unusual, but unusual does not mean perfect.

The Projector Is Dim by Modern Standards

At approximately 14 lumens, projection works best in a dark or dimly lit environment.

Do not expect the brightness or clarity of a modern portable projector.

Image Quality Reflects Its Era

Modern smartphones and newer cameras generally provide stronger image processing and better performance in difficult lighting.

The Touchscreen Feels Old

The touchscreen was advanced for its period but does not feel as fast or responsive as a current smartphone.

Video Is Limited to 720p

Video is suitable for basic clips, but it is not a reason to choose the camera if modern video quality is important.

Battery Condition Can Vary

The S1100pj uses the EN-EL12 rechargeable Li-ion battery.

Because these cameras are now many years old, battery condition can vary considerably between individual units.

The Projector Adds Another Component That Can Fail

A conventional used compact camera already requires checks of:

• Lens operation

• Autofocus

• Flash

• LCD

• Buttons

• Memory-card operation

• Battery system

The S1100pj adds another important component:

the projector itself.

That makes individual condition particularly important when buying one second-hand.

What to Check When Buying a Used Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj

Two S1100pj cameras can look similar externally while having very different functional conditions.

Several areas deserve particular attention.

Projector Operation

Confirm that the projector turns on and produces an image.

Because the projector is the defining feature of the camera, this is one of the most important checks.

Projector Focus

Check that the projector's focus adjustment operates correctly and that the projected image can be brought into reasonable focus.

Lens and Zoom

The camera lens should extend and retract normally.

Test the optical zoom throughout its range and confirm that no lens error occurs.

Autofocus and Shutter

The camera should focus correctly and successfully record photographs when the shutter button is pressed.

Touchscreen

Test different areas of the touchscreen.

Because many camera settings rely on touch operation, a screen that displays normally but does not respond correctly can significantly affect usability.

LCD Condition

Check for:

• Scratches

• Discoloration

• Lines

• Dark areas

• Uneven brightness

• Touch-response problems

Flash

Confirm that the built-in flash fires normally.

Memory Card Operation

The camera should recognize a compatible SD-family memory card and successfully save and review photographs.

Battery

Older rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can have reduced capacity.

Battery condition should therefore be considered separately from the functional condition of the camera itself.

Exterior Condition

Inspect actual product photographs carefully for scratches, dents, worn coatings, and damage around both the camera lens and projector opening.

Cosmetic wear does not necessarily affect operation, but it should be clearly disclosed.

How Camera Japan Tests Used Cameras

At Camera Japan, each used camera is individually inspected before it is offered for sale.

For the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj, our functional checks include:

• Power on/off

• Lens extension and retraction

• Optical zoom

• Autofocus

• Shutter operation

• Flash

• Buttons and controls

• Touchscreen operation

• LCD display

• Memory card reading and writing

• Projector operation

• Projector focus adjustment

Notable cosmetic wear is described in the individual product listing.

Because these are used cameras, condition, included accessories, and battery performance can vary between individual units.

For the exact photographs, condition, included items, price, and current availability, check the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj Product Page.

Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj FAQ

Does the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj really have a projector?

Yes.

The projector is built directly into the camera body and can display stored photographs and videos onto a suitable surface.

How large can the projected image be?

Nikon specified a projection size of approximately 5 to 47 inches depending on the distance between the camera and the projection surface.

Is the projector bright?

Not by modern standards.

Its maximum brightness is approximately 14 lumens, so it performs best in darker environments.

Does the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj support English?

Yes, the camera shown in this article includes an English-language menu option.

The annotated rear-view photograph directly shows the English selection on the camera's language screen.

How do I use the projector?

For detailed operating instructions, see our Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj User Guide.

Can the S1100pj still be used as a normal camera?

Yes.

Even if you never use the projector, the S1100pj functions as a conventional compact digital camera with a 14.1-megapixel sensor and 5× optical zoom.

Does it have a touchscreen?

Yes.

The S1100pj uses a 3-inch touchscreen LCD for menu navigation, playback, shooting functions, and various camera settings.

What memory cards does it use?

The S1100pj supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards.

What battery does it use?

It uses the Nikon EN-EL12 rechargeable Li-ion battery.

Battery condition should always be considered when buying an older used camera.

Does it record video?

Yes.

The S1100pj can record HD video at up to 1280 × 720 pixels.

Why did Nikon build a projector into a camera?

The S1100pj was part of Nikon's experimentation with new ways of sharing photographs directly from the camera.

For the story behind Nikon's projector-camera concept, read our Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj History.

Is the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj worth buying today?

It depends on what you want from it.

If your main priorities are modern image quality, strong low-light performance, or high-resolution video, there are much better choices.

If you want an unusual compact digital camera with a feature that almost no modern camera offers, however, the S1100pj remains fascinating.

Final Thoughts

The Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj comes from a period when compact-camera manufacturers were experimenting with very different ideas about what a digital camera could become.

Its 14.1-megapixel sensor, 5× optical zoom, touchscreen, and 720p video were respectable compact-camera features for the time.

But those are not why people remember it.

The projector is.

The annotated front view makes clear how unusual the physical design really is: the conventional NIKKOR shooting lens sits alongside a completely separate projector system.

The annotated rear view tells another part of the story, showing the large touchscreen, dedicated camera controls, and selectable English-language interface.

Together, these features make the S1100pj feel less like an ordinary old compact camera and more like a snapshot of a period when manufacturers were still trying to decide what the future of digital photography might look like.

Today, the S1100pj is best appreciated as both a usable older compact camera and an unusual piece of digital-camera technology.

There are compromises.

The projector is dim, the touchscreen reflects its age, low-light performance is limited, and buying used requires checking more components than with a conventional compact camera.

But for collectors, Nikon enthusiasts, fans of older digital cameras, and people who simply enjoy unusual technology, the S1100pj still offers an experience that is difficult to replicate.

Learn More About the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj

Need help operating the camera, projector, touchscreen, or English-language settings?

👉 Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj User Guide

Interested in why Nikon developed a camera with a built-in projector and where the S1100pj fits into compact digital-camera history?

👉 Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj History

Looking for a Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj?

Check the current Camera Japan listing for actual product photographs, condition, included items, price, and availability:

👉 View the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj Product Page