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The Nikon Coolpix S800c marries an above-average point-and-shoot with the functionality of an Android device with mixed results.

The end result is a capable, but far from inspiring product which offers a lot of potential but not without some frustrations.

The Nikon Coolpix S800c is cool in concept ... But it isn’t superb enough to make it my main camera squeeze, or even set it apart from some smartphones with good cameras.

Nikon's Android compact camera had so much initial promise. Unfortunately, a hurried implementation means that there are a few too many kinks in the system to call it a success.

Extremely easy to use and responsive, the Android-based Nikon Coolpix S800c feels like a camera running a mobile operating system, rather than a smart phone with a better-than-average lens and sensor. While it performed well, some rough edges in my tests and the high price dampen its score.

The camera world now has its proverbial toe dipped into Android waters and, from this initial insight, it should make for a great partnership in the future...but this concept will work only when battery life and price turn good. For now, the S800c falls short of the mark because of these two points.

...There are too many negatives to be able to recommend the S800c. But, this said, it's an exciting prospect.

An interesting experiment but the performance doesn't match the price.