Nikon Reviews

This camera is great. For those of you who are new to photography, it operates as a point-and-shoot. If you are looking to advance your skills, it offers manual ability (apeture, shutter speed and focus). This camera has all the features of a Nikon SLR. This camera takes sharp and clear pictures, and is definately worth the price!

The only downfall to the camera is that is is prone for causing redeye due the close proximity of the lens and the flash. Nikon just introduced the Nikon Coolpix 995 that is essentialy the same as the 990 but with a pop-up flash. That should eliminate the red eye.

I would expect the 995 to drive down the price of the 990. If the price between the two camerasis incidental, go for the pop-up flash to elimate the red eye. If the price difference is alot, stick with the 990 - you won't be disappointed, and editing software makes it super easy to remove redeye.

I upload my images to photoworks.com. Their software allow you to edit the picture before you send it - their red eye reduction is a snap. The quality of the pictures is tremendous - noone ever knows the image is digital!

Good luck with the camera - you are guarenteed to love it!

I am semi-retired, my background was commercial photography for about thirty years. I now have a furniture store which both my wife and I own. We also have a crew that builds custom furniture. For our web site we needed good photos. We have designated an area in the store mainly for photography. We chose the Nikon 990 coolpix digital camera because of the 3.34 megapixels and the reputation of the Nikon name. We purchased the camera when it first became available,I have had it since sometime in July 2000. It took me several weeks to learn the camera. The documentation is very difficult to follow. However I feel that I know the camera well enough now to use it to its fullest extent, we are getting incredible results. The Express photo program that comes with the camera is very good. I am able to correct the flower pot shape from looking down on the subject and crop for the desired results. In one previous ratings red eye was mentioned, and I also found that no matter what you do you get some serious red eye problems. In another program (Adobi Photo Shop) I zoom in on an eye so that the eye fills the entire monitor screen then I take all the red squares and turn them into the color I want, with amazing results. If anyone wants to know more detail of how I do it please feel free to email me.

I've had mine for 3 years and it's just what I wanted for what I use it for. If anyone wants a great camera to use for just about any task or just fun? Buy it. Buy it now!

I entered the world of digital photography with a Fuji DS-7. Cheap, it provided a 640x480 introduction to the fun you can have with a computer camera. I love the immediate feedback you get when you download the pictures to your computer and see them pop up! I shoot many, many more pictures now that I have a digital camera.

If my old Fuji was a nifty PT Boat, then my Nikon Coolpix 950 is an aircraft carrier. The high 1600x1200 resolution mode is stunning to view on my PC. I find myself wondering if my HP color printer is now the weak link in producing the best quality shots.

I find I don't use the middle 1024x768 resolution at all. I either go 640x480 for pictures to email my friends, or 1600x1200 for ones to keep and print.

I haven't discarded my film camera yet, but I'm taking far fewer film pictures. This camera is amazing techology. Even with better CCD sensors in the future, I don't see this camera being dated soon. Its high-res picture quality is amazing. The controls can be a bit confusing at first, but you can do just about anything with this camera that you can with a film 35mm.

Well, I would probably be reviewing the 990 or D1 if I could have paid their high sticker prices, but I wanted to give my 2 cents on this exceptional camera from NIKON. I searched and searched for the perfect camera before I settled on the Coolpix 950. I wanted at least 2.1 megapixels and could have gotten other brand 3.3 cameras for the list price of the 950, but the features of this camera are what sold me. The additional lens and flash options make this a photographers dream. The point and click options make my non-photographer wife very happy. The Good: 1. Picture quality excellent! 2. Exposure and composition excellent! 3. Very easy to use 4. Lots of picture (size) options 10 different picture formats for storage purposes 5. Battery Life not all that bad if you do not use the LCD screen as your viewfinder The Bad: 1. Nikon photo software is kinda crappy (I now use Adobe Photoshop) 2. The serial connection is really slow...I bought a (lexar 8x) 32 meg memory card and a usb card reader for $50 bucks 3. The 8 meg card is kinda small if you want high res shots 4. No lens cover (so I bought a UV filter lens cover) to protect the expensive Nikon lens $5. Overall, I am extemely please with this camera....the price was too good to pass-up...I used a $50 dollar off online coupon from Amazon which brought the price down to $706 and then Nikon had a $150 dollar rebate on the Coolpix 950. I have not gotten that money yet, but when I do $556 for this camera is a steal. Good luck buying your camera, and I hope this review was helpful.

I am taking picture 3,901 and have never had a problem, other than trying to remember how to use the endless settings in the m mode. I just downloaded bios update to 1.3 and had no problem. Of course, I carefully followed all the directions. I had been at 1.2.

It's tiny and it doesn't have a cord attached. But it covers the lens. If you lost yours, get a new one AND ATTACH A CORD to it. Nikon was foolish to leave this feature out.

My Nikon 990 came with a lens cap AND a small cord. Problem is that there is no place to attach the cord to the camera. I plan to get a small (e.g., eraser sized) velcro and put it on the cap and somewhere unobtrusive on the camera. Kind of cheesy, but at least that way I can use the cap without having to put it in my pocket each time to store it.

To the reviewer from Texas,

The cord goes around the break between the body and lens part (see the review at dpreview.com for details)

I purchased a Coolpix 885 in April 2002. Within a few weeks I encountered a "SYSTEM ERROR" message. I got the camera replaced because it was under new camera warranty. I recently tried to use the custom settings to take pictures in poor light and encountered the "SYSTEM ERROR" message again. I believe there is a problem with using this mode. Based on other reviews and given the lack of positive action to address this issue I could not recommend this camera. I have given it 1 star because I have taken around 950 good pictures using the auto modes only.

I loved the camera when it arrived. The first "serious brand" camera I've ever purchased (my prior Kodak DC200 digital had serious design flaws in the battery compartment, causing power "dropout" problems) and I really liked the compact size and the flawless optics.

But, I'm now about to ship the camera back FOR THE THIRD TIME for repairs for the exact same problem. The zoom lens assembly has a recurring problem that causes the auto-focus to "lose it" after several zoom-in/zoom-out shots in sequence, and then all it'll do is say "SYSTEM ERROR" on-screen and refuses to power up.

Needless to say, this has (Murphy's Law) happened during:

1. A wedding;

2. A 50th Anniversary;

3. 5 birthday parties;

4. A Christmas family reunion, some relatives arriving from Australia.

It's also got a very disappointing power management issue. Well before the "low battery" icon appears, the camera will sporadically power down/reboot upon shooting a picture that requires the flash unit. Yes, it DOES flash, and yes it DOES store the picture. But then you miss the next 2-3 shots because the camera is busy rebooting. Really annoying.

I am DEFINITELY unhappy with Nikon, and I receive no response whatsoever to my letters. My next camera will NOT be a Nikon. Plus, now I have to sell nearly a thousand dollars worth of accessories and batteries on eBay.

Nikon's lost a customer for life here...

I have searched for several weeks for a digital camera, and although I own a Canon Elan 7e conventional SLR, I went ahead with Nikon and I am very pleased for having made this choice.
If you want to get a 3-4 MP camera, I would like to tell you why you should consider this camera:
1. Excellent optics. Very crisp pictures, good color adjustment. (you can always depend on Nikon because the commpany is dedicated to optical instruments in contrast to some other companies who produce digital cameras, speakers, PDAs, TVs, radios, keyboards etc at the same time! Makes sense?).
2. Size: It is compact and light but at the same time gives you the feeling of holding a camera and not some nonspecific electronic rectangular object (which I value very much).
3. The zoom: 3x optical zoom is not provided by other brands with similar value and MP. They all offer digital zoom and all of us know what that means!
4. Software: Very intuitive and easy to learn. I did not have to read the manual to understand the menus and that is a great plus. The Custom mode offers several settings from room lighting type to bracketing, and several other stuff that you will enjoy using. But the bottom line is, you actually can get to use the camera the way you want to just by the click of a single button.
5. The Macro mode: Fantastic! You can get close up from 1.6 inches and this is real. Try the other cameras and get a close up at that distance. I have tried but could not succeed. If you are going to use the Macro mode, be sure to try all the brands but when you try, you will see that Nikon has an excellent macro mode.
One problem I have encountered is the focusing sound the camera produces when it focuses. However, at day 2, I realized that it was due to the default continuous AF mode and when I switched it to single AF, there was virtually no sound. If that sound had persisted, the camera rating would have been 4 stars and I am so glad that you can actually get rid of that sound. Some people may not find it bothering but I did!
Amazon offered it at a great price when I bought it and I don't know if they will continue selling it because it is so good you don't need any better (unless you want to print pictures with sizes > 11x14 inches, where Coolpix 4300 or 4500 would be better suited to your intentions. However, for that paper size, remember that each shot will be of about 2 MB size)
I definitely recommend this camera to people looking for 3-4 MB range. Just try it before buying any digital camera. You will notice the difference.

I just got the CoolPix 885. I bought it unseen off of Amazon. I was suprised that is is so small. The quality is supurb, as you would expect from Nikon. The camera is not as intuitive as I would like, but I am not unhappy with the camera. I am getting used to the new world of digital pictures and I have some more learning to do.

I would recommend that anyone getting a digital camera (especially if it has movie mode) upgrade to at least a 128MB memory card. I just ordered a 256MB memory card. The 32MB that comes with the camera fills up fast if you take lots of photos.

I just purchase a Nikon 885 and I'm really happy with it, I bought it at Best buy for 599.00 and they give you 64meg card for free. You can get the camera cheaper online but I prefer to buy items like this site on seen. It's very easy to use the menus are user friendly and the pictures come out great. It's definately a lot smaller than it looks in the picture. I definately would recommend using rechargeable batteries and have a few set aside if you plan on taking a lot of picutures. The 16 meg card is pretty much useless so I would recommend at least 64 megs. I would definately recommend this camera to the person who want's to take quality pictures..........

This is my first Digital Camera and I am glad I got this after doing a lot of Digtial Camera Research. The clarity and color balance of the pictures are really good.
The only annoying fact was that I have to reset the date everytime I change the battery.

I bought this case to keep my Coolpix 880 safe and so far it has done a decent job of that. The only complaints are that when you insert the camera into the bag, the mode dial on the top gets turned by friction. If you have a battery or couple of compactflash cards in the zippered pouch, it'll even turn the power dial on - bad news when you have the lens cap on. The case also needs a long NECK STRAP. Who wants to look like a dork and use the belt attachment on the back?! I'd get a different case if it was designed for the 880.

This case is perfect for what it was designed for, a small, light, efficient case to be carried on a belt or backpack sternum strap. It even has a separate comp. for 1 battery and memory card. I bring it hiking and backpacking. If you want a bigger, heavier, more padded case with a neck strap, look elswhere.

I am a physician who uses the Coolpix 880 for my clinical work. I am constantly on the go and have several locations where I see patients. The carrying case for the coolpix is ideal since it has a belt attachment that allows for easy transport and instant access for the critical clinical photos that I take. The waterproof case is also a plus for those of us who take our cameras on outdoor birding trips that not only protect the camera but give quick access for the once in a lifetime shots.

My 1st digital, so maybe I'm somewhat biased, got a great deal (less then $500) on camera, battery, and charger was display unit, local Bxxx Bxx had close out on this model for some reason.

The good:

GREAT detail, 3.4 meg is fantastic, have had 8 x 10's made, very comparable to 35mm.

Easy to use in AUTO Mode Easy to use in SCENE Mode

The Bad:

One irritating point is the "noise" the camera makes as it tries to focus. The Nikon 880 makes a lot of "whizzing" sounds as it focuses -- a bit too conspicuous in quiet environments.

MUST have rechager and rechargeable batteries

No photo editing s/w included.

If you get beyond point and shoot, it is VERY complicated!

Bottom Line: I REALLY like this camera it takes incredible pictures.

I purchased a Coolpix 880 two weeks ago and have been incredibly impressed with the pictures I'm able to take with it. They truly rival 35mm shots in quality, especially when combined with a good photo printer. However, there are a few reservatins I have, mostly the result of the transition to digital photography.

First, the battery. You must buy the rechargeable, and even that won't last too long. I'm thinking of buying a second rechargeable for use on vacations, long family outings, etc. I can't imagine trying to keep up with this thing's voracious appetite for batteries any other way. YOu can minimize drain by shutting down the LCD or turning off full time autofocus, but that seems to destroy some of the reasons I bought the thing to begin with.

Second, the "lag." I put it in quotes, because I think it is mostly a matter of getting used to it. You push the button the instant you want the picture taken (for example, a one year old coming down a slide); the camera takes it around that time. Maybe at the top, maybe at the bottom, maybe right when you thought it would happen. Tricky. Thankfully, one year olds are happy to go down slides repeatedly (by which I mean all day). Even in the 2 weeks I have had the camera I have adapted, however, and this is no longer a problem.

On the whole, an excellent camera that will become better once I figure out exactly how to use it.

Having used this CP880 for about 2+ yrs, I've still on the learning curve and have only scratched the surface . Although most shots are quite good with the Auto sequence, it's nice to have flexibility with manual settings. Be prepared to buy the extras to make your digicam experience practical: 2 re-chargeable Li-ion batteries and the charger; upgrade to a 64 or better yet a 128 MB CF card with card reader (supplied with my Lexar 64 MB CF card. USB connectivity reader greatly expedites transfer of files to PC); optional digital wallet (Minds@work 3 GB portable HD for travel and downloading on the road); belt case (to keep the CP close by for those "once in a lifetime shots"). I'm familiar with many controls but the manual is a bit cumbersome. I'm now reviewing "Nikon Coolpix 880 Photography by Dan Curtin...to pick up more nuances. The CP4300 may be a more current version and deserves consideration. All in all, a great camera. My 1200 shots taken in Oregon,Washington,Vancouver, and Victoria were burned to CD's with relative ease thanks to my CP880 and peripherals. Some of my Butchart Gardens shots were spectacularly polarized courtesy of a hand-held 52 mm polarizing lense from my old 35 mm Nikorrmat!!

Dont misunderstand, this is no dought a wonderful Camera, but I have to compare these Images to My Sony 5meg all the time and this camera is just not as easy and doesnt take photos of people as well. I have studied the Manual since day one, and have taken over a thousand pics...The Sony has Very rich fleshtones, Nikon is Blue, thats the only way I can describe it, I have to Import alot of the images into photoshop to get rid of the Blueish cast, probably my fault and need to study the book more but why should I have to?..The Sony has much better AUTO features, and way better focusing abilities...I bought this camera because of the power and size of the lens...It will fit through a chain link fence, where as the Sony will not, and I am constantly behind fences at sporting events, The Size of the Sony 8meg was just too big to throw into my pack, the Nikon is easier to carry and has an unbelievable lens range for a camera of this size...35-280 is the best of the bunch in the 8meg range...So..my humble opinion, if you want a compact 8meg...this camera is a good tool, just be ready to study and practice with it...If you want 8megs and an easy auto camera, with better focus and much better pictures of people then get the Sony8meg...This Nikon has frustrated me from day one and I am pretty good at photography...I own six digital cameras and this is my first Nikon...Nikon does have an incredible range of accesories for this camera and it is a keeper, I will just have to keep practicing with it and try to figure out why the Hue seems too blue for me...It takes incredible photos of landscapes and the outdoor shots are wonderfull, the lens range is worth keeping it alone...It is so much smaller than my Sony F717...8megs is better for printing 13x19 high quality...No pixelation with my Canon S9000...So...Nikon=serious tool and learning curve....Sony=Auto mode point and shoot with not much study/practice...I now own both so I know...If you aint gonna practice with the Nikon then Get the Sony 8meg or 5meg...Hope this is helpful...cause these are thousand dollar choices.

Okay, I tested all the 8MP out there and so far this is the one I have to say is the best. It is a little bit harder to get used too, but believe me. Once you get the hang of it, there is no going wrong. I do recommend getting the fastest memory card there is. I am shooting "raw images" and the faster the card the faster you get the picture. It is a NIKON.

I upgraded to a Coolpix 8700 from a old Kodak DX3500, now my kodak took wonderful pictures, and continued to amaze me. But after download the first pictures I took with this camera in their eye popping glory I was caught, hook, line, sinker.

While this camera is perfect for an amateur aspiring professional it would probably be lacking to any real professional, and I plan to compliment it with a 35mm SLR.

The learning curve on this camera can be quite high, with alot of features and buttons to learn, but after a few hours of playing I managed to get most of the features down. The button layout is also nicely placed, I find it easy to navigate the buttons by touch while using the view finder.

But why talk when you can show! Here are some pictures I took the day I received this camera not 20 minutes after the battery finished charging! No special lighting, in fact it was overcast and raining and sorta dark the day these were taken. (...)Simply amazing! (...)