Nikon Coolpix cameras
Introduction
In the mid 1980´s Nikon introduced on various occasions a great variety of prototypes of digital cameras. Most of those cameras were enormous monsters, very expensive and with a resolution and image quality far below nowadays mobile camphones. However, the development in the ´digital camera world´ is going faster than in any other industrial sector.
Nikon calls its digital compact cameras Coolpix, followed by a number or one or more letters. As Nikon has done before numbering or naming its products remains a puzzle. A Coolpix 2500 e.g. isn´t necessarily the successor of the Coolpix 2000. The following listing is based on the model numbers given by Nikon Corporation. All models were sold worldwide with the same name and number; some cameras were and are not available in all colors as mentioned on the factory´s web site. E.g. the Coolpix 4500 sold in Europe has a red grip cover, the same camera sold in the USA has a blue grip cover. Please don't ask why!
As Nikon produced so many cameras of which many of them are look-alike's, a limited number of pictures will be shown. Some identical models will be briefly described, some interesting models may get some more attention.
For collectors the Coolpix cameras are an interesting series and nowadays rather cheap. Unfortunately not all models were sold worldwide and not all models were build with a metal or strong plastic body. Many cameras were wrecked or drowned by consumer society´s careless users. Many Coolpix cameras were and are still a one-off production in very quick succession, so it will be difficult to find parts or replacements.
Coolpix cameras are made for snapshots (1 - 10 meters), so do not expect great performances at infinity. Although most of them produce very nice images, don´t expect razor sharp pictures, especially at infinity with large range zoom lenses. All Coolpix cameras have very small sensors in comparison to the digital reflex cameras. The more zoom the more problems is an expression used for most zoom lenses of smaller cameras. At high ISO-setting banding, noise and color fringing is unavoidable. Most camera bodies are not made for professional use, although some can be used as back-up camera. Extra (converter)lenses, to extend a zoom range, are of high quality but can not replace a wide-angle or telelens of the same (but fixed) focal length. Most Coolpix cameras are not economically when it comes to power consumption. Nearly all Coolpix cameras start up by opening or driving out their lens and opening the LCD screen. Even if one wants to change the menu only, one has to wait for the lens to come into its position. And most lenses are starting their focusing from a certain fixed point at which they return after each picture was taken. Very irritating and power consuming!
Nevertheless some high-end Coolpix cameras (mainly in the modern P-series) are producing images even better than some digital reflex cameras! It would be a great pleasure if Nikon would introduce a high-end Coolpix with a fast lens and less electronics and never used programs/gimmicks.
In a matrix (will be added soon) technical specifications of all known models are listed. All Coolpix cameras (as up to February 2010 more than 110 different models!) listed below are made for right-hand photographers, except the Coolpix 100 !
At the 1997 PMA exhibition in Las Vegas (USA) Nikon introduced its first 2 digital compact cameras. The Coolpix 100 and the Coolpix 300.
Coolpix 100
This fancy model has a 1/3-inch CCD-sensor with 250,000 effective pixels. The lens is a fix focus 4/6.2mm. (35mm. equivalent: 45 mm.) with a focus range from 14 cm. - infinity. A separate and clear viewfinder with parallax indicators makes focusing easy. Internal software gets along well with Windows 3.1 and higher.
The memory card is a flash-RAM-PCMCIA-card which fits a PCMCIA-slot in any PC or laptop (see picture). It has a capacity of 42 images of 512 x 480 pixels. The camera has an internal flash and it has a self timer. This little camera, using 4 normal AA-batteries, was weighting in at 160 gram. In Europe this camera is rather rare, as it was mainly sold in North-America.
Even more rare is the Nikon ET-1 tripod adapter for the Coolpix 100 and Coolpix 300 as their body do not have a tripod connector.
Coolpix 300
This camera, being a little bit bigger and about 100 gram heavier has the same sensor, but produces images of 640 x 480 pixels, which corresponds with an effective sensor resolution of approx. 300,000 pixels. A special 2.5 inch color LCD-screen accepts handwritings with a special pen, which can be saved on a flash-RAM-card. Sound recording and playing (via a headphone) is possible as well. It has a fix focus 4/6.2mm lens (35mm equivalent is 45 mm.), sharp from 14 cm.- infinity, a built-in flash, automatic exposure and flash programs, self timer and a shooting rate of one picture per second. With this nowadays rare camera Nikon was far ahead of its time. It has a lot of features (in 1997 !) of modern i-Pads, MP-3-players and/or digicams. Just a phone is missing! As this camera was mainly sold in Japan and North-America it is rather rare elsewhere.
Coolpix 600
In March 1998 this camera was introduced. It has a CCD-sensor of 1/2.7 inch with 800,000 effective pixels , a 2.8/5mm. auto focus lens, color LCD screen, optical viewfinder and - the only Coolpix till to date(!) - with a detachable flash (SB-E600) with the possibility to override flash programs. Via a docking station the camera can be connected to a computer run with MS-DOS or MacIntosh software. This camera wasn´t sold in Europe.
Coolpix 700
This camera - introduced in March 1999 - looks a bit like the later Coolpix models. It was marketed worldwide (Europe, Asia & America). It has an auto focus 2.8/6.5mm lens (focusing down to 10 cm.) and a sensor of 1/2 inch with 1.92 Mp. Nice feature is its start-up time of less than 2 seconds, automatic white balance, Best-Shot-Selector, separate fish-eye, wide-angle and tele-lenses, 80-320 ISO sensitivity range, built-in flash, 1/8 inch color LCD-screen, full automatic exposure programs with matrix-, center- or spot metering and red-eye-reduction. Quite a modern camera for its time, although rather expensive with a price of over 700 Euro.
Coolpix 775
In August 2001 the first Coolpix camera with a zoom lens appears on the market. It has a Zoom-Nikkor 2.8-4.5/8-17.4 mm (equal. 38-115mm), which focuses down to 4 cm. and it has a sensor with 2 effective Mp. The shape of the body of this camera will be often seen at later models. This very foolproof camera has 7 automatic programs and an USB-connector to sent all pictures (saved on a CF-card) via a PC to Nikon Fotoshare, an on-line photo-album. It also has the first battery (EN-EL1) of a very long line of Nikon batteries, of which most are not usable in other cameras. The apprehensive interchangeability of Nikon batteries starts here!!
Coolpix 800
This camera was introduced in 1999; its sensor has the same resolution as the sensor in the Coolpix 700; its zoom lens equals a 38-76 mm zoom lens and focuses down to 7 cm. The camera body is almost identical to the Coolpix 700. The exposure meter offers matrix, center and spot measuring in an ISO-range of 100-400. Either pictures are taken fully automatically or manually.
Coolpix 880
Mid 2000 - just before the Photokina Camera Exhibition in Germany - this camera, replacing the 800, was introduced. It has a sensor with 3.3 effective Mp, a zoom-Nikkor 2.8-4.2/8-20mm (equal. 38-95mm) and 11 scene-programs, 5 auto focus areas in the rangefinder, an 1.8 inch LCD screen and a relatively short startup time of 0.1 second.
Coolpix 885
This ´taller´ brother of the Coolpix 775 has a sensor of 3.2 Mp, a zoom-Nikkor 2.8-4.9/8-24 mm. (equal. 38-114mm), 256-segment matrix, center and spot metering and a lot of programs, like mentioned before.
The Coolpix 900-series has a special design, where the actual camera body houses the main electronics, the CF-cardholder and LCD-screen while the swiveling lens body includes the flash and rangefinder. Later models with this feature are the Coolpix 950, 990, 995, 4500, SQ and - to a certain extend - the Coolpix 2500 and 3500.
Coolpix 900
Here we have a very special camera: the first swivel-lens bodied Coolpix, introduced in 1998. It was the first digital compact camera with a 3x zoom range. Further features are a sensor with 1.2 Mp, 3 exposure programs, auto focus and continuous shooting of 2 frames per second!
Coolpix 910
This version exist also as Coolpix 900S. It is an improved 900 with better exposure correction, a TTL-flash connection and an adjustable standby time.
Coolpix 950
This camera, introduced in 1999, has a zoom range identical to the Coolpix 900. It was awarded with ´the best digital compact camera of the year´. The sensor has a size of 1/2 inch with 1.92 Mp. Taking pictures is possible via a full automatic program, aperture-priority or shutter-priority. The 2 inch LCD screen can be used as viewfinder as well. ISO range is 80-400.
Coolpix 990
In May 2000 this improved model was introduced. It has a 1/1.8 inch sensor with 3.1 effective Mp., the zoom lens (equal. 38-115 mm.) focuses down to 2 cm! The body and other features are almost identical to the 950.
Coolpix 995
A lot of camera dealers didn´t like the introduction of this camera, as the Coolpix 990 wasn´t available yet. Many customers ordered a 990, but cancelled their order when Nikon announced the 995. The zoom lens has a larger range (equal. 38-152 mm.) and the flash is a pop-up version. All other features are seen in the 950 and 990.
From now on Coolpix cameras were ´dressed´ with a 4-digit number. The Coolpix 1000 series doesn´t exist - for whatever reason - as the first in the new range of models was the Coolpix 2000.
Most Coolpix cameras from now on have a wheel/selector on the top or on the back of the camera body with symbols referring to program settings.
Most symbols are easy to understand. BUT!! Be aware that when you set the camera for indoor photography, like the above party, evening or portrait settings, the CPU will choose automatically for flash assistance and when you delete flash support, the exposure time may become that long that you need a tripod. Most cameras will indicate that on the LCD screen by a blinking hand! Making longer movies with a Coolpix camera often depends on the memory card you are using. Bear in mind that making a movie at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels each second will 'eat' 0.24 Mb. of the total memory. Higher resolutions will use more memory space accordingly. So, use a card with a large buffer. All Coolpix cameras, using a CF (CompactFlash) memory card have an internal CPU (Central Processing Unit) fed with software running under FAT-16*. That implies that they do not 'see' memory cards, larger than 2 Gb. Modern cameras and computer software are upgraded to FAT-32.
*FAT = File Allocation System = computer file system architecture under MS-DOS and Windows widely used on PC's and memory cards.
Coolpix 2000
This camera, with the size of a cigarette case, was introduced in 2002. It has a 2Mp sensor, a zoom lens with the 35mm-equivalence of 38-114 mm. (focusing down to just 4 cm!) and various scene programs. Easy to handle and hide, using worldwide available AA-batteries. Especially in close-ups very sharp images, at infinity not the best of its class.
Coolpix 2100
This body model, introduced in 2003, is - after the 775 - used in many Coolpix cameras. The 2100 has the same sensor as the 2000 and an almost identical zoom range. For people with hands like hams this camera might be too small.
Coolpix 2200
In 2004 this camera, together with the Coolpix 3200 was introduced. It has the same sensor and lens as the 2100. New features are the faster shutter (1/3000th sec.), an internal memory of 14.5 Mb and one of the first Coolpix cameras needing a SD memory card.
Coolpix 2500
This design was a revolution. The body is made of metal (!) and the lens (and the flash) can be stored/turned inside the camera. The sensor and the lens are the same as in the 2000. For working under tough circumstances this camera is the best choice.
Coolpix 3100
This camera is the sister of the 2100, having a 3.2 Mp sensor in stead, an almost identical zoom range and all programs and features of the 2100.
Coolpix 3200
Also this camera is a sister of an earlier model: Coolpix 2200. Its sensor has 3.2 Mp, the lens and all other features are coming close to those of the 2200.
Coolpix 3500
In an identical metal body this camera is the sister of the Coolpix 2500. The sensor has 3.2 Mp, the rest is almost identical.
Coolpix 3700
For a change a Coolpix in aluminum outfit. Introduced in 2004 this beauty has a sensor of 3.2 Mp., a zoom lens equaling 35-105 mm zoom range in 35mm. photography. Interesting feature is the soundless shutter. For those that want to hear something a variety of ´shutter´ sounds can be chosen!
Coolpix 4100
Bodied like the 2100/2200/3100/3200-series this camera has a sensor of 4 Mp., a zoom lens like in the 3100 and 3200 models. 15 motive programs, 4 assistant programs and a menu in 10 languages! The camera also ´tells´ the photographer (sic!) if an image is not sharp!
Coolpix 4200
A little bit slimmer is this Coolpix with a 4 Mp sensor and a (equal.) 38-114 mm. zoom lens. Novelties are an internal memory of 12 Mb and a ´PictBridge´connector for linking the camera to a printer without using a PC. You don´t need a PC too for red-eye-reduction; it´s possible with the camera software.
Coolpix 4300
In 2002 this successor of the Coolpix 880 was introduced. The sensor has a resolution of 4 Mp and the lens comes close to that of the Coolpix 885. Although a lot on and in this camera is foolproof, shutter speed and aperture are manually adjustable.
Coolpix 4500
Based on the swivel-models, this camera - introduced in 2002 - is packed with novelties. It has a 4 Mp sensor, a 4x zoom lens, pop-up flash, Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, Manual and 16 motiv-programs to choose from. Sound recording is possible and the AF-system comes from the Nikon F5 and F-100 SLR´s. Special feature is a possibility to correct images on-screen. A 28mm lens thread allows additional lenses, from fish-eye up to tele lenses of (equal.) 400 mm.
Coolpix 4600
In a body like the 3100 this Coolpix features a 4 Mp. sensor. This camera is pack, too, with software including various programs, like the Coolpix 4500. It is a sister model of the Coolpix 5600.
Coolpix 4800
This camera has a 4Mp.-sensor and a huge zoom lens, covering focal length from 36 - 300mm. The zoom lens has 2 ED-elements and can 'run' through the entire zoom range within less than 1.5 sec.! It has 15 motiv-programs and a built-in memory of 13.5 Mb.
Coolpix 5000
A very nice camera - in black only - introduced in 2001. It has a 5 Mp. sensor and a nice 3xzoomlens with no less than three aspherical elements. The focal length of the lens equals that of a 28-85mm. lens in 35mm-format. Pack with features like white balance setting, clear image mode, shutter speed up to 1/4000 sec., noise reduction mode and manual focus functions. It has a built-in flash but takes nearly all Nikon Speedlights on its accessory shoe. Even up to nowadays standards a very sophisticated camera.
Coolpix 5200
A new design making the camera a bit more flat. Its magnesium body is packed with a 5 Mp.-sensor and a 3xzoom lens (38-114mm), including one ED-element. Auto focus down to 4 cm., automatic white balance, 2 video-clip settings and 11 motiv-programs.
Coolpix 5400
The successor of the popular 5000, this camera offers 4x-zoom and 15 motiv-programs. Its lens has a wider range from 28-116 mm. (= 35mm-equivalent).
Coolpix 5600
Sister-model of the Coolpix 4600 fitted with a 5.1 Mp. sensor.
Coolpix 5700
This model is a so-called bridge camera. It looks like a single lens reflex camera but it isn't. It has the body of a SLR but with a built-in, non-exchangeable lens with a zoom range from 35 - 280 mm. (35mm-equivalent). This camera has a 5 Mp. sensor and various programs, an electronic viewfinder and the possibility to capture images in Nikon Electronic File (NEF/RAW).
Coolpix 5900
Very nice Coolpix packed again with various (16) exposure and focus programs. It has an AF face priority setting focusing automatically on a face, including white balance setting. Auto focus with a possibility to select from 99 (!) AF-segments. This camera has a 5 Mp-sensor.
Coolpix 7600
New design camera with a 7.1 Mp.-sensor, 3xzoom lens including vibration reduction, 15 motiv-programs including 5 movie settings (of which 2 with a speed of 30 fps.). Pictbridge and PictureProject features and a 14 Mb internal memory. This camera uses SD memory cards.
Coolpix 7900
Sister of the Coolpix 5900. This camera has a 7 Mp. sensor.
Coolpix 8400
A very special camera with a very special design. It is bigger than common Coolpix cameras, it has a 8 Mp.-sensor and - for the first time - a zoom lens capable to cover 24mm. wide-angle up to 85mm. and an ISO-setting that starts at ISO 50! Of course packed with various programs, but also leaving all settings to the photographer. Introduced in 2004 nowadays a rare camera.
Coolpix 8700
A look-a-like of the Coolpix 5700, but fitted with an 8 Mp-sensor.
Coolpix 8800
Another bridge camera with an 8 Mp.-sensor and a huge zoom range from 35 - 350 mm., introduced in 2004. This is the first bridge camera with vibration reduction. Because of its high price (when new) today a rare camera.
Coolpix SQ
A very nice and new design of the swivel models, introduced in 2003. Its metal body is packed with a 3 Mp.-sensor and 15 motiv-programs for various photo- and movie options. The lens has a zoom range from 37 - 111 mm.
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Here Nikon comes to point at which it changes the names, numbers and codes of its digital compact cameras. From now on the name 'Coolpix' will be combined with one out of three letters referring to: L = Life series; S = Style series and P = Performance series. Behind the letter a number is added.
The L-series cameras are made for the starters in photography. They are packed with various - fool proof - automatic programs, simple and easy handling and sold at low to modest prices. The S-series consists of special (trendy) design and sophisticated techniques, while the P-series is made for the more experienced photographer who likes to have and pay for a high-end digital camera. In the L-series most cameras have the same body, a 4 - 8Mp.-sensor and a 3x zoom lens (L5 has 5x zoom). The S-series has a large variety of (slim) bodies and sensors (5.1 - 12 Mp.); all cameras have a 3x - 10x-zoom lens. The S1000pj has even a built-in projector! The P-series have basically two designs (compact and bridge-design) and a 3.5x zoom lens; except the P80 with a huge 18x zoom lens!
If we look closer to the various Coolpix versions and competing models offered by other manufacturers, resemblances are manifest. Take a look at e.g. the Coolpix S550, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35, the Casio EX-Z100/Z200 and the Pentax Optio A40. The lenses fitted to these cameras may differ, but all other specifications (externally and internally) do match. Like in car-, home entertainment- and computer industries many manufacturers are collaborating - unavoidably - in the development of new products.
Individual reviews will be uploaded later!
Meanwhile you may have a look at Nikon's archive's for technical specifications of all Coolpix cameras.
A French Nikon enthusiast, Pierre Jarleton, has listed most Coolpix cameras with specifications in English and French.
Coolpix L-series
Coolpix L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L10, L11, L12, L14, L15, L16, L18, L 19, L 20, L21, L22, L110
Coolpix S-series
Coolpix S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S7c, S8, S9, S10, S50, S50c, S51, S51c, S52, S52c, S60, S70, S200, S210, S220, S230, S510, S520, S550, S560, S570, S600, S610, S610c, S620, S630, S640, S700, S710, S1000pj, S3000, S4000, S6000, S8000
Coolpix P-series
Coolpix P1, P2, P3, P4, P50, P60, P80, P90, P100, P5000, P5100, P6000
Luckily Nikon gave nearly all modern Coolpix cameras the same lay-out of the buttons. Via de menu button you may choose and set a great variety of settings, like resolution, date (up to at least 2037 !!), sharpness, tone, etc. etc. The large button (see above) is the central command button. The symbol on top is for choosing flash programs, The symbol on the left is for choosing the self timer (3 - 10 sec.), while the symbol on the bottom is for close-up photography. The symbol on the right is to adjust the exposure settings. If you think or feel that images are too dark or too light you may change/adjust the exposure by 1/3 EV up or down (max. 3 EV = exposure value). The button on the bottom is to trash images you don't like. The OK button in the center is to confirm the changes you've made.
An estimated 90 % of the global population - that can read - may be able to use most Coolpix cameras, as their menu can be set in several world languages. Above you may choose from 24 languages.
Coolpix accessories
For nearly all Coolpix cameras various accessories have been offered, from lens attachments to remote shutter release equipment. It is impossible to give all details of those accessories. Ask your dealer or Nikon representative for more details. Many cameras are modestly priced. Many accessories aren't! Spare batteries may cost one-fourth of the camera's list price! So try to find a Coolpix camera that takes/uses normal AA-, or AAA-batteries. These batteries can be found/bought anywhere on our globe. Other batteries, like the CR123A, may be quite expensive.
Coolpix collectibles
Collecting Coolpix cameras hasn't yet become a serious hobby for many collectors. Though some models have become rare already. Certain models representing a 'milestone' in digital photography, like the first camera with vibration reduction, or the first Coolpix with a lens with a focal length equaling a 24mm. or 28mm.-lens (in 35 mm equiv.), or.....at the other end 280mm. etc. Most digital compact cameras have a zoom lens starting its focal length around 35mm. In terms of design many cameras share the same or slightly modified body and lens. Nearly all Coolpix cameras are made in an one-off (non-recurring) production run; ordering older models will not be possible. Sold out = sold out!
Secondhand Coolpix cameras are offered at relatively low prices. Be careful in buying scrap. Make some test pictures to see if the sensor is OK and the lens is not obstructed, because of a drop. Moisture can kill a digital camera, so check the (plastic) body for cracks. As said above: if you want to buy a second hand Coolpix, see if it takes normal batteries, as the original batteries may be hard to get.