Nikon Coolpix 775
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CNET Editors' Review
The good: Compact; fast; easy image playback and download; excellent feature set for novices who want to learn more; long-lasting lithium batteries; helpful Best Shot Selection mode.
The bad: Long shot-to-shot lags and slow start-up time; can't use standard AA batteries in a pinch; a mere 8MB CompactFlash card included.
The bottom line: It could stand to pick up a little speed, but the Coolpix 775 is otherwise very appealing, with smooth ergonomics, well-implemented features, and very good image quality.
A comfortable Coolpix
An ergonomically sound camera that weighs only 6.6 ounces with batteries and media installed, the 775 is made for one-handed shooting. Fitting comfortably in the palm, the camera lets your index finger rest above ... Expand full review
A comfortable Coolpix
An ergonomically sound camera that weighs only 6.6 ounces with batteries and media installed, the 775 is made for one-handed shooting. Fitting comfortably in the palm, the camera lets your index finger rest above the shutter button and leaves your thumb free to operate the zoom and menu scroll buttons.
However, the compact design isn't without its flaws. For one thing, the proximity of the battery hatch to the tripod mount prevents you from replacing the batteries without first taking the camera off the tripod. More problematically, the optical viewfinder is ill situated just above the LCD--the screen's glow can be a major visual distraction when you're trying to peer through the little eyepiece. And if you turn off the LCD, you'll have to wait several seconds for it to start up again, which makes switching back and forth between the LCD view or menu and the optical viewfinder a chore.
Features to grow into
The 775's well-implemented feature set is ideal for casual photographers who want to improve their shooting and learn to use more advanced digital features. A fully automatic mode and seven scene presets are all easily accessible through the mode dial, and you can activate the Best Shot Selection (BSS) mode through the LCD menu. BSS takes a series of shots in quick succession, then automatically records the one with the most image detail. When we tested the feature in difficult lighting situations, we consistently got sharper, more evenly exposed shots with BSS than without.
There's also a fast continuous-shooting mode, a QVGA video mode, and a multishot mode that captures 16 consecutive 400x300 frames that are recorded in one image file. An ample selection of white balance, sharpness, and exposure settings is available through the LCD menu. Nikon also makes reviewing and deleting images quick and easy with the 775's quick-play feature. Instead of having to switch out of shooting mode as you do with many cameras, you can simply press the button to display your pictures. When the camera is in Play mode, the Quick Play button lets you magnify images to get a closer look. An image-transfer-marking feature provides a very efficient way to select and download images to a computer. You just press the transfer button on the camera to select or deselect images, then plug the camera into your USB port. Nikon's software will download all of the selected images in the blink of an eye, without your having to lift a finger. Hide Review
User Reviews
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"Lasts a long time" By Walt1028
Pros: Has lasted since Christmas of 2001
Cons: low megapixels and somewhat slow
"Has withstood the test of time" By dsb1829
Pros: durable, reliable, decent image quality
Cons: Slow start, slow shot to shot, even slower with flash
Summary: Having used the camera for 6 years I can say I got my money's worth out of it. It has always ran well off of the original battery. However as time goes on it gets even slower than it was to begin. It has a bit of a learning ... Expand full review
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