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Nikon CoolPix 880 Advanced features, and "Assisted Creative Photography" in a compact 3.3 megapixel package! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet CoolPix 880 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on CoolPix 880 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 8/26/2000

Image Storage and Interface
The Coolpix 880 uses CompactFlash memory cards for image storage, and includes an eight megabyte card in the package. We suspect that most users will immediately want to purchase a larger card though, such as the 32 and 64 megabyte cards which are becoming much more affordable. The CompactFlash slot's location in the hand grip is extremely convenient for changing memory cards while mounted to a tripod, and the slot is protected by a hinged, plastic door that slides easily in and out of place. Like the 990 model, the Coolpix 880 includes a folder arrangement that helps users organize images in the camera, a sequential frame counter option to avoid problems with overwriting files when copying them to your computer, some powerful in-camera tonal adjustment controls and the much appreciated Best Shot Selector option that automatically chooses the least blurry image, when shooting under difficult conditions.

Captured images can be individually write protected through the Playback mode settings menu. Write protected files are only immune to accidental deletion, not card reformatting. Images can also be hidden through the Playback menu. File formats include several levels of compressed JPEG files as well as an uncompressed TIFF mode (Hi quality setting). The control buttons on the back panel of the camera also allow quick access to the Delete function as well as the image information display and the nine image index display mode.

The table below shows the approximate number of images, and their compression ratios, for a 16 megabyte card.

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality		Uncompressed TIFF	Fine	Normal	Economy
High Resolution	Images	0	5	10	20
	Approx. Compression	1:1	6:1	12:1	24:1
Standard Resolution	Images	N/A	40	38	73
	Approx. Compression	N/A	6:1	11:1	22:1
Low Resolution	Images	N/A	49	90	165
	Approx. Compression	N/A	6:1	11:1	19:1

The Coolpix 880 uses a fast USB interface to connect to your computer. This interface is fast enough that you really don't need to purchase an external card reader to transfer photos to your computer. We timed the 880 transferring a 9.1 megabyte uncompressed TIFF file to our (slightly aging) 350 MHz Pentium II computer in 34.5 seconds, a transfer rate of 270 KBytes per second. You can thus transfer all the images from the included 8 megabyte card in a bit under 30 seconds, or from a 16 megabyte card in about a minute.