Nikon CoolPix 995Nikon updates the hugely successful Coolpix 990, adding a pop-up flash and Type II CF support!<<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & InterfaceReview First Posted: 4/25/2001 |
Image Storage and InterfaceLike the 990, the Coolpix 995 uses CompactFlash memory cards, shipping with a 16MB card. Larger capacity cards are available up to 128MB from Nikon, and as large as 512MB from third parties. Answering one of the most-voiced requests by 950 and 990 owners, the Coolpix 995 accommodates both Type I and Type II CompactFlash cards, meaning that it can accept IBM Microdrive (512MB and 1GB sizes only), dramatically increasing storage options. (A hearty cheer rises from the ranks of Nikon fans!) The 995 manages files in much the same way as the 990, with several subtle niceties that make life a little easier, including a folder arrangement that helps organize images in the camera, a sequential frame counter option to avoid problems with overwriting files when copying them to your computer, and the ability to either hide or protect (or both) individual images on each card.
A point of clarification on the Coolpix 995's compatibility with MicroDrives: Nikon's official position is that they're "not supported." We've been told that the issue is power consumption and the resulting battery life (or lack thereof). The 995 will work fine with the latest generation of 512MB and 1GB MicroDrives, but the higher power drain of these devices result in noticeably shorter battery life. Nikon doesn't feel that the battery life when using a MicroDrive is up to their standards, so as a consequence don't recommend their use. If you're willing to tolerate short battery life though, they appear to work fine. If you do decide to use a MicroDrive in your Coolpix 995 though, you should definitely consider buying one or two spare EN-EL1 battery packs, or an external power pack such as the LiIon version of the Maha PowerBank. (See the Video, Power, and Software page of this review for more information on the PowerBank.)
A minor point on the design of the 995's CF slot, but one that we want to make, in the hopes that other manufactures will notice and follow suite: For some reason, virtually all CF-equipped digicams have the card oriented so the tiny lip on the edge of the card is oriented toward the front of the camera, meaning you need to squeeze your finger in between the CF compartment door and the card itself in order to snag the lip with a fingernail and thereby extract the card. The Coolpix 995 though, turns the card around, so the little lip faces the rear of the camera, making it easy to hook a fingernail under it and slide it smoothly out. A minor point perhaps but one that we're mightily glad to see, given the number of times we insert & extract memory cards in the course of our testing. (You'll be happy with this minor feature too, over the course of your life with the camera.)
Captured images can be individually write-protected through the Playback menu. Write protected files are only immune to accidental deletion, not card reformatting. File formats include several levels of compressed JPEG files as well as an uncompressed TIFF mode (Hi quality setting). Available image sizes are 2,048 x 1,536, 1,600 x 1,200 (UXGA), 1,280 x 960 (SXGA), 1,024 x 768 (XGA), 640 x 480 (VGA), and 2,048 x 1,360 (3:2 aspect ratio). The table below shows the card capacities and corresponding compression ratios for a few of the available image sizes:
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Resolution/Quality 16MB Memory Card |
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| Full Resolution 2048x1536 | Images | 1 | 10 |
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1:1 | 6:1 |
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| SXGA Resolution 1280x960 | Images |
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Images |
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Interface to the host computer is via a USB port. Mac OS and Windows ME &
later users will be happy to hear that the 995 presents itself as a "storage-class"
device. This means that it needs no special software drivers under Mac OS 9
or later, and Windows ME and later. (Older versions of Windows still require
separate driver software.) Storage-class USB connectivity also means high download
speeds: We clocked the 995 at a transfer rate of 497 KBytes/second, well in
the upper echelon of cameras we've tested. (Fast enough that there would be
little speed advantage in going to an external card reader.)
One
of the first things any new digicam owner will need is a larger memory card
for their camera: The cards shipped with the units by the manufacturers should
really be considered only "starter" cards, you'll definitely want a higher capacity
card immediately. - Probably at least a 32 megabyte card for a 1.3 or 2 megapixel
camera, 64 megabytes or more for a 3, 4, or 5 megapixel one. (The nice thing
about memory cards is you'll be able to use whatever you buy now with your next
camera too, whenever you upgrade.) To help you shop for a good deal on memory
cards that fit the C995, we've put together a little memory locater, with links
to our price-comparison engine: Just click on the "Memory Wizard" button above
to go to the Nikon memory finder, select your camera model , and click the shopping
cart icon next to the card size you're interested in. You'll see a list of matching
entries from the price-comparison database. Pick a vendor & order away! (Pretty
cool, huh?)
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