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Nikon CoolPix 995 Nikon updates the hugely successful Coolpix 990, adding a pop-up flash and Type II CF support! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet CoolPix 995 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 995 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:Design Review First Posted: 4/25/2001

Design
From the outside, the Coolpix 995 looks very much like its predecessor, the Coolpix 990. Nikon continues the same swivel-lens design that characterizes the Coolpix line, allowing the lens to swivel just shy of 360 degrees. The lens can point back towards the user, straight ahead, or straight down to the ground, while keeping the LCD screen oriented for easy viewing. The camera body is compact and light weight, measuring approximately 5.4 x 3.2 x 1.6 inches (13.72 x 8.12 x 4.06 cm) with the lens stowed in its upright position. One immediate difference we noticed between the 990 and 995 models is that the 995's body is a mix of the magnesium alloy used in the 950 and 990, and high-impact polycarbonate plastic. This doesn't save much on overall weight (the 990 weighed about 13.1 ounces, or 371.4 grams, and the 995 weighs about 13.8 ounces, or 391.22 grams, both without the battery). The plastic portion of the body (the lens side) still seems quite sturdy, and should be able to withstand most average wear and tear, but we still sorely miss the unquestioned ruggedness of the all-metal bodies of the 950 and 990. (We suppose though, that if polycarbonate works in motorcycle helmets, it should be able to handle the knocks and bruises of even fairly careless digicam use.)

With the lens facing forward, the design of the front of the camera is pretty sparsely populated. The lens itself doesn't protrude much from its barrel, and is protected by a tiny, spring-loaded lens cap, which tethers to the camera body to prevent it from being accidentally lost. The Self-Timer/Red-Eye lamp and front side of the optical viewfinder fit snugly beside lens. Beneath the lens barrel are the external flash sync socket (covered by a tiny, and easily lost, plastic cap) and the diopter adjustment dial for the optical viewfinder. A completely new (and welcome) feature to the Coolpix line is the 995's pop-up flash, found on the top side of the lens barrel along with the Flash Release lever. On the very inside of the hand grip (just above the Coolpix logo) is the DC power input jack, covered by a soft rubber flap.

Looking at the top of the camera body, there's a small status display panel (very helpful for conserving batteries by not using the LCD monitor), the Power/Mode dial, Shutter button, a couple of function buttons, and a small Command dial for changing various camera settings. The Mode and +/- buttons on the top panel also double as Function buttons, programmable through the Setup menu in Manual exposure mode to access various exposure options. This was designed specifically to allow one handed camera operation, as you can hold down one of the buttons with your index finger and scroll through the chosen options with the Command dial. The normal functions for these buttons are to change the camera's exposure mode or the exposure compensation. Other functions which can be assigned to them include landscape/macro/self-timer mode, flash mode, and white balance setting, and metering (matrix, center weighted, or spot).

The majority of the controls are located on the back panel of the camera, along with the LCD monitor. The layout of the controls is nearly identical to the preceding Coolpix 990, with the exception of a new Quick Review button. The Monitor, Menu, and zoom control buttons line the top of the LCD panel, with the "arrow pad" rocker button off to the right side. Beneath the LCD are several controls for macro, manual focus, flash, quality, size, and a few others. When the lens is rotated to point forward, the optical viewfinder is visible from the back panel. Two LEDs located directly beside the viewfinder report the status of the autofocus and flash. The two shoulder strap attachments are also on the back panel, one at the bottom right corner and the other side-mounted along the top right edge.

We like the bulky hand grip (a little slimmer than that on the 990, see below) on the right side of the camera, which provides a firm, secure hold. The soft rubber surface fits directly under your fingers, providing additional friction for a good grip. Located inside the hand grip are the serial and USB I/O jack, the video output jack, and the CompactFlash compartment. The digital and video inputs are covered by a soft, flexible rubber flap that quickly and securely presses into place. The placement of the CompactFlash slot makes it easy to change cards when mounted to a tripod and the plastic door simply flips open and shut. There is no access light to let you know when the camera is accessing the card, so you'll have to pay attention to the LCD monitor or the small status display to know when it's OK to change cards. (It's important to never remove a memory card while the camera is writing to it, lest you corrupt your images or even damage the card.)

Finally, the flat bottom of the camera holds the battery compartment and a metal tripod mount that are unfortunately too close together to allow battery changes while on a tripod. (A necessary consequence of the swivel design.) The battery compartment has a sliding latch that keeps the door tightly shut. A sliding lock next to the tripod mount controls the amount of lens swivel. When slid towards the lens, the switch allows the lens to rotate through its full range of roughly 280 degrees. Sliding the switch towards the tripod mount limits the lens rotation to 180 degrees, from the front to the back.

This is probably as good a time as any to talk about how the shape of the 995 compares to the previous Coolpix 990: As you can see from the animation above, the 995 is just a little shorter and squatter, with more bulk around the lens barrel (largely due to the popup flash), and a little thinner around the hand grip, due to the trimmer form factor of the LiIon battery pack as compared to the 990's four AA cells. The ridge on the back of the camera that acts as a thumb grip is also a bit more pronounced. Overall, the camera is very easy to grip and comfortable to hold. We didn't have a 990 to play with side by side with the 995, but can say that the case design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The larger thumb grip did feel good in the hand, but we felt that the 990 was pretty comfortable to begin with.

The controls on the 995 are laid out to facilitate one-handed operation, with key exposure controls accessible via the function buttons on top of the camera, used in conjunction with the command dial. Used alone, the command dial selects shutter or aperture settings, depending on the exposure mode selected. On the camera's back, the zoom toggle is comfortably under your thumb when holding the camera normally. Less common (but still frequently used) options like ISO, image size/quality, and flash modes require two hands to set using the rear-panel buttons, but don't require using the LCD menu system. (A big plus in our opinion, making for quick operation.)