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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 <<Operation & User Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus Review First Posted: 4/25/2001

Camera Modes and Menus

Automatic Capture Mode: Accessed by turning the Power/Mode dial to the "A" setting, this mode puts the camera in charge of exposure and focus, but still leaves settings like flash, exposure compensation, size, quality, and the self-timer under the user's control. Pressing the Menu button in this mode pulls up the following Setup menu:

• Folders: Brings up a sub-menu that allows users to create, delete and rename image storage folders in separate groups (much like the 990). This also allows users to select which folder images will be saved to.
• Monitor Options: Displays a sub-menu that allows users to adjust the brightness and hue of the LCD monitor display.
• Type Size: Changes the menu type size to Large or Standard.
• Auto Off: Sets the auto-off delay to 30 seconds, or 1, 5, or 30 minutes.
• Seq. Numbers: Turns the file numbering sequence on or off as well as resets the current sequence.
• Card Format: Formats the CompactFlash card and erases all folders and images (even protected ones).
• Date: Sets the camera's internal date and time.

Manual Capture Mode: Accessed by turning the Power/Mode dial to the "M" setting, this mode offers several options for manually controlling exposure (Program, Flexible Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual). Program puts the camera in charge of aperture and shutter speed, while the user can control things like white balance, motor drive, etc. Flexible Program allows the user to select from a range of equivalent exposure settings. Aperture and Shutter Priority put the user in charge of either the aperture or shutter speed while the camera controls the other value. And finally, Manual lets the user control both aperture and shutter speed, independent of the camera's exposure system. All of these capture modes are accessible by pressing the Mode button and turning the command dial until the desired mode appears on the status display. (You can also change the exposure mode through the settings menu.) Pressing the Menu button in this mode pulls up the following settings menu screens:

Screen One

• White Balance: Displays a sub-menu with seven white balance options: Auto, White Balance Preset, Fine (Outdoors), Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, and Speedlight (flash balanced).
• Metering: Offers 256 Segment Matrix, Center-Weighted, Spot, and Spot AF Area metering options.
• Continuous: Offers six "motor-drive" options: Single exposure, Continuous Shooting, Multi-Shot 16, VGA Sequence, Ultra-High Speed, and Movie.
• BSS: Turns the Best Shot Selector function on or off.
• Image Adjustment: Allows the user to further alter the image with options of Auto, Normal, More Contrast, Less Contrast, Lighten Image, and Darken Image.
• Color Mode: Controls the amount of color saturation, and includes a black and white monotone mode.
• Lens: Lets the user select between Normal (built-in lens), Wide Adapter, Telephoto 1 (a 2x adapter), Telephoto 2 (a 3x adapter), Fisheye 1, Fisheye 2, and Slide Copy Adapter options to accommodate the specified accessory lens. The different options adjust various exposure and zoom setting options to best accommodate the chosen lens.

Screen Two

• User Setting: Allows the user to save up to three different sets of user settings to be recalled at any given time (useful for quickly switching between groups of settings for different shooting scenarios).
• Exposure Options: Controls the AE Lock function, as well as the exposure compensation setting. (While exposure compensation can be set from this menu entry, you would more commonly do so via the top-panel +/- button and function wheel.) You can also choose the exposure mode, with options of Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. (Also available as an external setting.)
• Focus Options: Selects between AF Area Modes (Auto, Manual, or off), Autofocus Modes (Continuous or Single AF), Focus Confirmation (MF, On, Off), and Distance Units (feet/meters) focusing modes.
• Image Sharpening: Adjusts the in-camera sharpening to Auto, High, Normal, Low, or Off.
• Auto Bracketing: Accesses the Auto Bracketing and White Balance Bracketing functions.
• Reset All: Resets all the menu options to factory defaults (it also (fortunately) gives you an option to back out if you decide you want to).
• Noise Reduction : Activates the Noise Reduction feature for shooting in low-light situations.

Setup Screen

• Folders: Pulls up a sub-menu that lets users create, delete, and rename image storage folders in separate groups (much like the 990). This also lets users select which folder images will be saved to.
• Monitor Options: Displays a sub-menu to adjust the brightness and hue of the LCD monitor display, or the display mode (options are Monitor On, Review Only, Preview Only, Monitor Off).
• Controls: Programs the Function 1 and 2 buttons (Mode and -/+ buttons) to control specific exposure functions. (Exposure mode, landscape/macro/self timer, flash mode, white balance, exposure compensation, metering pattern.)
• Auto Off: Allows users to set the auto-off delay to 30 seconds, or 1, 5, or 30 minutes.
• Type Size: Changes the menu type size to Large or Standard.
• Seq. Numbers: Turns the file numbering sequence option on or off, as well as resets the current sequence.
• Card Format: Formats the CompactFlash card and erases all folders and images (even protected ones).
  
  
• Zoom Options: Activates digital telephoto, or designates the lens startup position (wide, telephoto, or the last-used position). Also lets you select the Fixed Aperture option, which keeps the aperture fixed as the lens zooms.
• Speedlight Option: Displays a sub-menu of flash adjustments. You can adjust the flash intensity to +/- 2 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third step increments, as well as set up the internal and/or external Speedlight options (both active or internal flash off). There's also an LED Shot Confirmation setting, which turns the shot confirmation light on and off. (This is a small, white LED on the front of the lens housing that illuminates briefly after the shutter trips, as an indication that the shot has been taken. Useful for self-timer shots taken without flash.)
• Shutter Sound: Turns the shutter annunciator on or off.
• Info txt: Activates or deactivates the Information Text option, which records a separate image information text file to accompany the images. The text file includes information such as filename and exposure information. (Handy for recording detailed exposure data!)
• Date: Sets the camera's internal date and time.
• Video Mode: Establishes the video format as NTSC or PAL.
• Language: Changes the menu language to German, English, French, or Japanese.

Playback Mode: Accessed by turning the Power/Mode dial to the "Play" position, this mode allows users to view captured images and movies. The right and left arrow buttons scroll through images while the Delete and Index Display buttons (beneath the LCD panel) offer quick image deletion and display. Pressing the Menu button in this mode pulls up the Playback settings menu:

Screen One

• Delete: Erases the Selected Image, All Images, Folder, or Print Set. (A "Print Set" refers to the set of images currently marked for printing, using the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format))
• Folders: Allows the user to create, delete, or rename folders as well as select the playback folder from a list.
• Slide Show: Starts a slide show playback of all images in a folder and allows the user to set the frame interval.
• Protect: Write-protects individual images from accidental erasure (except from card formatting).
• Hide Image: Hide selected images from the playback view.
• Print Set: Marks individual images for printing on a DPOF compatible device.
• Auto Transfer: Specifies whether the Nikon View software will automatically transfer files from the camera once connected.

Setup Screen

• Monitor Options: Displays a sub-menu that allows users to adjust the brightness and hue of the LCD monitor display.
• Type Size: Changes the menu type size to Large or Standard.
• Auto Off: Allows users to set the auto-off delay to 30 seconds, or 1, 5, or 30 minutes.
• CF Card Format: Formats the CompactFlash card and erases all folders and images.
• Date: Sets the camera's internal date and time.
• Video Mode: Establishes the video format as NTSC or PAL.
• Language: Changes the menu language to German, English, French, or Japanese.