Digital Cameras - Picky Details of the Nikon Coolpix 2000 Digital Camera

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"Picky Details" for the Nikon Coolpix 2000 digital camera
(Timing, Power, and Storage Info)

Timing
I measure both cycle times and shutter delay times for cameras I test, using a special test system I built for the purpose. Here are the numbers I collected for the Nikon Coolpix 2000:

Nikon Coolpix 2000 Timings

Operation Time (secs) Notes

Power On -> First shot 5.09
On the slow side.

Shutdown 2.49
About average for telescoping lens camera.

Play to Record, first shot 2.2
A little slow.

Record to play 1.22-3.77
Time to display a large/fine file after capture. About average. (First number is for when camera has already finished saving the image to the memory card. Second number is for immediate switch to playback mode after capture.)

Shutter lag, full autofocus 0.77-0.80 A bit faster than average.

Shutter lag, manual focus
n/a
(no manual focus option)

Shutter lag, prefocus 0.24
Time to capture, after half-pressing shutter button. Somewhat faster than average. (Average is ~0.3)

Cycle Time, max/min resolution 5.89/5.55 Rather slow - The Coolpix 2000 apparently has no buffer memory, so little difference between first/second and subsequent shots. (First to second is even slower for some reason, about 8.7 seconds.)

The Coolpix 2000's "bargain-priced" design shows most strongly in its startup and cycle time performance. The camera apparently has no buffer memory, so shot to shot times are quite sluggish by current standards. On a positive note though, shutter lag is better than average. (Although still too slow, IMHO - Shutter response is the Achilles heel of all current consumer digicams.)

File Download
The Coolpix 2000 uses a USB port to connect to a host computer. I clocked it's download speed at 351 KBytes/second when connected to my 500 MHz G4 PowerMac. This is a fairly typical download speed for an entry level camera. (Cameras I've tested have generally ranged between 300 and 600 KB/second, with most coming in a bit over 300KB/sec.)

Power
The Coolpix 2000 is powered by a set of four AA batteries. As always, I *strongly* recommend that users purchase a couple of sets high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries and a good charger. To see which batteries are best, visit my current "shootout" page for NiMH AA cells, and read my review of the Maha C-204F, to learn about my favorite battery charger.

Operating Mode Power
(@8.4 volts on the external power terminal) Est. Minutes
(4 1600 mAh NiMH cells)

Capture Mode, w/LCD 381 mA 144

Capture Mode, no LCD n/a n/a

Half-pressed shutter w/LCD 472 mA 116

Half-pressed w/o LCD n/a n/a

Memory Write (transient) 416 mA n/a

Flash Recharge (transient) 1023 mA n/a

Image Playback 298 mA 184

Battery life on the Coolpix 2000 is pretty good, particularly for a camera with no optical viewfinder. (Optical viewfinders can really help battery life, by letting you avoid the power-hungry LCD display much of the time.) With a projected run time of 2 hours and 24 minutes in capture mode, a set of batteries will last a reasonable amount of time. Note too though, that this still isn't a terribly long time, if you're away on an extended outing: Definitely plan on buying at least two sets of good-quality NiMH batteries and a good charger to go along with them. (See the links above for my recommendations for batteries and chargers.)

Storage Capacity
The Coolpix C2000 stores its images on Type I CompactFlash cards, and ships with a 16 MB "Starter Card" from Lexar Media included. - The "Starter Card" is just like any other CF card, the labeling is simply Nikon's way of emphasizing that you'll really want to buy a larger memory card along with the camera. (Cards are so cheap these days, there's no reason not to get at least a 64 MB unit, so you'll have plenty of room for your photos: 64 MB would provide space for about 68 full resolution/highest quality images.) Here's a table showing image capacity, sizes, and approximate compression ratios for the various size/quality combinations of the Coolpix 2000, on the provided 16MB card:

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality 16 MB Memory Card		Fine	Normal	Economy
High Resolution 1632 x 1224	Images (Avg size)	17 928 KB	39 408 KB	69 232 KB
High Resolution 1632 x 1224	Approx. Compression	7:1	15:1	11:1
Medium Resolution 1280 x 960	Images (Avg size)	38 416 KB	70 228 KB	129 124 KB
Medium Resolution 1280 x 960	Approx. Compression	6:1	10:1	19:1
Low Resolution 640 x 480	Images (Avg size)	76 208 KB	160 100 KB	250 64 KB
Low Resolution 640 x 480	Approx. Compression	4:1	9:1	14:1

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Nikon Coolpix 2000 Timings
Operation	Time (secs)	Notes
Power On -> First shot	5.09	On the slow side.
Shutdown	2.49	About average for telescoping lens camera.
Play to Record, first shot	2.2	A little slow.
Record to play	1.22-3.77	Time to display a large/fine file after capture. About average. (First number is for when camera has already finished saving the image to the memory card. Second number is for immediate switch to playback mode after capture.)
Shutter lag, full autofocus	0.77-0.80	A bit faster than average.
Shutter lag, manual focus	n/a	(no manual focus option)
Shutter lag, prefocus	0.24	Time to capture, after half-pressing shutter button. Somewhat faster than average. (Average is ~0.3)
Cycle Time, max/min resolution	5.89/5.55	Rather slow - The Coolpix 2000 apparently has no buffer memory, so little difference between first/second and subsequent shots. (First to second is even slower for some reason, about 8.7 seconds.)

Operating Mode	Power (@8.4 volts on the external power terminal)	Est. Minutes (4 1600 mAh NiMH cells)
Capture Mode, w/LCD	381 mA	144
Capture Mode, no LCD	n/a	n/a
Half-pressed shutter w/LCD	472 mA	116
Half-pressed w/o LCD	n/a	n/a
Memory Write (transient)	416 mA	n/a
Flash Recharge (transient)	1023 mA	n/a
Image Playback	298 mA	184