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Nikon Coolpix 8400 By: Shawn Barnett & Dave Etchells (none) Select a topic Reference: Datasheet 8400 Sample Images 8400 Imatest Results --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. User Report 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 8400 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 09/16/2004, Updated: 12/13/2004

US and Japanese versions of the Coolpix 8400 include an NTSC video cable for connecting to a television set. European models will doubtless support PAL timing and connections, given the Video Mode option in the settings menu. All images that would normally appear on the LCD are routed to the external video display so that the television screen becomes an enlarged version of the LCD monitor and can be used both for image playback and composition.

Power

The Nikon Coolpix 8400 runs on a rechargeable EN-EL7 lithium-ion battery pack, housed inside the hand grip, or an external AC adapter which plugs into the side of the camera (available as a separate accessory). The camera can also utilize six AA batteries via the optional MB-CP10 battery pack. With a capacity of 1100 mAh, the EN-EL7 battery in the Coolpix 8400 (also used in the new 8800) represents a significant increase in capacity over the EN-EL1 battery used in Nikon's earlier high-end Coolpix models, which only had a capacity of 680 mAh.

The Coolpix 8400 unfortunately uses a custom power connector, so I wasn't able to perform my usual direct power measurements on it. In use, its battery did seem to last quite a long while though, and I measured its worst case run time (capture mode, with the rear-panel LCD illuminated) at 2 hours and 56 minutes (176 minutes total), a very good performance indeed, and a dramatic improvement over the battery life of the earlier 8700 model.

 

Included Software

The Nikon Coolpix 8400 ships with Nikon's own Picture Project 1.0 for Mac and Windows. This is a rather basic organize/view/print application, although it does provide the (limited) ability to convert RAW files to JPEG format: You'll almost certainly still want some sort of commercial image-editing application (like Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements) as well, and serious users will want a better workflow tool for working with RAW-format images.

Picture Project is clearly intended for novice digital camera users. It installs drivers that watch for the connection of digital cameras via the computer's USB port, or memory cards inserted into card readers. When either is detected, it offers automatic transfer of images to your hard disk, generating a catalog of them in the process. (It can also build a catalog of images already on your disk, if you so desire.) Very basic image editing tools are provided to adjust brightness, color, and sharpness, and convert color images to either black and white or sepia monochromes.

For advanced users, Picture Project's biggest limitation will most likely be its awkward handling of RAW-format files. You can make adjustments like brightness (although not exactly digital exposure compensation, calibrated in EV units) and color, but then have to save the NEF RAW file to disk and return to the application's Organize mode before you can export it as a JPEG.

Given Picture Project's RAW-file limitations, advanced users will undoubtedly want to examine the more advanced Nikon Capture software, or one of the several third-party programs for managing RAW files. Options there include Mike Chaney's Qimage Pro, (an excellent program for very high-quality printing, although I'm not certain of Mike's current level of NEF-format support), Eric Hyman's Bibble and MacBibble (as I write this in early September 2004, Eric is almost (but not quite) ready to release Bibble 4.0). Adobe's Photoshop CS now also supports a variety of RAW formats directly as well.

PictureProject is clearly aimed at the first time digital camera user, it installs tray applications which monitor for connection of digital cameras via USB or cards inserted into card readers and then provides automatic transfer of images to the hard disk, cataloging them as it does so. You can also have the application catalog images already on your hard disk. It provides basic image editing including Brightness, Color, Sharpness and Photo Effects (B&W/Sepia).

In use I found PictureProject to feel a little awkward and incomplete, for example you double-click on an RAW to go into Edit mode where you can apply adjustments such as brightness (although not specifically digital exposure compensation) you then have to save the NEF go back to Organize mode select the image then do File -> Export as JPEG to convert the RAW file to JPEG. It doesn't support output to TIFF and doesn't provide adjustment of white balance or digital exposure compensation. PictureProject simply felt like a half finished solution and several steps back from Nikon View.

 

In the Box

The following items will be packaged with production models of the Nikon Coolpix 8400:

• Lens cap
• Neck strap
• NTSC Audio/Video cable (PAL for European models)
• USB cable
• Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery EN-EL7
• Battery Charger MH-56
• Remote Controller ML-L3
• Software CD
• Quick Start Guide
• Instruction Manual