Digital Camera Review

First Impressions Review

At PMA in Orlando Florida, Nikon recently announced their new point and shoot Coolpix digital camera line up for 2005. Topping the list is the new Nikon Coolpix 7900. The Nikon Coolpix 7900 is equipped with 7.1 effective megapixels and a 1/1.8inch type CCD, a 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED Glass lens with a 38-114mm (equivalent) focal range. For added visibility, the Coolpix 7900 includes a 2-inch, 115k pixel LCD screen. From a glance at the specs, it appears that the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is positioned to perform on par with others in its price point. The model down from the Coolpix 7900, the Nikon Coolpix 5900, has 5.1 effective megapixels and a silver body. The 7.1 megapixel Coolpix 7900 is the only black bodied Coolpix model sold in the US and has been marketed as the ideal compact digital camera for the photo enthusiast. Expect to see the Coolpix 7900 available in April 2005, at an MSRP of $449.95 (USD).
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Picture Quality / Size Options
There are several quality and size options available on the Nikon Coolpix 7900. For image quality, users can choose from Fine, Normal, and Basic. Image size options include 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. These quality and size options are ample for any consumer and will, depending on the setting, dramatically affect the number of pictures that can be taken (depending on memory capacity). Users are encouraged to determine their space/memory needs and their output. If you want to display your photos on the Internet, then 640 x 480 is more then adequate, although certainly if you plan on projecting them on your big screen HDTV, you’ll want one of the higher settings.

Picture Effects Mode
There are some intelligent inclusions for picture effects (although I recommend making these adjustments with an imaging software program) namely color options including Standard Color, Vivid Color, Black and White, Sepia, and Cyanotype. These features are accessible through the main menu under Color Options. For users without access to imaging software, these are the standard color effects artists and photographers have used to accent their work and it is appropriate that they be included. Users should keep in mind, that once the image is captured with that effect, it’s permanent.

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