Rating: Summary: Great compact point and shoot digicam! Review: The Coolpix 775 is geared toward the casual photographer that is looking for convenience and compactness in a digital camera. The camera is light and tiny but still very comfortable to hold with the built in grip on the side of the camera (unlike Canon's Elph cameras). The 3x zoom range on the lens is unheard of in a camera this small!What sets the camera apart is Nikon's exposure metering system and the scene modes. It uses Nikon's renowned sophisticated metering system to get the perfect exposure for nearly every shot. In addition, it has seven scene modes for common situations where the metering may be fooled (backlight, landscape, beach/snow, sunset, portrait, party/indoor, and night portraits). This is great for the novice that doesn't want to mess around with complicated manual exposure adjustments. The 2-megapixel CCD is plenty for getting great 8x10 prints. You'll want to purchase a larger compactflash card because the included 8 MB card will definitely be too small to take more than 15 photos at the highest quality and resolution. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and battery charger which many other digital cameras in this price range leave out. Compared to the Canon cameras I have used, the colors are much more natural, especially for skin tones. The Nikons seem to go for the more natural colors as opposed to many cameras that go for more saturated and punchy colors If you're looking for a camera with a ton of manual features (saturation control, aperture and shutter priority, full manual control, etc.) then you need to step up to the Coolpix 995, which costs twice as much. I would definitely recommend the camera to the user that is looking for a great, easy-to-use, point and shoot digital camera that takes awesome photos for printing up to 8x10 photos or just digital photos to share.
Rating: Summary: Excellent point and shoot camera Review: The quality of images are very good and the color reproduction is excellent (blues ARE blue). It is easy to use and have a good "get started" guide which literally have you taking your first picture in 30 seconds. The manual, however, is messy, confusing and poorly written (should be better). The grip is very comfortable and it's light weight makes it easy to handle (you don't get tired). It just fit very nicely in your hand. Very good job by Nikon here.. The quality of the pictures for 2 m.pixel cameras is excellent and when printed in 4x6 and 5x7 size prints it looks like real fotos. My 8x10 are acceptable, but if you usually print this size I recommend buying a 3 or 4 mega pixel camera. The 3xZoom is good, the macro feature fantastic (you can get REALLY close), but I have a small problem with the lcd monitor. It is very dark and does not accurately show what your picture will look like untill it has been taken (colors and light). At least the refresh rate is fast. The auto setting produces very good results. There are 7 "program" modes which can be used, but in most of the cases "auto" get the best results. Excellent control of white balance in auto mode. It really covers all possible scenarios. The movie mode is ok, but I dont recommend selecting a camera based on it's ability to play movies. I simply love the 'play back' functions. You can make a still picture slide show in the build in lcd monitor, or through a supplied cable get the output on TV (pal or ntsc as you like). It is fantastic to see your pictures in 36" size .. what an impact. The TV out feature is really good and usefull. I recommend you buy an extra battery as the lithium-ion battery supplied last about 1-2 hours of shooting depending on use. Unfortunatly you can not use the battery charger as an AC adapter so unless you buy one at an additional expense you will be using battery when transferring files to your computer. In emergency cases a disposable lithium ion 2crv5 battery (from the supermarket) can be used. Conclusion: the main objective we had when buying this camera was to capture pictures which looked "right" (color,light etc) and which would allow us to print in 4x6 size with occational 5x7 and 8x10 prints without it screems DIGITAL.. the camera more than satisfied our expectations. Note: we have not used the enclosed software, but bought a compactFlash reader (to save battery) and it works wonderfully.
Rating: Summary: Really great camera Review: I've been using the Coolpix 775 for a few weeks now and absolutely love it! The different settings make it really easy to get the shot just right and of course it also works well on the Auto setting. There's a delay between pressing the button and actually taking the picture but I've noticed that with all digital cameras (the Elph S110 seems even slower). An extra battery pack is nice to have, but I have to say that the one that comes with the camera lasts fairly long. Of course, you will have to buy an extra memory card unless you intend to take low-quality photos (i.e. for websites and e-mails) only. My 128MB card gives me 133 shots on highest quality. When I picked up 10x5 prints today I couldn't tell a difference between them and 'normal' photos taken with a 35mm camera. The only dissapointment is the software that comes with it... it is really bad! I've been uploding photos in Windows Explorer, then I copy them into My Documents for storage. I am thinking about buying a card reader to make it even easier and to save battery power. Even though the software is bad, I still rate the camera 5 stars!
Rating: Summary: Better optics than similar 2 megapixel digital cameras Review: Optics do matter, and I guess the Nikon name is more than just print on a digital camera. I tried this in a test against a Fuji 2.3 mp digital camera, a model that I like a lot, and the Coolpix beat the Fuji for clarity on shots of the same resolution. By a long country mile, too. The lens here must be the difference. The features on the Coolpix include: 1. Lithium rechargeable battery (important.) 2. USB cable for fast transfer of pictures to the PC 3. Thumbnail display on the LCD on the back for quick review of shots 4. 5 different flash modes 5. A large 1.5 inch LCD display 6. Ability to do mini movies (avi) 7. 3X Optical Zoom (lens, not digital, very nice.) 8. Video out and cable in case you want to look at these on the family TV directly from the camera and not futz around on the computer. The ergonomics are close to a regular point-and-shoot film camera. The settings dial is more or less easy to use; I tried the menu and setup on camera without using the manual and got it up and running right away. The "out-of-box" experience is enhanced by a large sheet of getting-started instructions that lead you through charging the battery in the separate charging station, loading the transfer software and taking a picture and getting it onto your PC. The software includes ArcSoft "PhotoImpression" to manipulate your pictures. The interface is very simple and graphic with preview screens and virtual buttons. I prefer Photoshop Elements for image manipulation, but if you aren't very handy with computer graphic software, PhotoImpressions leads you by the hand to get your pictures as you like them. All in all, I'd have to say that this is a very good amateur digital camera for the price, delivering performance beyond my expectations.
Rating: Summary: Excellent point and shoot camera Review: The quality of images are very good and the color reproduction is excellent (blues ARE blue). It is easy to use and have a good "get started" guide which literally have you taking your first picture in 30 seconds. The manual, however, is messy, confusing and poorly written (should be better). The grip is very comfortable and it's light weight makes it easy to handle (you don't get tired). It just fit very nicely in your hand. Very good job by Nikon here.. The quality of the pictures for 2 m.pixel cameras is excellent and when printed in 4x6 and 5x7 size prints it looks like real fotos. My 8x10 are acceptable, but if you usually print this size I recommend buying a 3 or 4 mega pixel camera. The 3xZoom is good, the macro feature fantastic (you can get REALLY close), but I have a small problem with the lcd monitor. It is very dark and does not accurately show what your picture will look like untill it has been taken (colors and light). At least the refresh rate is fast. The auto setting produces very good results. There are 7 "program" modes which can be used, but in most of the cases "auto" get the best results. Excellent control of white balance in auto mode. It really covers all possible scenarios. The movie mode is ok, but I dont recommend selecting a camera based on it's ability to play movies. I simply love the 'play back' functions. You can make a still picture slide show in the build in lcd monitor, or through a supplied cable get the output on TV (pal or ntsc as you like). It is fantastic to see your pictures in 36" size .. what an impact. The TV out feature is really good and usefull. I recommend you buy an extra battery as the lithium-ion battery supplied last about 1-2 hours of shooting depending on use. Unfortunatly you can not use the battery charger as an AC adapter so unless you buy one at an additional expense you will be using battery when transferring files to your computer. In emergency cases a disposable lithium ion 2crv5 battery (from the supermarket) can be used. Conclusion: the main objective we had when buying this camera was to capture pictures which looked "right" (color,light etc) and which would allow us to print in 4x6 size with occational 5x7 and 8x10 prints without it screems DIGITAL.. the camera more than satisfied our expectations. Note: we have not used the enclosed software, but bought a compactFlash reader (to save battery) and it works wonderfully.
Rating: Summary: 8,000 photos and help with system error Review: I bought the Coolpix 775 in 2001, and used it for over 8,000 photos. Minor issue are [1] latency between pushing the button and actually taking the picture [2] proprietary battery capacity [3] proprietary AC adapter. A week ago, I dropped the camera from 4 feet high on a semi-hard [thin carpet on hardwood] floor. When I turned on the camera, the display showed 'sytem error'. I opened the case [2 silver screws on each LHS and RHS, 4 at the bottom -note that 2 screws holding the tripod plate are of different type- then gently pry open the front using my finger nail -a soft flat piece of plastic is OK-] to separate the two halves: the empty front part with only the switch left -and a small ribbob connector- and thye body with everything else. I then removed the lens assembly [4 black screws, the cylindrical gear on the upper RHS close to the viewer has to be slightly lifted out of the way] and noticed that the 2 identations in the base plate had 'jumped out' of the 2 grooves in the lens barrel assembly. After putting the identations back in place, the lens now goes in and out. Zoom does not activate yet - relative positions of gears ? will work on it-. The motor assembly can be disconnected [1 black screw] from the barrel assembly and tested separately. Important Notes [1] I am not responsible for anything that could go wrong: you open the case at your own risk. Safe move is to send the camera back to the dealer [2] opening a camera is not for the faint at heart: use magnifying glasses, good lighting, watch screwdrivers and a compartment box for different screws -I use an ice cube tray with 14 compartments-. Hope this help 'resurect your camera' :)
Rating: Summary: Reliable Review: I bought this camera around Christmas 2001 and thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Over the years, the camera has served me well. I originally bought a 64 mb card to go with it, and it was more than I ever needed, since I was pretty good about transferring the pictures onto my computer and clearing the card. The bundled software is pretty good. Allows you to drag the pictures and then drop them into any folder you like. Unfortunatly, my screen has recently broke. I made the mistake of packing it in my luggage that went through baggage handling. Even the toughest camera can't enure that abuse. It still takes pictures as well as it ever has, but I can't see how they turn out until I get home and hook it up. Isn't that the point of a digital camera? I think I may be in the market for a new one. I give it four stars because the screen broke, and costs way to much to fix.
Rating: Summary: Perfect for beginners Review: This was our first digital camera... purchased it in winter of 2001 I believe. It was very easy to figure out and suits our needs perfectly. Haven't had any problems with it. If you're like us, and all you want is a camera that takes decent pictures and is easy to download onto the computer and email, etc., then this is a great camera. I imagine we'll probably be ready for an upgrade soon, as I know Canon has made some improvements in the last couple years, but it's a great starter camera.
Rating: Summary: this is a terrible camera Review: this camera for the first year and a half was ok, ie (kind of slow when deleting pictures). and now just a month ago it had the "system error problem, which you either attempt to fix it yourself or spend...and have the camera sit at nikon costumer service for a month. i would advice no one to buy this camera.
Rating: Summary: Tried, true & discounted. Review: There are lots of entry level digicams these days. Frankly, most of them are so capable that aesthetics is as big a factor as most anything else, but in terms of sheer durability, the Nikon has proven itself better than many of its rivals. It is quite compact and easily managed with one hand. Its 2.1 megapixel resolution is fine for most anything, including enlargements up to 8" x 10". The optics are superior, all glass and the effect is excellent clarity. The 3:1 optical zoom is fine, and a 2.5:1 digital zoom may add a bit of help (I'm not a fan of digital zooms, but they are able to enlarge the center of the image reasonably well, though they do so by halving the original resolution/quality). Like all these digicams, the 775 ships with too small a memory card, but this is easily rectified. The purchase of a separate card reader (eg. Viking, SanDisk) will also make life easier, as photo transfer to the PC and then to email or storage becomes very simple. The Nikon's rechargeable battery set-up is also a big plus. If you're looking to get someone started in digital photography and do not want to buy a toy, this is an excellent selection.
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