18 May 2005 19:39 pm
These little cameras are quite impressive to the point where I went out and bought one myself. Though the clever features of Kodak and other such manufacturers will first draw your eyes to them, Nikon time and time again out perform them, knocking all but a select few off the map.
The CoolPix 3100 is packing 3.1 mega pixels, a whole load of different scene modes and a small light weight design so that it will fit in your pocket. Even so, I would recommend anyone who gets a digital camera gets a small carry case for it too. The regular gimmicks such as video mode are also included.
In terms of storage, the camera comes with a built in 16 MB, which sound last you about a dozen photos on the highest quality, so budget in a 256 MB compact flash card and you should never run out of room. The camera connects to your computer via USB though it’s not a standard cable so don’t go buying a longer one in advance.
There is limited options for advanced picture taking but the CoolPix makes up for that with a mode for every situation under the sun. As well as a clever automatic point and shoot feature there is also night shot, action shot for moving targets, portrait and landscape modes plus you can turn it onto scene and be given dozens more options including indoor party, ultra close and snow and ice.
Picture quality is quite good, the camera by default is not on the highest quality which produces some noise on the photos but you can knock it up a notch if it is a problem. The design is easy to hold although it is easy enough to get a fingerprint on the LCD screen due to its compact size.
The buttons are fairly easy to work providing that you have read the manual although if you haven’t, other than the core buttons which have their own separate functions it isn’t the most intuitive interface. It has an optical zoom of 3X which is about average for cameras this price and comes with a digital zoom too though again, it’s like video. Sounds good, no real use in the outside world.
The batteries last fine thanks to power conversation techniques such as turning the LCD screen off while the flash recharges though no matter what digital camera you get you should get a second pair so you can keep them in rotation. With a 265 MB flash memory card you will basically be able to shoot until the batteries go flat.
My experience wasn’t faultless, I managed to lock the camera up (not on purpose) but I think that was due to it not having enough battery power to keep going. Once I put a fresh set of batteries in it worked fine.
Nikon have done a nice job with the CoolPix 3100 and while I can’t say it’s the most amazing though I have ever used, I don’t know a camera that does. CoolPix is still way ahead of the low end camera competition and will satisfy the average persons need with plenty of room to spare.
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