Rating Reviewed by: Ann in WA(Unregistered User)
(Casual)
Review Date September 18, 2003
Overall Rating 1 of 5
Value Rating 1 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Review 1 of 16
Price Paid:
$315.00
from Camera World, Portla
Summary: Bought a Nikon Coolpix 775 (I think that's the #). After several months being very happy with it, it developed "System Error", after talking to Tech Support and reading online reviews, I had my doubts that if fixed, it would stay fixed, so I returned to to Costco where I bought it. I then bought a Coolpix 2500 from Camera World. Big mistake.
After a little more than a year, this camera too has a "System Error" and from online searches it is clear that this is a very common problem, that the camera must be returned to the factory for repair and that repair is no guarantee that it won't happen again. I will try to talk them into a free repair, since I don't think it would be worthwhile to invest money in the repair but I will never trust Nikon again.
Strengths: Ease of use, easy to transfer pictures, acceptable quality of pics, although I have seen cameras which do better.
Weaknesses: SYSTEM ERROR appears to be a VERY COMMON occurance. Nikon is less than aggressive in solving this problem (since it occurs in many models. Nikon does not respond quickly to complaints.
Similar Products Used: Another Nikon Coolpix (which failed).
Summary: OK for the beginner, but for anyone looking for more...forget it. Simply put the flash is too close to the lens. Terrible results in low light. If you can get by and plan to use this camera outdoors in daylight conditions and turn the flash off (in any mode!)your results will be great, but thats all its good for.
Strengths: good outdoors under daylight conditions, compact design, easy to use.
Weaknesses: flash photography is pointless, battery life is so-so
Summary: After a lengthy research, I decided go for CoolPix 2500 because of reputation and feature plus quality,value for dollars.
Well the CoolPix is very nice entry level digital camera, it take great pictures, colour, sharpness were very good.
The CoolPix 2500 excel at Macro mode which made me purchase it since I can't afford a real macro lense for my F65 SLR.
I took many beautiful macro shots that I have been dreaming to take with my F65.
Overall, the CoolPix is very good camera, I won't repeat those features already said by other users but... There always but, the CoolPix has failed me, sometimes wonder that I still didn't do research good enough (blame me for don't have enought money)that but were: shutter lag and red eye. Red eye is some times I can over come, just make sure do not take picture of people in darkness, the shutter lag is really annoy me, you just can't take picture of a moving object, kids, pet, forget a jet flies by.
One picture taken of my kids jump down to swimming pool, the result is completely different.
if you like macro photography, the Coolpix 2500 will make you smile, otherwise better look for other makes.
Recently, my daught accidently drop if on the ground, the protection lense flew off, the flash was crack, I didn't bother to fix, it still work but only to serve me in macro shooting. She replace me a Canon A40, happy with it?- yes. Not happy? - kinder. Want to know? A40 fails me in Macro but serve me on most other aspects the Coolpix failed.
Sample macro from CoolPix:
http://www3.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=636843
Strengths: Inner swivel, picture quality, picture modes, macro, quality contruction, high resotion LCD monitor( viewable in daylight)
Value for money, include Photoshop Element.
Weaknesses: Shutter lag, Red eye, no asist beam in auto focus, battery take long to full charge but won't last for long party.
Keep extra battery if you plan a long out door picture taken.
Similar Products Used: Pentax Optio 550, Canon A40
Customer Service: Never used, intended to call them to fix 2500 but rather save money for a 3-4 Megapixel.
Summary: After shopping for a digital camera for a wedding gift for someone else, I decided I HAD to have this one, and it has not disappointed me. My favorite feature is the scene selector, that aids you in taking all kinds of pictures, including nighttime, landscapes, skylines, etc. You chose the various scene's based on icons. Cameras I have used in the past required complicated variations of buttons that were difficult to remember.
The camera also takes great pictures, and is very compact.
It took me a while to get used to the fact that there is not a typical viewfinder, only the LCD screen, but I don't really even notice that now.
Strengths: It takes great pictures, is relatively cheap for the value, and is compact. I also like the fact that the memory card and battery are tiny. The software is easy to install and use, and I especially like the fact that it allows you to store pictures on a website.
Weaknesses: Battery is short lived, although rechargeable, which I believe I like better than the $15 batteries I had in my old camera. I also tend to inadvertantly put my finger over the flash when taking pictures, because of the location.
Similar Products Used: First experience with my own digital camera - have used other people's, but not enough to really compare.
Owned two point and shoots - Cannon Sure Shot and Pentax IQZoom 120.