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Like many new digital cameras, Nikon's CoolPIX 995 can fairly be described as an improved version of an older model - in this case, the highly respected CoolPIX 990.
Nikon's swivelling body is reused and is ideal for shooting at waist height, over people's heads or for a sly self-portrait. It's larger than most digital cameras, measuring 138 x 82 x 40mm and weighing 390g without battery, but it works well and feels great to use.
Behind the scenes is the same 3.3megapixel CCD as the 990, delivering maximum image files of 2048 x 1536 pixels, and capable of creating good-looking 10 x 8in inkjet prints. There are also 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768 and 640 x 480 modes, along with a 3:2 aspect option, which crops highest resolution images to 2048 x 1360.
Three levels of jpeg compression are offered, along with an uncompressed 9Mb tiff mode. Best-quality jpegs are around 1Mb each, and there is a 16Mb Compact Flash (CF) card. Nikon has widened the slot to take Type II CF cards, but it's not certified for IBM's MicroDrive; however, we inserted a 1Gb MicroDrive and it seemed to work fine.
The most immediate improvement over the 990 is a new 4x optical zoom, compared to the old 3x lens. This 4x is equivalent in focal length to 38-152mm, with the actual specification being 8-32mm, f2.6~5.6. The closest macro focusing distance remains an industry-leading 2cm, which is closer than any other digital camera. Composition is with the optical viewfinder or 1.8in LCD screen, which can zoom in up to six times during playback, and display a tonal histogram of the image.
Second on the list of obvious changes is the pop-up flash which, in our tests, was much more effective than the 990's built-in model at eliminating red-eye, but does cause a bit of a bulge in the case. You can force the 995's flash on or off, set for red-eye reduction or a slow-synchro mode; a sync plug for connection to an external Nikon SpeedLight is also mounted on an optional bracket.
Nikon was previously a supporter of AA batteries - the 990 took four, lasting for around 90 minutes of solid use. The 995, however, uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which should last for around 110 minutes, and is lighter, smaller and faster-charging than a set of four AAs, but a spare will cost around £40. If you get stuck, the 995 can also take disposable 2CR5 batteries.
Much of the electronics has been improved: a Quick Review feature lets you see a coarse preview of what you've just snapped; burst shooting modes have increased from 2fps to 3fps (frames per second); noise reduction helps eliminate unwanted blemishes in long exposures, and you can adjust colour saturation or bracket white balance.
There's excellent exposure control, with separate manual, aperture and shutter priority modes and a highly detailed LCD status panel; shutter speeds range from eight seconds to the market's fastest 1/2300 second, and there's also a Bulb option up to 60 seconds. Even with 15 shutter speeds and 10 aperture settings, though, the 995 is falling behind the competition - Canon's G1 and Sony's S85 both boast 40 shutter speeds and 13 aperture settings.
Where the 995 really scores is with its superb range of metering modes and the finest focusing of all sub-£1000 digital cameras, not to mention a wide range of lens accessories. There's also switchable PAL and NTSC video output and 320 x 240 movies at 15fps but, infuriatingly, still no audio capture.
The 995 is powerful but up against stiff competition. Canon's PowerShot G1 costs the same and we feel has the edge in terms of overall quality and features. Then there's the impending raft of 4.1megapixel models to consider, starting with Sony's S85.
So saying, while there aren't sufficient reasons for 990 owners to upgrade, there'll be plenty of new buyers who'll plump for the 995. Nikon has again produced another contender for the best high-end consumer camera on the market, with the final choice boiling down to support for very specific features and, most importantly, which model feels best to you.
CONTACT: Nikon
0800 230 220
www.nikon.co.uk
See also:
Sharp's newly styled inkjet printer has the largest on/off button in the history of buttons. 31 Mar 2003
We get to grips with Kodak's stylish DVC325 Digital Video Camera. 27 Jan 2000All Digital Cameras
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