Nikon Coolpix 5200 Review

Announced in February 2004 (alongside an otherwise identical 4MP camera, the Coolpix 4200), the Coolpix 5200 represents the latest in a long line of ever-smaller Nikon compact cameras that stretches all the way back to the late 1990's. Although the Coolpix 5200 echoes the basic design of the previous generation of Nikon Compacts (the 3200 and 4200), it is a good deal smaller, thanks no doubt to the use of an all-metal (Aluminum) body, rather than Nikon's more usual plastics. Nikon has managed to squash an impressive amount of power into the 5200's diminutive body (which is only a shade larger than a credit card), including an all-new ED glass 3x zoom lens, automatic red-eye removal, 15 (count 'em) scene modes, scene-assist functions (with overlays to ensure you put the subject in the right part of the frame) and a 30 frames per second movie mode. Here's just a few of the Coolpix 5200's headline features:
- 5MP resolution
- 3x Nikkor ED zoom lens with aspherical element
- In-camera automatic red-eye removal
- 15 scene modes
- 640x480 pixel, 30fps movie mode
- Best Shot Selector - takes a series of shots and chooses the sharpest for you
- White Balance and exposure bracketing
Key specifications
Street price |
US: $480
UK: £280 |
Body Material |
Aluminum |
Sensor |
1/1.8 " CCD, 5.26 million total pixels
5.1 million effective pixels |
Image sizes |
2,592 x 1,944
2,048 x 1,536
1,600 x 768
640 x 480 |
Movie clips |
640x480 @ 30 frames per second
QuickTime format
Duration limited only by card capacity (streaming)
|
Lens |
38 - 114mm equiv. (3 optical zoom) ED Nikkor
F2.8 - 4.9 |
Focus |
TTL Contrast detection AF
AF illuminator
5 area automatic selection
99 area manual area selection
1.6-inch/4cm closest focus (macro mode) |
Shooting mode |
Auto
Scene modes:
Portrait Assist
Landscape Assist
Sports Assist
Night Portrait Assist
Party/Indoor
Beach/Snow
Sunset
Dusk/Dawn
Night Landscape
Close Up
Museum
Fireworks Show
Copy
Back Light
Panorama Assist
AE-Compensation -2.0 to +2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps
|
Sensitivity |
Auto (ISO64-200)
ISO 64,100,200,400 |
White Balance |
Auto
7 presets
Manual |
Image parameters |
Contrast (3 levels)
Sharpening (3 levels & off)
Saturation (3 levels) |
Continuous |
2.5 fps, up to 21 frames |
Flash |
Built-in
Auto, Manual on/off, Red-eye reduction: on/off, Slow sync: on/off
Range (Auto ISO): W 0.3 - 4.5 m (1.0 - 14.5ft), T 0.3 - 3.5 m (1.0 - 11.5 ft) |
Storage |
Approx 12MB of internal memory
SD/MMC slot |
Viewfinder |
Real Image Optical
Approx coverage 75% |
LCD monitor |
1.5 " TFT, 110,000 pixels
approx 100% coverage |
Connectivity |
USB 1.1
A/V out
DC-IN |
Power |
EN-EL5 rechargeable Lithium Ion (supplied with charger)
(optional AC adapter*) |
Other features |
Best Shot Selector
White balance bracketing
Matrix, Center-weighted and spot metering
In-camera red-eye removal
Noise Reduction
PictBridge compatible
Built-in microphone and speaker
Nikon Picture Project software (Mac and Windows)*
|
Weight (no batt) |
155 g (5.5 oz) |
Dimensions |
88 x 60 x 36.5mm (3.46 x 2.4 x 1.44in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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Aug 26, 2004
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Feb 12, 2004
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Aug 23, 2007
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Aug 23, 2007
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