Nikon Coolpix 7900 Review

In February 2005 Nikon announced several new additions to its compact Coolpix range, including an entry-level 7 megapixel model (the Coolpix 7600) and two slightly more feature-rich cameras which are indentical except for their sensor pixel count; the 5MP Coolpix 5900 (which replaced the 5200) and the camera on test here, the 7MP Coolpix 7900. All three feature several unique features, including In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, face-priority AF, D-Lighting and Blur Warning, which analyses each shot as it is taken and warns if the image isn't sharp.
The Coolpix 7900 joins an increasingly crowded field of small, 'point and shoot' 7 megapixel cameras from most of the major players, and goes head-to-head with popular models such as Canon's SD500 and Sony's P150/P200. So does the latest Coolpix have what it takes to stand out in an increasingly competitive market? A quick glance at the headline specification certainly looks promising:
- 7MP resolution
- 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens with ED elements (38-114mm equiv.)
- In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
- D-Lighting (in-camera shadow lightening)
- Post-shot Blur Warning
- 16 scene modes
- 14MB internal memory
- 640x480 pixel, 30fps movie mode
- Best Shot Selector - takes a series of shots and chooses the sharpest for you
- White Balance and exposure bracketing
- Available in silver or black (not all countries)
Nikon Coolpix 7900 key specifications
Street price |
US: $445
UK: £280 |
Body Material |
Metal |
Sensor |
1/1.8 " CCD, 7.4 million total pixels
7.1 million effective pixels |
Image sizes |
3072 x 2304
2592 x 1944
2048 x 1536
1024 x 768
640 x 480 |
Movie clips |
• 160 x 120 @ 30 fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30 fps
• 640 x 480 @ 15 fps / 30 fps
• Electronic VR (Vibration Reduction)
• QuickTime (.mov) format
• Duration limited by card size (streaming)*
*with card rated at over 10MB/s
|
Lens |
• 38-114mm (35 mm equiv) 3x optical zoom
• F 2.8 - 4.9 |
Focus |
Contrast detection TTL AF
AF illuminator
5-area auto selection
99-area manual selection
Center focus area selection
30cm (1 ft) to infinity
Macro mode 4cm (1.6-inch) to infinity (wide angle)
|
Shutter speed |
4 - 1/2000 sec |
Shooting mode |
Auto
Scene modes:
• Scene Assist (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night portrait),
• Party/Indoor
• Beach/Snow
• Sunset
• Dusk/Dawn
• Night landscape
• Close up
• Museum
• Fireworks show
• Copy
• Back light
• Panorama assist
• Underwater
AE-Compensation -2.0 to +2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps
|
Sensitivity |
Auto
ISO 50, 100, 200, 400 |
White Balance |
Auto
Daylight
• Incandescent
• Fluorescent
•
Cloudy
• Shade
•
Speedlight
Manual
|
Image parameters |
Color: Vivid,
Standard,
Black and white,
Sepia,
Cyanotype
• Contrast
• Sharpening
• Saturation |
Continuous |
1.7 fps, up to 29 frames (7M/Normal) |
Flash |
• Built-in Speedlight
• Auto, Red-eye Reduction by pre-flash, Anytime flash, Flash cancel and Slow sync
• Range: 0.3 - 4.5 m / 1-14.8 ft. (W), 0.3-3.5m/ 1-11.5 ft. (T) |
Storage |
13.5MB internal memory
SD/MMC slot |
Viewfinder |
Optical |
LCD monitor |
2.0 " TFT
115,000 |
Connectivity |
USB
A/V out |
Power |
• EN-EL5 rechargeable lithium ion battery
• Charger optional |
Other features |
Best Shot Selector
White balance bracketing
• Auto bracketing
Matrix, center-weighted, spot AF area and spot metering
In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
Noise Reduction
Face-Priority AF
PictBridge-compatible
Built-in microphone and speaker
Nikon Picture Project software (Mac and Windows)*
|
Weight (no batt) |
150 g (5.3 oz) |
Dimensions |
88 x 60 x 36.5 mm (3.5 x 2.4 x 1.4 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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Apr 26, 2005
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Feb 16, 2005
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Apr 22, 2008
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Apr 18, 2008
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