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Nikon CoolPix 880 Advanced features, and "Assisted Creative Photography" in a compact 3.3 megapixel package! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet CoolPix 880 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on CoolPix 880 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 8/26/2000

Video Out
The US version of the Coolpix 880 includes a video out jack and connection cable, offering NTSC-formatted video output. European models support PAL timing, since there is an option to select either NTSC or PAL in the Setup menu. Connecting the video output provides a signal to an external device, without disabling the internal LCD display screen. All images that would normally appear on the LCD are also routed to the external video display so that the television screen becomes an enlarged version of the LCD monitor and can be used both for image playback and composition.



Power

This is one of the few beefs we have about the Coolpix 880: It ships with a 2CR5 lithium battery, but no rechargeable or charger. The 2CR5 will last for perhaps a couple of days of shooting, after which you'll need to go out and buy a new one for $10-20. Yikes! This is totally unworkable as a power option, except as a backup to a rechargeable. (Lithium primary cells are great for power backup, as they hold their power for years on the shelf.) Nikon sells an "optional" EN-EL1 lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger in a kit for $99.90, and this really has to be considered a mandatory part of the camera. No two ways around it, this isn't a cheap camera (it definitely has the features to justify it though), but we really deplore the practice of leaving out an "optional" rechargeable battery that actually turns out to be mandatory. Thus, when looking at the price of the Coolpix 880 relative to other models, you absolutely have to factor in the roughly $100 extra that the battery/charger will cost you.

The Coolpix 880's battery (of whatever type) is housed inside the hand grip. An external AC adapter (which functions as part of the battery charger) plugs into the DC port on the side of the camera, which is covered by a small, flexible rubber flap. We should note here that the ability to switch the autofocus mode from Continuous to Single saves considerable battery power, as does the ability to almost completely rely on the top status display panel for normal camera operation and shut the LCD display off. There's also an Auto Off feature with allows you to set the camera to turn itself off after 30 seconds or anywhere from one to 30 minutes of inactivity.

Operating Mode	Power Drain
Capture Mode, w/LCD	440 mA
Capture Mode, no LCD	30 mA
Half-pressed shutter w/LCD	440 mA
Half-pressed w/o LCD	280 mA
Memory Write (transient)	440 mA
Flash Recharge (transient)	900 mA
Image Playback	320 mA

These power figures are somewhat lower than we've commonly found on 3 megapixel digicams. We don't have a specification for the total power capacity of the special LiIon battery the 880 uses, but we'd guess that battery life will be pretty good. Nevertheless, our recommendation to always buy at least one extra battery for your digicam still holds.

Another consequence of the LiIon battery technology is that the 880 requires a higher voltage on its external power jack to operate. This means that most of the NiMH-based external power packs out there won't power the 880 in the field. Fortunately, Maha makes a LiIon external "PowerBank" (shown above) that will power the 880 just fine. For about $60, this unit will power the 880 for a total of 4-5 hours in continuous capture mode with the LCD operating, when used in together with the internal battery. (!) This is a fantastic run time, just what you'd need for all-day intensive shooting. One note - Maha makes both NiMH and LiIon versions of the PowerBank, make sure you get the LiIon model for the 880. (Model number MH-DPB140LI.) You can order these online from Thomas-Distributing. Highly recommended!

Included Software

Learn what the manual left out - How to *use* your camera. Camera manuals are (sometimes) fine for knowing which button does what, but where do you go to learn how and when to use the various features? Dennis Curtin's "Shortcourses" books and CDs are the answer. (Cheap for what you get, too.) Order the Shortcourses manual for the camera reviewed in this article.

The Coolpix 880 ships with a pretty complete software package that is (kudos to Nikon!) fully compatible with both PC and Mac platforms. The basic software package for downloading images and controlling the camera is Nikon View version 3.1. Genuine Fractals Print Pro lets you print your photos at surprisingly large sizes without suffering undue pixellation. Canto Software's Cumulus 5.0 LE is an excellent image organizer, while IPIX Wizard helps stitch images together into panoramas. Finally, Software Architect's Great Photo offers easy one-click image enhancement, as well as simplified creative controls.