Nikon CoolPix 880Advanced features, and "Assisted Creative Photography" in a compact 3.3 megapixel package!<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 8/26/2000 |
Operation and User Interface
We found the user interface on the Coolpix 880 very straightforward and simple to navigate. The LCD menu system is set up similarly to other Nikon digicams, so we lost no time figuring out the menu screens. Each of the control buttons are clearly marked and well laid-out. The camera's small size makes one-handed operation feasible for small and medium sized hands, although larger hands may have trouble maneuvering the controls single-handedly. Overall, we found the interface very user-friendly and quick to grasp without spending too much time reading the manual.
Shutter Button: Surrounded by the power dial on the camera's top panel, this button sets focus and exposure when halfway pressed, and fires the shutter when fully pressed.
Power Dial: Resting on top of the camera, this notched dial turns the camera on and off, triggering the lens to extend forward or retract back into the camera body.
Mode Dial: Located on the very right side of the top panel, this dial controls the camera's operating mode:
Setup: Places the camera in Setup mode and automatically displays the Setup menu, which controls the camera's basic settings.
CSM: Sets the camera to Custom exposure mode, where user-defined settings can be saved or used.
Manual: Allows the user to set the shutter speed and aperture settings, along with all of the camera's other exposure variables.
Aperture Priority: Lets the user set the lens aperture while the camera controls the shutter speed. The user has control over all the other exposure variables.
Programmed: Puts the camera in charge of both aperture and shutter speed, while the user controls all other exposure settings.
Scene: Provides a selection of preset exposure settings for shooting in specific lighting situations.
Full Auto: Places the camera in charge of all exposure variables, with the exception of the flash.
Playback: Gives the user the ability to review captured images and movies, as well as view the exposure information, delete and protect images.
Zoom Buttons: Situated on the top right corner of the back panel, these buttons (marked with a "W" and a "T") control the optical and digital zoom (when enabled). In Playback mode, these buttons also control the digital enlargement of captured images.
+/- (Delete) Button: Positioned above the very top left corner of the LCD panel, this button controls the exposure compensation from -2.0 to +2.0 EV in 1/3 EV increments (in all exposure modes except for Manual) by pressing this button and using the up and down arrow keys. In Aperture Priority, Manual and Custom exposure modes, holding down this button while pressing the arrow buttons on the rocker toggle button sets the shutter speed and/or aperture values. In the Programmed, Aperture Priority, Manual and Custom exposure modes, pressing this button with either of the zoom controls adjusts the ISO variable. In Playback mode, as well as in Quick Review mode, this button deletes selected images.
Focus (Information) Button: Directly to the right of the +/- button, this button controls the camera's focus and self-timer mode in all exposure modes. Pressed once, focus is set to infinity for far away subjects. Pressed a second time, the focus is set to the macro range. A third press enables the camera's self-timer, which counts down from three or 10 seconds before firing the shutter. In Programmed, Aperture Priority, Manual and Custom modes, this button controls manual focus when pressed in conjunction with either the Wide or Tele zoom buttons. In Playback and Quick Review modes, this button pulls up a three page information display about the currently selected image.
Flash (Multi-Display) Button: On the right side of the Focus button, the Flash button controls the flash mode while shooting in most of the exposure modes. Pressing the button sequentially cycles through the Auto, Cancel, Anytime, Slow Sync and Redeye Reduction modes. In Playback and Quick Review modes, this button displays up to nine thumbnail images on the screen at one time.
Quick Review (Movie Playback) Button: Located above the top right corner of the LCD display, this button activates the Quick Review function in any record mode. In Playback mode, this button starts and stops the movie playback.
Menu Button: Situated to the right of the Quick Review button, this button displays and hides the settings menus in the Record and Playback modes. It also displays the second page of a menu.
Rocker Toggle Button: Residing in the center of the back panel, this silver button features four arrows (one in each cardinal direction) and a center indentation. This button is used to adjust camera settings in conjunction with the other control buttons, as well as to navigate through menu screens. In Playback mode, the left and right arrows scroll through captured images, and when utilizing playback zoom, all four arrows scroll around within an enlarged image.
Monitor Button: Positioned below the rocker toggle button, this button controls the LCD monitor display. One press cancels the information display. A second press cancels the image display. The third press recalls both image and information displays to the screen.
Battery Compartment "Push" Button: Centered snugly in the battery compartment door, this button unlocks the door and allows it to be slid forward and open.
Follow Imaging Resource: