Nikon CoolPix 885More Pixels, More Features, (a little) More Money - Nikon extends their sub-compact Digicam line!<<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, SoftwareReview First Posted: 9/19/2001 |
Video Out
The camera's USB connector doubles as a Video Out port for viewing images on a TV or VCR. An NTSC cable is supplied with the camera in the US and Japan, while a PAL compatible cable is shipped with European models. The video mode can be set to either NTSC or PAL in the camera's Setup menu.
Power
The Coolpix 885 is powered by a 2CR5 (DL245) lithium battery, one of which is
provided with the camera. It may also be powered with Nikon's (optional) EN-EL1
lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which can be purchased separately. We strongly
recommend that anyone buying a Coolpix 885 also purchase the EN-EL1 battery
& the associated charger kit, and save the provided non-rechargeable battery
as a backup in case the rechargeable runs low on a trip. (Lithium batteries
make good backup batteries because they offer long life and stability and do
not discharge when not in use.) Really, the 885 simply shouldn't be sold without
the rechargeable battery, and any purchasers should add the $50-100 or so cost
of the battery/charger kit to the cost of the 885 when comparing it to other
models. (Note that Nikon sells the battery/charger kit on their web site for
only $50, but we've seen the same kit selling for $100 at various resellers.)
Don't be fooled, this isn't a $599 camera (at the time of this writing), but
actually a $649 one.)
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(@ 8.4 v) |
(Nikon LiIon pack) |
| Capture Mode, w/LCD |
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| Capture Mode, no LCD |
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| Half-pressed shutter w/LCD |
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| Half-pressed w/o LCD |
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| Memory Write (transient) |
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| Flash Recharge (transient) |
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| Image Playback |
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Well, we've already given Nikon a hard time for not including the rechargeable LiIon battery in the box with the Coolpix 885, but we'll say it again: You really need this to use the camera! Using non-rechargeable batteries at $10-12 apiece is a quick way to poverty! That said, if you dopurchase the optional battery/charger kit, you'll get very good run times. In the worst-case condition, in record mode with the LCD running, you'll see run times of 2 1/2 hours or more. With the LCD off, the camera can stay powered up for days (literally) without appreciably draining the batteries. Overall, a pretty power-thrifty camera, just be sure to buy the battery/charger kit.
Included Software
The camera's bundled software offers a robust set of programs for managing and manipulating images from the 885, including Nikon's auto transfer program, NikonView 4, which enables you to upload images to your computer and distribute them to family and friends via e-mail or through Nikon's image sharing website: www.nikonnet.com. Selected images can also be copied to a floppy disk directly from the camera's memory card and delivered to a photofinisher for processing. In addition to NikonView, users are provided with Canto Cumulus 5.0 Trial and iView Media Pro (Mac only) for image storage and management, plus a full suite of ArcSoft digital imaging programs, including: PhotoImpression 2000, for editing, retouching, and applying special effects to your images; VideoImpression for viewing and editing QuickTime movies; PhotoPrinter Pro 2000 for preparing images for printing; and Panorama Maker 2000, which allows users to stitch together multiple images to create panoramic photographs.
In the Box
- Nikon Coolpix 885 Digital Camera
- Non-rechargeable lithium battery (Buy the optional battery/charger!)
- USB cable
- Video cable
- 16MB CompactFlash card
- Wrist strap
- NikonView 4 CD-ROM and Reference CD
- User Manual and Quick Start Guide
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