Physical Tour

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Back**

The back of the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is the nervous system of the camera, with the 2 inch LCD screen dominating the back side. The LCD is situated in the lower left corner of the back, with the optical viewfinder and flash status LED’s located above. The LCD area is slightly raised, which nicely separates it from the rest of the back. To the right of the LCD, in the lower right corner, is the control button, which is designed as a compass with each arrow/divot pointing to a different feature icon. Menu and Playback buttons are directly above the control dial. Above these two buttons is the speaker (for that annoying "shutter closing" sound effect) and for mpeg movie playback. Above this monaural speaker are the zoom toggle controls, with wide angle on the left and telephoto on the right. These buttons, as with the Menu and Playback controls are separated by a small ridge, which is a great aid when making adjustments without looking.

Away from all the other buttons, at the top middle of the camera’s back, is the trash button used to erase images during playback.

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**Left Side
**The left side of the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is home to the port cover for the USB terminal. The terminal is covered by a gray port cover, which gently interrupts the silver trim running around the entire Coolpix body, aesthetically splitting the camera in half.

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**Right Side
**The right side is also home to a single port cover, which discreetly hides the battery and memory card port. At the top of the right side is the small aluminum strap holder.

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**Top
**The top of the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is weighted to the right in terms of design layout and functionality. The shutter button is positioned off to the far right side, above the contoured hump, with the mode dial behind it towards the middle of the camera body. The power on and off button is recessed into the aluminum body cast, and is soft gray in tone. There is a small LED bulb also recessed, indicating power. Due to intelligent placement, the buttons are easy to identify and access.

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Components

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Viewfinder
**Use of the viewfinder is optical on the Coolpix 7900 and is pretty much worthless (in my opinion). The small glass circle (about the size of a pencil eraser) is on the top left portion of the camera body and provides approximate viewing of the capture area.

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LCD Screen
**The LCD screen measures 2 inches diagonally on the Nikon Coolpix 7900 and is extremely clear. It takes up more than 60 percent of the back of the camera body and during both recording and playback displays well illuminated images. The menu is very visible as well, and despite the occasional T-Spot grease that will occur if you use the optical viewfinder, it’s a good standard LCD. The LCD includes 115k dot Amorphous silicon and has a brightness adjustment in case it’s too bright or dark.

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**Flash
**The flash is built in to the front of the camera body, on the upper right side (if looking at the camera front directly). The built in speed light has a range of 1-14 feet and a width of 1-11 feet. It seems capable enough to handle dire situations where there is no available light, but I would use the flash on a compact

camera as a last resort.

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Zoom Lens

The Nikon Coolpix 7900 has an optical zoom of 3x and a macro mode capability of 1.6 inches. The zoom range is equivalent to that of a 38mm-114mm lens in 35mm format. At this price point consumers can’t expect to have a huge optical zoom range, and they should avoid the digital zoom at all costs.

Design / Layout

Model Design / Appearance

Literally the black sheep of the Coolpix line, the Coolpix 7900 is cast in a black aluminum body, with silver reflective accents such as the lens barrel, and some silver slivers on the top and sides of the body. The right side of the Coolpix 7900 frame is contoured for easy gripping with one hand. The camera is small, roughly 4 inches across, and the buttons are easily accessible with the thumb of the right hand.

The black aluminum cast makes the Coolpix 7900 stand out from others in the Coolpix line, but the form and shape is essentially the same as the other Coolpix models. The Coolpix 7900 has a sleek and streamlined look, suitable for the fashion conscious amateur or the discreet photographic auteur.

Size / Portability

The Nikon Coolpix 7900 measures 3.5 inches wide by 2.4 inches high by 1.4 inches deep. The body is a little too girthy to slip in to the pocket of a tight pair of pants, but is small enough to hide away nicely in a coat pocket, or any variety of handbag, purse or oversized wallet. A great option for the photo enthusiast who doesn’t want to carry around an extra weight, the Coolpix weighs in at just 5.3 oz.

Both small and lightweight, the Coolpix 7900 appears to be a strong contender for individuals looking for a compact digital camera that combines a high mega pixel count, with overall operability, and an attractive look.

Handling Ability

The time I spent with the Nikon Coolpix 7900 provided a feel for the handling and the ease of use relative to button placement and overall design. The 2-inch LCD makes navigating through the menu a breeze, although with the limited real estate on the backs of these small compact cameras learning the multiple functions of various buttons will take some time. The zoom is easy to toggle with wide angle and telephoto buttons located on the top right corner of the body. The mode dial on top of the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is easy to access either with a thumb or with the left hand.

The camera body is small, but not so compact that it makes me feel clumsy while handling. One has to remain conscious of stray fingers on these compact digital cameras, to avoid obstructing the lens. It’s a little easier considering the retractable/extendable lens barrel. The buttons on the back are easily within reach and the overall feel of the Nikon Coolpix 7900 seems to handle pretty well.

**Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
**The main control button is positioned in the lower right corner of the back of the camera body. This is ideal placement for accessing with the thumb. The button is contoured with dips and ridges, in the shape of a compass, with four arrows each pointing to a different feature. At the center of this control dial/button is the OK/Enter button. Directly above the control button is the all important menu button, which when pressed grants access to the manual control features and other important camera settings.

The mode dial is set atop the Coolpix 7900, and is easy to reach/rotate with the thumb. There is no confusion as to which mode the camera is set to, as the dial fixes into somewhat of a locked position for each. The coinciding icons further communicate to the user the current setting. The dial is well placed, adequately sized, and easy to rotate without being "too easy."

**Menu
**The menu can be accessed by depressing the menu button, which is located above the control dial. The 2-inch LCD provides significant visibility for menu settings while navigation is controlled by the contoured control dial. Once inside the menu, depending on the mode, users can navigate to camera settings and make their final selection. The menu is well lit, easy to read, and easy to navigate. There appears to be two types of menu configurations, one based on a grid set up, and the other a vertical scroll system.

The menu is not overcrowded and most controls are logically dispersed. Scrolling is accomplished by using the control button. Pressing the OK button will make selections. Users can navigate in and out of selections by using the left arrow in the same way they might use a "back" button on an Internet browser. The menu is constructed with the function/setting name in a bar on the left (the options are stacked) with an accompanying icon on the right. The menu has a whole gamut of options laid carefully within its pages, and accessing any feature is very easy. I love the new help feature Nikon included on this model. If you feel stuck or lost or forget what an option or setting does, simply select the telephoto zoom button (T button on the top right) and a help dialogue box will appear – very handy for deciphering the occasional cryptic icon.

Then menu options available in automatic mode are in the following order: Image, White Balance, Metering, Continuous, BSS, Color Options, Image Adjustment, Image Sharpening, Sensitivity, Auto Bracketing, Saturation Control, AF Area Mode, Auto Focus Mode, Noise Reduction. These controls will be discussed in greater detail below.

**Ease of Use
**When it comes to ease of use, there are a few elements that are important to consider: Handling and automatic performance. With point and shoot digital cameras, too small of a body or too many menu options can make ease of use obsolete. The Nikon Coolpix 7900 is well built, decently sized and super easy to navigate (both buttons and menu). I like the way my fingers naturally fall on to the right buttons, in the right places. It’s not so small that I fumble with it to snap off a picture, and it’s not so big that I have to consult my chiropractor when I get home from vacation.

The menu systems, and automatic features, work in harmony to make a pretty seamless picture taking experience. I like the weight of the camera, and I believe it adds something to its value. When I pick up some of the other Coolpix cameras, not constructed of the aluminum body, have no real heft and cheap. This is not the case on the Nikon Coolpix 7900. It’s extremely easy to use, and users will find that they can zip through the menu system and make quick adjustments as needed.

Modes

**Auto Mode
**Automatic mode on the Nikon Coolpix 7900 takes the guesswork out of taking decent photos by managing photographic elements such as exposure, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, focus, and ISO. Most people invest in these smaller compact digital cameras for their ease of use, and the automatic mode on the Coolpix 7900 won’t disappoint. From what I could gather at the show, and from my experience using other Coolpix cameras, the auto mode on board is reliable with manual control options available if they are needed.

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Movie Mode

There are a few movie mode options on the Nikon Coolpix 7900, including TV (640 x 480) at both 15 or 30 frames per second, Small Size (320 x 240) at 30 fps, Smaller Size (160 x 120) at 30 fps. The Coolpix 7900 includes a Vibration Reduction (VR) feature that helps to stabilize the image. The movies are saved to the memory card as a QuickTime movie and all of the movie modes include sound.

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Drive / Burst Mode

There are a couple of continuous shooting modes included, but it’s far cry from a real burst mode. Within the menu of the Nikon Coolpix 7900, users can select the Continuous mode feature and scroll within its contents, which include: Single, Continuous, 5 shot buffer, Multi Shot 16. Mostly these assist the user by capturing a set number of frames within a given time period. Again, these should not be construed as a true burst mode.

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**Playback Mode
**Playback mode on the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is as easy to navigate as the main menu in imaging mode. Users can select the playback menu by pressing the playback button on the back of the camera body, located next to the menu button. This switches the camera into playback and allows quick access to photos taken, and includes a variety of playback options. For example, Nikon’s D lighting feature can be put to work in playback on pictures that might lack light in the foreground. It’s a great feature to have, and allows users to keep those otherwise useless photos.

Users can utilize the telephoto zoom toggle to magnify projected images in playback mode. Other features available in playback mode include automatic red eye removal, date and time stamp, crop, and the before mentioned D lighting.

Custom Image Presets

The Nikon Coolpix 7900 (and the Coolpix line in general) has an obscene number of custom image presets. This exhaustive list includes the following: Auto, Scene Assist (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night portrait), Scene (party/indoor, beach/snow, sunset, dusk/dawn, night landscape, close up, museum, fireworks show, copy, back light, panorama assist, underwater), BSS (best shot selector), Image adjustment, Image sharpening, Saturation control, Auto exposure bracketing, WB Bracketing, Noise reduction.

If something you would like to see on the list doesn’t appear, like cooking or cleaning, just notify your nearest Nikon representative and I’m sure they’ll include it in next years model. Facetiousness aside, the numerous shooting modes (each tweaking the internal control settings in their own unique way) should be ample for even the most avid compact digital camera user. These modes are accessed mostly through the SCENE selection on the mode dial, or through the Portrait selection (represented by a bad drawing of a woman wearing a hat). There are several modes accessible through the main menu when the camera is in automatic mode.

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Control Options

**Manual Control Options
**As with any camera, users might expect that there are some manual controls on board the Nikon Coolpix 7900, which (to some extent) is the case. White Balance, Exposure, Metering, Shutter speed, and aperture are somewhat available for use in manual mode. I say somewhat, because more often than not the user is required to pick a pre determined setting that they feel best fits the scene. This is perfectly normal for compact digital cameras and brief descriptions are listed below.

Auto Focus

The auto focus mode on the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is quite versatile and offers three separate types of auto focus options: 99 point Auto focus, 5-Area Auto focus, and Center Auto focus. This allows the user a multitude of auto focus possibilities within the confines of an automatic setting. There is an additional auto focus feature, but the camera has to be set to portrait mode. Once in this mode the Face Priority Auto Focus mode is engaged and the user can take the portrait photo with confidence that the face will be in focus. According to Nikon, the mode automatically finds the subject’s face, identifying it based on the proportional space between the eyes and makes it the focal priority. As many as three human subjects can be recognized in the same shot, giving priority to the closest subject. Seems like a good idea for an automatic point and shoot camera, but only testing will tell how reliable it actually is.

Manual Focus

Manual focus on the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is restricted to selecting a section of the frame and having the internal processor make the adjustment automatically. The manual 99 point selection and the center point selection are about as close to manual focus as users are going to get. On these compact cameras, for the user just interested in capturing vacation or celebration moments, even scenic shots, the on-board options for "manually" adjusting focus are adequate. If users crave the ability to adjust the focus themselves without having to select a spot, then an upgrade to a small SLR style camera is in order.

**Metering
**Metering options abound on the Nikon Coolpix 7900, and include Matrix, Center weighted, Spot, Spot AF Area. Each of these options can be accessed through the menu, by selecting the metering option. Each mode has a different method for handling proper exposure, and users can select which they would like to employ within their shots. Matrix meters the entire scene, Center Weighted meters and sets the exposure, prioritizing the center of the frame within the rest of the composition. Spot allows users to define a spot in the scene to independently meter, and Spot AF Area works in unison with the auto focus area mode feature. The available metering options should satisfy even the manual control freak, to an extent. Selecting each option was simple, as are all manual control options within the Nikon Coolpix 7900’s menu.

**Exposure
**Users can manipulate the exposure on the Nikon Coolpix 7900 by pressing the control dial to the right (towards the -/+ icon). Exposure readout on the screen will indicate how much more light or how little light the CCD is receiving. It’s great that it’s included on the back of the camera body, for quick access, and not buried within the extensive menu.

**White Balance
**There are a plethora of white balance options available on the Nikon Coolpix 7900. White balance is accessed through the menu by pressing the menu button and then scrolling to the white balance option. White balance modes of Auto, Preset (which is the true manual mode) as well as daylight, incandescent, fluorescent, cloudy, shade, speed light, and white balance bracketing. This is a healthy selection of white balance options for a compact digital camera: few manufacturers give more, most give less. The white balance menu is very intuitive and user friendly and I encourage even the most intimidated user to take advantage of the benefits of color balancing with the white balance settings available on any digital camera.

ISO

There are a few manual control settings for ISO on the Nikon Coolpix 7900. These include Automatic, 64, 100, 200, and 400. This is a fairly typical selection of ISO speeds for a compact digital camera. The options are accessed through the menu by scrolling to the ISO option.

**Shutter Speed
**Multiple shutter speeds are available on the Nikon Coolpix 7900 ranging from 4-1/2000^th of a second. The selectable shutter speeds provide the user with control over the exposure and clarity of the image, granting added flexibility in setting the camera’s light sensitivity rating.

**Aperture
**There is a two-step aperture range on the Nikon Coolpix 7900, f/8.2 (wide angle) and f/4.9. It is however unclear (even after spending some time with the camera and scrutinizing the menu and spec sheet) exactly how the aperture is controlled, if at all, manually. Most users would benefit from the automatic aperture adjustments that are surely taking place within the processor and within the preset modes (which encompasses just about every possible shooting scenario). It is a bit of a bummer to not have direct control over aperture, but at this price point it’s about 50/50.

Image Parameters

Picture Quality**/ Size Options**

There are several quality and size options available on the Nikon Coolpix 7900. For image quality, users can choose from Fine, Normal, and Basic. Image size options include 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. These quality and size options are ample for any consumer and will, depending on the setting, dramatically affect the number of pictures that can be taken (depending on memory capacity). Users are encouraged to determine their space/memory needs and their output. If you want to display your photos on the Internet, then 640 x 480 is more then adequate, although certainly if you plan on projecting them on your big screen HDTV, you’ll want one of the higher settings.

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Picture Effects Mode

There are some intelligent inclusions for picture effects (although I recommend making these adjustments with an imaging software program) namely color options including Standard Color, Vivid Color, Black and White, Sepia, and Cyanotype. These features are accessible through the main menu under Color Options. For users without access to imaging software, these are the standard color effects artists and photographers have used to accent their work and it is appropriate that they be included. Users should keep in mind, that once the image is captured with that effect, it’s permanent.

Connectivity / Extras

Connectivity
*Software
*The software packages included are PictBridge, ArcSoft, Picture Project and QuickTime. These will help users get their pictures off their cameras and onto a personal computer if they don’t already have an imaging software component.

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Jacks, ports, plugs

There is only one port plug on the Nikon Coolpix 7900, and it’s for the USB terminal. It’s located on the left side of the camera body and is covered by a gray rubber port cover.

Direct Print Options

Utilizing the Transfer button and PictBridge software users can out put their pictures with the touch of a button. This is a standard feature, and is a good option to have as printing units are becoming increasingly more common.

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Memory
**The Nikon Coolpix 7900 has 13.5 megabytes of internal memory and can receive any SD memory media. The photographer these days is only limited by the memory capacity. The memory card slot is on the right side of the camera body and is nicely concealed by a color matching port cover.

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****Other features**
***D Lighting* - The D lighting setting compensates (after a picture has been taken) for the lack of foreground lighting to avoid creating pictures with black shadows or no depth. It’s unclear just how well this feature will work when really pushed, but preliminarily, it appears to be effective.

Help Button - The new help button included on the Coolpix 7900 is pretty cool, provided it answers the item in question. The feature is easily accessible by pressing the telephoto zoom button inside any menu.

Underwater Mode - The Nikon Coolpix 7900 includes a new underwater scene mode that is sure to be a hit with frequent vacationers and scuba divers.

Overall Impressions

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****Value**
**Available sometime in April 2005 for an MSRP of $449.95 (USD), the Coolpix 7900 offers a strong 7.1 effective megapixel CCD, automatic prowess and extensive manual options. With the inclusion of added features such as face recognition technology, D lighting, and a help button, the Coolpix 7900 is designed to ensure quality images without the need for extensive photographic knowledge. While the $449 retail price is not destined for true budget shoppers, those willing to invest a bit for quality should not be disappointed.

Conclusion

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****Conclusion**
**The Nikon Coolpix 7900 is a great consumer digital camera with a reasonable price point for what is included. Stocking 7.1 effective megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens and 2-inch LCD, the Coolpix 7900 is equipped for substance. With a cornucopia of preset modes, covering every conceivable shooting scenario, a great help button, an intuitive layout and an easily navigable menu system, the Coolpix 7900 can apply to any level user. It’s weightier than previous models, although I feel this adds to its ease of use and handling ability. The software package included isn’t a personal favorite, and I would recommend users getting their hands on any Adobe Photoshop product. They have programs designed for varying degrees of skill sets and their design and approach to photo imaging is intuitive and fully supported with both printed literature and web based materials. That sounds like a shameless plug for Adobe, but in my experience I have found their software to shadow the rest.

At this point, without having tested or extensively used the camera, what’s not to like about Nikon’s newest parley into the consumer digital camera world? Only time will tell, once the camera undergoes the rigors of digital boot camp and either survives and becomes a credible piece of technology, or crumbles under the weight of scrutiny.

Specs

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