Nikon Coolpix 995

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By Wayne Siew
Jun 07, 2001

Seated at the top of the Professional Digital Photography market, Nikon has proven that it understands the needs of professional photographers the world over. Extending this intricate relationship to the consumer market, the guiding Nikon principles of backward compatibility and engineering excellence have distilled the features found in the Coolpix 900 series cameras and created the new split swivel-configuration Nikon Coolpix 995--the third in the Coolpix 900 series.

First Look
From features such as viewfinder diopter adjustment to the use of optional lenses to extend the capabilities of the camera, the Coolpix 995 boasts specifications normally found in professional standard 35mm cameras, and then some. The exceptionally bright f2.6 lens conceals a non-extensible 4x optical zoom that covers the frequently used 38-52mm range, with an additional 4x stepless digital zoom for extra reach. An amazing 2cm close focusing distance sets the Coolpix ahead of every other digital camera on the market today.

A selectable five-spot Auto-Focus system makes it easier than ever to capture off-center shots. Continuous Auto-Focus for shooting moving subjects is available via the LCD display, while Manual Focus is selectable when you decide that neurons are better than silicon.

Top-Notch Exposure Control
A tack-sharp image is too easily compromised by poor exposure control. Nikon's latest set of exposure meters and controls is faithfully replicated in the Coolpix 995. The four-mode TTL metering includes Nikon's improved 256-segment Matrix metering for a majority of uses, but the hyper-sensitive Center-Weighted, Spot and AF Spot metering modes offer superior control over the exposure. Image sensitivity of ISO 100, 200, 400, 800 combine to make the Coolpix 995 equally adept in bright daylight and moonlit conditions.

The seven-blade iris diaphragm aperture is controllable for shutter speeds from 8 to 1/2, 300 sec and 1 minute Bulb mode for shooting in extremely low-lit scenes. Exposure compensation is modifiable over the �b2 EV range in 1/3 stops, giving even more intricate control of complexly lit scenes. To reduce the guesswork even further, the Coolpix has four modes of automatic bracketing to make sure you nail that scene right.

Head-To-Head: The Cool 990 Vs The 995
Technically, Coolpix 995 bears a strong resemblance to the Coolpix 990. The same 3.34-megapixel non-interpolated CCD powers the camera and useful features such as the 10 exposure Best Shot feature make repeat appearances. How Nikon could have neglected to include a built-in flash with the earlier Coolpix 990 is now resolved with a built-in flash in the 995 capable of illuminating a subject 10m away.

The more powerful 4x zoom further extends the reach offered by the optional telephoto lenses, rivaling even those of the powerful 35mm professional camera lenses. A swivel lock has been built into the base of the camera to prevent it from swinging beyond the 90-degree twist, a welcome feature when using the heavy optional lenses.

They both share the same weight and very similar physical dimensions but for a smaller handgrip and the introduction of the built-in flash. While the Coolpix 990 featured a full Magnesium alloy body, the lens half of the Coolpix 995 is now made of high-impact plastic while retaining the Magnesium alloy construction for the LCD half of the body.

Accessories
The dedication to maintaining a high level of compatibility of accessories across the product range has allowed the standardized 28mm threaded lens ring on the Coolpix series of cameras to use any of the four specialty optics engineered to increase their capabilities. From an 8mm fisheye lens to a 3x teleconverter, these screw-on attachments have capabilities that even conventional 35mm photographers will salivate at.

Additional add-ons that Coolpix 995 enjoys over some of its brethren are an external flash bracket allowing up to five Nikon Speedlights to be synchronized at a time, a Slide/Film Copying Adapter for converting 35mm slides and negatives into the digital format, and a Remote Cord that promises not only shake-free images but controls zoom settings, interval shooting and LCD illumination on/off.

Coolpix 995, I Like
The constant distillation of the Coolpix 900 series has produced a thoroughbred of the Coolpix 995. Leveraging heavily on lessons learned from both film and digital cameras, Nikon will be hard-pressed to better the features and accessories that the Coolpix 995 enjoys. Targeted specifically at demanding consumers with high-end aspirations, the Coolpix 995 is assuredly a finely focused product.