Nikon Coolpix 990 3.34MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Nikon Coolpix 990 3.34MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Manufacturer: Nikon
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com Product Description
The Nikon Coolpix 990 takes all the features of its popular predecessor, the Coolpix 950, and improves upon them. This 3.34-megapixel CCD offers true (noninterpolated) image resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 for easy cropping and high print quality. The built-in 3x zoom Nikkor lens provides 38-115mm coverage (35mm equivalent) for clear, sharp images with 4x stepless digital zoom. It also features a 1.8-inch low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD screen for easy composition and playback. Nikon's own 256-element matrix metering and white balance promise outstanding exposure and color balance in every image.

Fully automatic with manual capabilities, the Nikon Coolpix 990 provides 4,896-step multi-area autofocus for quick composition without interruption. It provides a built-in five-mode flash and seven capture modes, including 1.5 fps (frames per second) full-resolution image capture, 30 fps QVGA, and 15 fps QVGA movies for 40 seconds in motion-JPEG mode. The 50-step manual focus gives complete creative control, while the macro focus mode allows you to shoot pictures from as close as 0.8 inches. You may choose between shutter priority and aperture priority exposure modes for greater artistic flexibility without added hassle. This camera also accepts all optional Coolpix lenses and accessories, including fisheye, wide angle, and telephoto lenses and up to five Nikon speedlights (with optional bracket) to light up any scene.

Convenience features of the Nikon Coolpix 990 include its easy-to-use and easy-to-upgrade CompactFlash memory (16 MB card provided). This camera is capable of both NTSC and PAL video playback, and it works with both Macintosh and IBM platforms. Although the Nikon Coolpix 990 can connect to your PC via serial connection, it also offers high-speed USB connectivity for plug-and-play simplicity and faster picture downloads.

Nikon Coolpix 990 3.34MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Average customer rating:

Nikon 990 battery door
Battery compartment replacement ... repair at your own risk!
That battery door problem...
A few words more
Battery compartment door design flaw

Nikon Coolpix 990 3.34MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer: Nikon
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

SimpleTech STI-CF/512 512MB CompactFlash Card
SimpleTech STI-CF/256 256 MB CompactFlash Card
Viking 64 MB CompactFlash Card
Viking 128 MB CompactFlash Card (CF128M)
Energizer E91BP-4 AA Batteries (4-Pack)

Product Features:

3.34 megapixel sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality prints at 8 x 10 inches and beyond
3x optical plus 4x digital zoom lens with autofocus
Included 16 MB CompactFlash memory card holds 20 images at default resolution
Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
Uses 4 AA batteries alkalines, included; special features include movie mode, slide-show playback, and 9-image review

ASIN: B00004RDMR
Release Date: 2000-05-01

Amazon.com Product Description

The Nikon Coolpix 990 takes all the features of its popular predecessor, the Coolpix 950, and improves upon them. This 3.34-megapixel CCD offers true (noninterpolated) image resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 for easy cropping and high print quality. The built-in 3x zoom Nikkor lens provides 38-115mm coverage (35mm equivalent) for clear, sharp images with 4x stepless digital zoom. It also features a 1.8-inch low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD screen for easy composition and playback. Nikon's own 256-element matrix metering and white balance promise outstanding exposure and color balance in every image.

Customer Reviews:

Nikon 990 battery door.......2006-08-05

I have had one or 6 of these excellent cameras with various faults over the years,some with broken lenses and some with broken battery doors - as previously mentioned they knock the spots off most 5 MP current cameras - more megapixels = more noise. They are a simple design and also very easy to dismantle and repair.
The battery door problem can easily be repaired by drilling 2 small holes next to where the tabs have broken off ( through the metal front) and screwing 2 appropriately sized black self tapping screws long enough to catch onto the metal lugs of the door. No need to strip the camera down and it will last as long as the rest of the camera.
Phil

Battery compartment replacement ... repair at your own risk!.......2006-03-20

Suffice it to say, the cp990 battery door and battery compartment issues have been established. For me, it was one of the little plastic catches on the battery compartment that failed (broke). Once the integrity of the tiny plastic catch has been compromised it's either tape-the-door-shut or replace-the-compartment. I was quoted $120 and $150 for the repair at two respectable camera shops. In 2006 this camera can/could be had used at approx $200 or less - I would/did NOT pay to have it repaired. I guess the 'not repairing it' logic would also point to why the cost is so high -- if a camera shop hoses the job, then they'd most likely have to replace the camera. Luckily I found the 'battery compartment' piece on the big auction site and ordered it, cost approx $29 plus shipping. In reality, what would I have lost if I messed the camera up further? For the repair all that was required is a good desk lamp, precision screwdrivers, and patience. I won't turn this rating into a tutorial, I like the camera and it was worth the effort to fix it. Outside the redeye issues, and the toy like battery compartment, this camera beats most 5mp ps cameras hands down.
Repair at your own risk - I did!

That battery door problem..........2005-12-30

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. The image quality, ease of use and features on this camera are very, very good but not worth the original price of nearly $900. However when our company's needs grew I did think it was wise to buy a used one for under $300. Shortly thereafter BOTH cameras experienced the same broken battery cover problem described elsewhere here. A little research revealed vendors who actually sell replacement doors (but alas no instructions on how to complete what seems like a fairly tricky repair). We still use the cameras with tape and cords when possible but buyer beware!

A few words more.......2005-12-07

The 6/13/00 itemized review above is accurate, but there are some more good things to say. I've long relied on the quality of Nikon lenses, in business, and am still, after three years, surprised that the glass in the E990 is no whit inferior, notwithstanding that it's meant for e consumer marke.

The swivel body is to die for. I can't imagine why Nikon discontinued it. It gives both waist-level and eye-level capability. You can shoot from ground/floor level without lying down, and, to do macro photography without impossible contortions, this is a very useful, innovative feature.

I do a lot of macro photography, also photography of small objects indoors, where I use the AC adapter instead of rechargeable batteries. Outdoors, the very, very long cord of the battery pack is a nuisance, and the NiMH batteries seem to have lost rather a lot of their charge while just lying idle. So I have two sets. These batteries are not made by Nikon, of course. On the other hand, I don't know where to assign blame for the fact that the plugs between camera and battery cord and between cord and batteries tend to lose contact; I have to frequently twist then a bit to restore power, and of course the settings are lost and have to be re-made. This has been true of three different cords and battery packs.

All in all, though, I just *like* the E990. It feels good, works well, gives excellent results. I rather prefer it to my Nikon D70 (eye-level SLR with professional lenses), although each has its advantages and disadvantages - you need both, if you're serious.

Battery compartment door design flaw.......2005-06-18

As background, I (and 4 colleagues) use 2 of the Nikon 990s daily to take entire animal photos plus macro closeups at a Veterinary School. This camera is very popular for this use as the quality of the macro photographs is excellent. All of the positives and most of the negatives have already been stated about this camera. I want to add an irritating design flaw that to my knowledge cannot be fixed. After careful, but frequent use for 3 years, the plastic 'nub' that the battery compartment door latches to has first bent and then broken off. The plastic piece is part of a large casting and cannot be replaced. This has happened to 4 Nikon 990s used at our school. I complained about this defect at a recent meeting and found that multiple colleagues at other institutions have experienced the identical defect.
Using adhesive tape to wrap the battery compartment shut has offered a temporary solution, but this unit uses batteries too quickly for taping to be more than a temporary stop gap until we buy new cameras..
Nikon 990s are still readily available on the web. This design flaw limits very frequent use.

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