Command Dial - Used with other buttons to change various camera settings. Changes aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation values or exposure modes. In playback mode it toggles the exposure information overlays and the histogram display.
	Quick Review - Review last picture taken in small window while still in record mode, push again for full screen playback.
	Monitor - Turns color LCD on/off and also controls the amount of data overlayed on the screen.
	Menu - Calls up the onscreen menu system.
	Wide - Zoom lens to wide angle. When in playback it enables the thumbnail index mode.
	Tele - Zoom lens to telephoto. When in playback it enables the magnified view option.
	4-Way Selector - Used to navigate menu options and to move forward and backward through pictures during replay or index mode.
	Focus - Cycles through normal AF, landscape, macro, macro + selftimer modes. Push and hold and rotate command dial to set manual focus distance. In playback it deletes current picture.
	Flash - Select the flash mode (auto, fill, redeye, slow sync, off). Push and hold and rotate command dial to select ISO value (auto, 100, 200, 400, 800). In playback it toggles the thumbnail index mode.
	Quality - Select image quality by pressing or press and hold and rotate command dial to change the image size.

Located on top is the Mode Dial/Power switch. The A-Rec position is for point and shoot situations, the camera by default is set for 2048 x 1536 size, Fine quality, matrix metering, auto flash and auto white balance. To access the camera's creative settings use the M-Rec mode. Play is for reviewing pictures and movies on the color LCD or a television if the camera is connected via the Video Out port. In the center is the shutter release which has a "half-pressed" position to lock the focus and exposure, depress fully to capture the picture.

Press and hold the MODE button and rotate the Command Dial to select the desired recording mode (Program AE, Shutter speed priority, Aperture priority or Manual). This button is also used to quickly select the settings memorized in the Function 1 mode.

Press and hold the Exposure Compensation (+/-) button and rotate the Command Dial to select the desired exposure override value. The value can be from -2 to +2EV in 1/3EV increments and is displayed on the color LCD. This button is also used to quickly select the settings memorized in the Function 2 mode.

The most-requested addition is a CompactFlash Type II card slot that allows the use of any size Type I or II solid state flash cards or the IBM Microdrive.  Note that Nikon does not officially approve of the use of IBM Microdrives. The newest 512MB and 1GB drives do work but must be used at your own risk. (Now my legal dept. is happy)

Nikon includes an 8x Lexar 16MB CF Type I card with the camera.

The I/O ports are behind a small rubber flap next to the CF card slot. On the top is the Video Out port for connection to a television. The video format is user selectable between NTSC and PAL. Below that is the high speed USB data port for downloading to the host computer.

The Coolpix 995 can use the Nikon MC-EU1 wired remote control via the USB port.

The Coolpix 995 comes with the Nikon EN-EL1 lithium rechargeable battery pack and can also be powered by one-use 2CR5 6V lithium batteries. This is the same battery pack used by the Coolpix 880.

The EN-EL1 battery pack is charged outside of the camera by the supplied MH-51 charger. This is a small and compact charger that can replenish a fully depleted pack in about 120 minutes.

An alternative Coolpix 995, 885, 775 or 880 power source is the Maha PowerBank, a $59 lightweight, external lithium battery with more than twice the amount of power of the Nikon EN-EL1 battery.