The Coolpix 2500 may be small but it is equipped with a F2.7-4.8 3x Nikkor optical zoom lens with a 37 to 111mm (in 35mm equivalent) focal length coverage. The lens can swivel downwards to 45° and all the way around to 180° for self-portraits. Auto focus is handled by a contrast detect TTL system and it has a dedicated macro mode.

The built in speedlight can be set for Auto Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill Flash, Slow Sync or Disabled.

The large, sliding Power / Record / Playback switch is on top next to the shutter release. If you forget to swivel the lens to the open position when you turn the camera on it will remind you with an animated graphic on the color LCD screen.

Pressing the "Left" button on the 4-way navigation switch when in Play or Record mode toggles the Record info overlay On / Off as well as controlling the data overlay information. The "Up" button toggles the selftimer. The "Down" button brings up a small menu on the LCD so you can choose the Auto, Manual or Movie recording mode.

The Delete button deletes an image in the PlayBack mode and in Record mode brings up the Flash Menu and allows the cycling through the flash modes. The Transfer button lets you move pictures from the camera to the host computer running NikonView software, in Record mode it calls up the Scene selection menu. The MENU button enables the onscreen menu system which is navigated by the 4-way controller. The 4-way controller is also used to select images during Play mode. The button lets you quickly view the last picture taken, it displays in the upper-left quarter of the screen. Press the Quick Review button a second time to display it full screen. In Playback mode the Quick Review button becomes the SMALL PICture button, press it to create a 320x240 size image for email attachment.

The single port located to the lower left is used to connect the USB cable. The Coolpix 2500 is compatible with USB-enabled Windows or Macintosh computers.

The Coolpix 2500 is equipped with a CompactFlash Type I card slot and is supplied with an 16MB size card. Cards are easily removed by pushing the ejector button.

The Coolpix 2500 uses the new EN-EL2 lithium ion battery, it slides in alongside of the CF card.

The camera can only be powered by the included EN-EL2 lithium rechargeable battery. The battery can power the camera for up to 100 minutes. The battery is charged out of the camera in the included MH-60 rapid charger. The charger can replenish a depleted battery in two hours or less. The AC converter in the charger is an auto switching 100-240 volt type.