Nikon Coolpix 3200 Review

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Nikon Coolpix 3200


Full review posted 2/5/04

Introduction & Physical Views


Click to take a QuickTime VR tour of the Nikon Coolpix 3200
Click on the Coolpix 3200 to take a QuickTime VR tour


The Coolpix 3200 is a compact, lightweight digital still camera with 3.2 megapixel effective image resolution and a Nikkor 3x zoom lens. It's an easy-to-use mid-range model with superior image quality that will satisfy the needs of beginners to advanced amateurs.

Superb optical performance is delivered by a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens with a focal range equivalent to 38-115mm in 35mm format). The Coolpix 3200's 3.2-megapixel imager provides ultrahigh definition and, combined with Nikon's advanced image processing technology, ensure images of remarkable color, contrast and clarity. Shooting is simplified by the general-use AUTO mode and supplemented by 10 different Scene modes, 6 Portrait modes, 5 Landscape modes, 3 Sports modes and 6 Night Portrait modes that allow you to capture great pictures in a variety of common situations.

The Coolpix 3200's compact and lightweight design makes it extremely portable and its ergonomic, easy-grip design ensures easy operation. Managing pictures has never been easier, thanks to features like one-button data transfer and a Small Picture function that configures photos specifically for e-mail and Internet applications. The camera comes equipped with all the accessories necessary to immediately start taking better digital photographs.


Coolpix 3200 Features at a Glance:

  • 3.2-megapixel effective CCD for images up to 2048x1536 pixels
  • Nikkor 3x optical zoom (38-115mm in 35mm equivalent)
  • Macro focus with AF down to 1.6 inches
  • 1.6-inch TFT color monitor
  • Program AE and pre-programmed Scene, Portrait, Landscape, Sports and Night Portrait exposure modes
  • Single, Continuous, Multi-Shot 16 and QuickTime Movie modes
  • Automatic shutter speeds from 1/3000 sec. to 4 sec's
  • Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow sync, and red-eye reduction
  • 256-segment Matrix exposure metering
  • TTL Auto White Balance, 5 presets and custom set
  • Exif 2.2 and PictBridge compatible
  • SD memory card slot, no card included, 14.5MB internal memory
  • Plug-n-Play USB 1.1 connectivity, mass storage compliant
  • One-Touch upload for easy image transfers
  • Powered by two AA type or one CRV3 battery.


The Coolpix 3200 includes NikonView 6, a complete image editing and processing package, two AA Alkaline batteries, hand strap, video cable, and USB cable.






Physical Views

Nikon Coolpix 3200

Nikon Coolpix 3200

Nikon Coolpix 3200 Nikon Coolpix 3200

Nikon Coolpix 3200

Nikon Coolpix 3200



Nikon Coolpix 3200

The Coolpix 3200 compared to a standard CD disc.




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Coolpix 3200 Specifications

CCD 1/2.7-in. high-density CCD
3.2 million effective pixels
Image sizes 2,048 x 1,536
1,600 x 1,200
1,024 x 768
640 x 480
Lens 3x Zoom-Nikkor; f = 5.8-17.4mm (equivalent to 38-115mm) F2.8-4.9 with macro; 7 elements in 6 groups; all glass, Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) applied; glass-molded aspherical lens elements included
Digital Zoom 4x 0.2x step digital zoom
Autofocus Contrast-detect TTL AF
Focus range 12 in. to infinity in normal,
1.6 in. to infinity in Macro mode (wide angle)
Optical viewfinder Real-image zoom viewfinder
frame coverage: approx. 82%
LCD monitor 1.6-in., 80,000-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with LED backlight
brightness (5 levels) adjustment, Auto gain-up at low-brightness,
frame coverage: approx. 97%
Auto OFF mode 30 sec.; can be set manually (1/5/30 min.)
Image Storage EXIF 2.2 compressed JPEG compliant with design rule for camera file system (DFC)
QuickTime Motion JPEG (Movie with audio)
Media Internal memory: approx 14.5MB;
SD memory card (not included)
Shooting modes AUTO
Scene (Party, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close Up, Museum, Fireworks, Copy, Back Light, Panorama assist)
Portrait (Portrait, Portrait Left, Portrait Right, Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple, Portrait Figure)
Landscape (Landscape, Scenic view, Architecture, Group right, Group left)
Sports (Sports, Sports Spectator, Sports Composite)
Night Portrait (Night Portrait, Portrait Left, Portrait Right, Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple, Portrait Figure)
Movie with sound (640x480/15fps, 320x240/15fps, 160x120/15fps)
Exposure metering 256-segment Matrix
Shutter Mechanical and charge-coupled electronic shutter
4 sec. to 1/3000 sec.
Aperture Electronically controlled preset aperture
Range: 2 stops (f2.8, f5.6)
Exposure control Programmed Auto with exposure compensation (±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps)
Exposure range (W) EV +1.0 - +17.8, (T) EV +2.6 - +16.2
Best-shot Selector Camera takes up to 10 shots (at approx 2fps) and records the most detailed image of the 10 using anti-jitter logic which is effective for poor lighting, telephoto and macro shooting. Not available when the speedlight is on.
ISO Sensitivity ISO 50, Auto gain-up (Auto gain to ISO200 equivalent)
White balance 1) Matrix Auto White Balance with TTL control
2) Manual or preset for Daylight/Incandescent/Fluorescent/ Cloudy/Speedlight)
Self-timer 10 sec. duration
Built-in Speedlight Shooting range approx (W) 1.3ft - 11.2ft
(T) 1.3ft - 6.6ft
Flash control Flash modes:
1) Auto Flash
2) Flash Cancel
3) Anytime Flash
4) Red-eye reduction by LED lamp
5) Slow Sync
Playback menu 1) 1 frame
2) Thumbnail (4/9 segments)
3) Slide show
4) Zoom playback (max 10x: 0.2 steps at 1x to 6x, 1 step at 6x to 10x, position selectable)
Protect attribute can be set for each image
Delete function Deletes all frames or selected frames
Interface USB (12Mbps, effective speed: approx 2Mbps), mass storage or PTP
Supported Platforms Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
Mac OS 9.0-9.2 (only built-in USB ports supported)
Mac OS X (10.1.2 or later)
Video output NTSC or PAL (selectable)
I/O terminal Power input
Video output and Digital output terminal
Power requirements AA-size Alkaline x 2; AA-size Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (EN-MH1) x 2;
CR-V3 Lithium battery x 1; AA-Nickel-manganese battery x 2;
AA-size Nickel battery x 2; AA-size Lithium battery x 2;
DC input: AC adaptor
Battery life AA-size Alkaline batteries: approx 140 frames
Nikon EN-MH1 batteries: approx 350 frames
(Nikon test conditions: Standard temperatures (77°F), zoom adjusted with each shot, flash used with every other shot, image mode set to Normal (2048))
Dimensions
(W x H x D)		 3.5 x 2.6 x 1.5 in. or 88 x 65 x 38mm
Weight Approx. 4.9 oz or 140g (without battery and SD memory card)
Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer


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