Customer Reviews

Nikon Coolpix 800 2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I must admit that I like having new electronic toys when they come out. I purchased a digital camera in 1997 and was not entirely impressed by what 500$ got me then. However, 3 years later, I stumbled upon the Nikon Coolpix 800 at a great price and took another shot at digital imaging.

PICTURES: The pictures it takes are fantastic! The 1600x1200 resolution really makes a difference when making prints. They look like they were taken with a 35mm. This is not even mentioning the backing of a quality Nikkor lens that picks up lots of detail other digicams of the same resolution do not. Another feature that impressed me was the fact I could add additional lenses to it (and Nikon has 3 designed specifically for the Coolpix 800/950/990).

FEATURES: It has a lot of features of its bigger brother like an uncompressed TIFF format, ability to take B&W pictures, and adjustable metering. However, for a non-professional photographer, I liked the fact the auto mode was easy to use and allowed me to take great pictures right away. I now can switch to manual mode to take more control of the picture, but the camera is ready to take great pictures right out of the box. Unlike other reviewers, mine came with a paper manual in addition to a CD-ROM that explained many of the basic features and taught me about some of the more exotic ones.

This is a great camera for anyone wanting a digital camera that takes great pictures but doesn't want to spend ton of money on features that may not even be used. Otherwise, the CP990 and the D1 are really nice cameras for those interested in more control. I do recommend getting an extra Flash card since 8 MB does run out fairly quickly when taking pictures in FINE or NORMAL mode. Getting a USB SanDisk CompactFlash reader was also a big help since the built-in connection is serial and can take a LONG time to download pictures if you have a lot of them.

I've had my Coolpix 800 for about a month now, and I can still say that I'm one proud Papa. Yeah, they eat batteries like candy, but so do most cameras with any kahonna's. Buy rechargable! The biggest drawback to this camera is the serial port issue. There's a way around that, though. Buy a SanDisk (they manufacture Nikon memory cards) drive and USB...uploadin' quicker than spit. Well, now that we've bought a CompactFlash drive, some Nickle Metal-Hydride rechargable batteries, an AC adapter, and another 48mb of memory(or you'll be reminded of that time when you ran out of film), we've just added about $250 to an already pricey camera. Not to fear folks. If your reading this review, that means you have internet access. Shop around for the best price. On-line prices will, without a doubt, beat the human factor. Try, Buy .com for the camera and Spotshop.com for the other goodies. I saved a couple hundred easily. Oh and lastly, I wouldn't have a digital camera without at least 2 megapixels, built in flash, optical and LCD viewfinder, and CompactFlash(most common). There's lots of other goodies with this one, and that's why I think this is the most camera for it's price range.

Picture quality is superb, there is no question. There are a few minor issues that I wish I had known when I was shopping for digital cameras. I would like to have a little more zoom capability than the 2x lens provides, as well as better macro capability (or any macro at all). I understand that the Coolpix 950 has both. A flashcard disk drive is a neccessity as battery life is very short (4 AABatteries last maybe an hour). For example, taking and uploading 14 photos will zap 4 brand new Duracell Ultras. I did purchase 4 Nickel Metal rechargeable AA's and that helps ease the pain of replacing batteries. It would be nice if they included the AC adapter, no question this is a must for this camera. Uploading pictures from the camera to PC is easy but slow with the provided software. An additional photo editor other that the one provided will be neccessary to do any creative editing.

On the bright side, the camera has an outstanding compact flash and is loaded with nice features that I have not taken the time to figure out.

Overall, I am quite satisfied with this camera as the quality of photos can help me overlook some of it's shortcomings. I am however considering an upgrade to the Coolpix 950.

After reading just about every review I could find, I finally purchased the Coolpix 800. I was looking for a camera that was above 2 mega pixels and $500 or below. I have read some of the reviews about the low quality of pictures in a dark room, but after playing with the light meter adjustment I did not have any problems with the quality of brightness of the photo. I even went to the extreme and took some close up photos, outside, in total darkness of a Hybiscus bush. The photo showed incredible detail and deep rich color from the flowers. I also read some of the complaints about the auto focus always being on and drawing on battery power. This is only the case if you leave it on this setting. You can set it to only auto focus when you press the shutter half way.

The pros for this camera are: It's easy to figure out. Takes great pictures. Has lots of features for manual and automatic photos. You can even take black and white photos. Different lens settings like fisheye and wide angle. Manual and Auto settings. LCD screen is incredible. It does have a lens cover. and it is fairly compact. It's a lot of fun shooting pictures just to see what kind of results you get with the manual settings. I was able to have fun with this camera right out of the box.

My only complaints are that I wish it came with a power supply, the battery cover is a little flimsy, and the software that comes with the camera isn't anything to get all excited over.

Bottom line is if I had to buy it again I would do it gladly and without hesitation.

Hope this makes your descision a little easier.

Since I wrote my first review, I have had the opportunity to play around with the camera and to take hundred of pictures, no doubt the camera is great, still have the problem of having a very slow lens, that requires a lot of ilumination to make those great pictures. But the reason because I am writting, this new review is to give some advices to those with the same camera: 1- Buy a battery recharger ( a 2 Hours one is great) 2- Buy 8 rechargables AA Niquel-Metal hydraide (choose a good ones, the cheaper don't last) 3- Buy a USB compact flash card reader ( The best investment! ) 4- Buy a 64 Mb compact Flash Card ( It is in most of the cases enough for a short trip) 5- Think before taking a picture, and use the features of the camera, it is so versatile that will allows you to have that great picture, whatever the conditions, but need some practics. 6 With good illumination use the automatic setting (A)it always get the better picture. 7- With Poor condition use always Manual. set for 200 ASA or 400 ASA depending on the condition, you can even increase the apperture of the objetive manually, do so if you think is needed 8- Finally you need a good software to retouch the pictures they always need to increase the brightness, and sometimes also the gamma. I am using CamediaMaster from Olympus and I am very happy, it is not the best for retouching, but it the best to managing and organizing your pictures, besides you can play a slide show without need of create any album, just play the file. Enjoy your Coolpix and play with it for as while before judging it. ...

The images that this camera is capable of producing will be hard to duplicate in any other digital camera that can be purchased for under $600. Previous reviews have mentioned size, controls, and rudimentary software as problems.

I don't believe Nikon or anyone else bills this camera as a 'pocket' camera. If size is a big criteria, consider the Canon S10. The CP800 is easy to hold and is not so small that it is hard for someone with larger hands to manipulate.

I find the controls about average for a digital camera. Digital cameras don't work like film cameras and require that you develope new skills. No matter what camera you purchase there will always be a learning curve involved. Most of the controls seem quite logical and once you are used to them, cease to be a problem.

The Nikon View software is simply a means of getting the images from the camera to the computer. From there you can use the image editing program of your choice to modify or print your pictures. One of the great things about a digital camera is the fact that you CAN adjust and retouch your photos. Many cameras download their pictures via a serial cable and they are all slow. USB card readers are inexpensive (around $50) and GREATLY speed up the process.

One big plus is the availability of additional lenses and filters, another feature not generally found in cameras of this price range.

No one camera is a good 'fit' for every user but if what you are looking for is great film-quality images, you won't be dissapointed with the CP800.

I've had my CoolPix 800 since November and for the most part, I am very pleased with it. The pictures are great and there are a fair amount of features that the advanced amateur will find useful. Two major disappointments however are the inability to control the shutter speed and aperature, and the battery life. Nikon's web site will lead you to believe that you can control the shutter speed and aperature (such as when you are taking fast action shots or photos at night), but this is not true. Shutter speed and aperature are automatically controlled no matter what you are shooting. To get that kind of control, you need to be purchasing the CoolPix 950. Amazon's review that "battery life is a winner" is a crock. The camera eats battries at an alarming rate even with the LCD screen switched off. I have considered purchasing a rechargeable set, but my solution is to buy the battries in bulk at Costco. You can get a brick of 48 AA Kirkland battries for about $12. These battries are almost as highly rated (according to Consumer Reports) as regular Duracell's and a whole lot less expensive. Unfortunately, not using rechargeables is not the most environmentally friendly option. By the way, the owners manual on CD. Get a clue Nikon, that one's a real pain!

I've been a camera nut for over 30 years, but have always used 35mm or 2-1/4 film. I have had my Nikon 800 for 6 weeks now and doubt I will ever use film again.

The photo quality is fantastic. Using the normal setting, about 500kb/photo(the high res is about twice the size), the 4x6 prints are indistinguishable from 35mm and are comparable at 8x10. The ability to image both the light and dark portions (ie the shaddowed areas in a bright sunshine shot) of a photo are far superior to film. My prints on an HP 862 printer using "best print quality" and Kodak glossy premium picture paper are photo shop quality.

It is very easy to use. I have spent less than 5 minutes with the manual. I have shot almost everything on auto exposure with great results. I have had no problem with exposures too dark.

Three small negatives (pun intended), the cycle time between exposures can exceed 2 seconds, the flash is weak, and the Pictureworks/HotShots software included is cumbersome. The exposure speed, iso 100 equivilent, can be frustrating in low light situations, but this is common to all digital cameras.

You do need to buy a 36 or 64mb... flash card to hold 60 to 120 photos until you can download to yourcomputer. The 8mb that comes with this (and most other) camera only holds 8 to 16 images. A SanDisk USB flash card reader... will quicken the transfer to your computer and save batteries.

I came very close to purchasing the CoolPix 990 or Olympus C3030Z for twice the price of the CP800, but after a few days with this little gem I am very pleased with my choice. The extra money is well spent on accessory lenses, rechargable NiMH batteries, memory cards and reader.

The 2X optical zoom is not a big issue if you add on a telephoto lens -- the current Nikons all support add on lenses with their threaded barrel, using the properly sized adapter rings. Keep in mind that the digital zoom on the 800, and most digital cameras, results in severe noise and distortion. I doubt I'll ever use the digital zoom.

Image quality is superb, and I have found myself marvelling at the sharpness of pics shot at full res (1600x1200) in fine mode, even at fully automatic settings. Color and white balance seem very natural, and of course are user-settable in manual mode. Nikon's expertise in quality optics and metering is very evident here.

Minor concerns are that the battery cover area seems flimsy, and also the optical viewfinder must be used with the right-eye to avoid severe nose-smudging of the large LCD, which is flush with the rear case and dead center so right in nose territory!

User interface is quite friendly and easily mastered with a bit of experimentation on the menus.

You WILL want a USB or PC-card CompactFlash reader as the camera does not include USB support natively. Serial port transfers are a joke with files this big (600-900K per pic)!

I highly recommend this camera to intermediate photographers who want more resolution, manual control, and lens options than a low-end device, but do not need all the bells and whistles of the $800+ 3-megapixel "big guns".

If your thinking about buying a digital camera for this price definitely buy this Nikon 800. The 2.1 megpixels far outshine any 1.3 mega pixels cameras. The LCD monitor is like a tv. The battery life is also excellent I get about 1.5 hours on my rechargeables. Its completely worth the extra few bucks, why settle for less, as they say.

I love this camera ive played with some similarly priced ones(EG Canon powershot s100) but i still love the Nikon 800. But so as to help you I'll tell you some points to note about the camera that some people may not like.

1. Rechargeable batteries are a must,eventhough the battery life is one of the longest around its pretty much a necessity for any digital camera. Batteries + recharger cost me 17 dollars.

2. The zooming capabilities on digital cameras are not very good. However for the Nikon you can buy a telefoto lens.

3. The memory card supplied with digital cameras is always the most basic. The Nikon comes with an 8MB card which with the settings(picture quality, picture size) that I have selected gets me about 50 pics. However at the best pic qualtiy and largest photo size, this card can only store one photo. However my photos show no adverse degradation in quality or size, so I do not feel the need to buy more memory.

4. There are loads of manual functions that you may never use, or use only sometimes. But it means that everybody is happy.

5. It's takes alot of practice(a few days) to capture moving objects and ensure to get the object at the precise moment you want it.

6. It comes with a soft, flimsy case , you want to buy more protection.

7. Downloading photos using the serial port is ok for an 8MB card. Anything higher than 16MB may become annoying. Certainly if your impatient get the usb card reader...

I would be willing to pay a 100 bucks more for this camera its seriously that good. The pictures produced are just of such good quality.Suffice to say Im very happy with my purchase.