Customer Reviews

Nikon Coolpix 2200 2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For anyone mainly going to make small prints, put snapshots on the web or Email to friends and family, 2 megapixels is just right. I think 3 times optical zoom also falls into the same use category. The major camera manufacturers all have models like this in the same price range. I shopped around for a digital camera for quite a while and I bought the Nikon Coolpix 2200 and I highly recommend it as a high quality point and shoot camera.

Pros:
- Nikon has a great reputation.
- It takes consistently good pictures in Automatic mode.
- The menus are very readable and easy to navigate.
- It comes with rechargeable bateries and a charger.
- It is nice and small but easy to grip.
- It feels solid and well made.
- It has a 2-year warranty

Cons:
- NikonView software is not compatible with Windows 98 (my computer)
- No manual shutter or aperture adjustment

Most of my pictures so far have been taken in Auto mode. There are lots of settings and options but it takes a while to get used to them. The camera offers scene modes that let you compensate for different lighting conditions. I took a picture of my house with the sun behind it and surprise, the house is all in shadows. Alot of my pictures were improved by using different settings the camera offers.

Compared to other digitals, this camera has minimal delay in taking pictures. You can shoot a picture in about one and a half seconds or use one of the options to shoot continuous pictures. The best shot selector mode automatically picks the clearest shot for you.

Another thing I'm happy about. Some cameras have lots of people complaining about their camera eating up batteries. I have been fooling around with the Nikon for about a week and taken hundreds of pictures and some movies too. Following a full charge, the low battery warning came on after a few days of almost constant use and then lasted for almost another day before it stopped working. The batteries and charger that come with it seem great. A full recharge only takes about two hours.

My computer has Windows 98 so I can't use the Nikon software or download pictures directly from the camera to my computer. I can't use the camera's internal memory so I had to buy a memory card and card reader. The 128 MB card seems quite adequate too. The setting I am using gives me about 125 pictures per card.

I recently had problems with my Kodak CX6230 and finally ended up exchanging it for the Nikon 2200 and I am so happy I did. It is smaller and has far more features. Some that stand out are color modes in addition to standard are BW, Sepia, cyan, and vivid color. There are also 15 scene modes which adjust the camera's settings for certain circumstances such as on a beach or indoors with low lighting. Two things that definitely stand out are the panorama feature which allows you to take multiple photos which you can later overlap and form one long photo (it shows you a faint copy of your previous shot so you can line it up perfectly) and also the multi-shot feature which takes 16 shots in a very short time and gives you all of them in one frame which is fun. The buttons are easy to use and although there are tons of menu options, you can stick with the auto mode which is quite simple. This camera works well for a beginner or advanced user. Finally, don't be turned off by the 2.0MP. Prints come out great up to 8x10. This camera is amazing. I recommend it over the Kodak CX6230 (which is good but has less features and shorter battery life), Canon A60 (which has a LONG lag time between pressing the shutter and the shot being taken), and HP 635 which are other cameras I researched and tried out.

Let me preface this review by saying that this is my first digital camera.

Being a longtime Nikon film camera user I began researching digital cameras. Using Consumer Reports, E-pinions, megapixel.net, and the reviews that I read here, it was clear that a 2-3 MP camera would suffice for my needs as they would any person whose prints rarely exceed 5X7 or 8X10. Don't be wooed by the store salesmen, some of them are honest and knowledgable but not all. Do the research and figure out what equipment will best suit your needs.

I found this camera and a 256MB SD memory card for two-hundred and ten dollars (including rebates.)
The camera is quite small and fits neatly in my backpack (in a carrying case), uses AA batteries (rechargeable recommended) and the memory card can be purchased almost anywhere. I've had the camera for a week and have taken it everywhere I go. The detail and picture quality are superb. I went to a Butterfly Conservatory and the pictures are just awesome, the color, clarity and detail can rival some of my friends 'high-end' cameras. As a few other reviewers have indicated Nikon has packed the camera with tons of extras. Take the time and read the manual. You'll be a better picture taker because of it.

All in all, without plunking down loads of cash, this is an excellent entry-level digital camera that makes learning the ins and outs lots of fun!

This camera is the one to stop on!!! If you're like me, you may be completely overwhelmed by all of the choices in digital cameras. I finally found this one on another site, and then came back here to read the reviews (the price was better too). I got it two days after my daughter was born, and found out how quickly you can use up a memory card and batteries!
The pictures have been great! I got the cheepest 64mb SD card I could find ($28) and a set of ni-mh rechargeable batteries for $10. They both work great with the camera. The card holds about 75 pictures and the batteries will last through about two cards between charges. Since the set came with four batteries, I'm always charged! I've already printed off some 8x10's and they're in perfect shape.
If you are looking for an inexpensive, easy to use, great quality camera, this is the one!

I received this camera in the mail today after about 3 months of researching for the right one. I finally decided to get this one along with the Viking secure digital card for a total of about $150 (including the rebate). It truly does help to skim through the manual to get a hang of the camera. The CD-ROM will cover the rest!

Here are some specs:
Pros:
> Scene selection allows you to choose the specific function for specific occasions (museum, party, sunset, etc.)
> Warnings for if the picture might get blurry or if lighting is poor
> Ergonomic design allows easy handling
> Great CD-ROM that gives a good rundown on the camera and the program it comes with
> Battery power is quite impressive, I've spent all day taking pictures and it's still going strong
> Relatively light and compact

Cons:
> Functions may be a little overwhelming for a first-timer
> Nowadays, 2 MP may not be enough even for the average amateur photographer
> LCD screen gets a little grainy sometimes

Overall, this is a good digital camera for recreational purposes. For me, I found the camera was a good deal for the price. I was especially pleased by the "panorama" option that lets you take a series of pictures and arrange them into a 360 degree panorama in the Nikon View program. There are definitely lots of possibilities with this little camera!

I bought one of these a couple months ago, and I think it's great. I have considerable experience with an older 1.4 MP Olympus, and also a 2 MP Casio and a 4 MP Minolta, and this beats the heck out of all of them.

It's far smaller and handier than any of them.

It's much cheaper than those cameras were new.

It has optical zoom, which I believe is much superior to digital zoom and probably makes this equal in many ways to a 3+ megapixel camera with only digital zoom.

It takes SUPER close-up pictures of flowers, fingerprints, etc.

It takes pictures in near-total darkness -- while hand held no less -- that appear adequately sharp and much brighter than the scenes appeared to my eyes when I took them.

It takes great photos of fireworks without any special setting.

Unlike the other digital cameras I used before, it DOES NOT exaggerate the contrast between sunlit and shaded areas. No more faces turned into featureless blackness by what appeared to my eyes to be minor shadows.

The power switch is a good design -- it's recessed and separate from the rotary mode switch. Some other cameras I've used or looked at had exposed power switches or had "OFF" as one of many positions on an easily-bumped rotary mode switch. The way all digital cameras eat batteries, you don't want to turn them on by accident.

On the down side, it could have had snappier "clicks" on the mode switch to avoid the minor annoyance of turning on the camera in the wrong mode. It could have had a handy switch to turn the display screen off, allowing you to save power while taking pictures with the viewfinder. The viewfinder could be sealed against the entry of dust better; some dust got into mine. And it could have come with a case, which I know they could have made in China for less than a dollar.

But overall I think this is a great camera and an excellent compromise between price, quality, and size. I use it largely for e-mailing photos of my life in Japan back to my family, but it has enough of those pixel things to make decent-sized prints too. I recommend it highly.

I wanted a simple point-and-shoot camera that I could leave on auto mode most of the time. This camera takes sharp pictures and works well in auto mode IF you are outdoors or have lots of daylight coming through a window when you are indoors. If you are indoors with poor lighting, using the flash sometimes results in either dim or very cold pictures. What I do when I am indoors is turn off the flash and increase the exposure compensation by +1.0 EV or so. You'll have to hold the camera still or the blur detection will come on giving you the option to save or delete the picture. Or you can use the Best Shot Selector to take up to 10 pictures continuously, then it only saves the clearest one. Pictures come out warm and natural looking without the flash. You can also experiment with the indoor or night portrait assist modes to get similar results. Here are some other thoughts on the camera:

Pros:
- The scene modes work suprisingly well.
- VERY small, light and compact.
- Zoom can be seen with optical viewfinder.
- Camera has one-button instant auto-transfer. USB transfer is quick.
- Haven't tried an SD card yet, but pictures are written quickly to the internal memory.
- Price. Got it for $155 total

Cons:
- No button to turn LCD on and off. Must go to setup menu.
- Weak flash with short range.
- Viewfinder is inaccurate. Cuts off the edges. LCD is fine, though.
- Hard to hold if you have big hands.
- Alkalines die fast. Get some NiMH rechargebles.
- Wristrap is useless and just gets in the way. Wish it came with a neck strap.
- NikonView software is sparse. You will definitely want Photoshop or PSP. Did come with Arcsoft PhotoImpressions 4.0, though.

I thought about getting the 3.2 MP 3200 for $70 more but settled with this camera since I rarely do 8x10, didn't have a need for more detail, and just wanted a casual point-and-shoot. 3200 also has sound, voice memo, and AF assist lamp. Not a big lost to me but some might want the extra features.

Lastly, you will want a small bag like the Tamrac 4390. Fits the camera like a glove.

For those who want everything but could care less about superfluous ultra high-end features; this is your digital camera. The 2 megapixel resolution is more than enough in my opinion. This is obviously not the camera for you if you are a design professional that needs the absolute top-of-the-line features, but for the rest of us, this camera is gold. There are a hefty amount of cool features, and the image quality is amazing. I am a computer artist and very demanding of my tools - this camera not only met my expectations - but exceeded them. Buy with confidence and without trepidation!

I bought this camera through Amazon after careful consideration. I researched cameras within my price range and I was debating between this camera and one with a 3 megapixel of a different brand. The reviews for this one sold me, and I bought it. I am quite pleased with this camera. Although it is 2 megapixels, the picture quality is excellent -- even better than my old Sony camera which was a 3 megapixel. The pictures turn out crisp and clear even on a lower resolution setting. Another thing I like about the camera is the weight. Or should I say, the lack of weight. It is the lightest camera of a decent size that I've held thus far. This makes it extremely portable. The settings are also excellent. There is a mode where you can choose a particular light setting and shutter speed based on the type of envrionment you are in (eg: party, fireworks, cloudy, sunrise, sunset...) The bottom line is that this camera is great. When you go with a brand like Nikon that ONLY makes cameras, you know that they know what they are doing.

I would give this baby a 5 star rating but for the quality of indoor photos. Otherwise, it is just about right for one's everyday, lay-person needs. Has some very cool features (like the 6 color options, 15 scene modes and assists). size is just right for discrete stow-away in small bags and purses.
The blur warning comes on almost all the time when indoors in poor light. even with the flash, photos may turn out grainy.
movies are of decent quality - considering it's not a video camera. the menus and features are quite user friendly.
have not yet figured out what type/brand of rechargeable batteries to buy - due to grim warnings in manual regarding usage of anything other than nikon's own line. has insatiable apetite for alkaline batteries. the other option - CRV3 batteries - are quite expensive. manual is not clear on how much (if at all) the battery life would improve over regular alkalines. other than that, the manual is easy to follow and comprehensive. software package is easy to install and effortless to use.(...)