Coolpix
3100, the Nikon Coolpix 2100 offers a lesser resolution of
two megapixel, and a lower price.
The
Coolpix 2100 is equipped with an optical viewfinder that shows approximately
82% of the scene that will be photographed. The viewfinder has no AF markings,
nor parallax indications or diopter correction.
Just
like the Coolpix 3100, the Coolpix 2100 is a very compact camera easily
carried in a coat or jacket pocket. It weighs just a bit less than 200
gr (7 oz), card and batteries included.
The layout of the controls on the Coolpix 2100 is rigorously identical
to that of the 3100.
The
top right of the camera provides a 2-stage
shutter release near the front with the On/Off switch around
it, while the Mode Dial is positioned astride the top and back
of the camera. The Mode Dial provides for the following modes:
Auto:
is a fully automatic shooting mode with limited user controls.
Manual
Mode: offers the most control to the user. Through the menu,
exposure compensation, white balance and sharpening.
Scene
Mode: the scene mode is the access to the 10 pre-programmed
Scene modes available with the Coolpix (see the Characteristics
section for a description of the modes).
In addition to the 10 Scene Modes accessed with the Scene position
on the Mode Dial, the Coolpix 2100 also provides 4 common Scene Modes
on it. With each of these Scene modes, the menu button provides optional
on-screen guides if desired:
Portrait:
uses a wide aperture to soften background details.
Landscape:
slightly sharpens outlines, colours and contrasts.
Night
Portrait: can be used to capture portraits against dimly lit
backgrounds.
Sports:
optimizes the shutter speed to freeze action.
Finally, the Mode Dial has 2 other settings:
Movie
Mode: captures a 15 second video clip without sound at a
frame size of 640 x 480, or 320 x 240 pixels.
Setup
Mode: displays the Setup menu of the Coolpix 2100 (see the Interface
and Software section for an overview of the options available in
the Setup menu).
The other
controls of the Coolpix 2100 are to the right and below its 1.5 inch
LCD monitor (75,000 pixels).
In
the upper right corner is the zoom control, and when the Coolpix 2100
is in Playback mode, it can be used to display thumbnails
(4 or 9 per screen), or magnify
an image up to 6X.
The Multi-selector, a four direction button, is directly below
the zoom control. The Multi-selector is used to navigate the Coolpix 2100's
various menus, and also serves to select the Flash mode, the Macro mode,
and the Self-timer, which appear as single option overlays on the LCD
screen.
Pressing
the Up arrow displays the 4 Flash Modes: Auto, Forced On
with Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off.
Pressing
the Left arrow activates the Self timer which has a 10 second
delay, indicated by a small red LED flashing on the camera's front
near the flash.
Macro
Mode lets the camera focus on a subject 4 cm (1.56 in.) in front
of the lens in wide angle.
Although the right
arrow is not labelled on the camera, it is referred to as SET and
serves to confirm selections made either in the menu, or with other buttons.
The four remaining controls are below the LCD monitor. Starting on the
left, the first button is for:
Delete
erases 1 image at a time in playback.
Display
controls the information shown on the LCD monitor, and turns it
On and Off in the Auto and Manual modes.
Menu
calls up the menu options available for the mode the camera is in.
Playback is started with this button. When the camera is turned
off, holding the button for more than 3 seconds will start the Playback
mode without extending the lens.
The
Transfer button allows for the automatic transfer of images in the
camera to a computer running Nikon View 6, the utility included
with the Coolpix 2100.
Ergonomically,
the Coolpix 2100's design is efficient, and the controls work reliably.
Selecting functions or changing the camera's settings is simple, and a
user can become familiar with the camera in a matter of minutes.
(4 or 9 per screen), or magnify 
an image up to 6X.
