The
Nikon Coolpix 950 retains the basic split-body design of its predecessor,
the Coolpix 900. However, in this version, Nikon has added many improvements.
Gone is the rather plain mix of plastic and brushed aluminium, replaced
by a solid, moulded magnesium body, with a black textured finish.
The grip is also improved, changed to a red and black
rubberized surface, reminiscent of other Nikon cameras
with their red stripe (first introduced on the F3 back
in 1980).
The
new Command Dial, built into the upper portion of the grip.
A
new command dial allows many of the Coolpix 950's settings to be
accessed on-the-fly. Generally, it is used in combination with one of
the buttons. Holding a button down — while rotating the dial —
allows a quick selection. Other settings, accessible through the menus,
also use the Command Dial, making it possible to change their status without
resorting to deeper-level menus.
Of course, the most noticeable change from the Coolpix
900S to this model is the new high density half-inch,
2 megapixelCCD, which
generates 1600 x 1200 pixel
images. Nikon has further enhanced the camera with a new
3X Zoom-Nikkor
lens, improving image sharpness, clarity, and colour.
Along with this, the even more refined autofocus
system is able to generate extremely detailed images.
The white balance
now offers 6 settings, plus a manual pre-set. The new Best Shot System
(BSS) is able to take a quick series of exposures and select the best
one, based on the contrast (a way to evaluate sharpness).
In playback mode, the camera provides shooting data overlaid
on the image. A magnifying option, accessed by pressing
a button below the LCD
screen, allows the user to determine if the image
is desired. The system acts like a window on a larger
image, and by using the command dial, it is possible to
move over the entire image gradually.
The photographic controls
Nikon has added — to what is basically still the Coolpix 900 design
— takes the Coolpix 950 to a new level of ability. However, this
also turns out to be the camera's weak point.
The
screen section of the camera appears to be too small to contain the controls,
and the layout suffers from a lack of logical organisation.
The result is a camera that is a bit difficult to manage. The seemingly
disorganised placement of buttons, and functions, is further complicated
by the overly complex procedures necessary to access various settings.
As an example, the "manual focus" requires pressing a button
near the shutter, while rotating the command dial on the front of the
camera. The awkward placement of the buttons make this difficult to do,
all the while looking at the LCD screen — which shows distance and
sharpness — and holding the camera pointed steadily at the subject.
Poor
placement for the power and video connections. The cables get in
the way of the lens and controls.
Too
often, the design requires the use of both hands —
and an impressive number of fingers — to do simple
things.
