Product Description

A stylish and simple-to-use digital still camera featuring 2.0 effective megapixels, the Coolpix 2500 is a strategic product designed to penetrate and lead the largest and most competitive digital camera market - the 2-megapixel model sector. This uniquely designed camera will also establish a new Coolpix brand image that places emphasis on the stylish and fun aspects of the Coolpix line. The camera's core users extend across generations to include those seeking a stylish, easy-to-use digital camera that offers excellent portability and superior image quality, and who are also looking for greater fun in digital photography. Featuring a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens, the Nikon Coolpix 2500 delivers exceptional optical performance, and together with the 2.0 effective megapixels, ensures images of remarkable color, contrast and clarity.The stylish and unique inner-swivel lens design offers the fun and flexibility of free-angle picture taking, while the camera's flat surface and newly developed compact rechargeable battery ensures excellent portability. The Coolpix 2500 features ergonomic button arrangement for easy operation. Auto mode is ideal for most photo-shooting situations, and manual mode allows photographers the freedom to select camera settings, as they like. The camera's 12 Scene Modes further enhance the flexibility and creativity of shooting and provide optimal image results for a range of situations. The Transfer function simplifies image data uploading and the Small Picture function produces reduced-size pictures ideal for e-mailing or Web posting. With its array of features and accessories and remarkably innovative design, the Coolpix 2500 promises to increase the fun and excitement of digital photography for countless users.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48376 in Camera & Photo
• Size: Medium Size
• Brand: Nikon
• Model: 2500
• Platforms: Windows 2000 Server, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below, Windows, PowerMac, Mac, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows NT 5
• Dimensions: 2.30" h x 4.50" w x 1.20" l, .50 pounds
• Memory: 8MB
• Display size: 1.5

Features

• 2-megapixel sensor captures 1,600 x 1,200 images for prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches
• Autofocus lens with 3x optical/4x digital (12x total) zoom
• Included 8 MB CompactFlash card holds 15 images at default settings
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery(included)

Customer Reviews

A friendly camera that looks cool
Nikon Coolpix 2500 is a great compact camera. I wanted to buy a camera that can work in an easy to use automatic mode for point & click situations like parties, casual travel; and also provides manual mode for experimenting & control. My choice was mainly between Coolpix 2500, Coolpix 995 & Canon Elph Series. I just fell for the cool styling of 2500 and the ability to carry it in my shirt pocket.

I just took it out to Australia for a week long trip. It has performed well under different lighting conditions. All I needed to do was change the "SCENE".The camera allows me to identify the type of scene I am going to photograph. It has a bunch of "SCENE" that I can select from. Some of them are - Beach, Landscape, Party, Portrait, Night Landscape, Backlight to name a few. I was also able to take night shots of the Opera house & the Harbor Bridge in the "night landscape" mode. They came out pretty well. I was happy to see the result in about 2 seconds - the duration of the exposure. Pictures taken in bright daylight like that on a beach also came of well. What disappointed was the photgraphs that I took at a night Bar-be-Q party. In most photographs, the people close to the camera looked bright and those away by more than 7-8 feet away from the camera looked dark. Another "scene" that I found useful was "Close Up". I wanted to note down a recepie from a local magazine. Instead of taking notes I just photographed the page in the "Close Up" mode. Now, I do not have to write them down ! I just read the recepie off the picture stored on my computer. It is not much of a "Manual" camera. So if you want to control everything, I recommend look else where.

I found the controls easy to use. There are a bunch of on-screen menu items, buttons & knobs. They are well layed out and are intitutive to use. Let me add - I am a techie. I can handle complexity. I had my first picture in about 10 minutes opening the box and charging the batteries. It took me about 1 hour to understand all the controls & install the software.

You got to buy a memory card unless you intend to save your pictures in a very basic picture format (like 640 X??). I bought a 128 MB card. It stores about 140 pictures in best quality mode (called "FINE"). The camera can be put on a tripod. That is a big plus for night photography. It is very easy to put my fingers on the lens. So I have to worry about it all the time, specially while opening or closing the lens. A price for this cool design!

In a nutshell I find Nikon Coolpix 2500 a fun, easy to use camera for easy going photography.

Nice Compact Point and Shoot
I bought this camera because I needed a point and shoot for an upcoming cruise. I already have a Sony Cybershot DCS-S30 that I am very happy with. I didn't want to bring my Sony on the cruise in fear that the elements (salt air and sand) would ruin it as well as be too awkward to carry around. When I saw this little Nikon it was love at first site. Not only was this camera stylish but its compact and has a lens that can swivel in (perfect for protection from the elements).
While I am satisfied with my purchase there are a few drawbacks to this camera. None of the drawbacks are too serious but for a spoiled gadget use such as myself they are inconvenient. I was disappointed that the battery was not pre-charged and I had to wait 2 hours to actually play with my new toy. After the battery was charged and I was putting it in place I noticed that the battery has to actually be removed from the camera to charge it in its charger (again a spoiled issue but still inconvenient). The operations (menus) of the camera are a bit clunky to get used to but I am sure in time I will get used to it. My last gripe would be the amount of time between hitting the shutter release and the time it takes to actually take the picture, its not very quick, actually pretty slow.
Enough moaning about the faults, what's so good about this little camera? Well it's little! It comes with some handy software. And it has an incredible lens (should you expect less from Nikon?). My Sony can't touch the quality of this lens. The digital zoom shows minimal amounts of pixalation.
If you are looking for a digital point and shoot camera I would definitely recommend this.

Compact and Powerful, a good combination
I researched several cameras, including the Canon PowerShot and greater and lesser Nikon Coolpix, before deciding on the Coolpix 2500.

Things I like about it:

1. The size is great. I carry it in my purse or around my neck at all times. You can't get the shot unless the camera is with you! This is one camera you CAN have with you all the time. The swivel lens helps make it more compact because there are no protruding parts once you close the lens, no lens cap to worry about, and the lens is totally protected. I slide mine in an inexpensive zippered makeup bag and throw the strap around my neck. Wha-la! - instant [inexpensive] camera bag.

2. The quality of the pictures is amazing! The resolution is fantastic, much better than I needed or expected. It does a good job in low light situations too, which was something I was looking for.

3. Scene modes: These are very useful for someone like me who wants to be creative and get good shots, but doesn't have the time or patience to figure out the correct shutter speed and what-not.

I don't have any negatives that are bad enough that I would take the camera back, but just so you know...

Things I don't like:

1. People have complained that the flash is too bright. For this reason, I usually rely on natural lighting when photographing people. Fortunately, the camera is usually able to handle this. You have to hold it steady because the shutter speed is slower. I'm usually able to get one that is clear if I snap several. The nice thing is that it is digital, so you can see what you are getting, and retake if necessary.

2. Buy a 128 MB or at least 64 MB memery card the same day you buy the camera. I have not even messed with the starter card they give you. Way too small.

3. This is just an oddity, not really a problem. When you are in close-up mode, the lens is constantly refocusing and/or resetting the lighting, not quite sure. Consequently, it makes a lot of clicking and buzzing sounds. Not so great if you are trying to sneak up on a butterfly or something. Hasn't really bothered me, except that I thought my camera was broken. I decided it wasn't when my replacement camera did the same thing.

4. If you can afford it, buy a second battery. It lasts a decent amount of time, but it would be nice to have an extra.

So, these are minor problems, with solutions. I'm very pleased with the camera. It's great to have a digital. My photographic skills have improved just by buying this camera because 1. I can take as many pictures as I want, without worrying about wasting film 2. I can re-take until I get the shot. 3. I always have it with me, so I rarely miss that awesome photo-op. 4. It's a Nikon!