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The case itself is small, measuring just 4.5 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches, and is nicely rounded, fitting comfortably in a jacket or trouser pocket. This compact size marks it out from the majority of other digital cameras, which are frequently just that bit too large to take everywhere or have too many bumps and protuberances to make
carrying in a pocket comfortable.
In addition to the novel swiveling lens barrel, the 2500 dispenses with a rangefinder and relies solely on the LCD monitor. Nikon has clearly worked hard on this aspect of the camera, as it provides good visibility even when placed in direct sunlight. We were also impressed with the battery performance, which, in a rather
unrealistic test involving switching off the power-saving options and burning the battery down as fast as possible, still yielded well over an hour of use. We noted that the LCD panel was quite warm to the touch after this test, but not worryingly so.
Design considerations aside, it is in ease of use and image quality that the 2500 really excels. The menu is based on that found in the more advanced Coolpix models, but omits many of the manual settings, such as ISO, image sharpening, aperture, and shutter speed. Instead, Nikon has provided an extensive range of preset
"scenes," such as Night, Landscape, Museum, and Fireworks show. These presets variously alter flash settings, shutter speed, focus, etc., to help get you the best image in given conditions.
Unique to Nikon is the Best Shot Selector, which takes a series of up to 10 images, compares them, and stores the image with most detail to the memory card. We found that in most conditions, the Coolpix 2500 produced excellent images, often belying its 2-megapixel resolution. Outdoors, the sophisticated exposure system was
difficult to trick, although some images taken in very bright sunlight required a small amount of brightening. Color balance was also good and, unusually, can be calibrated against a white background.
The Coolpix 2500 includes a movie mode, but this is of limited use as it is restricted to 15 seconds and does not record sound. We were also disappointed by the lack of an auto focus (AF) illuminator, which is a surprising omission in a camera of this quality. Nikon has also elected to leave out an AV output for viewing images on a
television. The camera is supplied with an excellent lithium ion battery and charger, a small 8 MB CompactFlash card, a USB cable, a strap, Nikon View transfer software, and a pretty good manual. --Nick Baxter
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