Good solid feel. Excellent Matrix metering, Good macro performer. 5 Mega Pixel resolution.

No RAW mode, slow lens, Too expensive (Some people have been getting a new G2 for about $599.00), Blown out highlights, no remote control, questionable ergonomics (flash sensor), and if you were one of the unlucky ones to turn on your 5000 with the lens cap on prior to the firmware update, you ended up with a very expensive paper weight.

I bought this camera along with a Canon Powershot G2. I returned the Coolpix 5000 and saved myself $300 to boot! The Coolpix 5000 consistantly blew out the highlights resulting in no detail in the bright areas of my pictures. The lens is slow with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 (Canon G2 maximum is f/2.0). The 5000 also has no AF assist lamp making it very hard to focus in dim light. For the most part, I liked the look and feel of the camera except for the placement of the flash sensor. Its too close to the shutter release button making it very easy to cover up with your index finger. It has a nice hand grip which makes it comforable to hold and it feels very solid. But all together, I felt that the G2 was the better camera when you consider the faster lens, Faster Iso speed capability, ability to shoot RAW, Remote control included, and the cheaper price tag.

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None

Compact and light. Tough and quality feel (except for the lens which protrudes out a lot). Direct control buttons reduce the need of diving into menus in the monitor. Built-in hot shoe. Wide angle coverage 28mm (35 mm eqv.) "User Setting" feature is useful. "Quick Review" function. ... plus many other features already included in earlier Coolpixes

I prefer a wider aperture (though this may imply a heavier and more expensive lens). Hard to focus in low light. User Setting does not provide independent setting on "AF Area Mode" (I thought it does and called Nikon to clarify whether there is any defect in my sample. The answer was that all User Setting shares the common setting on AF Area Mode. I hope this can be improved in a firmware upgrade.) Cannot use one hand to operate the thumb-wheel together with the back-side buttons like ISO, AF, thus lowering its convenience. Start-up and operating speed is lower than I expected from the pre-launch info.

I bought the Coolpix 990 to replace my point-and-shooter which usually goes together with my "serious" SLR or range-finder system for overseas trips. I was not satisfied and now invest on the CP 5000. The 5000 works well in many aspects comparing with my film P&S and provides a lot digital convenience. It gives a compact and quality feel and is loaded with many useful features, but on the other hand also shows certain areas of improvement. (see below)

Customer Service

I phoned Nikon for the AF Area Mode queries and obtained immediate response.

Similar Products Used:

CP 990.

5 megapxels, adjustable LCD location and position, comfortable grip, very compact and light. Very easy to learn how to use. 5 area AF like F5/F100. Excellent and useful features. Like the way that user preset functions are easily accessed. Nikon optics.

Light sensor could be better placed, also would have liked to have a dedicated flash synch cord outlet, although hotshoe is adequate for studio flash with an SB speedlight. Firewire might have been nice too.

Overall a great camera. Very intuitive controls, menus, and submenus. Light and comfortable. Software works excellent on my Macintosh G4 (a rarity for camera manufacturers), and download speed is more than adequate. Packaged well, and comes with all needed accessories. I have also found the adapter lenses, fisheye, 19mm, and 3x converter to be very effective with very good image quality.

Customer Service

Haven''t used yet, but Nikon always has been reliable.

Similar Products Used:

Digital: D1, D1x, Coolpix 950 Film: F100, Contax G2, Contax 645AF

None

TO THE EDITORS: started writing review twice but it disappeared before I could send it

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Sharp Nikon optics, solid build, ergonomiclly pleasing controls, light, compact

Viewfinder, shutter lag (especially on "fine" setting), no autofocus assist light for dim situations. You will make some serious viewing and shutter lag sacrifices if you are coming to this camera from an SLR.

I like this camera and, despite some reservations, it will suffice until a digital SLR for serious amatuers is available. This camera is loaded with features. It has good optics producing sharp digital images with accurate color rendition. It is light and compact (especially compared to an SLR) yet well constructed. The user menus make sense and are easy to navigate. The viewfinder is my biggest complaint. It contains no information on exposure, focusing points, metering, etc.-- that is only found on the LCD. The LCD is difficalt to use as a viewfinder under many lighting conditions. It is impossible to appreciate whether or not your subject is in sharp focus, as with an SLR. By the way, there is a firmware update that can be downloaded to correct the "bug" that the irresponsible reviewer posted about above. New cameras are shipping already updated. I am rating this camera as a "4" because my experience with the camera so far tells me to do so. I think a camera that deserves a "5" will come in the next couple years. Digital photography is still young. Until then, this is probably the best non-SLR digital camera available.

Customer Service

Nikon USA tech support helpful in directing me on where and when to get the firmware update

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SLR cameras: F100, FM2, N60 Point and shoot camera: Leica Minilux

5 mega pixels CCD, excellent photo quality, a rich feature set, Swivel monitor, best shot selector, quick review of the recent pic taken, etc

have to read the manual first in order to fully utilize the real potential of the camera.

A small and handy digital camera with excellent photo quality. Smaller than the Canon G2 in size, but with much better grip and more pixels. Lots of features available for beginners as well as professional photographers.

Customer Service

not needed for the time being.

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None

Choose CANON POWERSHOT G2, there are non bugs! lol

photographs with flash are dreadful. Exposure meter is extremely inaccurate like Nikon D1 with flash... Since now, Nikon is not a good reliable mark.

TOO MANY PROBLEMS. DON''T BUY THIS CAMERA. I work for a Nikon dealer and we received 10 coolpix 5000 last week... The internal flash cannot be cancelled when an external one is on. Many customers returned the camera because the lens was busy and jammed. It''s also an exact copy of the hot shoe and lcd monitor from the Canon Powershot G2 and G1.

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5.0 megapixel is a big plus. The battery is the same as the 995 and it seems to give me a lot of time per charge. I like the fact that I don''t flashbracket to use my SB-50DX speedlight.

Just the placement of the flash sensor. It can be covered by your finger easily.

Great camera overall. Fast shooting, when you want to take the photo it just does it. where most cameras have a 1 to 2sec delay. This one is a keeper.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 995, Nikon D1X, Nikon 990, Canon D30, Olympus E-10

Good lens and an overload of functions. The optics are quite good too.

No versatile of use. The camera is too heavy to carry around in day to day life and it lacks the flexibility of a proffessional SLR.

The camera has a soft touch to it. I felt the controls to be to small for my size 11 hands. Overall I think this camera belongs in the category of amature overkills. This is not a proffessional product at a premium price.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Sony Mavica Canon Powershot