I'm considering purchasing a Nikon Cool Pix 990 in the near future and would like to hear back from any one that is presently using the 990 to know what they really like or dislike about the camera. Should I hold off for a newer model from Nikon or possibly look at another manufacture that has comparable features for alot less money? Your honesty would be greatly appreciated.

-- Phil Toleikis (toleikis@edmail.com), August 21, 2000

Answers

I thought about the "new" Coolpix (I own a 950) and held back upgrading because they haven`t addressed the main problems with the 950 in the 990 . 1:- Barrel distortion, I know this is a lens related thing, but according to the percentage rate, the 990 is even slightly worse!!, barrel distortion drives me mental as I photograph a lot of angular objects, the 990 seems worse than many .. 2:- Redeye, the flashgun is STILL right next to the lens and the camera doesn`t have a standard external flashgun port (where you can hook up anything) this is also a pain when you use the add on lenses as they cover the flashgun!. OK they`ve fixed the card slot door and the position of the card slot and you can now have Macro AND the timer together but the last could have been fixed with software update in the 950 and the former never bothered me. it doesn`t take CFII cards either :(

I love the 950 (and hence the 990), it`s autofocus works in low light accurately, the pics are pin sharp and the colour balance is excellent, it takes CF cards which can be read and deleted from a card reader with no ills (unlike the Olympus 2020 /3030), world beating Macro mode, swivel lens assy (am I the only one who makes good use of this?) and it`s fast, compact and beautifully made (bar the card door on the 950) . What I want is a 3+ megapixel Coolpix without redeye or lens distortion with a standard SLR type flashgun socket, I`ll have to wait as none of the competition can tear me away from the 950..

-- Rachel Willis (RM_Willis@Chickmail.com), August 21, 2000.