Unbiased digital camera reviews, advice, and prices
Note: this camera was first sold in Mar 2004. There may be newer versions available.
Nikon Coolpix 3200
Nikon Coolpix 3200
  • 4 out of 5
"There are cameras better now"
  • 4 out of 5
"nikon coolpix 3200"
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Nikon 3200 Reviews Previous Review
  • 4 out of 5

Okay but too much noise...

( - 4/26/05)

PROS: The shots in daylight are cool. Colors are vivid and the nikkor lens is sharp.
The preset modes cover everything this little camera can do. If you play with it you'll be able to do slightly "advanced" tricks... eg: use macro mode for closeup portraits and obtain some cool depth of field-like results or using "fireworks" preset mode instead of "night landscape" to force a lower ISO and so on...

CONS: (sorted by the most annoying)
1. flash recharge time is HUGE (10 - 15 sec). In the meantime preview is blank, camera dead
2. so called "night flash" is unfortunately bind with raising ISO to the max and about 3 sec of exposure. Result: moving subjects are out of the question, cannot get results without tripod, lot of image noise.
3. NOISE - not weird for an entry level point and shoot.. but it's a lot of it in every kind of night shot mode. Worst preset mode: night landscape (my opinion); best preset night mode: fireworks - lower ISO, maximum exposure time (about 4 sec)
4. Slow autofocus.. he he that's it.
5. Kinda clumsy design... when you press on the shutter release button you come with the batteries in your hand, due to the position of the "push" button that opens the battery compartment.
6. Movie recording: sound is out of sync due to the limitations of FPS (16 fps if I'm not mistaken). Zooming while recording is limited to digital.
7. Some menu commands are not retained as default after changing preset mode. eg: you have to switch to red eye reduction / night flash every time you change the preset.
8. Much more noise compared to CANON A75 in "macro", "movie" mode or "sports" when camera is always focusing. This is not a problem but while recording a movie with sound is, because the loudest sound recorded will always be the tiny focus mechanism.
and so on.. Oh god I'm saving for a digital rebel :D

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