Nov 03, 2008 11:50 PM
3268 Views
(Updated Nov 04, 2008 12:03 AM)
I have owned Nikon Coolpix 5400 since Jan-05, having received from a relative in US. The camera was chosen by me based on online surveys of 5MP 3x zoom Prosumer category cameras. The major positives based on which I decided the model at the time were:
Only 5 MP digicam (non-SLR) with 4x Optical Zoom; all others offered 3x.
Only 5 MP camera with a tilting viewfinder; most had fixed LCD. Major advantage is while shooting in crowded places, where you can hold the camera high with viewfinder tilted down, not available in today's pocket cameras.
Great looks
SLR looks and built
Stunning black colour
Great offer of $200 mail in discount (i.e. reimbursement after purchase) This effectively reduced the cost from $ 425. Comparable price in India at the time was Rs 22000=00.
While the camera delivered on the promise and took great photoes in all situations. The Scene mode gives great photoes in Night Scene mode. It offers a host of options which are useful to more serious photographers.
The feel of the camera in the hand is one of a solidly built instrument. The hand grip has rubber sheet on the battery housing, which is curving out, giving great grip, not available in today's pocket cameras. All the control buttons give great touch response which feels strong enough.
The camera gave me the jitters when the image started blurring and went completely blurred one day. This could be nothing wrong but the CCD. I was in Ahmedabad and the nearest Nikon Service Centre was at Mumabi or Delhi. Simply had no way to transport the same. However, got it changed at DSC, Ahmedabad fro Rs 7000/=. Now I could understand fairly well, the mail in discount they gave. This problem is found well recorded on many web pages. I couldnot take up with Nikon for the warranrty repairs or refund.
But since then, I've again been enjoying the great results from the camera. It also allows me to take videos of low quality, which are good to retain memories. I am using a 512 MB CF Card, but advisable to have a 2 GB one, as videos eat up lot of memory space.
So. prospective buyers may buy the same but beware of the CCD issue.
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