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Nikon Coolpix 5400 Digital Camera (Nikon-25513)
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More…- Spec Navigator
- Image Processor
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Video
- Connectivity
- Other Features
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 5.1 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 2592 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 1944 |
| Image sensor size | 0.56 inches |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
|
| Number of resolution modes | 6 |
| White balance |
|
Exposure Controls
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings |
|
| Metering characteristics |
|
Lens Features
| Maximum zoom | 4 |
| Digital zoom | 4 |
| Minimum focal length | 5.8 |
| Maximum focal length | 24 |
| Minimum aperture | 2.8 |
| Maximum aperture | 4.6 |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.4 |
| Focus features |
|
Bottom Line
The Coolpix 5400 takes fantastic pictures, and it can handle nearly any shooting situation. But pausing to remember where each of its many features is buried can cause you to miss some shots.
Nikon Coolpix 5400
Coolpix 5400 Digital Camera (Nikon-25513) Review, by Alan Stafford August 26, 2003
WHAT'S HOT: The Coolpix 5400 looks similar to its Coolpix 5000 predecessor, but it has several updates, including 15 new scene modes (the 5000 had none) and a 4X zoom lens (up from 3X). Starting at 28mm (35mm equivalent), the lens is wider than most fixed-lens digital cameras, which typically start at 35mm to 38mm. The lens permits macro shots as close as 0.5 inch.
In our output judging, the 5400 scored near the top of our rankings. All shots looked very sharp, and colors looked perfect. The camera illuminated a still-life shot superbly, bringing out shadows without obliterating highlights. The only flaw was some minor color interference in several parallel-bar patterns.
Credit the larger-than-usual 64MB internal buffer for improved continuous shooting modes. In one mode, you can take seven full-resolution shots in succession at 3 frames per second; in another, the camera will take shots as long as you hold down the shutter button, saving only the last five after you release it. The latter mode lets you keep firing until you're confident you've got the shot you want. A time-lapse mode enables you to set the camera to take shots at predefined intervals (as long as the battery holds out).
For a sophisticated 5-megapixel camera, the Coolpix 5400 is relatively small and light, and the pronounced right-hand grip makes holding it with one hand easy.
WHAT'S NOT: The camera body is littered with buttons and dials. After you've used the camera for a while, you'll probably have a better sense of where they all, but we often had to stop and study them. You must dig into the menus simply to change the resolution and image quality settings (you can assign one of the external buttons to that task, however). To focus manually, you must hold down a button and spin a wheel--a very awkward arrangement.
The 1.5-inch LCD display is much too small, especially on an expensive camera designed to appeal to serious photographers; in contrast, the Coolpix 5000 had a 1.8-inch display. At least the display swivels outward from the body for self-portraits or shooting with the camera overhead.
WHAT ELSE: The Coolpix 5400 records video with sound, at up to 640 by 480 resolution. That's high compared to most cameras, but the exposure changes slowly when you move from shadows to well-lit areas. In its panoramic assist mode, the camera shows you semi-transparent images of a just-taken shot to help you line up the next shot; it's easier to use than Olympus's panoramic mode (which relies on framing lines), but it's not quite as good as Canon's, which shows the overlapping images more clearly.
The rechargeable lithium ion battery held out for 338 shots (about 2 hours) in our tests. That's near the average for cameras priced at $500 or more. The camera comes with a small external battery charger that requires you use a 6-foot-long cord; it's great if you need to reach a distant power outlet, but unwieldy when you take it on trips.
UPSHOT: The Coolpix 5400 takes fantastic pictures, and it can handle nearly any shooting situation. But pausing to remember where each of its many features is buried can cause you to miss some shots.
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Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: geitac
Strengths: wide angle lens, easy to use, 15 scene modes, Nikon customer support, Nikkor optics
Weaknesses: small lcd screen, ccd failure
Overall: great camera, great value for price. extremely easy to use with many options and features. Used as a daily work horse; still going strong after 20,000+ photos and expect to use it for another 20,000+ photos. This replaced a similar Nikon Coolpix that was dropped one too many times, which also was used as a daily work horse and was still taking good photos after 40,000+ photos, even though you could hear broken pieces rolling around inside. The CCD did fail at close to 20,000 photos but Nikon repaired it promptly at no cost. The wide angle lens is extremely useful and very hard to find in this price point. Overall a great camera. Buy a Nikon, it is durable and takes great photos.
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Reviewed by: lenprovost
Strengths: Great while it worked.
Weaknesses: The CCD failed as in their 5700 model which was recalled and repaired at no charge.The CCD went "black". Pictures can no longer b taken; though you can print black squares and waste consumables.
Overall: DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA. I had a similar problem with a Canon Powershot 400 that I bought in Washington DC in 2003. They repaired the camera at no charge; evn paid freight both ways.Nikon is not supporting product that was shipped with a manufacturing defect in my opinion and that of many others on the web. Search with the string: black coolpix 5400 ccd if you want to see a few more vistims feelings regarding the failure
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Reviewed by: geocam
Strengths: size, features, many useful capabilities, 15 scenes
Weaknesses: slow to cycle up, no blur motion corection feature, poor reliability CCD failed after 8 months
Overall: This was a very nice camera. I really liked all the advanced features and after 6 months still enjoyed learning all the pleaseant new features this camera offered. I was taking some very nice photographs and was limited by the inability to focus correctly in the low light situations that this camera did not excel in. This could be worked around by using other features and a monopod to capture more light. I guess I liked this camera until the CCD failed, Now after 8 months all it does is take pictures of varying dark shades of black. All the other functions still work mind you, the screen does too but all it can take are shoots of darkness. if it had lasted more than 2500 shoots , say 5 years I may have been happier. Oh yea there is no recall on the ccd for the 5400 as per nikons own service department. oh well , the good die young and this one sure did that. tooooo bad I probably will look for a more reliable replacement
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Reviewed by: biantim
Strengths: wide-angle coverage, great image quality, Video capture with room in and out, low comparative price ,15 modes of shooting
Weaknesses: a bit heavy, CF card is slow in response, no automatic cover
Overall: I've used quite a few different digital cameras and this one can be called a mid-professional one. 5M is the trend for today's digital camera and 4X room is necessary. With small LCD, its battery can sustain longer time, so in my opinion, its 1.5 inch LCD is an advantage! CF card responds slower than XD or SD, yet it is the cheapest storage. I totally bought 1G CF card, which means 800 pics! Its 15 modes can help you shoot at any time in any condition. I also love its video capture feature as sometimes I prefer video to pics.But you have to buy a case for it. Common cases can't fit for it.
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Reviewed by: monkey2003
Strengths: solid design,high quality pictures
Weaknesses: Though the model is getting old, the price is good.
Overall: Compared with other brand 5MP digital cameras, the coolpix 5400 is superior in picture quality, body design, and manual controls. Comfortable feeling of hold and convenient control button positions. A $200 manufacturer rebate makes the price more attractive. Would be perfect if higher optical zoom capability is provided.
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