If 3-megapixel and 4-megapixel cameras just don’t have enough oomph for your needs, Nikon has introduced the 5.1-megapixel Coolpix 5400, due this summer at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of US$799.95.
The Coolpix 5400 produces images at sizes of up to 2,592 x 1,944 pixels for prints beyond 16 x 20 inches. With the camera’s Continuous Shooting Mode, it will fire seven full-sized images at three frames per second. Additionally, there’s a new five-shot buffer mode, with 64 MB buffer, that lets you capture the last five images of a moment.
The Coolpix 5400 offers a range of shutter speeds from 1/4,000 second up to 10 minutes. You can choose from Programmed Auto (P), Shutter-Priority Auto (S), Aperture-Priority Auto (A) or full Manual (M) exposure shooting modes. The camera’s ISO ranges from 50 to 400, with noise reduction options. The camera sports a 4x Zoom-Nikkor ED optics lenses, which has Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass and a zoom range of 28-116mm (35mm equivalent).
The Nikon camera offers 256-Segment Matrix Metering; plus, you can choose Center-Weighted, Spot and Spot Autofocus metering. The Nikon Coolpix 5400 is capable of shooting subjects as close as 0.4 inches with extreme detail and clarity. “Ultra Macro” is supported by the Best Shot Selector (BSS) feature, which automatically chooses the sharpest of three images.
Depending on whether you want the best Highlight, Shadow or Histogram detail, you can choose one using the appropriate AE-BSS setting. The camera will automatically choose the best relative exposure from a series of shots based on user-selected choice. The Coolpix 5400’s 7 Mode Flash includes Rear Curtain Sync and Repeating Flash Modes. You can attach an additional Speedlight to the built-in hot-shoe to utilize Nikon’s wireless Speedlight system.
The Coolpix 5400’s fully-articulating LCD lets you shoot at just about any angle. It’s also optimized for easy viewing in bright sunlight. The Nikon camera is compatible with Coolpix accessory lenses including the 1.5x ED glass teleconverter, the 0.8x Wide Angle Adapter, and the new Fisheye converter, as well as the Slide Copy Adapter for copying slides.
The camera has a command dial based on the Nikon D100 design. Nikon has also incorporated 15 Scene Modes into the Coolpix 5400 to allow for point-and-shoot operation of the camera.
The camera’s enhanced Movie Mode can record up to 180 seconds of QuickTime video (at 15 frames per second) in Movie (320 x 240) Mode and 70 seconds in TV Movie (640 x 480) format with audio. With the optional AC adapter, the Coolpix can handle time-lapse movie sequences, shared as QuickTime movies, by capturing motion JPEG files showing slow-moving objects or events over a long duration such as a sunrise to sunset or a flower blooming.
The Coolpix 5400 features the latest version of NikonView 6, complete with One-Touch Red-Eye Fix software, as well as bundled third-party software. The Nikon camera comes with a shoulder strap, USB cable, video cable, a Lexar 16MB Memory Card, and a Li-Ion rechargeable battery and quick charger.