Nikon's new Coolpix 990 is a digital camera with 3.34 Mpixel capacity, 3x optical zoon, & complete user control over aperture, shutter speed,  focus, MPEG movies, and much more.  The following sequence illustrates the capabilities learned to use during my first hour with it.  (I haven't edited the pictures in any way.)  The following are thumbnails, and can be "clicked" to view to full-resolution original version.
 

Picture 1.  Wide angle (24 mm EFL, 35-mm camera equivalent, 88 degree width), 640x480 pixels.   Notice two crows in flight.  (Click on the image to see the original 2048x1360 version).
 

Picture 2.  Normal angle (38 mm EFL, 35-mm camera equivalent), 640x480 pixels.  Click the image to see the full-resoultion 2048x1360 pixel version.  The full-resolution image clearly shows the wires in a fence on the other side of the golf course (lower-left quadrant).  Also, note the detail of the red blossoms underneath the dark green tree (right side).
 

Picture 3.  3x optical zoom, (114 mm EFL, 35-mm camera equivalent), 640x480 pixels (the 1024x775 pixel version doesn't show much more) - don't know why.

Next month Nikon will start selling their 3x telephoto add-on lens attachment, allowing for an EFL of 342 mm (35-mm camera equivalent).  They already sell a 180-degree fisheye attachment (great for cloud movies).

Picture 4.  My very first picture (great subject, part of the manual!).  BUT, click on the image to see a 2048x1536 full-resolution verison, and note the detail where the auto-focus was aimed.

Link to zoom sequence of Montecito Peak using binoculars having an 80 to 1 zoom ratio.

This site opened:  May 16, 2000.  Last Update: May 27, 2000