Nikon Coolpix 3200

Nikon packs a lot of features into the 3.2MP Nikon Coolpix 3200 that make it an easy-to-operate entry-level compact for the novice but not a camera for the enthusiast. When it comes to picture quality, the same is true: This camera is more suited to a real newbie with a less discriminating eye than a more advanced photographer looking for a pocketable backup. If you just want an inexpensive backup, there are better choices, such as the 4MP Concord Eye-Q 4360z, available for under $200.

This boxy, silver-colored, plastic-bodied camera is very comfortable to hold, with easily accessible shutter and zoom controls. The clearly labeled mode selector dial offers access to 15 presets and includes five "assist" modes, some of which use simple on-screen guides that help you compose shots. On the rear panel, Nikon does a good job of labeling the rest of the controls, which facilitate macro, timer, and flash modes as well as menu, review, and delete options.

The menu structure is easily readable on the 1.6-inch LCD, and the included manual details anything that isn't readily identifiable. Like many cameras, the LCD adjusts for low light (with a grainier image), but trying to see it in strong sunlight is difficult. There's some barrel distortion with the optical viewfinder, unless you're zoomed all the way in. The smooth-operating 3X zoom lens (native focal length, 5.8 mm to 17.4 mm; 35-mm equivalent: 38 to 115 mm) recedes flat into the camera body behind a shade protector when not in use.

While it doesn't include controls for shutter, aperture, or ISO, the Coolpix 3200 provides auto and manual white balance (and presets) as well as EV compensation and five color options. It also performs in-camera red-eye removal, a feature we like. We aren't impressed with the primary continuous-shooting mode, which captures three 3MP pictures in about 2 seconds (up to five shots total). Another continuous mode that's gimmicky but fun takes 16 shots in succession to create a single 1,600-by-1,200 image that's basically a grid of all 16 shots.

More interesting is the camera's BSS (Best Shot Selector) mode, which takes a maximum of 10 shots when you press and hold the shutter button down; it then automatically detects the best (best being sharpest) image to save. We had varying degrees of success in testing this—slightly longer processing times did occasionally yield an improvement in the final image captured. The Coolpix 3200's video capabilities are limited to 640-by-480 pixels at an unimpressive 15 fps, and the built-in microphone is capable of recording the operator's voice but not much more. The camera comes with 14.5MB of on-board memory, uses SD media, and includes two double-A alkaline batteries (rechargeable batteries and charger are optional).

Our lab test results revealed the Coolpix 3200 to be slow, especially with a 6.5-second recycle time. Its 3.2MP sensor was able to resolve 975 lines—low compared with other 3MP cameras we've tested but still within the range of what we'd consider acceptable. It scored a respectable transition pixel average of 2.6 percent. Our simulated daylight shot was decently exposed; it showed a little softness around edges, and the color was a bit green, but not offensively so. We also noted some graininess in the shadows. The flash-invoked shot wasn't very well illuminated, and the colors were decidedly cool.