Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
Nikon's exciting, advanced 5.1-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 5400 digital camera adds a new dimension to the popular Coolpix line of digital cameras and combines a host of enhanced features and design elements. With superior 4x Zoom-Nikkor ED optics, wide-angle coverage and the exclusive new Best Shot Selector (BSS) feature, the Nikon Coolpix 5400 provides the ideal tool for digital photographers who are serious about the art of photography. The durable and lightweight Nikon Coolpix 5400 is the perfect tool to enhance any advanced photographer's creative imagination. Optics and Resolution
The Coolpix 5400 uses a 5.1 effective-megapixel CCD to capture images at a maximum native resolution of 2,592 x 1,944 pixels. This allows for clear printouts up to 20x30 inches in size. The camera incorporates a wide angle Zoom-Nikkor lens with a maximum optical zoom of 4x coupled with a stepless 4x digital zoom for a 16x total zoom. The lens contains nine elements in eight groups, with the Zoom-Nikkor lens using Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass and two aspherical lenses completing the setup. With a focal length range of 5.8 mm to 24mm, the 4x optical zoom is equivalent to a 28-116mm lens on a 35mm camera. The camera has fifteen preset shooting modes for easily shooting portraits, panoramas, landscapes, and many more. Users can select center-weighted, spot, AF spot, or a special 256-segment matrix metering mode in conjunction with TTL white balance to provide incredible exposure and color balance. Shutter speeds vary from 1/4000 second to ten minutes, making it possible to capture a wide variety of shots, and the Ultra Macro Mode allows for close-ups from a range of .4-inches. Storage and Transfer
The 5400 stores images on either Type I or Type II CompactFlash cards and is compatible with 512 MB and 1GB MicroDrives. Shots are stored in either uncompressed TIFF-RGB format or compressed JPEG format. The camera uses a USB 1.1 interface and also outputs (selectable) NTSC or PAL video. Movie Mode
It is possible to capture 70 seconds of video with audio using the 640 x 480 TV mode, or 180 seconds of video with audio using the 320 x 240 Small Movie mode. More Features
It's always easy to get the perfect pictures thanks to the 5400's Best Shot Selector. In this mode the camera snaps five consecutive shots, analyzes them, and saves only the best of the bunch based on several selection parameters. A similar Auto Exposure Best Shot Selector mode does the same thing by comparing the tonal range and gradation of five consecutive shots snapped in quick succession. All the other pictures are then discarded to conserve storage space. All this is made possible by the camera's integrated 64 MB buffer that can quickly store several shots without committing them to the slower CompactFlash card. Other features include: - Advanced flash modes including Rear Curtain Sync and Repeating flash
- Record up to three minutes of QuickTime video with audio
- Hot shoe for adding powered accessories
Power and Size
An included rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL1 battery powers the camera for up to 110 minutes when using the LCD monitor. The camera measures 4.3-inches by 2.9-inches by 2.7-inches and weighs 11.3 ounces without the batteries and storage media. What's in the Box
The 5400 comes with a lens cap, camera strap, AV cable, Nikon Coolpix Starter Memory Card, USB cable, rechargeable Li-ion battery, external battery charger, and a Nikon View software CD-ROM. Product Description
Whether you're a professional photographer or just want to shoot pictures like one, you'll want to get your hands on a Nikon 5.1 Megapixel CoolPix 5400. Full of new features such as a high-quality wide-angle 4x zoom lens with ED glass, 256-segment matrix metering, high-speed shooting and 15 versatile scene modes, the CoolPix 5400 combines artistry with advanced technology. It even selects your best shot of 5 consecutive photos with the Auto Exposure Best Shot Selector. |
Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 5400's wide angle and optical viewfinder are deal makers, Aug 11, 2023
I purchased the Nikon 5400 to replace my trusty Nikon 990 - the odd-looking one which has made more than 20,000 captures and cause me to set aside my 35mm SLRs forever. I loved my 990 from the first day I took it out of the box. The 5400 has taken a little "bonding" time and I'm still a little ambivalent about it. Some of the things I like best about it are also the things that annoy me the most.
The 5400 produces images of superior quality to the 990, not just in pixel count, but in dynamic range. It also produces sharper images over a wider range of the zoom, with less distortion and color fringing problems. The color balance is better, too, especially in the rendering of skin tones.
Most of my photography falls into two categories: Tabletop catalog-style shooting with external flash, and travel pictures using natural lighting, both outdoors and indoors. The Nikon 5400 fulfills both roles beautifully.
My budget would have allowed me to choose any of the prosumer cameras, including the more moderately priced SLR cameras, but given my shooting habits and requirements, none of them looked to be as good a bet at the 5400. And given what I know now about the camera I most likely would purchase the camera again today. The following is a listing of what I like least and best about the Nikon 5400.
What I hate about it:
1.) The optical viewfinder - The viewfinder has an excellent diopter adjustment, but the camera captures a signifcantly larger area than the viewfinder shows. This makes it very forgiving of sloppy ahooting. You're unlikely to accidently crop someone's head or feet off, but it's impossible to accurately frame an image. (He pauses and spits.)
2.) The small size of the LCD - It provides excellent performance in bright ambient lighting, but it's just too small for effective evaluation of the image after capture is completed. It compensates for varying image brightness to make it easier to see the image, but this kills your ability to judge the exposure. You can be in for some surprises when your view images in the computer that looked good in the camera may be underexposed or have blown-out highlights. Thank goodness there's a histogram view you can use to evaluate the exposure.
3.) Inferior dust seals on the sliding tube for the zoom lens - You have to be very careful when cleaning the lens on this camera. I don't know if it's a common characteristic, or if I just happened to get one with a bad lens barrel seal, but I put away the canned air after the first couple of times I cleaned the lens. Some tiny fibers apparently blew into the inside and you can see them on the inner element.
4.) The small size - Because of the 5400's small size and pretty much non-existant grip I fully expect it to slip out my hand at some point. I will always use a strap and wrap it around my wrist when I'm using this camera.
What I love about it:
1.) Its superb wide-angle zoom lens. The was a deal maker for me. The widest angle is roughly comparable to a 28mm on a 35mm camera. This is simply not available on many cameras, and it's far superior to using an auxilliary lens to achieve the wide angle.
2.) The swiveling LCD - Another deal-maker for me. It allows me use the camera at what would otherwise be very awkward high or low angles.
3.) It has an optical viewfinder - Awful as this one is, it does provides a real, live view that never freezes or blacks out at the moment of exposure. The lack of an optical finder is what prevented me from buying the Nilon 8400, which zooms on out to a 24mm equivalent.
4.) The small size - This is such a compact camera I can easily carry it along with me at times I would otherwise leave it at home. It fit easily into a jacket pocket, or hangs around my neck all day with no discomfort.
5.) Scene Modes - Especially the Panorama Assist. It's nice to be able to quickly select a scene mode to handle a particular type of shooting situation, such as backlighted portraits.
6.) Super-close macro - not as convenient or as versatile as the 990's but still superior to most of them out there. You don't get maximum macro capability unless the lens is nearly at its widest setting, but you can still get very close as long as the macro mode is turned on.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
 Where do I start?, Jun 27, 2023
There is a reason that you can find the Nikon Coolpix in droves for re-sale. There are SO many other better cameras out there!
Lets start with the battery on mine, even when its off it sucks it dry.
Now for the card slot door that no-longer likes to stay shut.
Finally it is not a good camera for low light areas.
I finally bought a Kodak Easy Share DX7630 for 299.00 and it has done wonderful!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 camera needs AF assist illuminator, May 25, 2023
i've had this camera since Dec 03. i did extensive research, comparison shopping, and hands-on playing before purchasing this camera. i was torn between this one, the olympus 5060 zoom, and sony dsc-v1 (since discontinued).
i wish i had listened to the repetitive negative reviews regarding the 5400's slow to non-existent low-light AF. i purchased this camera to document my son's childhood, but have sadly missed precious moments due to this camera's slow focus and shutter lag. i pretty much prefocus and press the shutter button halfway in my son's direction and wait for a kodak moment to ever have a chance at catching anything. prefocusing seems to help the shutter lag issue.
i was also pleased to have the option for continous burst mode to capture my son's milestones in sequence shots, but please be aware that you will need to know how to set aperture and shutter speeds for proper exposure. the flash is not usable in this setting and incorrect settings will result in blurred images.
the horrible focus issues had me regretting my purchase days after the $700 transaction. i purchased an additional battery and larger CF cards as well so it was a hefty regret. i found myself wanting to purchase the V1 since it had a nightframing capability allowing it to focus in darkness, but couldn't justify another $700 purchase. i unfortunately failed to discuss my return options with the store i purchased it from so i was stuck with the 5400 blind monster. i have been taking my old reliable 35 mm Minolta with me to events like weddings since i anticipate low-light situations then and the need for a quick-response camera to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments.
i love the option of manual controls for more creative shots. there are a lot of buttons and controls on the camera body so you'll have easy access to them without navigating through the LCD. however, i can't get past the slow AF issue to fully love this camera. also, the writing speed is nothing to write home about! SSSLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWW! this is not a snappy camera.
i will agree that the 5400 is capable of very good shots, but i think it's better suited for still life and landscapes. and just like every other digicam, images still require photoshop manipulations to correct color balance and saturation, sharpness, and contrast. i may be more picky than most since i've never printed an image without photoshop editing.
i have decided to purchase the older Canon S410. i have handled a friends S410 and love the EXCELLENT AF especially in low loght even at a long zoom. the next-to-nothing shutter lag is very impressive. it also uses CF cards so i can use the 3 Lexar 256 MB cards i already have. the S410 is also only $250 from this site! it's only 4MP, but i actually don't mind since i found the 5400's 5 MP setting too noisy and often used the 3.2 setting. the S410 will also be more pocketable. perfect for our upcoming summer vacation. yes, the S410 doesn't have all the manual controls, but right now i just want to get focused and actually capture the moment. i contemplated getting a Canon SDxxx model, but am hesitant to spend more money on new SD cards. I'm sure an SDxxx would be even faster, but i'm already impressed with the S410 and i can save some money.
i had previously given this camera 4 stars when i started typing this review, but after writing this much, have decided change it to 3. i hope this helps.
0 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
 Outstanding! Get this Nikon now!, May 23, 2023
This is a fantastic camera, with unbelievable clarity, all the right features, and it's easy to use. AND YOU CAN GET ONE ABSOLUTELY FREE. All you have to do is click on the below link, complete one of the offers (many of them are free trials and will cost you nothing) refer a few friends to do the same, and you can have your free camera within a matter of days. This is not a scam or any other kind of sucker bet. It's simple, easy, from a reputable site, and you will actually get this camera for free. Go for it - just click on this link:
http://www.FreeDigitalCameras.com/?r=17609852
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Great features for a non-SLR digicam, May 17, 2023
There's no doubt about it, the Nikon 5400 is a great camera. Its small enough to carry with you (though a little too big for pockets), has a nice LCD, boasts amazing 5.1MP resolution, as well as professional quality 4x optical zoom (not junky digital zoom, like other cameras). You can print out an 8x10 poster of your photo without having to stretch the image, that's how great 5.1MP really is. Also, its got tons of features for a non-SLR model that are easy to use for camera beginners.
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