The Nikon Coolpix 775 is a lightweight, compact 2-megapixel camera with a zoom lens providing 35mm equivalent focal lengths of 38 to 115mm. At 6.5 ounces (185 g), without battery or memory card, this all-plastic camera is nearly as light as the lightest 35mm point-and-shoots. The Coolpix 775 is small enough to fit into a shirt pocket. The lens cover is powered and automatic. A weak built-in flash sits just above the lens. As of August 2001 the camera was selling for around $400 at discount retailers.
Other than exposure compensation and a bunch of scene modes , the Nikon Coolpix 775 provides no creative controls. The scene modes include portrait , which tries to keep a wide aperture, party/interior , which slows the shutter speed enough to capture ambient-lit background as well as the foreground objects lit by flash, etc.
It is very difficult to know when you've taken a picture with the Coolpix 775. How can this be? You're the photographer. You pressed the shutter release. So you ought to know. Not exactly. As with many other digital cameras, the Coolpix imposes warm-up delays that range from 0 to 9 seconds. As with many other automatic cameras, the Coolpix may delay exposure until it is able to achieve autofocus. For a fully warmed-up camera on a sunny day with a high-contrast subject, exposure should be within 1/2 second after the shutter release is pressed. If the camera is on but has not been used for 30 seconds, a 5-second delay is to be expected. If the light level is low and the camera is having trouble autofocusing, it is really anybody's guess.
Competitive digital cameras usually beep or produce a simulated shutter click upon exposure. The Nikon Coolpix 775 does not. If you're all by yourself in a quiet country house there is a subtly audible click. But outdoors you can forget it. Shortly after exposure, a green LED next to your eye will start blinking as the image is written to the flash card (during this time the camera is locked and you cannot take another picture).
