Timings & File Sizes

Overall the Coolpix 2500 was an average performer. Its startup time is notably quicker than some 'extending lens' digital cameras but slower than others. Its average startup time is down to the fact that despite the 2500's lens being internally enclosed it still 'parks' the lens at power off and must reset it at power on. Other functions are again average for a camera at this level, AF takes about one second and there is a measurable 0.2 second shutter release LAG, which was surprising for a 'new' camera.

Timing Notes: All times calculated as an average of three operations. Unless otherwise stated all timings were made on a 1600 x 1200 Fine JPEG image (approx. 720 KB per image). The media used for these tests was a 256 MB Viking CF card.

Action	Details	Time, seconds
Power: Off to Record		4.5
Power: Off to Play *1	Image displayed	4.1
Power: Record to Off		2.2
Power: Play to Off *1		2.2
Mode: Record to Play	Image displayed	1.0
Mode: Play to Record		2.1
Play: Thumbnail view	4 or 9 images	<1.0
Play: Image to image	1600 x 1200 FINE	<0.5

Action	Details	Time, seconds
Zoom from Wide to Tele	Full zoom from 37 mm to 111 mm (3 x)	1.8
Auto Focus LAG	Wide angle (37 mm) *1	0.9
Auto Focus LAG	Telephoto (111 mm) *1	1.0
Shutter Release LAG		0.2
Total LAG *2		0.9 - 1.6
Off to Shot Taken		5.4
Shot to Shot		2.1

Auto Focus LAG is (roughly) the amount of time it takes the camera to autofocus (a half-press and hold of the shutter release button), this timing is normally the most variable as its affected by the subject matter, current focus position, still or moving subject etc. This timing is an average.

Shutter Release LAG is the amount of time it takes to take the shot after autofocus, this timing assumes you have already focused (half-pressed the shutter release) and now press the shutter release button all the way down to take the shot. This timing is an average.

Total LAG is the total time it takes (not just the two above added together) if you haven't pre-focused, that is no finger touching the shutter release button, press it all the way down in one movement, this new timing is how long it'd take if you were in one of those spur-of-the-moment situations. This timing is an average.

Continuous modes

The table below shows the results of our continuous shooting test, indicating the actual frame rate along with maximum number of frames and how long you would have to wait after taking the maximum number of frames before you could take another shot. The media used for these tests was a 256 MB Viking CF card.

Again, an average performance for this level of camera, keep the file size down (either with image size or quality) and you can shoot continuously at 1.6 fps for around 10 frames. The Coollpix 2500's continuous shooting ability is similar to the Coolpix 775 which came before it.

File Write / Display and Sizes

Timings shown below are the time taken for the camera to process and "flush" the image out to the Compact Flash card, the timer was started as soon as the shutter release was pressed (shutter click was heard) and stopped when activity indicator on the LCD stopped blinking. This means the timings also include the cameras processing time and as such are more representative of the actual time to "complete the task". The media used for these tests was a 256 MB Viking CF card.

Battery life

We ran the camera through our new battery life test. This test is designed to be fair and comparative to each camera and battery type:

• Take 4 shots without flash
• Wait 2 minutes (50% of the time powering the camera off)
• Take 1 shot with flash
• Wait 1 minute
• Repeat

Batteries are fully discharged and recharged before the test and all cameras were reset to their factory default settings. Here are the results:

An amazing performance from this little Coolpix, it managed to just about outlast its older siblings the 775 and 885 who were using the larger, heavier EN-EL1 Lithium-Ion battery. Very impressive.