New technology encourages new design and I'm sure when Nikon analyzed some pivoting cameras already on the market, they realized that, with film no longer needed, they could literally "get out of the box." Adding some technical refinements, they came up with the CoolPix 900...and a cool camera it is.

The lens and LCD preview screen of the CoolPix 900 rotate independently to let you shoot at high and low angles that previously would have challenged your physique. You can tilt the screen at a convenient angle for viewing while keeping the lens aimed at the subject. And Nikon has wisely included an optical zoom viewfinder to give you a choice; if the sun wipes out the LCD image or the batteries start to expire, you can view scenes the old-fashioned way. Beware, though, the viewfinder not as accurate as previewing images on the screen...the camera captures about 15% more picture area than you actually see.

Despite the fact that it has a lower ISO equivalent than the others (64 vs.100), the CoolPix 900 thrives on low-light conditions and produces better pictures without flash than most cameras using it. (It can be adjusted to produce ISO 128 when needed.) It also has the closest-focusing macro setting (about 1.5" by 2") of any digital camera on the market today. And of course, it goes without saying the Nikkor optics are excellent, color is right on, and the matrix metering system produces perfectly exposed images.

The shot of "Possum" was taken under one of those impossible lighting conditions...all brightly backlit with just room light providing front fill. You just can't ask much more from a camera than what the CoolPix 900 delivered. Now all Nikon has to do is find a way for the lens to swivel in the vertical plane. A ball joint, perhaps? If you want a digital camera that will give you great shooting versatility and brilliant images, this is it.

• A lens cap, ta da! Don't laugh, this has been the main customer bitch to Nikon- about selling a $1,000 camera without providing a 25-cent lens cap. It's really needed to prevent getting fingerprints on the lens as you uncase the camera. (Not provided with the CoolPix 900.)
• External flash synch connection, but only with certain optional Nikon flash units.
• Included 8MB Compact Flash storage card. (4MB with CoolPix 900.)