En
The Nikon Guide to Digital Photography
with the
DIGITAL CAMERA
Trademark Information
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of Apple Computer, Inc. Finder, Power Mac, iMac, and iBook are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Internet is a trademark of Digital Equipment Corpora-
tion. Adobe and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. The SD logo is a trademark of the SD Card
Association. PictBridge is a trademark. All other trade names mentioned in this manual or the other documentation
provided with your Nikon product are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
For Your Safety
To prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others,
read the following safety precautions in their entirety before using this equip-
ment. Keep these safety instructions where all those who use the product will
read them.
The consequences that could result from failure to observe the precautions
listed in this section are indicated by the following symbol:
This icon marks warnings, information that should be read before using
this product to prevent possible injury.
WARNINGS
Do not look at the sun through 
the viewfinder
Viewing  the  sun  or  other  strong
light source through the viewfinder
could  cause  permanent  visual  im-
pairment.
Turn off immediately in the 
event of malfunction
Should  you  notice  smoke  or  an
unusual  smell  coming  from  the
equipment or from the AC adapter
(available  separately),  unplug  the
AC adapter and remove the battery
immediately,  taking  care  to  avoid
burns.  Continued  operation  could
result in injury. After removing the
battery,  take  the  equipment  to  a
Nikon-authorized  service  represen-
tative for inspection.
Do not use in the presence of 
flammable gas
Do not use electronic equipment in
the presence of flammable gas, as
this could result in explosion or fire.
Do not place strap around the 
neck of an infant or child
Placing  the  camera  strap  around
the neck of an infant or child could
result in strangulation.
Do not disassemble
internal
Touching  the  product's 
parts  could  result  in  injury.  In  the
event  of  malfunction,  the  product
should be repaired only by a quali-
fied technician. Should the product
break open as the result of a fall or
other accident, take the product to
a  Nikon-authorized  service  repre-
sentative  for  inspection  after  un-
plugging  the  AC  adapter  and
removing the battery.
Observe proper precautions 
when handling batteries
Batteries  may  leak  or  explode  if
improperly  handled.  Observe  the
following  precautions  when  han-
dling a battery for use in this prod-
uct:
i
Keep out of reach of children
Particular  care  should  be  taken  to
prevent  infants  from  putting  the
batteries  or  other  small  parts  into
their mouths.
Removing memory cards
Memory  cards  may  become  hot
during  use.  Observe  due  caution
when 
removing  memory  cards
from the camera.
CD-ROMs
The  CD-ROMs  on  which  the  soft-
ware  and  manuals  are  distributed
should  not  be  played  back  on
audio  CD  equipment.  Playing  CD-
ROMs on an audio CD player could
cause  hearing  loss  or  damage  the
equipment.
Observe caution when operat-
ing the flash
Using  the  flash  close  to  your  sub-
ject’s  eyes  could  cause  temporary
visual  impairment.  Particular  care
should be observed if photograph-
ing infants,  when  the  flash  should
be  no  less  than  one  meter  (39”)
from the subject.
Avoid contact with liquid crystal
Should  the  monitor  break,  care
should be taken to avoid injury due
to broken glass and to prevent liq-
uid crystal from the monitor touch-
ing the skin or entering the eyes or
mouth.
• Before  replacing  the  battery,
turn  the  product  off  and  make
sure  the  power-on  lamp  has
gone out. If you are using an AC
adapter, be sure it is unplugged.
 Use only rechargeable Nikon EN-
EL5  lithium-ion  batteries  (sup-
plied).
 When  inserting  the  battery,  do
not  attempt  to  insert  it  upside
down or backwards.
 Do not short or disassemble bat-
teries.
 Do not expose batteries to flame
or to excessive heat.
 Do not immerse in or expose to
water.
 Do  not  transport  or  store  with
metal  objects  such  as  necklaces
or hairpins.
 Batteries  are  prone  to  leakage
when  fully  discharged.  To  avoid
damage to the product, be sure
to  remove  the  battery  when  no
charge remains.
 Immediately  after  use,  or  when
the  product  is  used  on  battery
power  for  an  extended  period,
the battery may become hot. Be-
fore  removing  the  battery,  turn
the  camera  off  and  allow  the
battery to cool.
 Discontinue  use 
immediately
should you notice any change in
the battery, such as discoloration
or deformation.
Use appropriate cables
When  connecting  cables  to  the
input  and  output  jacks,  use  only
the  cables  provided  or  sold  by
Nikon for the purpose, to maintain
compliance  with  product  regula-
tions.
ii
Notices
• No part of the manuals included with this prod-
uct may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language in any form, by any means, without Ni-
kon's prior written permission.
 Nikon reserves the right to change the specifica-
tions of the hardware and software described in
these manuals at any time and without prior no-
tice.
 Nikon will not be held liable for any damages re-
sulting from the use of this product.
 While every effort has been made to ensure that
the information in these manuals is accurate and
complete,  we would appreciate it  were  you  to
bring any errors or omissions to the attention of
the  Nikon  representative  in  your  area  (address
provided separately).
E5200
Notice for customers in the U.S.A.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Frequency Interfer-
ence Statement
This  equipment  has  been  tested  and  found  to
comply  with  the  limits  for  a  Class  B  digital
device,  pursuant  to  Part  15  of  the  FCC  rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a res-
idential  installation.  This  equipment  generates,
uses,  and  can  radiate  radio  frequency  energy
and,  if  not  installed  and  used  in  accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful inter-
ference  to  radio  communications.  However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur  in  a  particular  installation.  If  this  equip-
ment does cause harmful interference to radio
or  television  reception,  which  can  be  deter-
mined  by  turning  the  equipment  off  and  on,
the  user  is  encouraged  to  try  to  correct  the
interference  by  one  or  more  of  the  following
measures:
 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
 Increase the separation between the equipment
CAUTIONS
Modifications
The  FCC  requires  the  user  to  be  notified  that
any  changes  or  modifications  made  to  this
device that are not expressly approved by Nikon
Corporation  may  void  the  user’s  authority  to
operate the equipment.
Interface Cables
Use  the  interface  cables  sold  or  provided  by
Nikon  for  your  equipment.  Using  other  inter-
face cables may exceed the limits of Class B Part
15 of the FCC rules.
Notice  for  customers  in  the  State  of
California
WARNING: Handling the cord on this product
will  expose  you  to  lead,  a  chemical  known  to
the State of California to cause birth defects or
other  reproductive  harm.  Wash  hands  after
handling.
Nikon Inc.,
1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, New York 
11747-3064, U.S.A.
Tel.: 631-547-4200
 Connect the equipment into an outlet on a cir-
cuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
 Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/tele-
and receiver.
vision technician for help.
iii
Notice for customers in Canada
CAUTION
ATTENTION
This  class  B  digital  apparatus  meets  all
requirements  of  the  Canadian  Interference
Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet  appareil  numéique  de 
la  classe  B
respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement
sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Notice Concerning Prohibition of Copying or Reproduction
Note  that  simply  being  in  possession  of  material  that  has  been  digitally  copied  or  repro-
duced by means of a scanner, digital camera or other device may be punishable by law.
 Items prohibited by law from being copied
or reproduced
Do not copy or reproduce paper money, coins,
securities,  government  bonds,  or  local  govern-
ment bonds, even if such copies or reproductions
are stamped “Sample”.
The  copying  or  reproduction  of  paper  money,
coins, or securities which are circulated in a for-
eign country is prohibited.
Unless  the  prior  permission  of  the  government
has been obtained, the copying or reproduction
of unused postage stamps or post cards issued
by the government is prohibited.
The copying or reproduction of stamps issued by
the government and of certified documents stip-
ulated by law is prohibited.
 Cautions  on  certain  copies  and  reproduc-
tions
The government has issued cautions on copies or
reproductions  of  securities  issued  by  private
companies (shares, bills, checks, gift certificates,
etc.),  commuter  passes,  or  coupon  tickets,  ex-
cept when a minimum of necessary copies are to
be provided for business use by a company. Also,
do not copy or reproduce passports issued by the
government,  licenses  issued  by  public  agencies
and private groups, ID cards, and tickets, such as
passes and meal coupons.
 Comply with copyright notices
The copying or reproduction of copyrighted cre-
ative  works  such  as  books,  music,  paintings,
woodcut  prints,  maps,  drawings,  movies,  and
photographs is governed by national and inter-
national copyright laws. Do not use this product
for the purpose of making illegal copies or to in-
fringe copyright laws.
iv
Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories
Nikon COOLPIX cameras are designed to the highest standards and include
complex  electronic  circuitry.  Only  Nikon  brand  electronic  accessories  (in-
cluding battery chargers, batteries, AC adapters, and Speedlights) certified
by Nikon specifically for use with this Nikon digital camera are engineered
and proven to operate within the operational and safety requirements of
this electronic circuitry.
THE USE OF NON-NIKON ELECTRONIC ACCESSORIES COULD DAMAGE THE CAMERA
AND MAY VOID YOUR NIKON WARRANTY. The use of third-party rechargeable
Li-ion batteries not approved by Nikon could interfere with normal operation
of the camera or result in the batteries overheating, igniting, rupturing, or
leaking.
For more information about Nikon brand accessories, contact a local autho-
rized Nikon dealer.
Before Taking Important Pictures
Before taking pictures on important occasions (such as at weddings or before
taking the camera with you on a trip), take a test shot to ensure that the cam-
era is functioning normally. Nikon will not be held liable for damages or lost
profits that may result from product malfunction.
Life-Long Learning
As part of Nikon's “Life-Long Learning” commitment to ongoing product support and
education, continually-updated information is available on-line at the following sites:
 For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com/
 For users in Europe: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support
 For users in Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa: http://www.nikon-asia.com/
Visit these sites to keep up-to-date with the latest product information, tips, answers
to frequently-asked questions (FAQs), and general advice on digital imaging and pho-
tography. Additional information may be available from the Nikon representative in
your area. See the URL below for contact information:
http://nikonimaging.com/
v
Table of Contents
For Your Safety ..................................................................................................................... i
Notices ...............................................................................................................................  iii
Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................  vi
Introduction........................................................................................................................  1
Before You Begin ................................................................................ 2
Parts of the Camera ............................................................................................................  2
The Monitor........................................................................................................................  4
The Mode Dial ....................................................................................................................  6
Navigating the Menus.........................................................................................................  7
The Shutter-Release Button.................................................................................................  7
First Steps............................................................................................. 8
Inserting Batteries ...............................................................................................................  8
Inserting Memory Cards....................................................................................................  10
Checking the Battery Level................................................................................................  12
Basic Setup .......................................................................................................................  14
Basic Photography............................................................................. 17
Step 1–Select 
 Mode...................................................................................................  17
Step 2–Frame the Picture ..................................................................................................  19
Step 3–Focus and Shoot....................................................................................................  21
Step 4–View the Results (Full-screen Playback) ..................................................................  24
Scene Mode ....................................................................................... 27
Assist and Scene Modes....................................................................................................  27
Framing Assist...................................................................................................................  28
 Scene Mode.............................................................................................................  34
 Taking Pictures for a Panorama ..................................................................................  40
More on Photography....................................................................... 42
 When Lighting Is Poor: Using the Flash .........................................................................  42
 Taking a Self-Portrait: Using the Self-Timer..................................................................  44
 Easy Close-Ups: Macro Close-Up Mode .......................................................................  46
 Controlling Exposure: Exposure Compensation ...........................................................  47
Movies................................................................................................ 49
Selects Movie Types ..........................................................................................................  49
 Recording Movies........................................................................................................  51
Viewing Movies ................................................................................................................  52
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