Nikon's 1999 swivel-body classic — 2.1MP CCD, 38-115mm f/2.6-4 zoom, 2cm macro, AA power
The Nikon Coolpix 950 was released in early 1999 as the successor to the ground-breaking 900, and became one of the most recognisable digital cameras of its era. Its two-part magnesium body swivels in the middle so the lens can point independently of the LCD and viewfinder — a design that made it a favourite of early digital adopters, scientists and dentists alike.
It records up to 1600x1200 pixels from a 2.11-megapixel 1/2-inch CCD, through a 3x Zoom-Nikkor covering a 38-115mm equivalent range at f/2.6-4. Close focus reaches a remarkable 2cm, which built its reputation for macro work. Composition is via optical viewfinder or the 2-inch TFT LCD, images store to CompactFlash, and power comes from four AA batteries. The magnesium-bodied camera measures 143x77x37mm and weighs about 350g.
Today the 950 appeals to collectors of milestone digicams and anyone curious about turn-of-the-millennium CCD rendering. The swivel body remains genuinely useful for low and overhead angles and the 2cm macro is still fun; files are small and ISO flexibility minimal, so it is a good-light camera.
The swivel joint is the wear point: rotate it through its full travel and confirm the LCD and controls keep working at every angle, as the ribbon cable through the hinge fails with use. AA power keeps it easy to run — check the contacts for leakage corrosion — and it needs CompactFlash; early firmware favours smaller older cards, so test with the card included in the sale.