Nikon CoolPix 600 (1998)

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The Nikon CoolPix 600 was announced 1998-03-16. Compared to it's predecessors, the CoolPix 100 and 300, it was a totally different camera. No wonder because it was a full-fledged OEM model from Panasonic. Panasonic itself marketed it under different names according to the continents where it was sold (Panasonic PV-DC 1580 / NV-DCF5). Why Nikon did not built a camera of their own is not known. The CoolPix 600 was among one of the first digital cameras to sport a docking station and a detachable flash unit. 

The CoolPix 600 was a XGA class camera that shipped with an 8MB memory card. At the time it was released, the price of an XGA CCD had dropped to $60 a piece. The body was made of metal and looked and felt sturdy. The camera was remarkably compact in it's design and therefore very portable. The docking station could be permanently connected to a computer for fast image transfer. Since the camera was an OEM model one could also use the docking station and flash unit of it's twin model, the Panasonic PV-DC 1580 / NV-DCF5. Although the camera was ultra compact it still featured an LCD screen and an optical viewfinder. Looking back I can honestly say that this was a sophisticated piece of equipment and it would have been even better if it would have been made entirely by Nikon but alas the credit goes to Panasonic. So it's funny when people try to sell this camera and praise Nikon for building such a miraculous camera.

A CoolPix 600 can be found every now and then but it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a model with both docking station and flash unit. The speedlight SB-E600 is not to be confused with the more professional Speedlight SB-600.