Tiny entry-level AF 35mm SLR Nikon's smallest and lightest 35mm SLR ever, the new entry-level autofocus N55 is aimed at point-and-shooters who want to move up to a more-versatile interchangeable-lens SLR from their all-in-one compact cameras. It serves this function admirably.
Offering point-and-shoot simplicity plus a host of features for serious shooters (including full manual control of focus and exposure, automatic exposure bracketing and multiple-exposure capability), the sleek silver-finished N55 fits into the Nikon AF SLR lineup just below the popular N65—it's not a replacement for the N65. Major differences between the N55 and N65 are the latter's two additional AF points and additional metering segment, 1-fps-faster motor drive, pentaprism finder (the N55 has a pentamirror) and larger (though still compact) size.
Focusing
The N55 provides two focusing modes: auto and manual. When you set the AF/M switch near the lens mount to AF and partially depress the shutter button, the camera automatically activates single-shot AF if the subject is stationary, or continuous AF if the subject is moving. In continuous AF, the camera employs Focus Tracking (predictive AF) with Lock-On (which keeps focus on the subject should something momentarily come between camera and subject). Set the AF/M switch to M, and you focus manually, by rotating the lens' focusing ring until the subject appears sharp in the viewfinder (the finder's in-focus LCD glows when focus has been established, whether by auto or manual means, with lenses of f/5.6 or faster).
Three focus areas cover nearly half the width of the image frame, making it easy to shoot off-center subjects composed as desired (although it's not difficult to lock focus, merely by holding the shutter button halfway down once focus has been established on a nonmoving subject, then recompose as desired). In Dynamic AF Mode with Closest-Subject Priority (automatically activated in auto mode and all Vari-Programs except close-up, or selected manually by pressing the focus-area button and rotating the Command Dial until the three-bracket symbol appears on the LCD and viewfinder display), the camera focuses on the closest subject to appear under any of the three AF areas and locks focus there. If the subject moves from the selected focus area, the camera automatically switches to the AF area covering the subject's new position in the finder. In Dynamic AF Mode (automatically activated with the center AF area in close-up Vari-Program), you choose the AF area you wish to use by pressing the focus-area button and rotating the Command Dial until the desired area's symbol appears on the LCD and viewfinder display. This is handy when you want to spot-focus on a particular portion of a subject or scene. As with Closest-Priority Dynamic AF, if the subject moves from the chosen focus area, the camera automatically switches to the AF area covering the subject's new position in the finder.
While the N55's Multi-CAM530 AF module uses fewer sensors than the N65's Multi-CAM900, it's just as sensitive, working in light levels down to EV -1 (dim enough to require an exposure of four seconds at f/1.4, and as dim as any current 35mm SLR AF system can handle). In dim light, the camera automatically activates its white body-mounted AF-Assist illuminator to help the system.
The N55 will autofocus with all D- and G-type AF-Nikkor lenses. Economically priced G-type lenses have no aperture rings, and are ideal mates for the N55.
Exposure
The N55 provides five-segment 3D Matrix metering with D- and G-type AF-Nikkor lenses in AE modes, and central partial metering in manual mode. The 3D Matrix meter divides the image area into five segments and takes distance data from the AF system into consideration to come up with accurate exposures in a wide range of exposure situations—it's great for general shooting. With non-D or G-type AF-Nikkor lenses, metering is standard five-segment Matrix, still providing good exposures but not utilizing distance data. In manual mode, the camera switches to central partial metering, placing its main emphasis on the central portion of the image approximating the area covered by the three AF areas.
The N55 offers lots of exposures modes—something for everyone from novice point-and-shooter to really serious photographer—all selected simply by rotating the mode dial to the desired icon. For the newcomer, there are full-auto mode (the green camera icon with the word AUTO above it) and five Vari-Programs. Full-auto is a pure point-and-shoot mode—the camera sets everything. In the Vari-Programs, the camera also sets everything, but to favor specific types of subjects: In Portrait Vari-Program, it favors wide apertures to throw the background out of focus so the subject stands out. In Landscape Vari-Program, the camera favors small apertures for great depth of field, and the flash is disabled. In Close-Up Vari-Program, the camera switches to the center focusing area. In Sports Continuous Vari-Program, the camera favors fast shutter speeds to freeze action subjects, activates continuous film advance for action sequences, and disables the flash. In Night Portrait Vari-Program, the camera fires the flash to expose a nearby subject, and employs a slow shutter speed to bring out detail the dark background (use a tripod for best results).
For more-serious users, the N55 offers flexible program AE (the camera sets both shutter speed and aperture for proper exposure, and you can shift the settings to a desired shutter speed or aperture by rotating the Command Dial, while the camera automatically changes the other control to maintain proper exposure), shutter- and aperture-priority AE, and metered manual.
In all "serious" modes, you can apply ±2 stops of exposure compensation (in 0.5-stop increments), use automatic exposure bracketing (which shoots three consecutive frames, each at a different exposure, selectable in 0.5-stop increments from 0.5 to 2 stops), and make multiple exposures on a single frame.
