Nikon Coolpix 5000

Manufacturer: Nikon Type: camera (compact) Year introduced: 2001 Resolution: 5 megapixels (2,560 x 1,920) Sensor: 1/1.8-inch CCD Lens: Nikkor 7.85-32mm f/2.8-4.8 (28-85mm equivalent) Macro: focuses to 2 cm (0.8 inches) Storage: CompactFlash (Type I/II, Microdrive compatible) Predecessor: Coolpix 995 Successor: Nikon Coolpix 8400 (2004)

Overview

The Nikon Coolpix 5000 was the defining underwater compact camera of the 2001-2003 era. Announced by Nikon in September 2001 and shipping in early 2002, it quickly became the most popular digital camera for underwater photography among serious amateurs and working professionals transitioning from film. At DEMA 2002 in Las Vegas, Eric Cheng reported that the Coolpix 5000 was “currently the most housed digital camera, with 7 different housings found” at the show — a remarkable ecosystem for a single compact camera ([1]).

The camera’s appeal for underwater use rested on several key features: a hot shoe for hardwired TTL strobe connection (unlike most compacts of the era), excellent close-focusing macro capability down to 2 cm, 5-megapixel resolution sufficient for 8x10 prints, compatibility with Nikon’s WC-E68 wide-angle converter (providing 19mm equivalent coverage), and RAW file capture. Its 28mm native wide-angle was broader than most compacts, and the external flash connection meant photographers could use professional Nikonos-compatible strobes with direct TTL metering rather than relying on unreliable optical slave systems.

Professional underwater photojournalist Mauricio Handler tested the camera in Aquatica’s housing in the Turks and Caicos and praised its versatility: “I was able to shift between a high quality jpeg, to a high end Tiff and a 40-second video clip mode with ease using this versatile system” ([2]). The camera was also used as a serious scientific tool — marine biologist “subh2o” noted it had “a lot of potential as a true working tool in marine biology… mostly because of its great macro capabilities” ([3]).

On the July 2002 Wetpixel Bahamas trip — alongside five Canon D60 DSLRs — an “Aquatica-housed Nikon Coolpix 5000” was among the cameras in use, demonstrating the compact’s place alongside professional SLR systems ([4]).

Specifications

FeatureSpecification
Sensor5.0 MP, 1/1.8-inch CCD
Resolution2,560 x 1,920 pixels
LensNikkor 7.85-32mm f/2.8-4.8 (28-85mm eq.)
Macro2 cm minimum focus distance
File formatsJPEG, TIFF, RAW (NRW)
StorageCompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive (up to 1 GB)
FlashBuilt-in + hot shoe for external flash (TTL)
Flash syncUp to 1/500th second
Video40-second clips
LCD1.8-inch rear monitor
Converter compatibilityNikon WC-E68 wide-angle (19mm eq.), FC-E8 fisheye
Software bundledNikon View, Cumulus image management
Street price (2002)~$500 USD

Key underwater-relevant features:

Firmware Updates

Version 1.7 (October 2002)

Nikon released firmware version 1.7 in October 2002, which addressed several of the camera’s most significant weaknesses for underwater use ([9]):

The firmware update was generally well-received, with users calling it a significant improvement: “1.7 rocks” (davephdv). Installation required Windows XP or Mac OS 9.2 — Windows 98 users reported compatibility problems.

Housing Ecosystem

The Coolpix 5000 attracted an unprecedented number of housing manufacturers — at least seven were available by DEMA 2002 (July 2002), making it the most supported digital compact for underwater use at that time ([10]).

Ikelite

Ikelite was one of the first manufacturers to have a CP5000 housing available, displaying it at the Seaspace 2002 show in Houston where James Wiseman handled it alongside the new DS-125 digital strobe ([11]). The Ikelite housing was the entry-level professional choice, paired with Ikelite’s own SubStrobes via TTL sync cord. Wiseman’s 2002 beginner guide estimated the complete Coolpix system (camera + Ikelite housing + strobe + sync cord + memory) at $1,810 ([12]). Forum user “davephdv” described it as “a very well made housing that access all camera functions” ([13]).

Aquatica (A5000)

The Aquatica A5000 was the premium aluminum housing option, completed in July 2002 at a retail price of $1,049 ([14]). It was available in silver and blue finishes. The housing featured a single-latch opening system with a hinged back plate, a built-in LCD shade for bright conditions, and access to all camera controls except the on/off button ([15]). Options included a dome port for the internally-mounted Nikon 19mm lens, a wet-removable wide-angle glass lens, moisture alarm, and various tray/grip configurations.

Todd Mintz tested a prototype in July 2002 on the Wetpixel Bahamas trip and praised its build quality and compactness: “the finish rivaled the finish on most cars” and “I was able to carry my entire set-up — camera, strobes, housing, arms and lenses — in my allotted carry-on space” ([16]). The housing was rated to 100 meters, making it suitable for technical divers. A coldwater user (forum member “subh2o”) reported using it on trimix dives with Ikelite DS-50 strobes, calling it “a serious photo tool that gives impressive results and is as rugged as any other professional housing” and noting the standard Nikonos strobe connector provided “near-TTL” capabilities ([17]).

Forum user “arosner” reported positive experiences after three weeks in the BVI: “Solidly built, easy to assemble and slightly negative buoyant” with the wide-angle lens being “fantastic” ([18]).

Forum member “loligo” compared it favorably to Subal, calling it “basically a scaled down version of their excellent SLR housings” and noting the advantage of North American parts availability ([19]).

Mauricio Handler field-tested it professionally in the Turks and Caicos and found it “very reliable” with an “ergonomically comfortable” package. He praised the “single easy to open latch system” and noted the complete unit was compact enough to clip to his BC as a backup ([20]).

Light & Motion (Tetra 5000)

Light & Motion released the Tetra 5000 housing, based on the design of their successful Tetra for Olympus cameras but with the addition of built-in strobe control circuitry (ROC). A photo was released in July 2002 ([21]). At Seaspace 2002, Light & Motion confirmed prototype housings were in the hands of testers, and the production version would feature the ROC system providing “fine control of strobe power on the housing” ([22]). At DEMA 2002, it was displayed as a production model with built-in strobe controller as standard; the strobe controller was now “standard fare” for all new Light & Motion models ([23]).

Sea & Sea (DX-5000)

The Sea & Sea DX-5000 was designed to integrate with Sea & Sea’s existing lens and strobe ecosystem. It accepted all conversion lenses from the Motor Marine III camera system, including underwater-changeable macro diopters and a 0.56x wide-angle adapter. The Nikon Coolpix fisheye lens could be used with an optional dome port ([24]).

Subal (CP5)

The Subal CP5 housing was available through MCD, a Wetpixel sponsor and US Subal dealer ([25]). A wide-angle/fisheye port for the CP5 housing was announced in September 2002 ([26]). The Subal featured an angled open viewfinder that users praised — forum member “ray” reported from the Red Sea that “the view finder open and angled is a big plus” ([27]). However, the Subal was expensive — forum user “loligo” noted it was “up to three times the price” of the CP5000 camera itself and that “Subal no longer has an American distributor” at the time ([28]).

Underwater Phantaseas / Advanced Design Engineering

Designed by Merlin Phillips of Advanced Design Engineering (Idaho), sold under the Underwater Phantaseas brand name (run by Phillips’ wife Jo, a PADI instructor). The housing was priced at $995, featured room for a battery pack to avoid cracking the housing between dives, and was designed for direct INON lens compatibility without an adapter. Renderings were released in April 2002 with a target early summer delivery ([29]). Phillips showed a prototype at DEMA 2002 — he had gone on the Wetpixel Kona trip with Eric Cheng and Dave Breitigam, and Dave had pushed him to enter the digital UW housing market ([30]).

10bar

10bar of Hong Kong listed a Coolpix 5000 housing in their DEMA 2002 handouts alongside housings for the Sony DSC-F707, Canon G2, and Nikon CP 2500. They also supplied optional accessories such as lenses and arms ([31]).

OceanHaus (A B Sea Photo)

Sold through A B Sea Photo of Los Angeles (located on Sepulveda near LAX, convenient for “last minute purchases or rentals on the way to LAX”). The aluminum housing was painted with distinctive color schemes and rated to 300 feet — the deepest rating of any CP5000 housing. It featured 14 controls and a flat port standard, with an optional wide-angle port. A B Sea also had plans for a CP5700 OceanHaus version ([32]).

Predecessor: Coolpix 990/995

The Coolpix 5000 was the culmination of Nikon’s “swivel body” Coolpix line that had become the de facto standard for early digital underwater photography. The Coolpix 990 (3.34 MP, 1999) and Coolpix 995 (3.34 MP, 2001) established the template that made the 5000 so successful.

Coolpix 990: Eric Cheng bought his first underwater camera system — a Coolpix 990 in an Ikelite housing with a SubStrobe 200 — and took it to Palau on his very first dive trip in April 2001. Despite fighting housing problems (“I remember having to swim up to 30’ to change camera settings because the buttons were sticking”) and an overpowered strobe, the trip launched his career in underwater photography and ultimately led to the founding of Wetpixel ([33]). James Wiseman also began with a Coolpix 990, taking his first underwater photos in the Florida Keys “in full automatic — just about all I knew about photography at the time was how to push the shutter button” ([34]). Wiseman also noted that with a CP990, overexposure was a chronic problem unless “you had your strobe backed WAY out and the camera at -2.0 stops of EV” ([35]).

Coolpix 995: The successor offered slightly improved ergonomics and the same 3.34 MP resolution. Aquatica produced a well-regarded aluminum housing (A995) at $849, which positioned the camera at a 45-degree viewing angle and was pressure-tested to 350 feet. Reviewers Tom and Therisa Stack praised its “wet-changeable” 100-degree wide-angle lens and the camera’s macro focusing to 0.8 inches ([36]). Ikelite also produced a CP995 housing with TTL bulkhead. Wiseman’s 2002 beginner guide recommended the Coolpix 995 at $400-500 as “a good choice” for getting started, noting its advantage over the Olympus 3040: the ability to focus to 3/4 inch for macro and a socket for TTL external flash ([37]).

The progression from CP990 to CP995 to CP5000 represented the rapid evolution of digital underwater photography — from 3.34 megapixels with basic housings to 5 megapixels with a seven-housing ecosystem, all within roughly two years (2000-2002).

Community Discussion

The Coolpix 5000 was central to Wetpixel’s early forum culture. James Wiseman, who used a CP5000 as one of his early underwater cameras, was one of its most vocal advocates. When forum member “CoralDoc” asked for camera advice in November 2002, Wiseman responded with sample images and a strong endorsement: “You can do great wideangle with the Coolpix native lens or even go as wide as 19mm with the WC-E68” and noted that unlike competing Sony cameras, “with the Coolpix you can use just about anything” for strobes ([38]).

Forum user “yahsemtough” (Todd) mentioned using Cumulus portfolio software that “came with the cp5000” — a detail reflecting how the camera was marketed to serious photographers who needed image management tools ([39]).

The TTL-versus-manual strobe debate was a recurring topic among CP5000 users. Eric Cheng (posting as “Guest wetpixel”) noted his own frustration with lacking TTL capability on his Canon D60 system, while acknowledging “I do know people who only shoot TTL” ([40]). Wiseman confirmed he shot TTL with the CP5000 “with great results” and posted a gallery of images from the Flower Gardens ranging “all the way out at 28mm to extreme macro” ([41]). Forum consensus held that TTL worked well for macro (where the subject fills the frame) but that manual strobe control was preferred for wide-angle ([42]).

The housing debate among CP5000 users was also active. In a thread comparing the Subal CP5 to the Light & Motion Tetra 5000, user “yahsemtough” advocated for the Aquatica housing on value grounds (especially favorable for Canadian buyers), while “davephdv” praised the Ikelite’s access to all camera functions and noted Ikelite was developing their own version of the ROC strobe controller ([43]).

Known Issues

The camera’s limitations were discussed openly in the community:

Successor

By September 2004, James Wiseman noted that the Coolpix 5000 (and Olympus 5050) were due for replacement: Nikon announced the Coolpix 8400, an 8-megapixel compact with a 24-85mm equivalent lens. Wiseman wrote: “It’s been a while since I’ve been excited about a compact camera, because manufacturers have been leaning toward massive ‘prosumer’ models. If Nikon or a 3rd party comes out with an affordable housing, this will be the camera I recommend” ([50]). However, by 2003-2004, the market was already shifting toward entry-level DSLRs (Nikon D100, Canon D60, Canon Digital Rebel) which offered superior image quality and professional lens ecosystems.

Timeline

References

Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  2. Wetpixel article, Sep 30, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 5000 ↩
  3. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 50001 ↩
  4. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Echeng Bahamas Trip ↩
  5. Wetpixel article, Oct 31, 2002: How To Get Started In Underwater Digital Photography ↩
  6. Forum thread: Advice Needed On Digital Camera System ↩
  7. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  8. Forum thread: Advice Needed On Digital Camera System ↩
  9. Forum thread: Cp5000 Firmware Update V17 ↩
  10. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  11. Wetpixel article, Apr 16, 2002: Seaspace 2002 Report Truly Unsinkable ↩
  12. Wetpixel article, Oct 31, 2002: How To Get Started In Underwater Digital Photography ↩
  13. Forum thread: Cp5000 Housing Subal Or Tetra Input ↩
  14. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2002: Aquatica Completes A5000 Housing And Readies D 100 Housing And Others ↩
  15. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 50001 ↩
  16. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 50001 ↩
  17. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 50001 ↩
  18. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 50001 ↩
  19. Forum thread: Cp5000 Housing Subal Or Tetra Input ↩
  20. Wetpixel article, Sep 30, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 5000 ↩
  21. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2002: Lm Releases Photo Of Tetra 5000 ↩
  22. Wetpixel article, Apr 16, 2002: Seaspace 2002 Report Truly Unsinkable ↩
  23. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  24. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  25. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2002: Mcd Offers Subal And Others ↩
  26. Wetpixel article, Sep 30, 2002: Subal D100 Housing ↩
  27. Forum thread: Cp5000 Housing Subal Or Tetra Input ↩
  28. Forum thread: Cp5000 Housing Subal Or Tetra Input ↩
  29. Wetpixel article, Apr 25, 2002: Underwater Phantaseas Designs Housing For The Nikon Cp5000 ↩
  30. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  31. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  32. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  33. Forum thread: My First Dive Trip Ever 2001 ↩
  34. Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2003: Why Go Digital ↩
  35. Forum thread: Ttl Vs Manual ↩
  36. Wetpixel article, Apr 20, 2002: Aquatica Coolpix 995 Housing ↩
  37. Wetpixel article, Oct 31, 2002: How To Get Started In Underwater Digital Photography ↩
  38. Forum thread: Advice Needed On Digital Camera System ↩
  39. Forum thread: Digital Workflow My Technique ↩
  40. Forum thread: Advice Needed On Digital Camera System ↩
  41. Forum thread: Ttl Vs Manual ↩
  42. Forum thread: Ttl Vs Manual ↩
  43. Forum thread: Cp5000 Housing Subal Or Tetra Input ↩
  44. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 50001 ↩
  45. Forum thread: Cp5000 Firmware Update V17 ↩
  46. Forum thread: Advice Needed On Digital Camera System ↩
  47. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 50001 ↩
  48. Forum thread: Ttl Vs Manual ↩
  49. Forum thread: Nikon Cp5000 Interesting Problem ↩
  50. Wetpixel article, Sep 16, 2004: Nikon Announces Compact 8 Megapixel Camera ↩
  51. Wetpixel article, Apr 21, 2002: Ikelite Adds More To Digital Line ↩
  52. Wetpixel article, Apr 25, 2002: Underwater Phantaseas Designs Housing For The Nikon Cp5000 ↩
  53. Wetpixel article, Apr 16, 2002: Seaspace 2002 Report Truly Unsinkable ↩
  54. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2002: Aquatica Completes A5000 Housing And Readies D 100 Housing And Others ↩
  55. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2002: Lm Releases Photo Of Tetra 5000 ↩
  56. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2002: Mcd Offers Subal And Others ↩
  57. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Dema 2002 Report ↩
  58. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2002: Echeng Bahamas Trip ↩
  59. Wetpixel article, Sep 30, 2002: Subal D100 Housing ↩
  60. Wetpixel article, Sep 30, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 5000 ↩
  61. Forum thread: Cp5000 Firmware Update V17 ↩
  62. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2002: Aquatica A5000 Housing For Coolpix 50001 ↩
  63. Wetpixel article, Oct 31, 2002: How To Get Started In Underwater Digital Photography ↩
  64. Wetpixel article, Sep 16, 2004: Nikon Announces Compact 8 Megapixel Camera ↩
  65. Forum thread: Nikon Cp5000 Interesting Problem ↩
  66. DEMA 2002 Report (article) ↩
  67. How to Get Started in Underwater Digital Photography (article) ↩
  68. Aquatica A5000 Housing for Coolpix 5000 (Handler) (article) ↩
  69. Aquatica A5000 Housing for Coolpix 5000 (Mintz) (article) ↩
  70. Aquatica A5000 Testimonial (article) ↩
  71. Handler on the Aquatica A5000 (article) ↩
  72. L&M Releases Photo of Tetra 5000 (article) ↩
  73. Underwater Phantaseas Designs Housing for the Nikon CP5000 (article) ↩
  74. Aquatica Completes A5000 Housing (article) ↩
  75. MCD Offers Subal and Others (article) ↩
  76. Subal D100 Housing (article) ↩
  77. Ikelite Adds More To Digital Line (article) ↩
  78. Seaspace 2002 Report (article) ↩
  79. ECHENG Bahamas Trip (article) ↩
  80. Aquatica Coolpix 995 Housing (article) ↩
  81. Why Go Digital? (article) ↩
  82. Nikon Announces Compact 8 Megapixel Camera (article) ↩
  83. Advice needed on digital camera system (forum) ↩
  84. TTL vs Manual (forum) ↩
  85. Digital Workflow - My Technique (forum) ↩
  86. CP5000 Firmware Update v1.7 (forum) ↩
  87. CP5000 Housing - Subal or Tetra input? (forum) ↩
  88. Nikon CP5000 - Interesting problem (forum) ↩
  89. My first dive trip ever — 2001 (forum) ↩