NIDEK NM-200D Fundus Camera

A fairly easy to use camera that despite its weight and clunkiness, should still be considered mobile and portable.

Overview

Handheld Fundus photography is difficult–both in the efforts it takes to create the actual camera, and in the ways which it’s difficult to actually take photos with it. All those mirrors, flashes, lenses, and storage components all built into the same device require some design ingenuity, and then at times even with the proper device it can still be a challenge. NIDEK’s NM-200D is earthly proof of these problems and its immediately noticeable. The whole design as an idea just isn’t practical in these modern times– carrying a camera in one hand and a way to view it in another seems horribly antiquated. The 200D’s handheld camera piece isn’t all bad; quite comfortable/light actually- and it’s fairly easy to take photos with, especially compared to the slimmer and more ergonomic models. However the handheld camera isn’t exactly cordless- you’re confined to the giant monitor right next to you which isn’t so ergonomic and easy. While the monitor is massive; providing a large (although slightly pixelated) image review source, it’s also: heavy, large, awkward, and everything else that doesn’t rhyme with portable. Yes, the 200D goes where you go (we do call it portable)- it just seems a bit excessive- in the same way older American cars left feet of room between the body and the radiator- for what purpose besides lack of innovative capability? And then there’s the CCD camera which produces a dismal 1.5 megapixels. This isn’t terrible considering the brand new Microclear offers only 2 megapixels, however we don’t recommend becoming a retinal specialist with one of these.