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Nikon Coolpix A compact camera review

The camera, integrated with Nikon’s proprietary system accessories, not only offers a wide range of shooting controls, but also reproduces the DSLR control style as closely as possible in a compact. Even the graphic design of the software interface and its structure are affected.

Nikon Coolpix A

Compact Cameras

Nikon Coolpix A

16.2Mpx28mm1x3″ 30,000rub.

The Coolpix A is no longer young, but it hasn’t lost its relevance. There are only two such compact APS-C cameras on the market. The only direct competitor is the Ricoh GR, but for all their similarities they are very different concepts. So for certain categories of photographers the Coolpix A has no alternative.

The most probable buyer of this camera can become the owner of older amateur and professional SLR Nikon. A pocket-sized camera for snapshots, a tool for backstages, a quick fix for genre scenes that come up at random and, finally, an easy alternative to “system” equipment for personal use. The main obstacle to using the Coolpix A as a versatile camera, as with any other models equipped with APS-C-format sensors and above, is the optics. Even a prime lens can be a prime lens, but it still leaves you with limited options for what you can shoot and where you can crop. Nikon’s designers opted for an angle of view equivalent to 28 mm in 35 mm format, but they actually deprived the Coolpix A of the chance to work well in the portrait genre. The natural perspective distortion at this focal length can greatly alter facial features at short distances, and too much of the background will enter the frame when moving away from the subject. The Fujifilm X100 family with a 35 mm lens can do it a little better, but still.

An APS-C sensor without a low-pass filter and custom-designed optics deliver super-detailed image detail, so landscape-oriented photographers will love the Coolpix A. No problem at higher sensitivities either. This is especially useful because no stabilization system could be built into the small camera.

The camera, integrated with Nikon’s proprietary system of system accessories, not only offers a wide range of shooting controls, but also reproduces the DSLR control style as closely as possible in a compact. Even the graphic design of the program interface and its structure are affected. Owners of amateur and professional Nikon models will be very comfortable and accustomed to interact with the Coolpix A. Even in the design elements and texture of the magnesium body finish, the designers were clearly inspired by these “system” machines. However, one should understand that the camera interface is not too appealing to those who like to customize everything in the apparatus. The functionality of the vast majority of controls is predetermined. Whether it is comfortable to use? I guess it all depends on the individual photographer’s habits and preferences.

No built-in wireless communications module in the camera. But if you need one, don’t write the Coolpix A off: with the optional WU-1a transmitter, you can easily remedy this shortcoming. The module is small enough and not expensive at all, connects to the USB port and allows you to transfer ready-made photos to iOS and Android mobile devices and broadcast them “live” image from the camera in remote shutter mode.

Specifications:

Matrix

Manufacturer

Nikon

Model

Coolpix A

Average price*

30000

Size, inches

23,6×15,6

Effective pixels, millions

16,2

ISO sensitivity**

100-6400 25600

Lens, focus

Eqv. Focal length, mm

28

Zoom, magnification option ./digital

1x/-

Shooting

Image stabilization***

Aperture values

2,8

Manual focus

+

Macro mode, MDF, cm

10

Shutter speed range, sec

30-1/2000

Scene programs

19

Mode A

+

S Mode

+

M mode

+

Manual white balance

+

Built-in operation

flash, m

0,5-11,5

Connecting

external flash

Hot-shoe

3:2 image format

+

16:9 aspect ratio

RAW

+

Video and sound

Video, pixels

1920×1080@30p

Movie sound

+

Sound Commentary

Voice recorder

Camera

LCD monitor, inches

3,0

LCD monitor resolution, thousand pixels

921

Viewfinder****

Memory cards

SD/SDHC/SDXC

Internal memory, MB

Power*****

Li-ion 230

Dimensions, mm

111×64×40

Weight, g

299

Announcement date

3/5/2013

Nikon Coolpix P7800

Photo equipment

Nikon Coolpix P7800

12,2 mP 28-200 mm 7x 3″ 17 900 rub.

As the main answer to its competitors, the P7800 offers a more versatile zoom. Its aperture metrics are slightly lower than those of its 1/1.7-inch Canon, Olympus and Pentax classmates. The Panasonic LF1 offers a similar range of focal lengths, but its lens is slightly “darker” in teleposition. Maximum lens focal length extended to 200mm in 35mm equivalent at f/4 aperture provides more framing options and expands the list of scenes available. Basic shooting features are up to current standard: large CMOS sensor with backlighting and 12 million photo detectors, support for continuous shooting up to 8 fps, RAW shooting, pluggable ND filter, flexible and detailed adjustment of a mass of shooting parameters. The P7800 has both a built-in flash and a hot shoe, but what really sets it apart from the competition is its ability to wirelessly control external flashes. This functionality is only found on the Olympus XZ-2. The Nikon camera beats the Canon PowerShot G16 by having a display – similar in characteristics, but fundamentally different in design. Swivel mount not only allows you to change the angle of the screen, but also to rotate it sideways and point it forward. So, regardless of the orientation of the camera, it will be convenient to compose frames on the screen. They didn’t forget to build in a viewfinder in the P7800. Whereas previous models had an optical zoom, the electronic equivalent has now replaced it. It’s small, but shows decent resolution for its size. Better than the zoomable G16 analog finder anyway.

Naturally, the camera is compatible with a fairly wide range of Nikon DSLR accessories, including even an external controllable zoom microphone, remote wired, radio and IR remote controls, wireless communication modules and a GPS receiver. You can connect the latter to the P7800, but in general it is not necessary, because the geolocation module in the camera has its own.

Specifications:

Sensor

Manufacturer

Nikon

Model

Coolpix P7800

Average price*

17900

Size, inches

1/1,7

Effective pixels, millions

12,2

ISO sensitivity**

80-6400

Lens, focusing

Eqv. Focal length, mm

28-200

Zoom, magnification opt./digital

7,1x/-

Photography

Image stabilization***

o

Aperture values

2,0-4,0

Manual focus

+

Macro mode, MDF, cm

2

Shutter speed range, sec

60-1/4000

Scene programs

19

Mode A

+

S Mode

+

M Mode

+

Manual white balance

+

Built-in

flashes, m

0,5-10

Connecting

external flash

Hot-shoe

3:2 image format

+

16:9 image format

+

RAW

+

Video and sound

Video, pixels

1920×1080@30p

Sound video

+

Audio commentary

+

Voice recorder

Camera

LCD monitor, inches

3,0

LCD resolution, thousand pixels

921

Viewfinder****

je

Memory cards

SD/SDHC/SDXC

Internal memory, MB

86

Power*****

Li-ion 340

Dimensions, mm

119x78x50

Weight, g

399

Announcement date

9/5/2013

Nikon Coolpix P340

Compact Cameras

Nikon Coolpix P340

12.2 MP 24-120 mm 5x 3″ 12,900 Dollars.

The Coolpix P340, as a typical representative of the pocket “problyummer”, offers keen experienced photographers a large sensor with a low resolution, but with a high effective sensitivity, a full set of manual modes and a variety of settings, and an interface optimized for comfortable management of a rich toolbox. 5x zoom has an excellent brightness F1.8 at the wide end, which, unfortunately, dramatically decreases to F5.6, not having time to reach the maximum focal length of 120 mm. And here, of course, the P340 loses out to its main competitors. At the same time, it’s the most affordable camera in its class in the current range. For those who want to try and work with a good and functional compact without spending a lot of money, there is no better recommendation.

The camera has an excellent screen with 921 thousand pixels and an extra white pixel in each group. Due to this, with a comparable backlight power, it shows a brighter picture, not fading in the sun. Considering the fact that the screen in the camera is not rotatable, this is especially relevant. The youngest “large-format” Nikon compact features an extremely user-friendly control system that even the Coolpix A. Three wheels, one of which is placed on the lens, solve most of the problems of quick access to settings. The electronics are fast enough for continuous shooting at 10 fps curiously, the older P7800 can’t boast such speed . Once the shutter is released the camera is not distracted by the image processing: this process takes place in the background, even if the shooting was done in HDR. As a result, the photographer does not miss subjects because of the thoughtfulness of the technique. The software tools include a set of “frivolous” digital filters, and quite working tools like Picture Control or Active D-Lighting, optimizing the color or tone pictures, respectively. Automatic HDR image assembly mode is implemented on the basis of capturing only two frames. This may not be enough to reproduce a smooth tonal transitions in scenes with particularly strong contrast, but in most cases this feature is still useful.

While the previous version had GPS as a nice extra, the newest model has Wi-Fi. With its help it is possible not only to upload actual geodata from mobile device, but also to send images to network or remote control: more than a useful substitute.

Technical features:

Sensor

Manufacturer

Nikon

Model

Coolpix P340

Average price*

12900

Size, inches

1/1,7

Effective pixels, millions

12,2

ISO sensitivity**

80-3200 6400, 12800

Lens, Focus

Eqv. Focal length, mm

24-120

Zoom, magnification optional ./digital

5x/10x

Photography

Image stabilization***

o

Aperture value

1,8-5,6

Manual focus

+

Macro mode, MDF, cm

2

Shutter speed range, sec

60-1/4000

Scene programs

19

Mode A

+

S mode

+

Mode M

+

Manual white balance

+

Built-in performance

flashes, m

0,5-6,5

Connecting

external flash

3:2 image format

+

16:9 aspect ratio

+

RAW

+

Video and sound

Video, pixels

1920×1080@30p

Video sound

+

Sound Commentary

+

Recorder

The camera

LCD monitor, inches

3,0

LCD monitor resolution, thousands of pixels

921

Viewfinder****

Memory cards

SD/SDHC/SDXC

Internal memory, MB

56

Power*****

Li-ion 220

Dimensions, mm

103×58×32

Weight, g

194

Announcement Date

2/7/2014

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John Techno

Greetings, everyone! I am John Techno, and my expedition in the realm of household appliances has been a thrilling adventure spanning over 30 years. What began as a curiosity about the mechanics of these everyday marvels transformed into a fulfilling career journey.

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Comments: 2
  1. Tatum

    Is the Nikon Coolpix A compact camera worth the investment? How does it perform in low-light conditions and what are the image quality and sharpness like? Additionally, what are its main features and how does it compare to other compact cameras in its price range?

    Reply
  2. Henry Turner

    I’m really interested in purchasing a new compact camera, and I came across your review on the Nikon Coolpix A. It sounds like a great option, but I’d love to have more information. How is the image quality in different lighting conditions? Is the autofocus reliable and quick? And finally, does the camera offer any manual control options for advanced users? Your insights would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
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