If you’re thinking of getting a serious “professional” compact, then you should definitely check out the Nikon Coolpix P300. Good ergonomics, manual control, high-aperture optics, “fast” sensor, high resolution display – this camera has all the features and capabilities to be tough competitors with “system” cameras. That said, the P300 is light and compact enough to fit in a pocket, unlike some of its bigger, heavier siblings like the Coolpix P7100. What could be better for a good photographer??
12.2 mP 24-100 4.2x 3″ $310
The body is strictly conservative – simply put, a straight metal bar – measuring 103×58×32 mm and weighing about 190 grams.
Not the most compact size imaginable, but smaller than mirrorless or “older” advanced compacts like the Coolpix P7100 or Canon G12.
Equipped with a stabilizer, the camera’s non-replaceable optics would hardly make you dream of alternative lenses. With a range of focal lengths from 24-100 mm its aperture ratio starts from F1.8, which allows you to get a nice blur when shooting portraits for example, as well as increased frame illumination to reduce shutter speeds or sensitivity.
The three-inch display at 921k. The quality of the camera and of course, both in shooting and viewing the material pleases the eye with high image sharpness. Controls, although it provides amateur automatic functions, are mostly designed for experienced photographers.
Exposure mode is switched with a dial on the top panel. On the same place is one of the dials for monitoring current settings, and the second serves as a compatible navipad and “hot” buttons for accessing some popular functions.
With this set of abilities Coolpix P300 seems a full-fledged competitor to such cameras as Canon PowerShot S95 or Olympus XZ-1, but there are nuances that take the camera out of direct competition at least. The P300’s 12-megapixel sensor is in the 1/2.3-inch form factor and, due to fundamental physical limitations, is inferior to traditional 1/1.7-1.6-format sensors in this segment.
The device does not have another important feature of professionalism: the ability to send “raw” data in RAW. Whether these moments are shortcomings or a conscious decision by Nikon specialists, in any case, they clearly reduce the attractiveness of the device for enthusiasts.
Compensation for sad blunders comes with speed capabilities. The small sensor is made on CMOS technology with backlight, and, added with branded Expeed C2 processor, provides traditionally high speed.
Continuous mode allows you to shoot at up to 8 frames per second. In video activated by a separate button on the body available resolution 1920×1080 pixels at 30 fps and encoding in H.264.
In conclusion, we should point out the interesting fact that the Nikon Coolpix P300 is now one of the most affordable “professional” compacts. Yes, the camera is somewhat inferior to the nearest competitors in the size of the sensor and the related quality of pictures, but in other respects it can compete with each of the compact foes, and even with the “system” cameras, at least until they are equipped with a simple “kit” optics.
Beginners will also like the P300: first, because it is in principle nice, and secondly, because at first it will offer them redundant quality and functionality, and later will contribute to the development of creative skills. And the reduced price, albeit at the expense of obvious simplifications, may, on the contrary, motivate many potential buyers.
How does the affordability of the Nikon Coolpix P300 compare to other professional compact cameras in terms of performance and features?