Nikon introduces its Coolpix P600, P530 and S9700 high zoom cameras with 16MP BSI CMOS sensors. The Coolpix P600 and P530 feature built-in electronic viewfinders and 60x and 42x optical zoom ranges, respectively, while the Coolpix S9700 travel zoom compact has a 30x optical zoom. Both the P600 and S9700 offer built-in Wi-Fi, and all three cameras provide 1080/60i HD video recording.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
The Coolpix P340 is Nikon’s latest pocket enthusiast camera designed to compete with the likes of the Canon PowerShot S120. It features a 1/1.7″, 12.2-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor with ability to capture Raw files. The P340 has a useful 24-120mm equivalent stabilized zoom range with F1.8-5.6 maximum aperture, a high resolution 3″ LCD screen and now includes built-in Wi-Fi. Learn more
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
CES 2014: Nikon’s compact announcements for CES include the Coolpix L830, a budget-oriented 34x superzoom. It’s equipped with a 16 megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor and a tilting 3.0-inch 921k-dot LCD. The L830 records full HD 1080p video with new Hybrid Vibration Reduction stabilization available while recording video. Available in February, the L830 is powered by AA batteries.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
CES 2014: Nikon has announced several additions to its line of slim compacts including the Coolpix S6800, S5300 and S3600. The Coolpix S6800 features a 12x optical zoom, 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and Wi-Fi connectivity. Below it in the lineup, the S5300 has an 8x zoom, 16 megapixel CMOS chip and built-in Wi-Fi. The S3600 also provides an 8x optical zoom and a 20.1 megapixel CCD sensor. All three will be available in February.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
It helps now and then to look around the market and see what’s out there. Occasionally, a downscale camera that has escaped your notice can precisely answer your needs. Successor to the COOLPIX P7700, reviewed only six months ago, the P7800 delivers full-scale manual shooting, with some functions normally available only in DSLRs.
It has a 7.1x optical zoom that runs a 35 SLR equivalent range of 28-100mm. Sure, it’s not in the same territory as Sony’s 30x zoom model, the DSC-HX50V, nor Canon’s SX50 HS with a 50x zoom lens. But, as many have found out, these maxi zoomers need a considerable amount of TLC to bring home the picture bacon: steady hands, a firm support for the camera and a shooting environment that does not cloud distant views with atmospheric haze.
Personally, I’ve found compact digital cameras with zooms up to 10x to be practical picture takers so, with a 7.1x zoom like the P7800, you’re well within handheld territory. Along with this is a pocketable size and manageable weight.
Another bonus is the lens’ fast maximum aperture at f/2.0. This drops to f/4 as you head towards maximum telephoto but becomes no smaller.
Another plus is an eye level viewfinder, so you can aim at the view in full sunlight and not have to battle with a washed out LCD screen. You may not have noticed it, but there are fewer and fewer digital cameras coming to market with such a viewfinder. This situation, I figure, is one that tips many photographers into the arms of the DSLR type of camera and ensnares people who are bereft of the skills to drive such a complex camera. Sure, the view in daylight is much better but if the technology is above your talent … well!
The maximum image size is 4000×3000 pixels or 34×25.4cm (13×10″)as a print at roughly 300 dpi.
The Nikon Coolpix P7800 can capture Full HD video at 1902×1080 pixel resolution. Here is a sample video taken with the P7800:
If you’re looking for the red button to record video … stop! There isn’t one. You must engage the video position on the mode dial and press the shutter button. This means you can’t shoot stills mid video recording. This absence of a red button to record, is rare amidst digital cameras.
For what it’s worth, the camera can fire off a burst of six full size images at a maximum rate of 8 fps.
As I said, the P7800 is an agreeable size and weight, made even more comfortable thanks to a prominent speed grip and good balance. The viewfinder is useable, although a little murky and lacking in definition – but it does frame your shot and confirm focus and level, plus such matters as; selected aperture, shutter speed, ISO setting, camera level, white balance etc.
For more precise viewing (in ambient light less challenging than broad sunlight), you must use the rear LCD screen, which is variable in angle vertically and horizontally.
Top deck controls: at extreme left is the pop up flash and across to the right is the mode dial with settings for auto, P,A,S,M, scene mode (portrait, beach, sunset, panorama etc), special effects (mono, painting appearance, cross processing etc), three user settings, movie and movie custom setting modes.
Farther to the right are the power and shutter buttons, zoom lever, exposure compensation and the Function 1 button that switches the screen display options. Oh and I nearly missed this one: the Function 1 button is tucked away on the front panel, next to the lens. A bit puzzling and poorly explained in the manual, but I figured out that it can directly adjust the ISO setting, RAW, AWB amongst other matters.
But there’s a trap with this button: press it with your forefinger and your thumb naturally applies a back pressure that unfortunately may well cause you to accidentally press one of the rear panel buttons.
There are two command dials (one at front and rear) that can spin you through aperture and shutter speed options or roll through menu options.
On the top level of the rear are two buttons: one triggers the turret finder or LCD screen; the other takes you into a quick menu situation. Beneath these is the replay button. Lower still is the four position jog wheel that takes you to flash options, macro shooting, self timer and AF area choices. Beneath this are the menu and trash buttons. At the right edge are the access terminals for USB, HDMI mini and AV outputs.
Card slot and battery compartment are in the camera’s base.
By using the WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter, you can transmit images from the P7800 to a WiFi equipped device such as a smartphone or tablet. You can also shoot through your mobile device using the Live view function.
ISO 6400 cropped to actual pixel size
Noise rose slightly at ISO 1600. By ISO 3200 noise was up further and definition was suffering. Forget ISO 6400 equivalent.
About a second after startup I could shoot the first shot, a little over a second per shot subsequently.
No problems at either end of the zoom.
ISO 800, f/2, 1/50th of a second
ISO 800, f/8, 1/4000th of a second, spot metering mode
ISO 800, f/5, 1/250th of a second, Matrix metering mode
ISO 800, f/4.5, 1/1250th of a second, Matrix metering mode
ISO 800, f/5.0, 1/1600th of a second, Matrix metering mode
Quality: above average, with accurate colour rendering.
Why you would buy it: you want a ‘proper’ viewfinder (like a DSLR); it’s pocketable.
Why you wouldn’t: buy it you want a maxi zoom.
FWIW I had a ball of fun with the P7800 shooting around the city; the zoom range was perfect for this, with the telephoto end of the 200m equivalent ideal for the longer reach. Mind you, it won’t suit sports photographers … not long enough (or fast enough).
Price: approximately $ 550 US
Web: Nikon Coolpix P7800
DPS Rating: 4
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Nikon Coolpix P7800 Review
The post Nikon Coolpix P7800 Review by Barrie Smith appeared first on Digital Photography School.
Nikon’s new Coolpix P7800 arrived in our Seattle office a few days ago and we’ve been doing our best to get as many sample images as possible on it, despite the unpredictable autumn weather. We’ve managed to create a small gallery of samples, taken in a range of different conditions to show off what the camera can do. There’s more on the way, but for now, check out our gallery of pictures from Nikon’s newest zoom compact flagship.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
My how the game has changed. A few months ago everyone was agog (and still are!) with maxi zoom cameras. Now it seems a few major makers seems to be intent on feeding the market with large aperture, fixed focal length cameras. Among them: Ricoh, Sony, Fujifilm, Sigma.
I’ve used quite a few of these and have to admit their effective use demands quite a bit of restraint and understanding. There’s no point in venturing out to a sports event with the desire to catch superb, close up on-field action; similarly, there’s no joy in banging away on animal and kiddie shots as they duck and weave in an attempt to foil the photographer’s intent; likewise, water-borne subject matter where you have little control of the camera-to-subject distance.
These specialist cameras come into their element where the photographer has complete control: portraits, people shots in general, landscapes, interiors and so on. Another use for them is to go ‘commando’ and hold the camera out from your body, roughly aiming at your target, banging away when you think you’ve caught a ‘live’ one!
Their main attraction is that the photographer can work with fewer concerns to distract him or her: no zoom to worry about (or be distracted by!); just set the aperture and shutter speed … and go shoot!
Where they really sing and dance is where the sensor is on the large side, as with this camera. Another factor (hopefully) is where the camera maker has installed an above average quality lens.
The Nikon Coolpix A has a largish CMOS sensor, in DX format, sized as 23.6×15.7mm, or nearly half the original 35mm frame.
The f2.8 lens is fast-ish and has a 35 SLR equivalent focal length of 28mm that is, to my mind, an ideal focal length for fixed lens photography.
The lens has a seven-blade iris diaphragm which avoids the artefacts captured by odd-shaped lens irises, capturing natural out of focus blurs and highlights.
The 16.2 megapixel capture creates a maximum image size of 4928×3264, enough to make a 42x28cm print. You can capture in JPEG or NRW (RAW) images at 14-bit depth.
Video? Full HD MPEG4 video at 1920×1080 pixel resolution. Due to the unusual video recording arrangement (see below), you can’t shoot stills mid video.
The magnesium and aluminium alloy body is accompanied by a small leather speed grip patch at the right edge of the body and the rear corner.
The camera is without an optical low-pass filter, so expect superior rendering performance and images with superior resolution.
The ISO range runs up to 25600, thanks to an expansion routine.
The camera has in-camera movie editing and you can save a single frame as a still JPEG image.
Continuous shooting at approximately 4fps.
Nikon has taken an unusual route to external control points, some of which may take a bit of getting used to.
First up, there is a function button tucked away beneath a corner of the lens; to this can be assigned such functions as AE and AF lock, RAW capture, AF etc.
The lens itself has a focus ring which comes in to play when you select manual focus from a three position selector (other positions: AF and macro). The camera includes autofocus with manual override: when the shutter button is held halfway down and the focus ring is turned the camera focuses automatically.
Top deck: at left is the flash pop up trigger; further right is the mode dial with auto, PASM positions, scene modes (portrait, candle light, silhouette etc), U1 and U2 custom settings.
The shutter button also stands in as the power button; you swing the lever and power turns on, then you shoot, then swing the lever again to turn off the power.
Flanking the above is the command dial to cycle through menu choices.
Rear: at left of the LCD screen is the exposure compensation button, ISO access, screen zoom, screen enlargement in playback, among other options.
To the right of the screen is replay, menu, four way jog dial, an ‘i’ button which takes you into an information display of current settings.
I have to say I did not find the whole arrangement intuitive. To get my head around some of the functions took a careful study of the manual.
For example: there’s no red video record button. To shoot video you tap the ‘i’ button and choose that mode. To get out of it you enter the menu and choose single frame shooting. Far from an ideal arrangement!
The viewfinder menu is extensive and one that I had no quibble with.
To me, one of the joys of a fixed focal length lens is simplicity of use. The menu and options arrangement make life unnecessary difficult on the shooting front.
Some nice new add-ons could well heighten your experience with the Coolpix A.
One of these is an optical viewfinder DF-CP1, with a high eye point, approximately 90% frame coverage and 0.52x magnification.
The camera further supports accessories for Nikon SLRs, such as Nikon Speedlights and the GPS Unit GP-1. The wireless mobile adapter WU-1a can also be used, for easy uploading and sharing of captured images and movies to a smart device.
A good result all the way to ISO 6400. It was only when we reached above that level and the camera resorted to ISO expansion did we see evidence of noise and loss of definition.
At ISO 25600 equivalent the shots would be ‘acceptable’, depending on subject. But plenty of noise!
It took about two seconds from power on to first shot; follow-ons came in at a little over a second apart.
Very slight barrel distortion was evident at frame edges.
Quality: above average in resolution and colour quality but notice the edge vignetting in the beach shot.
Why you would buy the Nikon Coolpix A: you like the idea of a fixed focal length lens.
Why you wouldn’t: fiddly control points; I have encountered better stabilisers when shooting video.
Nothing more to say except that this one would make an excellent camera, especially when paired to a fully accessorised Nikon DSLR.
Image Sensor: 16.2 million effective pixels.
Metering: Multi, centre-weighted and spot.
Sensor: 23.6×15.7mm CMOS.
Lens: Nikkor f2.8-5.6/18.5mm (28mm as 35 SLR equivalent).
Exposure Modes: Program AE, shutter and aperture priority, manual.
Shutter Speed: 30 to 1/2000 second.
Continuous Speed: 4fps.
Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
Image Sizes (pixels): 4928×3264 to 2464×1632. Movies: 1920×1080, 1280×720, 640×480.
Viewfinder: 7.6cm LCD (921,000 pixels).
File Formats: JPEG, NRW (RAW), MPEG4.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 25600 (with boost).
Interface: USB 2.0, HDMI mini, accessory.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, AC adaptor.
Dimensions: 111×64.3×40.3 WHDmm.
Weight: 299g (inc battery and SD card).
Price: Get a price on the Nikon Coolpix A at Amazon.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Nikon Coolpix A Review
Nikon has announced an LED movie light for its Coolpix and 1 System cameras. We could swear the LD-1000 was already available, but maybe that’s because we’ve been seeing mockups of it attached to 1 System cameras at tradeshows for a couple of years. The lamp is fairly compact and uses LEDs behind a diffusion panel for soft, even light. Although it comes with a bracket to mount it onto compatible cameras, the LD-1000 can be hand-held for more control. It will be available next month at an MSRP of $ 99.95.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Nikon has taken the wraps off the Coolpix S02 – a tiny metal-bodied 13MP compact camera with a smartphone-sized CMOS sensor and 2.7-inch touch-sensitive LCD. The entire package, built around a 3x (30-90mm equiv) zoom lens is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. In possibly the most cringeworthy press release we’ve seen from a major manufacturer this year, Nikon describes the S02 variously as ‘stylish’, ‘hip’, and ‘fashionable’, and suggests that it would make an ideal gift for a ‘trendy individual’. If this is up your street, note that the S02 will be available later this month in no less than three colors, at an MSRP of $ 179.95.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Nikon has announced the Coolpix P7800, which sits at the top of its compact camera lineup, replacing last year’s P7700 as flagship zoom camera. The P7800 is extremely similar to its nominal predecessor, the most notable change being the addition of an electronic viewfinder. Other specifications are more or less unchanged. The camera is built around a 28-200mm (equivalent) F2-4 zoom lens, and features a fully-articulating rear LCD screen, and plenty of manual control and exposure options, at an expected MSRP of $ 549.99. Click through for pictures and Nikon’s press release.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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