Tech Buzz

Nikon is back with another “performance series” big-lens model, the Coolpix P100. Where the P90 (which remains on Nikon’s website as of this writing) featured a 24x optical zoom spanning the 26-624mm focal range (35mm film equivalent), the P100 goes to 26x and 26-678mm.

The Nikon P100 follows the virtually standard industry script for the ultrazoom class and is configured as a mini DSLR. Nikon P90 owners will be hard-pressed to tell the two apart; the P100′s only external differences from the earlier model are a stereo microphone atop the viewfinder housing and a movie record button on the camera back. It has a composite body with some strategically positioned tacky material in the handgrip and thumb rest areas. Materials, fit, and finish are typical for the class and price point.

There are four major menus accessed via the menu button: shooting, movie, playback and setup. If there aren’t images or video captured on either the camera’s internal memory or memory media, the playback menu is unavailable. The shooting menu includes settings for most image quality issues (size, white balance, ISO sensitivity), along with camera settings like exposure bracketing, continuous or single shooting rates, noise reduction, AF area and focus modes. The distortion control and active D-lighting features are also located in the shooting menu, and we’ll discuss those more depth later in the review.

Like other cameras of this class, shooting modes have a heavy emphasis on automatic and pre-programmed scene modes. Aperture, shutter, program auto and manual exposure options favored by more experienced users are also in the mix. Additionally, the P100 has a few interesting modes you don’t see often: subject tracking, sport continuous and backlit scene HDR.

Nikon Coolpix P100 Specs:
Image Processor
Image Sensor: CMOS
Number of Image Sensor Pixels: 10600000
Lens Features
Camera Type: Digital SLR
Lens Mount: Fixed
Optical Zoom: 26 X
Digital Zoom: 4 X
Max Aperture: 2.8 1/f
Other Features
LCD Screen Size: 3 in
Image Stabilization: Optical
Maximum Video Capture Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Flash: Built-in Flash
Interface Connection: A/V (RCA Composite)|HDMI|USB
Storage
Memory Type: Internal Memory|SD Memory Card|SDHC Memory Card
Installed Memory: 43 MB
Dimensions
Weight: 17
Installed Memory: 43
Height: 3.3 in
Width: 4.5 in
Depth: 3.9 in
Weight: 17 oz
Reference
Warranty Information: 1 Year Limited Warranty
URL: URL
Quick Glance
Weight: 17
Memory Type: Internal Memory|SD Memory Card|SDHC Memory Card
LCD Screen Size: 3 in
Camera / Lens Type: Digital SLR
Image Stabilization: Optical
Optical Zoom: 26
MegaPixels: 10.6

This entry was posted on Monday, April 5th, 2010 at 12:37 pm and is filed under Camera. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.