The COOLPIX AW130 is a decent all-around camera that is solid on video highlights, GPS, AF modes, and macro shooting. One or other of the TOUGH models can beat it on any of those singular highlights (except for the GPS), however, you dislike the remainder of the bundle. For instance, the TG4 has a more splendid focal point, better nonstop shooting and dealing with, and better large-scale modes, but is somewhat more costly, needs GPS planning, and can’t dive as deep. The TG860 has better film modes and a flip-up screen, yet the screen is lower resolution, 16:9 proportioned, and not ideal for still shooting. The COOLPIX AW130’s solidarity is that it offers an incredible equilibrium of elements, and on that premise, it comes recommended.
Key Features:
The Nikon Coolpix AW130 is an incredibly powerful camera. It is waterproof to 30m, shockproof to 2.1m, and freezeproof to – 10°C. It has a 16-megapixel back-enlightened CMOS sensor and an inward 5x optical long-range focal point, a 35mm likeness of 24-120mm. To assist with keeping your pictures sharp there is Hybrid VR which joins focal point shift and movement obscure decrease. The front currently includes a better hold and inherent NFC.
Underlying Wi-Fi/NFC permits you to move your pictures and films to a cell phone for sharing with interpersonal organization locales. The gadget can likewise be utilized as a controller. The AW130 has an implicit GPS and an electronic compass. There is a World presentation map so you can see where you took your photos and view your course. The altimeter gives you your precise height and the hydro-indicator shows you how profound underwater you are. Action control makes it simple to utilize the camera underwater or while wearing gloves, and there are extra fastens on the camera.
While shooting there are various auto and scene modes that change the camera settings consequently for the best outcomes. There are various scene modes, for example, Auto HDR and Night Landscape to ensure the camera is on the right settings. The AW130 can shoot a limit of 5 casings at 8fps. Simple Panorama 360°/180° mode allows you to skillet in an upward direction or evenly to make scenes. While shooting underwater, underwater mode consequently changes the white equilibrium for the ideal outcomes.
Recordings are kept in full 1080p HD with sound system sound, optical zoom, and self-adjust accessible during recording. You can likewise record slow or quick movement recordings, with speeds differing somewhere in the range of 15 and 240 fps. Let’s discuss the main features of this camera.
- 16-megapixel back-enlightened CMOS sensor
- 5x optical long-range focal point (35mm equiv: 24-120mm)
- Crossover VR (focal point shift and movement obscure decrease)
- 3.0 inch 921k dot OLED screen
- Waterproof to 30m, Shockproof to 2.1m, Freezeproof to – 10°C
- Built-in GPS, hydro-indicator, altimeter, and electronic compass
- Action Control
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
- Full 1080p HD video recording
- ISO 125 – 6400
- 1cm least focusing distance
- Auto HDR
- 8fps constant shooting
- Simple Panorama 360°/180°
- Available in blue, yellow, dark, cover, and orange
Handling
The Nikon Coolpix AW130 has a generally plastic body with a metal front and its shape makes it simple to grasp, with a superior rubberized hold added to this model. The back has a zoom rocker with film record, scene mode, playback, menu, and erases buttons. There’s additionally a d-cushion for spinning through the menus, this likewise gives speedy admittance to openness remuneration, self-timer, flash, and macro mode.
Additionally on the back of the camera is a 3-inch screen with a high resolution of 921k dots and is very simple to see in all light. Access to the battery and memory card is through the thick round dial on the camera. You need to press the focal button and turn the dial 90°. The camera menus are clear and simple to explore.
On the contrary side to the battery region are buttons that change to the World Guide, Wi-Fi, and Action Control. If you enact Action Control in the camera menus you have to squeeze it and a menu comes up on the screen. You flick the camera all over to go through the menu and press the Action Control button again to go with your decision. Options available are mode determination, beginning film recording, and playback. This makes it more straightforward to work the camera when submerged or wearing gloves.
To utilize the Wi-Fi you want to download the Wireless Mobile Utility application to your cell phone or tablet (iOS or Android). This permits you to utilize your cell phone to download pictures from the camera to alter and share them. You can likewise involve it as a remote delivery. A review shows up on your cell phone, you have some control over the zoom or set a clock. Other data shows up on the screen, for example, aperture, shutter speed, number of shots left, and battery duration. Utilizing NFC you can rapidly set up the connection with a cell phone that upholds NFC.
Battery duration is evaluated at 370 shots as per CIPA test results, which is an improvement over the last model, in any case, this might lessen with a ton of GPS and Wi-Fi use, so you might need to consider conveying an extra.
Ostensibly, the new Nikon Coolpix AW130 seems to be its ancestors – the AW100, the AW110, and the AW120 -, highlighting the equivalent adjusted at this point square-shaped design, with the clearest curiosity being a little, finished hand-holding on the front plate of the camera. While this grasp appears to be more similar to an extra than a basic piece of the plan, it empowers you to grasp the camera solidly.
Performance
Like the TG4 and TG860, the COOLPIX AW130 has the nearest focus distance of 1cm at the wide point setting so you can get truly close to little subjects for macro photography. You set macro mode by pressing the base point on the four-way regulator in Auto shooting mode. It likewise works in the underwater, pet picture, and smart portrait scene modes.
You can involve the zoom in macro mode, but not at all like the TOUGH models, the nearest focus distance doesn’t stay at 1cm when you zoom, so you need to get away from your subject. So while you can’t utilize the zoom to increment amplification, abstaining from getting excessively close and creating a shaded area is valuable.
If you’re a major large-scale fan, however, the TOUGH TG4 with its capacity to zoom and concentration at 1cm, center stacking mode for the expanded profundity of field, and discretionary macro lighting connections are difficult to beat.
Lens
The Nikon Coolpix AW130’s focal point is situated in the upper right corner when seen front on, safeguarded by a clear lens cover that is open when the camera is switched now and again. The focal point is a 5x zoom of the inside stacked assortment, so it doesn’t reach out upon power-up or zooming. In 35mm equivalency, it traverses central lengths going from 24mm to 120mm.
Gap-wise it is genuinely quick (for a fixed-mount minimized camera focal point, that is), its splendor being f/2.8 at the wide end and f/4.9 at full fax. It includes a focal point shift vibration decrease system that empowers you to go after shade speeds that would somehow or another be delayed for the picked central length. On the facade of the AW130, there’s likewise a slimline streak unit, four little openings beneath the focal point for the camera’s sound system amplifiers, and the common self-clock/AF-help/film light.
GPS
On the top plate, there is an enormous shutter release button with a cross-incubated surface to help the area around, a recessed power button, and a sign showing that the camera includes an implicit GPS module. This records the specific scope and longitude and stores it in the EXIF information of each picture. The Nikon AW130 has a modern set-up of GPS options, from utilizing it to set the camera’s clock, showing focal points, making a log of your courses when you take no photos, to even an inherent electronic compass. Your ongoing position and logged courses can be shown on the implicit disconnected world guide. However, do take note that utilizing the GPS collector affects the battery duration.
Display
Image Credit ifixit.com
The camera’s backplate hasn’t changed much from the AW120, and the couple of minor adjustments that have occurred are generally superficial. The rear of the camera is as yet overwhelmed by the 3″, 921,000-spot OLED show, which offers superb survey points and a 5-venture brilliance change. Inquisitively for an “all-climate” tough camera, our audit unit showed up with a few apparent scratch blemishes on the screen; filling in as an update that while its shock proofing could permit the shooter to continue working even after it has been dropped from a level of 2.1m, it doesn’t ensure total invulnerability against a wide range of mechanical harm.
Menu Framework
The camera’s back-mounted controls incorporate a thumb-controlled zoom rocker, a film record button, and a multi-selector with a focused OK button, in addition, to isolating Record/Scene, Playback, Delete, and Menu buttons. Several frequently utilized capacities, for example, Flash Mode, Exposure Compensation, Macro Mode, and the self-timer have been designed into the four-way cushion for speedy access. These buttons require a digit of power to work, which you could find a smidgen surprising right away. A little flash marker light in the upper right corner finishes the stock.
On the left half of the camera, there is an upward column of three huge buttons including World Map, Wi-Fi, and Action Control, in addition to a monaural speaker. Of these, ‘Action Control’ may require a touch of clarification. Fundamentally, a cunning mode makes the AW130 simpler to utilize while wearing gloves or being submerged. When actuated, you have some control over specific elements of the camera by moving it from front to back or shifting it all over. By and by this framework functions admirably whenever you have its talent, albeit the quantity of settings that you can change is to some degree limited.
On the right of the camera, you will observe a single, waterproofed entryway that covers the battery, memory card, HDMI, and USB attachments. A super solid locking component that expects you to press a button and pivot a dial to open the compartment entryway guarantees that it doesn’t get coincidentally opened to the components.
Wifi
Wi-Fi, which was first acquainted with the Nikon AW series in the AW120, empowers clients to download the photographs they caught to a cell phone or tablet without eliminating the memory card or attachment links into a potentially still-wet camera. It additionally permits you to control the camera remotely by utilizing the Wireless Mobile Utility application. We attempted the iOS rendition, which functioned admirably, however, gave just a limited level of command over the image-taking cycle.
NFC
NFC (Near-Field Communication) is a new element on the Nikon Coolpix AW130. This usefulness empowers anybody with an NFC agreeable brilliant gadget to layout a remote connection and begins up the Wireless Mobile Utility just by contacting the NFC radio wire on the gadget to the N-Mark on the camera.
Shooting Modes
Like its ancestors, the Nikon AW130 is a profoundly digital compact camera that depends on an assortment of auto and scene modes to catch photographs. The absence of a stomach in the focal point implies that the gap and screen need modes liked by numerous fan picture takers were unrealistic to execute in this model (this is commonplace for little sensor compacts).
The accessible shooting modes are Auto, Scene Auto Selector, Scene, Special Effects, Smart Portrait, and Short film show. The camera’s set-up of scene modes incorporates landscape, portrait, sports, night picture, oceanside, party/indoor, nightfall, snow, sunset/first light, night scene, food, close-up, firecrackers display, pet portrait, backdrop illumination, and, obviously, underwater photography. For time-pass film recording and all-encompassing photography, you will likewise have to dig into the Scene mode menu.
Film Mode
The COOLPIX AW130 holds the best quality 1080/30p/25p HD method of its ancestor which is encoded at around 15Mbit/s. You can switch between NTSC and PAL viable edge rates, so all the 25 and 50fps modes I notice here are additionally accessible at 30 and 60fps.
Next on the menu is a joined 1080i50 mode, trailed by 720p25, and finally a VGA mode that records 640×480 goal video at 25fps (or 30fps). The previous model’s 720p mode saved in Apple’s altered agreeable iFrame design has been dropped.
The COOLPIX AW130 likewise has several HS choices for playback at speeds other than constant. HS 480/4x shoots 640×480 video at 4x ordinary speed (100 or 120fps relying upon the frame rate chosen) which plays back at quarter speed. HS 1080/0.5x records full HD video at around 50% of the ordinary casing rate for twofold speed playback. In any case, both the previous model’s HS720/2x choice, which records 1280×720 at twofold the typical edge rate for half-speed playback and the HS240 8x mode has been dropped.
This gives off an impression of being something that is occurring all the more by and large on Nikon compacts with similar modes dropped from the S9900 super-zoom model. It’s somewhat of a disgrace, especially on account of the 720p half-speed choice; I figure a great many people would like to have a 16:9 sluggish movement mode in inclination to the HD mode that plays back at 2x ordinary speed.
Contrasted and the TOUGH TG4 the COOLPIX AW130’s video modes are more varied, yet the best quality modes are comparable. The TG4 misses the mark on AW130’s capacity to switch between NTSC and PAL video outline rates and comes up short on intertwined modes. The TG4’s 640×480 quarter speed mode matches the AW130’s nevertheless it likewise has a 320×240 eighth speed mode – dropped on the AW130. However, the AW130 has a 2x speeded-up HD mode, I don’t know if that is a major group puller.
The best video includes the TOUGH TG860 is the model to go for the gold. It has the best quality 1080/60p mode as well as sluggish movement modes in 16:9 as well as 4:3 configurations.
However, while the COOLPIX AW130 loses some video modes, it acquires another film highlight as a Short Movie show. It’s a slick component however not exactly as easy to use as Canon’s which shoots a short clasp each time you snap a picture.
The COOLPIX AW130 gives two self-adjust modes to film shooting, Single AF (AF-S), which sets the concentration toward the start of your clasp, and full-time AF (AF-F) which constantly changes it. AF-S is the default, yet if you need to record whatever’s moving, or on the other hand assuming you’re panning the camera from close to far subjects, you want to change to Full-time AF. I observed the COOLPIX AW130’s full-time AF mode to be entirely fit, as you can see from the clasps beneath.
The COOLPIX AW130 doesn’t uphold any of the PASM openness modes for film shooting, no matter what the place of the mode dial and ISO, the exposure and sensitivity are set consequently. In that regard, it’s equivalent to the TOUGH TG4 and TOUGH TG860.
Zoom
Being used, the Coolpix AW130 ended up being a wonderfully responsive shooter. Fire-up requires a little more than 1 second, and focusing is likewise honorably quick, in great light, particularly at the 24mm (eq.) end of the zoom range. In Continuous H mode, the camera can shoot full-resolution stills at a truly good pace of around 7fps, yet just for five successive edges (for example short of one second). Nonstop L mode is impressively slower at roughly 2.2fps, however, you can catch around ten full-res shots and track your subject while shooting. Quicker burst modes – presenting shooting rates to 120fps – are accessible, however, these force extreme limitations on picture resolution.
The AW130’s fundamental specialty is its hearty waterproofing, which permits you to take the camera to profundities of up to 30 meters. While we weren’t in that frame of mind to test this, we took the camera to a nearby pool, where it performed splendidly, even though we found the display to some degree challenging to see underwater.
Battery and Storage
The Nikon Coolpix AW130 runs on a devoted EN-EL12 Lithium-particle battery and records pictures as well as recordings on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. As currently referenced, the battery and card share a typical compartment with the HDMI and USB ports, whose lockable, the fixed entryway is viewed on the right of the camera (looking from the back).
The cited number of pictures that can be caught on a single charge is 370, but this will be incredibly affected by GPS and Wi-Fi use. The battery should be charged in-camera, utilizing the provided USB link and EH-71P charging AC connector. Charging requires a little more than 4 hours when associated with a PC using USB, and 2 hours 20 minutes utilizing the power connector. The battery is likewise viable with the independently sold MH-65 charger.
Picture Quality
When seen at 1:1 amplification, the pictures caught by the Nikon AW130 can look very frustrating, with spread subtleties and different indications of enthusiastic sound decrease. That being said, the photographs print up to somewhere around 18×24cm and look extraordinary at most screen resolutions.
The inside stacked long-range focal point covers an exceptionally valuable central scope of 24-120mm (in 35mm terms) however will, in general, create perceptibly delicate corners all things considered central lengths. Likewise, with other little sensor compacts, dynamic reach constraints can be an issue, yet basically, there is an HDR option to return to while shooting in contrasty light. The focal point-based enemy of shake (VR) framework does an astoundingly great job of countering the picture obscuring the impact of camera shake.
Shooting Experience
The COOLPIX AW130’s design functions admirably both on dry land and in the water – to a certain degree. The dimpled surfaces and new grasp make for secure and agreeable one-gave activity and the shutter button, frequently supple on waterproof models have a positive action. There’s just a single fixed way to open to get at the battery, card, and ports and the buttons down the left side give unrestricted access to GPS, Wifi, and Action control, which I’ll come to in a second.
Yet, on the back of the camera, it’s an alternate story. From the start, the closeness of the zoom rocker and film record buttons to the thumb rest looks confined, however, it’s agreeable and advantageous – all you want to do to zoom in is apply up tension with your thumb and the film record button is a short slip to one side.
The genuine issue on the backboard is the four-way regulator or Multi-selector as Nikon calls it. As well as on the four cardinal focuses, the Multi-selector has brought areas up in between, so there are eight positions through and through, however just the ones at the top, base, left and right have a capacity. This design makes it undeniably challenging to press any of the buttons, the main way I could oversee it reliably was with my thumbnail – and I have tiny hands.
Action Control is an element that permits you to control specific capacities by shaking or tapping the camera and given the trouble, I had with the Multi-selector this sounded promising. To initiate it you should initially press the Action control button on the left half of the camera body. Five options are then recorded on the screen and a further shake or tap looks at them. Finally, you want to press the Action control button for a second chance to choose the featured option.
This is so gravely thought out and carried out that it’s difficult to tell where in the first place the analysis is. We should begin with the accessible choices; two of them, Start film recording and Quick Playback now have committed buttons. It’s a horrible idea to press the Action control button, shake the camera, and then, press the Action control button a second chance to begin film recording when you can simply press the film record button.
The last choice ways out of Action control without taking any kind of action, something simply cultivated by half-squeezing the screen discharge, so a squandered button. That leaves the current position, which utilizes the GPS to show your ongoing situation on the guide show and shooting mode determination.
Choosing underwater mode traditionally when you’re in Auto takes six button presses. First, the scene button, then, at that point, four vertical pushes on the multi-selector, trailed by OK. To do the same thing utilizing Action control takes three button presses and four shakes or taps. My point is it’s not exactly any simpler.
Action control needs two enhancements to make it advantageous. You ought to have the option to turn it on all the time from the menu – like Tap control on the Olympus TOUGH models. Pressing a button both to actuate it and afterward to affirm your selection of choices truly overcomes the article. Also, it needs a more valuable arrangement of choices – things that are simpler to do than the button comparable when your hands are freezing or wet or while you’re wearing gloves.
Advanced Filters
There are various impacts available, which can either be pre-chosen, as displayed above, or you can likewise apply speedy impacts in the wake of making the effort. The camera has various modes to increment dynamic reach in photographs, including a backdrop illumination scene mode that utilizations streak, as well as a programmed HDR choice. Displays have a sensible measure of detail and are sewn together well, albeit any development in the scene will cause ghosting. There are possibilities for 180° and 360° scenes, you can likewise shoot in four bearings, left, straight up, or down.
ISO Noise Performance
Noise is sensibly low in ISO125 shots even though if you look carefully some variety of clamor is noticeable in the hazier region of the picture. Comparative outcomes should be visible at ISO200, with nice degrees of detail. At ISO400 commotion increments marginally.
At ISO800 there is a slight drop in picture quality as commotion increments. At ISO1600 there is a more perceptible drop exhaustively, although the tone is still great. At ISO3200 noise turns out to be more perceptible, yet variety is still great, so these may give usable pictures. ISO6400 is best kept away from because of unnecessary commotion. The degree of detail in pictures is somewhat frustrating with pictures showing up very delicate.
Other Modes
The COOLPIX AW130 has Scene Auto selector mode which utilizes scene recognition to pick the most suitable scene mode. The AW130 is very great at perceiving when it’s evening, when you’re near the subject and when the subject is illuminated, and when there are individuals in the shot. It can likewise tell when the camera is underwater, so it’s a decent choice for when you’re in the water, yet not generally under it.
There’s additionally an Easy display mode with two resolution options: Normal catches 180-degree photographs with a most extreme size of 1536×4800 pixels, while Wide catches 360-degree shots at 1536×9600.
Notwithstanding Easy Scene, there are the typical ones you’ll view as on essentially any minimized – Portrait, Sports, oceanside, Landscape, Snow, Sunset, etc. There’s likewise backdrop illumination HDR mode which shoots a few casings and makes a composite with a more extensive apparent reach than could be caught in a solitary shot. Also, there’s an underwater mode.
Like all COOLPIX compacts, the AW130 additionally has a decent option of impact channels, some of which are displayed underneath. If you like your belongings, however, the TOUGH models have a more extensive spread of additional fascinating impact channels.
Pros of Nikon Coolpix AW130:
- Face Detection Focusing
- Long Battery Life
- Environmental Sealing
- Built-in GPS
- Waterproof
- Image Stabilization
- Light Body
Cons of Nikon Coolpix AW130:
- No External Flash Shoe
- No RAW Shooting
Final Words
The Nikon Coolpix AW130 offers an amazing waterproof rating of 30 meters, further than some other waterproof digital cameras as of now accessible by 5 meters. With a better design, the camera gives improved handling and extra grasp, alongside a drop verification rating of 2.1 meters.
The camera includes a wide-point 5x optical long-range focal point comparable to 24-120mm in 35mm terms, and with work in Wi-Fi and NFC, it’s not difficult to move pictures to a cell phone or tablet, as well as shoot from a distance. Battery duration is great for a smaller camera at 370 shots, albeit expanded utilization of GPS and Wi-Fi will abbreviate this. The camera is seriously evaluated and as it is loaded with worked-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS it would make an extraordinary travel camera for those that need a waterproof camera. Pictures have noise control, great tone, and exposure, and ought to be great for sharing via virtual entertainment destinations, however, could be sharper.