Nikon Coolpix P100 Review

The Nikon Coolpix P100 can do exceptional things. It’s stuffed with shooting options focused on a fast CMOS sensor wedded with a 26x mega zoom focal point. Things like fast photograph and video shooting, fun modes and settings for close to interminable trial and error, and 1080p HD-quality film recording are all together here. The P100 is likewise planned with handily oversaw controls once you invest some quality energy with the broad manual.

Nikon Coolpix P100  Review

Key Features:

  • 10.3 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
  • Rear Illumination CMOS Technology
  • Up to 10fps @ Full Resolution
  • 26x, 26-678mm Equivalent Nikkor Zoom
  • 3.0″ 460,000-Dot LCD
  • 5-Way VR Image Stabilization
  • Up to ISO 3200
  • Amazing Portrait System
  • 17 Scene Modes

Handling

Comes with a scale of 481 grams, the Nikon Coolpix P100 is to some degree heavier than its progenitors, yet its design is just insignificantly unique. Like most top-of-the-line superzooms, the Nikon P100 has the ordinary scaffold camera look, with a thick hand grip, huge focal point barrel, spring-up streak, and an eye-level electronic viewfinder. The profound grip is shaped to fit easily into your right hand and is rubberized for added solace.

Lens

Nikon Coolpix P100  Lens

The other prevailing camera part is the focal point, which on the P100 goes from an extremely wide 26mm to a huge 678mm in 35mm terms. Taking into account that with an SLR, you would require somewhere around 3-4 focal points to cover a similar central reach, the single, fixed-mount focal point of the Nikon P100 can be portrayed as astoundingly compact, regardless of whether it expands a lot when zoomed to full fax. 

For its size, the P100’s focal point is astonishingly quick, with the greatest exposure of f/2.8 at 26mm and f/5 at 678mm. Note that the lens cap must be eliminated before turning on the camera – neglecting to do so will bring about a blunder message being shown, and you’ll need to switch off the camera before you can turn it on once more, which is a piece irritating -, even though to survey what’s as of now on the card, you can likewise turn on the P100 by holding down the Playback button, in which case the focal point will not expand.

Vibration Reduction

Fortunately, Nikon has included Vibration Reduction (VR) to assist with forestalling camera shake, a fundamental component on a camera like this. Curiously, while VR is the focal point situated in the Nikon SLR framework, it is of the sensor-shift assortment in the P100. I have observed that Vibration Reduction has a perceptible effect on the sharpness of the pictures.

You can hear a slight mechanical humming commotion when it is turned on, however, any other way you don’t see it, then again, you can utilize more slow shutter speed than typical despite everything taking sharp photographs. Unfortunately, there is certainly not a committed button to turn VR on and off – however essentially leaving it on didn’t appear to adversely influence the battery duration, with the camera overseeing around 250 shots utilizing the provided Li-particle battery. 

It’s as yet smart to switch VR off (through the menu) when the camera is mounted on a stand, in case the actual framework cause obscuring by attempting to counter the camera shake that isn’t there.

Zoom

Zooming is finished via a customary zoom switch that circles the screen discharge button sitting on the right-hand grasp. It is of the double speed assortment: pivoting it as far as possible in either bearing will change the central length rapidly, while turning it to some extent will make the focal point components move slower, empowering you to definitively set the ideal central length more.

There are two distinct approaches to forming pictures with the Nikon Coolpix P100: you can utilize either the eye-level electronic viewfinder (EVF) or the back screen. Tragically, there are no eye vicinity sensors that would permit the camera to flip between the two naturally – you want to press a button each time you believe that should occur. 

The EVF is a lowland standard issue with 230,000 spots and normal amplification; not a big deal, particularly in 2010. The three-inch back LCD screen is a lot more pleasant to check out, on account of its resolution of 460,000 dots. Much more significantly, it’s enunciated and ready to shift up or down, offering you some additional adaptability in creating your chances. However, a genuinely free-point LCD, which can likewise be pivoted aside, would have been significantly more pleasant.

Modes

The format and number of outside controls haven’t changed much from the P90. You get a traditional, top-mounted mode dial with P, A, S, and M shooting modes – ideal for the picture taker who needs to assume full command – as well as pre-modified scene modes, Scene Auto Selector, full auto and Sport Continuous modes, in addition to the new Smart Portrait and Subject Tracking shooting modes. There is likewise a User (U) setting you can use to rapidly recover a mix of your most often utilized settings. The screen discharge, the zoom switch, and the power button are basically in similar areas as on the P90.

The back controls are likewise spread out in much the same way as those of the first model. There is a strategically set up control wheel in the upper right corner (when seen from the back), which makes it simple to change the opening and shade speed in An and S modes individually, yet there’s still no second dial on the hand-hold which would have made working Manual mode a lot simpler. 

The comfortable multi-selector with its focused OK button seems indistinguishable from the P90, down to the singular capacities that are planned onto the Up, Down, Left, and Right fastens. These incorporate the blaze and center modes, exposure compensation, and the timer respectively. There is still no alternate route key to ISO speed, which is still available from the menu (as is white balance); a significant plan imperfection as I would see it.

The P100’s center modes incorporate AF, Macro, Infinity, and Manual. AF can be a focal spot, the client is selectable from 99 center places, or the camera is selectable from 9 places. In Face Priority AF mode, the camera can recognize up to 12 human faces and will zero in on the one nearest to the camera. I have viewed that as paying little heed to AF region mode, auto-focus speed was palatable for still subjects, yet excessively delayed for quick ones. 

There’s a justification for why the majority of the zoo shots in our Samples exhibition are static – the AF arrangement of the P100 didn’t demonstrate quickly to the point of catching fasting activity. Manual focusing is likewise conceivable, however, a piece is abnormal: you get a simple distance scale on the right-hand side of the screen and can change focus utilizing the Up and Down buttons. The focal point of the image is extended to help you look concentrate, yet sadly this is accomplished via introduction instead of genuine amplification. The entire cycle is quite sluggish, yet can, in any case, be a blessing when the auto-center framework starts acting up.

One of the P100’s oddities versus the P90 is its capacity to shoot full-resolution stills at up to 10 edges each second (fps). Available through the menu, this quick burst mode is called Continuous H. Unfortunately, the camera can’t keep up this speed for a long time, as the cradle tops off after six shots. As such, you a little the greater part of a second in Continuous H mode. Fortunately, there stays a more slow burst mode, called Continuous L, in which the casing rate drops to 2.8fps, however, you can catch up to 200 full-resolution photographs at the Normal quality setting. This is as yet 2x quicker than the P90’s walker 1.4fps burst mode. Note that you can’t involve the blaze in any of the consistent shooting modes.

Flash

Image Source : CameraDcision

The flash of the Nikon P100 must be opped up manually, utilizing the button on the mock pentaprism lodging. You can set the glimmer mode to auto, auto with red-eye decrease, fill, slow sync, and raise drape sync through the Up button on the multi-regulator, yet just when the blaze is raised. As there is no hot-shoe or sync terminal on the Nikon Coolpix P100, and it doesn’t offer remote TTL streak control either, the best way to match up an outside flashgun with the camera is to save it to the implicit unit optically.

Being used, the Nikon Coolpix P100 ended up being a for the most part remunerating camera. Superzooms have gained notoriety for having a high “fun variable”, and the P100 is the same. The capacity to rapidly go from wide point to ultra-fax is something that must be knowledgeable about requests to be completely valued. 

It gives you a sort of opportunity you feel with no other kind of camera. The presentation of the Nikon P100 is for the most part acceptable. It fires up in less than two seconds and zooms before long yet precisely for power zoom. As noted before, its AF speed isn’t the best, yet you’ll possibly see that while attempting to catch quick activity. 

We have tracked down the fast continuous shooting mode splendidly yet tragically restricted by a little support. The main genuinely baffling plan blemish is the absence of direct access to white balance and ISO speed. We’d truly prefer to see committed buttons for these capacities. In Playback mode, the main outstanding characteristic is the powerlessness to amplify the picture from a Histogram view – this is the sort of thing that should be not difficult to address using a firmware update.

Now let’s discuss the picture quality in more detail!

Picture Quality

Nikon Coolpix P100 Picture Quality

With such a quick focal point, it ought to shock no one that the P100 is an extraordinary photo shooter. Going on an outing to a semi-neighborhood runway, I utilized the full zoom capacities of the focal point and am exceptionally content with the outcomes.

Shooting is magnificent during the day. As you can find in the exhibition, the pictures are clear and fresh. Colors are exact, however as noticeable in pictures 12 and 13 (beneath), shine and encompassing light circumstances can change the tones apparent. In this situation, the red is dulled as a result of the sky and the dark of the plane, however, in picture 13, the red is significantly more exact.

What’s particularly amazing is the way great picture quality with a full 26x optical zoom. At 26x it’s too simple to even think about having even the smallest shake to destroy a completely decent shot, however in all of my daylight shots I’ve yet to have an issue at full zoom. Virtual Zoom is likewise shockingly great, however, I suggest involving the trimmed choice for virtual Zoom.

In general, the photograph quality during the day is great because of the incredible focal point. A few tones aren’t exact, and shading precision will rely upon the focal point of the picture more than anything. Pictures are clear and fresh, so saving family minutes is something the P100 is certainly great for.

Night shots, true to form, had essentially lower quality. Indeed, even with a 2.8-5 focal point, taking shots around evening time without utilizing flash is a lot for the P100 to deal with. 

The flash is astoundingly splendid as well as the encompassing region is overwhelmed with light such a lot that it’s difficult to envision the shots not coming out. Notwithstanding, that much light washes out many tones. In picture 19, each one of the greys in the wellspring and the blue substantial tiles on the ground are white. Picture 21 is taken from ten feet further and zoomed in, and keeping in mind that the picture is perfect, the image is faint.

Picture 22 was taken around 8′ away, with flash, and ended up being an incredible shot. Indeed, even with full zoom, the colors are exact and not cleaned out, the picture is in concentration, and everything came out brilliantly. As I kept shooting with the P100, I observed that there is a base close distance for night shots while utilizing streak, which fluctuates relying on your degree of zoom and the shade of the article being captured. Lighter tones will require more distance/less zoom or the glimmer will clean out the tones.

Movie Mode

The P100 can shoot video in 1080p HD resolution at 30 edges each second. HD video is encoded in AVC (or, to give it its other name H.264) design and put away in a QuickTime covering document with a .mov expansion. There are two 1080p HD options accessible, the best quality one has a normal bitrate of 14Mbps and there’s a second quality option that encodes at a normal 12Mbps. There’s likewise a 720p HD recording mode which has a normal bitrate of 9Mbps. Two non-HD modes are additionally accessible, VGA at 640 x 480 pixels and QVGA at 320 x 240 pixels.

At the best quality 1080p HD setting, you’ll fit around 35 minutes of film on a 4GB memory card, and Nikon suggests you utilize a Class 6 card. The P100’s greatest keep time in any film mode is restricted to 29 minutes.

Video quality is great, however, the sound system amplifier doesn’t offset the zoom sound, which makes shooting with the camera possibly testing if the sound is significant. Self-adjust functions admirably in both constantly shooting, and keeping in mind that the P100 will not supplant a decent camcorder, it can positively be a modest other option. If you anticipate involving the 26x zoom for video, ensure you get a stand since it will shake a great deal without a strong surface.

What is incredible is the option to take shots at different characteristics at up to 240 edges each second. Shooting at 320×240 at 240fps isn’t helpful, yet 720p at 60fps is. Exchanging between 1080p HD video and any of the other shooting modes (which should be set in the menus) is in a real sense the switch of a dial.

The P100 has an assortment of fast (slow-movement) film options. The quickest shoots QVGA resolution cuts at 240fps. When made light of back at 30fps this eases back the activity to one-eighth constant. There are additionally 120, 60, and 15fps modes with replayed activity at a quarter, half, and 2x ongoing with goals of VGA, 1280×720, and 1920×1080 individually. The most extreme recording times for these high-velocity film modes are limited to 10 seconds for the 240 and 120fps modes, 30 seconds for 60fps, and a moment for 15fps.

The P100’s 1080p HD video quality is fantastic. In any case, the sound system mics are extremely touchy and figured out how to get the commotion of the zooming engine even though it’s actually calm. On the plus side, they function admirably for recording talking subjects a few meters from the camera.

Our audit model likewise had a somewhat creaky zoom rocker, which was additionally gotten on the sound, as was wind commotion, even though it wasn’t especially blustery. Another drawback is that the Vibration decrease isn’t useful during film shooting, making the handheld film shots at high zoom settings exceptionally unstable.

This handheld shot shows the full degree of the COOLPIX P100’s zoom. The AF is inclined to meandering during zoom and stays out of concentration toward the finish of the reach where, without any adjustment, things look shaky.

In this stand-mounted panning shot, the COOLPIX P100 additionally forgets about the focus during zooming and neglects to address it, bringing about a full-zoom shot that is seriously out of focus.

Furthermore, in this indoor low-light model, the COOLPIX P100 adapts well to changes in the light level, yet the auto-white equilibrium meanders a lot.

Controls

The controls are easily positioned and responsive. On top are the Mode dial, power button, and shade discharge with zoom ring. To one side of the EVF is a button for moving from review data on the LCD or EVF and a diopter change dial. To one side is a Display button for changing what information is seen on the display and a film record button with a switch for picking what sort of video you need to shoot (ordinary or rapid). A level dial over the thumb rest allows you rapidly to change shade speed and gap settings as well as acceleration through pictures and recordings in playback. 

The other controls are standard: Playback, Menu, and Delete buttons and a round directional cushion with an OK button in its middle. The pad is utilized for exploring menus (which look more honed than those on more established Coolpix models), changing clock, glimmer, concentration, and exposure compensation settings, and looking through your photographs and films.

The primary controls of the Coolpix P100 are coherently positioned and all-around recognized. Indeed, even novices will have no issues getting this camera and shooting immediately in Auto. Since this is a superzoom, you’ll be moving between wide-point and fax at an irate clasp. The flip switch encompassing the shade button is somewhat delayed to answer, however, when the zoom begins moving, it moves rapidly. 

It’s additionally a two-stage control, move it just a bit and it zooms gradually; move the switch further and zoom is a lot quicker. This changeability makes changing the zoom precisely significantly more straightforward than many contending designs.

I viewed the greater part of the significant controls as simple to get to, yet dissimilar to an advanced SLR you need to dive into the menu framework to get to ISO and white equilibrium. It’s anything but an issue, however, is one more illustration of why this kind of camera is designed fundamentally for the simple-to-use swarm.

Continuous Shooting and Sensor

The P100 has some exceptionally intriguing-looking rapid persistent shooting choices. We tried the P100’s constant shooting abilities with a Lexar Professional 133x 8GB SDHC card. We should begin with a consistent shooting mode that can be chosen in any of the PASM exposure modes. The two primary choices here are H and L, the two of which give full-resolution 3648 x 2736 shots. In H mode the camera shoots an explosion of 6 pictures at 10fps, we timed it and the 6-outline burst required precisely 0.6 seconds.

In Continuous L mode, the casing rate drops to 2.8fps however you can shoot up to 200 constant pictures. By and by the P100 shot a succession of 37 pictures in 14.5 seconds – 2.55fps – before stopping for almost 4 seconds, then, at that point, proceeding to take shots at a lot increasingly slow rate. For both these persistent shooting settings, the picture quality was set to typical.

The P100 likewise incorporates the Best Shot Selector (BSS), and Multi-Shot 16 persistent modes accessible on numerous COOLPIX compacts as well as a stretch clock that can be set to 30 seconds, 1 moment, 5 moments, and brief spans.

The COOLPIX P100 offers a lot quicker burst shooting rates at diminished picture sizes in Sport persistent mode. The greatest size for pictures in this mode is 1600 x 1200 pixels. In Sport persistent mode the Auto choice changes the casing rate consequently relying upon the subject brilliance up to a limit of 60fps and shooting an eruption of 25 casings. 

On the other hand, you can choose 60fps which likewise shoots a 25-edge burst, or 120fps which shoots an eruption of 60 1280 x 960-pixel outlines. Picture quality can likewise be set autonomously of other shooting modes. At long last, there’s a Pre-shooting store choice that shoots a 25-outline explosion of 1600 x 1200 pixel pictures at 15fps with 5 pictures constantly reserved and added to the start of the grouping when the shutter release is pressed.

Practically speaking we viewed shooting in Sport consistent mode as very precarious, for the most part, because of the way that the screen at first goes blank, then freezes on the primary casing of the succession which implies that whenever you’ve pressed the shutter you’re shooting blind. This seriously decreases your opportunities to accurately approach the subject, particularly if it’s moving and you’re taking shots at long central lengths. It’s certainly feasible, however, as this ten-picture grouping of a surfer, taken in Sport persistent 60fps mode shows.

The COOLPIX P100 has a 10.3 Megapixel back-enlightened CMOS sensor that shoots pictures with a most extreme size of 3648 x 2736 pixels. Pictures are saved as JPEG documents utilizing one of three pressure settings, Fine, Normal, and Basic. The greatest pictures recorded utilizing the fine pressure setting involve around 4MB.

The responsiveness range is 160 to 3200 ISO and the screen speed range in ASM modes is 1/2000 to 8 seconds reaching out to 1/8000 of a second in the Sport consistent scene mode. The P100 incorporates around 43MB of inside memory so you’ll need to furnish it with an SD card at the earliest opportunity.

Storage and Battery

Nikon Coolpix P100 Storage and Battery

The Coolpix P100 utilizes SD and SDHC cards yet not the more up-to-date SDXC design. Since Full HD video is a significant component, basically a Class 6 rapid card ought to be utilized. We filled a 1GB card rather rapidly so think about 4 or 8GB before heading on your excursions.

The Nikon P100 is provided with an EN-EL5 lithium-particle battery. Per CIPA guidelines it goes on for 250 shots in still mode at full resolution and Normal-pressure. Many people can take shots at fine resolution, and utilize the flash, burst mode, and live recordings, and extra seems OK for anybody intending to go through a drawn-out day in the field.

Not at all like most other cameras available, the Nikon P100 offers the capacity to charge the camera battery through the included USB link. Extremely decent. As these are incorporated into pretty much every battery-bearing PC fringe available, it can’t help thinking about why more cameras don’t do this supportive stunt. The included EH-68P AC connector and USB link can be utilized to charge the battery in-camera without a PC, or a discretionary MH-61 battery charger can be bought for charging the battery independently.

Pros of Nikon Coolpix P100:

  • Lightweight and small
  • HD video capture
  • Excellent zoom ratio
  • Good color reproduction
  • High-speed settings
  • Decent build quality

Cons of Nikon Coolpix P100:

  • Short battery life
  • EVF could be better

FAQs

What type of camera is Nikon Coolpix P100?

The Nikon Coolpix P100 is a SLR like camera. It consolidates a 26x optical long-range focal point, a 3-inch LCD, an electronic viewfinder, and a 10MP back-enlightened CMOS sensor.

Is Nikon P100 a DSLR?

No, the Nikon Coolpix P100 is a SLR like camera.

When did Nikon Coolpix P100 come out?

The Nikon Coolpix P100 came out on February 3, 2010.

Does Nikon Coolpix P100 have Bluetooth?

Unfortunately, Nikon Coolpix P100 doesn’t have a Bluetooth system.

How do I charge my Nikon Coolpix P100?

Charge the battery by embedding it into the camera and interfacing the Charging AC Adapter EH-68P/EH-68P (AR) (provided). While embedding the battery, don’t try to embed it upside down or in reverse.

How do you take videos on a Nikon Coolpix P100?

The COOLPIX P100 is outfitted with a capacity for recording full HD motion pictures with sound system sound(1080p:1920 x 1080). Video recording can be started by just pressing the video record button on the rear of the camera.

Final Words

The P100 is a positively decent camera, with a particularly quick long-range focal point and precise shading proliferation. It’s adequately lightweight to convey for the long stretch and light-footed to the point of swinging around to make anything effort seems one-handed. Also, with 26x zoom, even significant distance shots appear to be acceptable around the bend, and that quick focal point works really hard of catching the occasion, regardless of how far.

All things considered, the shutter release is too light to even think about pressing, and the camera’s lightweight design might be hard for certain individuals to shoot stills. More genuine shooting options like ISO settings are more diligent to set on the fly. Night shots are compromised contingent upon whether glimmer is utilized, and the blaze will clean out colors relying on how close the camera is to the subject of the image. Nonetheless, with training, there is no great explanation late evening shooting is not feasible insofar as clients are sure of their utilization of glimmer.

An absence of RAW shooting is the main thing that holds the Coolpix P100 back from being a contender with DSLRs, which likely could be purposeful on Nikon’s part. All things considered, it’s a decent camera with a lot of options for the remarkable new photographer who isn’t exactly prepared to crash through DSLRs, yet needs the accommodation and power managed by the more excellent camera type. The P100 surely won’t let clients down, except for manual flash actuation, furthermore, picture and video quality make it all advantageous.

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