Camera Basics
Camera Choosing
Camera Models
Camera Buying
DSLR Buying
Nikon Coolpix P100 Review Summary
10 Megapixels
Ultra-Zoom: At least 10X optical zoom.
Electronic View Finder
Stabilization: Compensates for tiny involuntary movements of the camera.
Continuous Drive
Full 1080p HD Video: 1920 x 1080 resolution or more.
Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).
Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.
Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.
Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.
Spot Metering
Accepts Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) and SD memory.
Neocamera detailed review
Discontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.Nikon Coolpix P100 Assessment
The Coolpix P100 introduces the first CMOS ultra-zoom from Nikon as an update to the P90. In the upgrade, the P100 gains 2X of zoom in exchange for two megapixels less and 1080p HD video recording along with a number of class-leading high-speed features like 10 FPS drive and high-speed video up to 240 FPS.
This digital camera offers a versatile package in a small body considering a wide to super-telephoto 26X optical zoom with image stabilization. The most distinguished feature of the P100 is its HD video implementation which allows zooming while filming, letting the camera refocus, and records stereo audio at the same time.
The photographic performance is good in some areas with reasonable control over noise, low distortion, good white-balance and accurate colors. It does have trouble with exposure though, something which is not helped by this camera's LCD display. Certainly this camera's weak point, the LCD screen does not reliably show exposure or coverage. This makes the camera frustrating to use in the face of movement as it requires more trial and error than most cameras. A number of programmed limits add to the issue by not letting one check the histogram or use the self-timer with bracketing.
The suitability of the Coolpix P100 depends on patience, photographic style and the importance of video functions. It's a first generation for Nikon and it it has surpassed its predecessor in image quality. Speed aspects are quite different with the older P90 being more snappy but not as fast in terms of continuous shooting.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good color accuracy | Tendency to over-expose |
| Above average white-balance accuracy | White-balance leaves a cast under artificial light |
| Reliable focusing, even in low light | Noise reduction visible at all ISO sensitivities |
| Class-leading continuous shooting | Very soft at ISO 1600 and 3200 |
| Low optical distortion across zoom range | Noticeable vignetting and corner softness |
| Excellent video quality with stereo sound | Wrong image coverage on both LCD and EVF |
| Fast zoom with relatively fine steps | LCD rarely previews exposure correctly |
| Bright LCD with good visibility | Histogram not accessible for all images captured |
| Good build quality | Delay starting movie recording |
| No way to accurately set up initial video framing | |
| Limited dynamic range of LCD | |
 Good Good |
|
Recent Similar Cameras
Related Information
| Sister Models |
|---|
| Nikon Coolpix P90 - 12 Megapixels, 24X Optical zoom, ISO 64-1600, Slow continuous modes, VGA movie mode, 230K Pixels LCD |
| Nikon Coolpix P80 - 24X Optical zoom, ISO 64-2000, 2.7" LCD 230K Pixels, Slow continuous modes, VGA movie mode |
| Reviews | |
|---|---|
| Neocamera | Test Freaks |
| Photography Blog | |
 |
      |
Nikon P100 Facts
Large digital camera| 10 Megapixels Ultra Zoom | ISO 160-3200 |
| 26.1X Wide Optical Zoom | Shutter 1/2000-8s |
| Built-in Stabilization | Full manual controls |
| 0.24" Built-in EVF 230K Pixels | Custom white-balance |
| 10 FPS Drive, 6 Images | Spot-Metering |
| 1920x1080 @ 30 FPS Video Recording | Lithium-Ion |
| 3" LCD 460K Pixels | Secure Digital High Capacity |
Camera Bag
Your camera bag is empty. To add a camera or lens click on the star next to its name.
Updates
2013.05.14
Nikon D5200 Review
24 megapixels APS-C entry-level DSLR with 39-point AF, 5 FPS drive and full 1080p HD video. ISO 100 to 25600. Night Vision up to ISO 102400 in B&W.
2013.05.06
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Review
Flagship Panasonic mirrorless with triple control-dials and a weather-sealed body. 16 megapixels sensor, ISO 125-25600, 6 FPS, 1080p HD @ 60 FPS with stereo sound input and output, plus clean 1080p HDMI. WiFi.
2013.04.22
Nikon Coolpix A Review
Premium compact with an 16 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor without anti-alias filter and a 28mm F/2.8 prime lens.
2013.04.08
Olympus PEN E-PL5 Review
16 Megapixels compact Micro Four-Thirds mirrorless without Anti-Alias filter. 8 FPS drive, 1080p HD video, tilting 3" LCD.
2013.03.27
Exclusive Olympys Stylus Tough TG-2 Review
Exclusive review of the flagship rugged camera from Olympus. The Stylus Tough TG-2 features a bright F/2 ultra-wide lens and is waterproof to 15m, freezeproof to -10C, shockproof to 2.1m and crushproof to 100kg. A built-in GPS, digital-compass and manometer make it great for adventure.
2013.03.14
Nikon 1 J3 Review
14 Megapixels mirrorless camera with a very compact body. High-Speed CMOS sensor with Phase-Detect AF, 60 FPS drive, 1/16000s top shutter-speed, 1080p HD video. Ultra-quiet electronic shutter.
2013.02.28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 Review
12 MP Ultra-zoom with a unique constant F/2.8 aperture 24X optical zoom lens. Shoots at 12 FPS and records full 1080p HD videos at 60 FPS.
2013.02.24
Nikon 1 V2 Review
Flagship Nikon mirrorless. 14 Megapixels High-Speed CMOS sensor with Phase-Detect AF, 60 FPS drive, 1/16000s top shutter-speed, 1080p HD video. Ultra-quiet electronic shutter.
2013.02.23
Mirrorless Camera Buying Guide
The complete guide to mirrorless digital cameras. Teaches everything to decide on buying one and how to chose the best one for your photographic needs.
2013.02.05
Canon Powershot D20 Review
Canon rugged compact, waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 1.5m drops and freezeproof to -10C. Equipped with a 12 MP CMOS sensor and stabilied 5X wide-angle optical zoom.
