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Category: Beginner Amateur

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Nikon P100 Review is based on a production model. All sample images are unretouched, except where specified.

The Nikon Coolpix P100 is an ultra zoom digital camera capable of capturing good shots with point-and-shoot ease. Its major attraction is its 26x optical zoom: a 26mm ultra wide-angle for large group and wide landscape shots and a 678mm tele to bring far scenes up real close. Sensor-shift image stabilization helps reduce camera shake when using long focal lengths.

This camera is packed with features that should appeal to the beginner amateur photographer. It has very good build and construction, and excellent handling. An extra large 3.0 in. Vari-angle LCD has 460k-dot resolution and makes it super easy to take shots above the head or low to the ground. The LCD "gains up" a bit in low-light to help with composition.

Image quality is good at the low ISOs in good lighting. As with similar super zoom digital cameras, higher ISOs tend to suffer from noise and image detail loss. Performance is also good for a super zoom.

The Nikon Coolpix P100 is an easy-to-use digital camera with an abundance of features for those who thirst for more control. The availability of full exposure flexibility should prove attractive to learning amateur photographers allowing them to graduate from point-and-shoot photography. More advanced photographers will miss RAW file format, the hot shoe, and Live Histogram. We recommend the Coolpix P100 for soccer moms and beginner amateur photographers.

What I like about the Nikon P100:

• Good image quality at low ISOs in good lighting, especially when Optimize Image is set to Vivid
• Ultra wide-angle 26x optical zoom lens (26-678mm, 35mm equivalent)
• Effective CCD-shift image stabilization
• A tilting LCD for close-to-the-ground shooting
• Very good handling and build
• Full exposure flexibility
• Very good metering
• Area AF with 99 positions for easy off-center focus
• Accurate AF in good light, even at long focal lengths

Improvements wish list:

• Reduce CA (purple fringing) in high contrast shots
• Improve low light AF (can be inconsistent for low contrast subjects)

See if you fit the Nikon P100 User Profile below: