First look hands-on preview of the Nikon Coolpix P300 high-end compact camera.
First look hands-on preview of the Nikon Coolpix P300 high-end compact camera.
With more and more high-end compact cameras launches, Nikon’s latest Coolpix P300 has a host of exciting top-spec features: The Nikon P300 offers a fast f/1.8 aperture Nikkor lens that starts at a wide 24mm and extends to 100mm using its 4.2x optical zoom.
The P300 sets out to achieve high image quality thanks to its 12.2MP back-lit CMOS sensor. However, this is a 1/2.3 in size, not the larger 1/1.8 size as found in other examples such as the Canon S95, Samsung EX1, Panasonic LX5 or Olympus XZ-1.
Full manual control is available using the top mode dial, including the usual P, S, A, M controls, plus Easy Panorama and other modes such as Night Portrait are also present. ISO 3200 is the P300’s top-end sensitivity, though the addition of lens-shift Vibration Reduction (VR) will also help to keep shots that extra bit sharp in low light situations. Plus a super-fast 8fps continuous shooting mode can capture up to seven frames in a single high speed burst. Add 1080p HD movie with stereo sound to round off the shooting modes and the Nikon Coolpix P300 certainly looks like a great little camera – there’s even a slow-motion 120fps movie mode at VGA resolution.
The Coolpix P300’s rear screen is a fixed panel offering a high resolution 921k-dots. However, traditionalists may be a little disappointed that there is no viewfinder or Raw capture mode available at present.
The Nikon Coolpix will be available in March 2011, with an anticipated retail price of £300.
Nikon Coolpix P300 Specification:
| Effective pixels | 12.2 million pixels |
| Image sensor | Type: 1/2.3-in.
type CMOS with active cell array; Color filter array: RGB filter; Total pixels:Approx. 12.75 million pixels; Recording pixels: Approx. 12.00 million pixels (4000 x 3000) |
| Lens | NIKKOR lens with 4.2x optical zoom; Focal length: 4.3-17.9 mm; Aperture: f/1.8-4.9; Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups |
| Focus range (from lens) | Normal
shooting: approx. 30 cm (1 ft.) to infinity (at wide angle setting), approx. 60 cm (2 ft.) to infinity (at telephoto setting); Macro close-up mode: approx. 3 cm (1.2 in.) to infinity (at wide-angle setting), approx. 30 cm (1 ft.) to infinity (at telephoto setting) |
| Monitor | Size:
7.5 cm (3-in.); Number of dots: Approx. 921k-dot; Type: TFT LCD monitor; (Acrylic) cover: Anti-reflection coating, antifouling and water-repellent coating |
| Storage media | Internal memory (approx. 90 MB), SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card*2 (exFAT compatible, UHS not compatible) |
| Vibration Reduction (VR) | Lens shift vibration reduction (still image and movies) |
| ISO sensitivity | ISO 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (4000 x 3000), Auto (ISO 160 to 1600), Fixed range auto (ISO 160 to 400, 160 to 800) |
| Interface | Hi-Speed USB/PictBridge |
| Power Sources | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 (1050 mAh), AC Adapter EH-62F (option) |
| Battery life | Approx. 240 shots with EN-EL12 battery |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | Approx. 103.0 x 58.3 x 32.0 mm/4.0 x 2.3 x 1.3 in. (excluding projections) |
| Weight | Approx. 190 g/6.7 oz. (including battery and SD memory card) |
| Movie | HD 1080p: 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), HD 720p: 1280 x 720 (30 fps), VGA: 640 x 480 (30 fps); HS movie 15/60/120 fps, no sound) |
| Supplied accessories | Camera Strap AN-CP19,
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12, Charging AC Adapter EH-69P [NEW], USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP16 and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM |
| Optional accessories | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12,
Charging AC Adapter EH-69P [NEW], USB Cable UC-E6, AC Adaptor EH-62F, Battery Charger MH-65 and Audio Video Cable EG-CP16 |