Tag: CoolPix

Nikon’s Snazzy Coolpix S8200

nikon coolpix s8200
Nikon's Coolpix S8200 has great specs with a mid-range price tag - by Nikon

This camera was announced back in August, but slipped under my radar. I wanted to go back and catch it up because the Nikon S8200 is a really decent mid-range offering from Nikon at an attractive price point.

The S8200 sports a 16-megapixel 1/2.3 in BSI-CMOS chip behind a healthy 25-350mm 14x built-in zoom lens. Backing up the optics is Nikon’s Expeed C2 image processor.

The ISO range is a respectable 100-3,200 with optical image stabilization and boasts a 3” live view fixed-position LCD on the back. Controls are a mix of menu and manual controls that’s heavy on the buttons.

The autofocus system contrast detect with a multitude of options including multi-area, center, tracking, face-detect and live view.

On the software side it has panorama modes for both 180 and 360 panoramas.

Video is full size 1080 HD at 60 fps in MPEG4 format with the added bonus of HDMI mini connector.

Two minor niggles with this camera are Nikon’s reluctance to add 24p support to their smaller cameras and some serious photographers will be put off by the lack of a RAW output option. The S8200 is not the smallest of pocket size cameras at 33mm wide and weighing in at 213 grams (roughly half a pound), you’ll need a big pocket, but it’s solid to the touch.

Still, overall a nifty little package for $329, worth a look for anyone shopping for a second camera that’s easier to pack around than a full size DSLR.

 

 

Nikon's new batch of CoolPix P300, P500, L120

Tomorrow Nikon will be releasing a bunch of new CoolPix digital cameras.

Nikon CoolPix P300

Nikon has added a small but mighty camera to its popular P series with the P300. This is Nikon’s first compact camera to feature a 4.2x Zoom-Nikkor lens and has the widest aperture of any other CoolPix at f/1.8. The P300 has a 12.2 megapixels CMOS sensor and ISO up to 3200.

If you have become accustomed to the great image quality in low-light settings of the other Nikon P series then you should not be disappointed with the P300. The camera has the ability to go into full manual mode and features a EXPEED C2 processing engine which will ensure you pictures look as close to reality as it can get. It has become more and more common to include vibration reduction in pocket cameras and the P300 does not disappoint.

Filter effects have also been improved, including the additions of fisheye lens and cross screen, as well as Nikon’s new in-camera panorama generator. Completing the package the P300 has a full HD 1080p video mode. You should be able to pick up the Nikon CoolPix P300 in March 2011 for only $329.95.

We are hoping the P300 will come with a 1/1.7” sensor similar to the Canon Powershot S95, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and the recently announced Olympus XZ-1.

Just in case you were wondering here are some comparisons:

CoolPix P500

Some of the most popular cameras on Snapsort are the super zooms, the P500 is a worthy successor to the Nikon CoolPix P100. Featuring a 36x zoom which is the longest of any CoolPix cameras. Similar to the P300 it has a EXPEED C2 processor but this one is a dual processor. This should make it good in low light, Its also features a hybrid vibration reduction stabilization also gives it a better ability to avoid camera shake over other pocket cameras.

The P300 has a three inch LCD with a great night mode which should not wreck your night vision (much) when you take photos at night. Like the P300 it can record in full HD 1080p and has Nikon’s new panorama mode. The Nikon CoolPix P500 is expected to be released in March for only $399.95.

Read our comparison with Canon PowerShot SX30 IS


CoolPix L120

The L120 will not break your wallet at only $279.95. This camera has a 21x Wide-Angle Zoom lens and 14.1 megapixel resolution. With a hybrid image stabilization and able to shoot up to ISO 6400.

The CoolPix L120 is a entry-level point and shoot, that will replace the Nikon CoolPix L110 and should be available in late February.

A quick comparison: