Nikon Coolpix P7100

Category:	Type:	Image Sensor	:
Point-and-Shoot	Compact	Optical Zoom	:
Beginner	Ultra Compact	Viewfinder	:
Serious	Ultra Zoom	Image Stabilization	:
Advanced	DSLR	Display	:
Pro	DIL	Shooting Mode	:
	Large Sensor	Movie	:
		Price check…	:

Compact companion to a DSLR. The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is Nikon’s flagship COOLPIX prosumer compact category digital camera. It features 10.1MP resolution (on a 1/1.7-in. CCD sensor) and a 7.1x (28-200mm equiv.) wide-angle optical zoom lens in a stylish body. It is billed as “the ideal camera that advanced photographers will seek as a companion to their D-SLR camera when both portability and superior image quality are a necessity.”

The Nikon P71000 features a fixed lens, i.e. the lens is not interchangeable. It has a maximum aperture of F2.8 and there is a built-in Neutral Density (ND) Filter that you’ll find useful when you want to shoot using a slow shutter speed in the bright outdoors. The lens is optically stabilized for both still and movie recording.

The P7100 has lots of dials and buttons to minimize the need to access the menu for the most common functions. Besides the Mode Dial, there is an Exposure Compensation Dial as well as a Quick Menu Dial on top, a Command Dial on the back and a Sub-command Dial on the front. The LCD is 2.8-in. with a high 921K-dot resolution and is tiltable for easy down low or overhead shots. For those who prefer it, there is also an optical viewfinder.

Creative features include the Special Effects and Filter Effects: Defocus Filter, Cross Process Filter, Creative Monochrome Filter, High Dynamic Range (HDR) function, Backlighting Mode, High/Low Key, Sepia and Painting Modes. In Playback Mode, images can also be altered with a Fisheye Effect or Cross Screen Filter.

The P7100 records HD 720p movies at 30 fps with stereo sound through the built-in microphone. An optional external microphone ME-1 can be connected via the stereo microphone jack. You can zoom during movie recording. Optional accessories include the 0.75x Wide-Angle Convertor WC-E75A (21mm equiv.) and the SB-400, SB-700 and SB-900 speedlights.

For when you decide to leave the DSLR home, the Nikon Coolpix P7100 provides the versatility and performance you want in a compact digital camera.