Melville, NY—Nikon’s Coolpix P7100 packs swift performance and a variety of creative manual controls into a compact, lightweight SLR-style body. The 10.1 megapixel flagship Coolpix is targeted at advanced photographers who want a compact companion to their DSLR.
The P7100 features a new user interface designed to react seamlessly in the blink of an eye. With a faster start-up, release lag and enhanced shot-to-shot buffering over its predecessor, the P7100’s operational workflow speed was also enhanced, such as the switching time for functions like playback, shooting, menu and button operation, and navigation. Specs say it can capture full resolution JPEGs at 1.2 frames per second (fps) and gives shooters enhanced response when shooting NRW (RAW) images, both as a single frame and consecutively.
Whether shooting landscapes or action, users have full creative control with its 3.0-inch tilting vari-angle LCD, full manual features and special effects. And, the camera pairs its new enhanced AF system with a 7.1x wide-angle optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens (28-200mm equivalent). Additionally, a built-in Neutral Density (ND) filter expands the exposure selection range when shooting in slow shutter speeds and in maximum aperture settings. The P7100 also employs optical Vibration Reduction (VR) to help produce blur free photos while shooting images or HD video handheld or in low light.
Consumers can compose through the bright optical viewfinder or by the 3.0-inch antireflective LCD. The new tilt screen enables more flexible shooting at creative angles, including down low, overhead or when mounted on a tripod.
The camera’s four exposure modes (program, shutter, aperture and manual) also provide creative control. And its sensitivity range up to ISO 3200 can be set to Hi 1 at full resolution (ISO 6400 equivalent) and expanded to ISO 12,800 in low noise night mode, for shooting in low light or photographing fast-moving subjects.
For further creative control, the camera offers special effects and filter effects. The new zoom exposure automates this typically difficult technique to create dynamic images with a slow shutter. Consumers can also choose the defocus filter to produce intentional blur or use the cross process to create nostalgic color tones. Other creative features include: a creative monochrome filter that creates a solarized look or affects grain size in monochrome photos; a high dynamic range (HDR) function that’s part of the backlighting mode; high/low key, sepia and painting modes; and fisheye and cross screen filters.
The camera also records 720p HD video (30 fps) with stereo sound through the built-in microphone, or users can attach an optional external mic. And recording features include lens zooming during recording, a gain-up function to adjust the optional external microphone and an AE/AF lock similar to that on a DSLR. For playback on HDTVs and other HDMI devices, a mini HDMI connector is provided.
The body of the P7100 has two command dials, including a new front mounted sub-command dial that accesses settings and adjustments while holding the camera grip. The dials provide advance control and a sense of analog operation. There’s also a quick menu dial on the top for ISO sensitivity, white balance, advanced bracketing functions, my menu, picture control and image size.
The P7100 can be connected to an optional 0.75x wide-angle converter for focal lengths as wide as 21mm, and its built-in accessory shoe supports Nikon's i-TTL flash control, including compatibility with the SB-400, SB-700 and SB-900 Speedlights.
Nikon’s Coolpix P7100, compatible with the high-speed SDXC cards, will be available mid September for $499.95. nikonusa.com
