The Nikon Coolpix A, sits at the very top of the Coolpix range and features a DX, or APS-C size sensor — the very same sensor as can be found in the D7000 DSLR.

Although this is not quite a jeans pocketable camera, it’s remarkably small considering the size of the sensor. As a trade off, you get a fixed, 18.5 — or 28mm equivalent — lens, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8.

Here Amy Davies takes a look at what Nikon’s latest premium compact camera has to offer in her Nikon Coolpix A review video.

Coolpix A Review Video Transcript

This is the Nikon Coolpix A, a compact camera which sits at the very top of the Coolpix range and features a DX, or APS-C size sensor – the very same sensor as can be found in the D7000 DSLR.

Although this is not quite a jeans pocketable camera, it’s remarkably small considering the size of the sensor. As a trade off, you get a fixed, 18.5 – or 28mm equivalent – lens, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8.

There’s no hand grip on the camera, but this small strip on the front of the camera helps give extra purchase, especially when shooting one-handed.

Like many premium compacts, this camera has full manual control, with access to the manual mode, and semi-automatic modes, such as aperture and shutter priority found on this dial here. There’s also space for upto two groups of user defined settings – particularly useful if you often find yourself shooting in a given scenario, such as low light.

For further convenience, there are two function buttons. These can be found on the back of the camera here, and the second on the front. Here you can assign various settings, such as ISO or white balance, for quick access.

The focusing mode can be changed via this switch on the side of the camera, allowing you to change between autofocus, to macro and manual focusing. Macro focusing needs to be activated if you want to shoot fairly close-up as otherwise we found the camera can struggle.

If activating manual focusing, this ring around the lens is used for fine-tuning the focus. It’s a shame that this ring can’t be used for other settings – such as aperture, or shutter speed – when it’s not being used in manual focusing mode, as otherwise it’s redundant. Instead, this dial here is used to make changes to aperture or shutter speed, coupling up with the dial around the OK button when in fully manual mode.

To change the autofocus point, first you need to hit the OK button and then use the arrow keys to scroll around the screen to the point you need. It’s a little bit of a long-winded process, and would have been speedier with a touchscreen.

With its large sensor and high asking price, we had great expectations for the Coolpix A. While image quality is great, there is noticeable vignetting, even when shooting at mid-range apertures of f/8.

Focusing speeds are also a little lacklustre, making it a little slow for the street photographer that this camera is so very clearly aimed at.

On the plus side, detail and colour is fantastic, and you really do get DSLR quality images from a pocket sized device. Full manual control and raw shooting capabilities are an extra bonus.

PAGE 1: Nikon Coolpix A review video
PAGE 2: Our original hands-on Nikon Coolpix A review video
PAGE 3: Our original Nikon Coolpix A announcement story

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The big news about the Nikon D7100 isn’t that it has a 24.1 million pixel sensor – that was fairly predictable.

Instead, the big news about this new Nikon camera is that Nikon has decided to omit the anti-aliasing element from the camera’s filter above the chip.

In her Nikon D7100 review video, our head of testing Angela Nicholson discusses the camera’s performance, image quality and whether this is the right DSLR for you.

Nikon D7100 Review Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Angela Nicholson head of testing for Future’s photography portfolio and I’m going to take a look at the Nikon D7100 in this video.

Like the Nikon D3200 and D5200, the D7100 has a 24MP sensor, but Nikon has left off the low-pass filter.

Low-pass or anti-aliasing filters are usually put over a camera’s sensor to reduce the risk of moiré interference occurring when photographing subjects with fine patterning that is close to the camera’s resolution limit. The downside of using them is that the image is softened and needs sharpening post capture.

So does omitting the filter from the sensor make any difference to the images? Our tests indicate that it does. At the lower sensitivity settings the D7100 can’t resolve any more detail than the D3200 or D5200, but the images look a little sharper straight from the camera.

And when the sensitivity is pushed up a little, the D7100 can resolve more detail than either of these two Nikon cameras – although the images are also a bit noisier.

Another interesting feature of the D7100 is that the central point of it’s 51-point AF system is sensitive down to f/8. This mean if I mount this 70-200mm f/4 lens via this 2x teleconverter, the camera will still focus the lens automatically despite the fact that the maximum aperture is reduced to f/8.

The focus takes place while the aperture is wide open – in this case at f/8 – and the aperture closes down to the selected aperture for the exposure just before the shot is taken.

The focus mode is set using these controls on the side and this dial.As we’ve seen before with Nikon SLRs, in continuous AF mode the camera can be set to track the subject using 51, 21 or 9 AF points once you’ve selected the starting AF point.

There’s also the 3D-tracking mode, which works well provided the subject colour contrasts well with the surroundings – it’s not a good choice for shooting team sports where the payers have matching shirts.

With a decent lens the focusing is fast and accurate in most situations – even in very low light.

Inside the D7100 is the same EXPEED 3 processing engine as Nikon’s other recent SLRs, including the D4 and D800. This allows a sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400 which can be expanded to ISO 25,600 if necessary – although I wouldn’t recommend it.

This engine also enables a maximum continues shooting rate of 6 frames per second. However, this can be pushed to 7 frames per second if the 1.3x crop mode is employed.

When this mode is activated the crop area is indicated in the viewfinder and the crop is applied to both raw and JPEG files. It’s useful if you want to frame a distant subject tightly and reduce files sizes, but many users are likely to prefer to crop post-capture.

Like the D7000 the D7100 has a collection of JPEG-only special effects that can be accessed via this option on the mode dial. These effects can be previewed on the main LCD screen and are selected by rotating the thumbwheel. As you can see the screen image lags a little, but it’s not too bad.
Helpfully, the word EFFECTs is visible in the viewfinder so you can’t forget which mode you have selected.

The D7100 feels nice and solid in the hand and this silky-textured grip gives good purchase. All of the most important controls are within easy reach and you can check setting by pressing this Info button.

This button here allows you to change some key features such as the image area and noise reduction settings. It seems off that this also give a quick route to customising the use of the preview and function buttons though.

The D7000 is capable of producing superb images with lots of detail and natural colour. It’s worth keeping an eye on the image histogram view though as the Matrix Metering doesn’t always do what you expect.

PAGE 1: Nikon D7100 Review Video
PAGE 2: Our original hands-on Nikon D7100 review
PAGE 3: Our original Nikon D7100 launch story

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In her new video, Angela Nicholson takes a hands-on look at some of the new cameras from Fuji, Canon, Nikon and others that were on hand at the UK’s top photography trade show in Birmingham, England, which concluded this week.

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Announced yesterday at the Focus on Imaging trade show in Birmingham, UK, the Nikon Coolpix A took many people by surprise.

Boasting the same 16.2-megapixel sensor as the Nikon D7000 and a fast 18.5mm f/2.8 retractable lens, the Nikon Coolpix A blends some of Nikon’s DSLR technology into a small, compact aluminium and magnesium alloy body.

In his hands-on Nikon Coolpix A review video, Ali Jennings takes a look under the hood to see what this new Nikon camera offers photographers.

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Nikon has introduced a new innovation to its Coolpix range, unveiling at Focus On Imaging 2013 the 16.2-megapixel Nikon Coolpix A.

Boasting the same DX sensor as the Nikon D7000, the Nikon Coolpix A is aimed at DSLR users and serious photographers who want DSLR quality in a more portable, take-anywhere body.

Along with its APS-C sensor, another signature feature of the Nikon Coolpix A is its retractable 18.5mm f/2.8 lens.

The Coolpix A’s lens features 7 elements in 5 groups, with 1 aspherical lens, a 7-bladed iris diaphragm and a manual focus ring with override.

The Nikon Coolpix A can shoot 14-bit uncompressed raw format files and also incorporates Nikon’s GUI interface from its DSLR range.

In terms of build, the Nikon Coolpix A body consists of aluminium alloy casing with a magnesium alloy top plate. The body features two customisable Fn buttons, AF override, a focus mode switch and the same Info button found on Nikon DSLRs.

Along with a built-in flash (with a Guide Number of 6.6), the Coolpix A also incorporates a hotshoe, and the camera includes a pre-flash feature for greater accuracy.

Also on-board the Nikon Coolpix A is the same 921K-dot LCD screen found on the Nikon D4.

Another signature feature of the Nikon Coolpix A is that Nikon has removed the optical low pass filter to help aid sharper images – a key feature of the Nikon D7100 announced two weeks ago.

What’s more, the Nikon Coolpix A uses Nikon’s EXPEED 2 processing engine, also found in its DSLR range.

Other key specs on the Coolpix A include Nikon’s Active D-Lighting (with a bracketing option), anti-reflection coating, Picture Controls, an Intervalometer shooting option and the virtual horizon found in some of Nikon’s DSLRs.

The Nikon Coolpix A also shoots full HD movies at 30/25/24p, offering photographers manual control and a built-in stereo mic.

Announced along with the Nikon Coolpix A are the Nikon DF-CPI optical viewfinder, which slides into the Coolpix A’s hotshot, and the Nikon HN-CP18 lens hood.

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When Nikon launched the D600 it seemed like the dream camera for enthusiasts. It was expensive, but affordable – just – and the perfect step up from the D7000 and the ageing D300s.

But the brand new D7100, announced on February 20th, changes everything. It’s far more than just an upgrade to the existing D7000, as our 13-point D7100 vs D7000 comparison shows. In fact it’s Nikon’s most advanced DX-format D-SLR to date.

It’s so advanced, in fact, that it’s enough to make anyone think twice about the D600. The D7100 offers the same resolution, it’s cheaper and it means DX owners can keep using their existing lenses.

It’s a tough choice, so here’s our point-by-point Nikon D7100 vs D600 comparison to help you make your mind up!

Nikon D7100 vs D600: key points to know (1-3)

1) Resolution

Both cameras have 24-megapixel sensors. The D600 has a full-frame sensor, and the larger size (roughly twice that of the D7100) should give it an inherent quality advantage. But the D7100 dispenses with the usual anti-aliasing filter (just like the ground-breaking Nikon D800E) to provide super-fine sharp detail. We can’t say which camera will be best until we’ve carried out a full set of lab tests, but we predict it’s going to be closer than the difference in sensor sizes suggests.

2) Sensor size

It’s not just about megapixels and resolution. The larger sensor in the D600 produces images with less overall depth of field and, often, a greater feeling of depth and space. It’s easier to get shallow depth of field effects with a full-frame camera, though this can backfire if you want to shoot landscapes or still life shots where everything in the frame is sharp, from near to far. A full-frame camera gives you a reduction in depth of field roughly equivalent to 1 f-stop – it’s neither good nor bad, but something to be aware of.

3) Lenses part 1

If you have a selection of DX lenses, you’ll have to ditch them when you move up to the D600. You can use them in ‘crop’ mode, but then you’ll be wasting most of the D600’s potential. This means buying the D600 itself will only be the start – there will be plenty more expense to come. With the D7100, of course, your existing lenses will be just fine.

PAGE 1: Nikon D7100 vs D600 – key points to know (1-3)
PAGE 2: Nikon D7100 vs D600 – key points to know (4-10)
PAGE 3: Nikon D7100 vs D600 – key points to know (11-12)

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Official service announcements have been made in Europe and in the USA, which acknowledge the issue and suggest the correct course of action if you experience this problem.

You are asked to return your camera to a Nikon service centre for inspection and servicing should not be able to clear the problem using the usual advice given in the instruction manual.

Following long-term testing of two D600 bodies, our friends at N-Photo recently published its own verdict on the problem – which seems to disappear almost as mysteriously as it first appears, after around 3000 frames of shooting.

However, Nikon has taken some time to officially acknowledge the problem for this ‘budget’ full-frame DSLR, which first went on sale in October 2012.

In our post on the Nikon D600 dust issue we noted that we found more significant specks on one of our samples, but acknowledged that dust is always more of an issue on full-frame DSLRs than on DX models, due to the much larger sensor.

The full text of the European advisory is as follows:

To users of the Nikon D600 digital SLR camera

Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs.Some users have indicated the appearance of multiple granular dust spots in images captured with the Nikon D600 digital-SLR camera.

These granular dust spots are reflections of internal dust generated with camera operation, or external dust particles that have found their way into the camera, either, or both of which, have adhered to the camera’s low-pass filter.

While the structure and concept of digital-SLR cameras makes the complete elimination of these dust spots very difficult, it has come to our attention that, in some rare cases, they may be reflected noticeably in images. Therefore, Nikon is informing users of a service to reduce this issue.

Resolution

As a first step, please follow the guidance from the User’s Manual (pages 301-305) related to the “Clean Image Sensor” function and manual cleaning using a blower. If these measures do not remove all dust particles and you are still experiencing problems, then please consult your nearest Nikon service center. They will keep your camera, examine it thoroughly, and service it as needed.

Requesting service

Please direct inquiries regarding this matter to your nearest Nikon service center.We hope that you will continue to choose Nikon for your photographic needs.

The official advice makes no mention of the commonly held belief amongst D600 users that the ‘dust’ in question is in fact oil from the shutter, or that the problem disappears after the camera has been run in.

Via N-Photo

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Announced at the same time as the D7100, the WR-1 Wireless Remote Controller is a transceiver that, as well as enabling the shutter to be triggered remotely, allows the camera settings to be checked and adjusted from a distance.

The Nikon WR-1 price is £649.99, and although it can be used via the supplied cable (more on this later) to add extra intervalometer functionality to an SLR, the WR-1 really comes into its own when used in pairs or when paired with a WR-10 to allow wireless remote control.

One unit (or an WR-10 announced at the same time as the D5200 and available for around £79) acts as receiver, while the other is the controller.

The WR-1 uses radio waves with a frequency of 2.4GHz so unlike some infrared devices it should work well outside in sunlight, doesn’t rely of line of sight and can be used to trigger the camera from around corners.

When working with another WR-1 the maximum working distance is around 120m. There are also 15 channels available to avoid interference with other units.

When it is set to ’Master’ mode an WR-1 unit can be used to control up to 20 other WR-1s or 64 WR-R10 units and is compatible with the D4, D800, D800E, D600, D7100 and D5200.

When controlling several cameras the Nikon WR-1 can divide them into four groups for independent and simultaneous control.

Nikon supplies the WR-1 with a soft case, MC-37 Connecting Cord (for ten-pin remote terminals) and MC-38 Connecting Cord (for accessory terminals).

While the WR-1 may appeal to professional sport and wildlife photographers who need to be able to control and trigger their SLR remotely, its price puts it beyond the reach of most enthusiasts.

These photographers may question why Nikon hasn’t built Wi-Fi connectivity into its SLRs to allow remote control via a smart phone or tablet.

This would have the added of benefit of allowing the scene to be viewed on the phone/tablet screen while the camera is in live view mode.

First impressions
We have yet to see the range of settings that can be controlled by the WR-1, but assuming the essentials of exposure and colour can be adjusted it looks very useful. The Nikon WR-1 price however, is excessive, especially bearing in mind that most users will have to buy an WR-R10 or a second unit to go with it.

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The Nikon D7100 is a 24.1-million-pixel DSLR aimed at enthusiasts. Unusually Nikon has left out the antialiasing filter over the sensor as this should enable it to record sharper details.

The Nikon D7100 price tag is set to be £1,099.99 (around US$1,682/AU$1,635) body only, or £1,299.99 (around US$1,988/AU$1,932) as part of the standard kit with an 18-105mm lens. Nikon expects sales to start at the end of March.

Find out more about the camera’s key features in our hands-on Nikon D7100 review video below.

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Nikon has today announced the launch of the Nikon D7100, the latest DSLR in its range of DX cameras aimed at photography enthusiasts.

The 24.1-megapixel Nikon D7100 price tag will be £1099.99 / €1329.00 for the D7100 body only, and a £1299.99 / €1579.00 Nikon D7100 price tag for the body + 18-105mm lens kit.

According to the official Nikon announcement, the Nikon D7100 release date will be 21 March 2013.

The Nikon D7100 boasts a number of improvements over the Nikon D7000, Nikon says – although the company is keen to point out that the Nikon D7100 does not replace the D7000. Rather, the Nikon D7100 sits above the D7000 and below the Nikon D600 in the Nikon DSLR range.

Along with the newly developed 24.1-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor, the Nikon D7100 offers users a “professional-level” 51-point AF system, of which 1 are cross-type.

Nikon says rapid focusing can be achieved with the Nikon D7100′s AF system on a largely blurred image, due to faster initial AF detection. AF operation can also be achieved under a combined aperture value of f/8, allowing photographers to use more combinations of lenses and teleconverters. The Nikon D7100 is the 5th Nikon DLSR now to offer this function.

The D7100 also allows phase-detection AF down to a minimum luminance of -2 EV, and offers an ISO range of ISO 100-6400, which is extendable to ISO 25,600 in Hi2 mode.

Also new to the Nikon D7100 is the company’s decision not to employ an optical low pass filter (OLPF). By removing the OLPF, Nikon says the 24.1MP sensor makes the most of its megapixels for higher resolution.

Explaining the decision to journalists in London, Nikon said that as pixel density increases, the effects – such as more – they were previously trying to avoid by using an optical low pass filter become less common. And because of this they can now remove the filter, which allows sensors to capture fine details and sharper images.

The Nikon D7100 also employs Nikon’s EXPEED 3 processing engine, which the company says gives the camera a higher speed of operation, enhanced noise reduction, more vibrant colours and an expanded dynamic range.

Other signature features of the Nikon D7100 include a 1.3x crop mode, giving photographers an extra telephoto effect on their lenses. The Nikon D7100 crop mode reduces pictures to 15.4 megapixels, but gives photographers an extra wide AF coverage as the 51 AF points fill more of the frame.

Using the Nikon D7100 crop mode, photographers will also benefit from faster continuous shooting at 7 frames per second, compared to 6fps in normal mode.

The Nikon D7100 records full HD movies at frame rates of up to 60i/50i in 1.3x crop mode and up to 30p/25p/24p in DX format.

Also on board is a 3.2in, 1229K-dot LCD, offering a 170-degree wide viewing angle and a 1000:1 contrast ratio, a viewfinder offering 100% frame coverage with 0.94x magnification and a 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor with Scene Recognition.

The Nikon D7100 also boasts two SD card slots, which photographers can set to record JPEG and raw format files individually, as well as set to record movies or allow overflow and back-up recording.

Additional improvements with the Nikon D7100, Nikon says, include improved grips on the front and back of the camera body, a magnesium alloy body – including the top and rear covers – enhanced weather sealing, sensor cleaning, an improved texture on the mode dial, as well as a mode dial lock release, and a more compact, lightweight design.

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