Nikon keeps bringing in the troops: Shoot overhead, under water, and show em’ in the dark

Well, you can’t be shocked as the manufacturers have always been updating their compact cameras around this time of year.
We’ll try to help separate what to pay attention to, and what to maybe skip for right now, just in case your current pocket models are in good working order.
Wait til you see the third one, though.

The big news for us in the Nikon P7100 (the P7000 update) is the vari-angle LCD.

Critical? No. Useful? You bet!
Along with some video recording pluses, such as lens zooming during recording, a gain-up function to adjust the optional external microphone and an AE/AF lock available during recording, which is similar to that of a D-SLR camera, there was not a complete overhaul here.
A solid addition is the camera includes a mini HDMI connector that enables playback on HD televisions and other HDMI-enabled devices.

A little more versatility with the camera’s four exposure modes (Program, Shutter, Aperture and Manual) provide creative control over image capture. For added versatility, the COOLPIX P7100 has a sensitivity range up to ISO 3200, but can also be set to Hi 1 at full resolution (ISO 6400 equivalent). The P7100 also offers functions that enable superior rendering when shooting at high sensitivities, including a Low Noise Night Mode and a Noise Reduction Filter. ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 6400 (expandable to ISO 12,800 in Low Noise Night Mode) to ensure sharp, crisp images when shooting in low-light or photographing fast-moving subjects.

Some button placement and function refreshes, but no huge changes. And why should they? They had me at P7000. And excellent camera.

Then comes the S6200pj, the next step up in the line of cameras with a built in projector .

This one makes even better sense than in the past as you can now hook it up to an iPad,as well as a laptop, etc, and do your presentation wherever you need to.
A 20 Lumens projector on board assures that.

The COOLPIX S1200pj includes must-have features to help capture great photos and movies including 14.1-megapixel resolution, 5x Optical Zoom, HD (720p) movie capture with stereo sound and a 3.0-inch LCD screen display to help compose

Yes, there are some other solid units coming ( S6200, S8200) out but this next one got us where we live:

The waterproof, freeze proof and shockproof COOLPIX AW100


(remember, this is the company that brought you the Nikonos, a classic divers camera)

“The COOLPIX AW100’s newly designed rugged chassis is built to withstand harsh environments, yet is compact and lightweight enough to pack for a weekend on the trail. Ready to conquer the rocks, the ice and the waves, the AW100 hosts a myriad of Nikon core technologies aimed at providing stunning images and Full HD 1080p movie recording as well as new GPS technologies for outdoor enthusiasts. ”
And GPS ??? wow!

“The fast and compact AW100 can be used underwater to a depth of 33 feet, is shock resistant from a drop of five feet and weather resistant down to a frigid 14°F. Whether staring in the face of a raging monsoon or kayaking down the rapids, the battery-chamber, SD card slot, HDMI mini connector and USB/audio video connector are securely covered to prevent intrusion from the elements. Because every extra ounce matters when packing for a trek, the COOLPIX AW100 is one of the thinnest and lightest among true water-proof cameras at approximately 0.9-inches thin and 6.3 ounces light.”

We had this one in our hands and the design and machining is superb. See that knurled knob on the side? Part of the sealing process. Can’t to real world review this puppy.

“Image quality is what sets the COOLPIX AW100 apart from the pack, and the camera features a 16.0-megapixel backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor for improved picture quality even in challenging low-light conditions. Whether scrambling a cliff face in scorching sunlight or carefully treading underneath a dense jungle canopy, users can confidently capture images in a variety of light. The camera uses a high sensitivity mode to capture the action in low-light and also features a maximum ISO of 3200 for the ability to capture images where lesser cameras do not make the cut. For added versatility, the COOLPIX AW100 also features a 5x Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens (35mm equivalent of 28-140mm) to let users shoot wild POV angles and zoom in on the action. When the action starts moving fast, the AW100 helps to create blur free images with the use of Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) to minimize camera shake to capture sharp images and HD movies.

The COOLPIX AW100 also features a new Action Control operation, which allows photographers to assign a function to a swinging motion to swiftly select specific settings such as scene mode by simply shaking the camera, avoiding the need to remove gloves in situations like skiing, diving or hiking. The camera has a large 3.0-inch, bright LCD screen with Clear Color Display and anti-reflective coating, providing the ability to see in difficult lighting conditions. Users are also able to mount the camera securely to various mounting systems via the built-in standard tripod mount.

Full HD Movie Recording
Adventure happens fast, and the AW100 is ready to capture Full HD video to document the day’s climb, hike, bike or dive. The COOLPIX AW100 can capture stereo audio and has the ability to optically zoom during video recording. In addition to Full HD, the camera features a dedicated movie-record button enabling fast, one-touch recording on the fly. Creative movie making can happen with slow and fast action recording options; shoot slow-motion movies at 60, 120 and 240 frames-per-second (fps) or capture fast motion movies at 15 fps. ”

At a suggested price of about $380. we predict a big win right here.

As the other manufacturers release, we’ll keep you in the loop.

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