Nikon Coolpix P100 10 MP Digital Camera with 26x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) Review

Nikon Coolpix P100

Price: Click here

Controls: ★★★★☆ 


Weight: ★★★★½ 


Photo Qualilty: ★★★★☆ 


Ergonomics: ★★★★¼ 

When it comes to point-and-shoot digital cameras, the Nikon Coolpix P100 is top of the range. It has many of the benefits of a digital SLR (apart from RAW shooting mode), but without the hassle of using multiple lenses. It’s an ideal camera for the hobbyist/amateur photographer who wants to take their photography to the next level.

Update: The Coolpix P100 is currently on sale on Amazon through, click here for details

Although this camera looks and feels like an SLR, it is surprisingly light. Also, despite only having one lens, it has a very large zoom range, which means it should fulfil pretty much all of your photographic needs, whether it’s distant mountain views or close-up shots of flowers and insects. But this camera doesn’t stop there, because it has pretty good video shooting capabilities as well, although some users say that the focus sometimes struggles to keep up with the zoom when shooting in video mode.

Video Review of the Coolpix P100:

Buy the Coolpix P100 on Amazon here (best price)

The Good
  • Great focus indicator system
  • Light, easy to hold
  • Quick access to shoot videos
  • Huge zoom range and quite fast action
  • Outdoor sunlight colors quite natural
  • Very good resolution lens for this price range
  • Very good macro versatility
The Bad
  • No RAW image option
  • When shooting a video the focus is not able to keep up with the zoom

This camera is ideal for:

  • Amateur photographers who want that extra bit of quality and control options
  • People who want an SLR-style camera without having to bother with additional lenses

Features of the Coolpix P100:

  • 10.3 megapixels for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches; backside illumination CMOS sensor
  • 26x wide-angle optical zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens
  • Bright 3.0-inch vari-angle high resolution HVGA Clear Color Display
  • Full 1080p HD movie recording at 30fps; HDMI output
  • 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Smart Portrait System
  • If you would like to buy the Coolpix P100, you can get it on sale on Amazon through this link

Customer Reviews of the Coolpix P100:

Tons of performance in a very modest package

 ★★★★☆ 


This is a very versatile camera and responsive to most needs. It has a good macro range to go along with a super zoom range. It compares well to a Panasonic DMC-GH1 which has a much larger sensor and more expensive optics (the lens alone is twice the price of this Nikon). The Panasonic also produced higher saturation and contrast shots in default mode and this gives…
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Didn’t excite me

 ★★★☆☆ 


When I spend this much money for a camera it should excite me – it doesn’t. I was enticed to buy this camera by the 26X zoom. I am returning it and will stay with my Panasonic FZ35 – 12mp/18X zoom. I took both cameras out to do a comparision, the panasonic pics were as good or better than the nikon – clearer, brighter, sharper.There also were some smaller things I didn’t…
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So far I love it…blown away by the low light video

 ★★★★★ 


Just got home tonight with the camera; went to the store with the idea of buying the Canon SX20IS after reading all the reviews of the Nikon p90 and the Canon; previously I had gotten the JVC HD-1 $3000 HD camcorder and several Sony mini DV camcorders, and a Canon S2 (10x zoom) 5MP digital camera. Before that I had the OM-2 (film) SLR, for which I have a zillion lenses. We also have a Panasonic point and shoot and a new Canon 1300 elph. I notice that a lot of people griped about the Canon SX20 focusing and low light, and even more griped about the Nikon p90. At the store, they had the Canon and the Nikon p100. I thought both of them performed very well at high zoom, during zoom, good focus quickly, etc. Color looked good on the displays. I really like the Canon S2 as a point and shoot (early or first with the high zoom); can’t stand the low zoom point and shoot idea, since I want to be able to bring out things I can’t actually reach (architectural details, wildlife, etc.). I finally decided to try the Nikon (first one I’ve ever had) on the basis of the CMOS chip, 26 instead of 20:1 zoom, 1080p vs 720p, Li-ion battery vs. AA, and mainly the fact that in the (well lit, but not blinding) store, the image on the display was much brighter on the Nikon than the Canon. However, the actual pictures on the Canon were bright and nice, but it was easier for me to see to compose the shot on the display with the Nikon. It was so easy to use I was able to record video or stills and play them back in the store; and it turned out the Nikon was on sale and cheaper than the Canon….
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