Nikon COOLPIX A Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview review of the Nikon Coolpix A highlights the camera's exceptional image quality, driven by a 16.2MP DX-format APS-C sensor paired with a sharp 18.5mm F2.8 fixed lens in a compact, durable body. Key advantages include superb RAW/JPEG performance, a responsive interface, and intuitive manual focusing, though it is limited by slow autofocus, significant vignetting, and a lack of built-in ND filters. For the full, detailed review, visit DPReview.

The PCMag review characterizes the 16-megapixel Nikon Coolpix A as a highly pocketable, dedicated wide-angle camera featuring a large, DSLR-sized APS-C sensor. Key advantages include excellent high-ISO noise performance, quick shooting speeds, RAW support, and a sharp 3-inch LCD. However, the camera suffers from disappointing edge performance at wider apertures and a slow autofocus system with significant shutter lag. Other drawbacks include a high $1,099.95 MSRP, a buried video setting, and limited functionality with an external optical viewfinder.

The Nikon Coolpix A is a pocketable compact camera featuring a 16-megapixel DX-sized sensor paired with a sharp, fixed 28mm f/2.8 equivalent lens. It delivers excellent image quality and center sharpness that remains consistent all the way through to f/11, aided by the omission of an anti-aliasing (AA) filter. Built proudly in Japan, the camera offers great battery life exceeding 230 shots, a dedicated external battery charger, and highly intuitive menus that will immediately feel comfortable to Nikon DSLR users. Additionally, it includes a built-in flash, compatibility with Nikon’s larger external Speedlights, and two programmable buttons for quick settings adjustments. However, the camera suffers from slow auto-focus performance in low-light conditions, lagging behind its compact competitors and failing to lock focus where other systems succeed. It lacks any form of vibration reduction (VR), and manual focus is heavily stripped down—omitting modern aids like focus peaking or digital split image adjustments. The lens corner sharpness is only acceptable between f/4 and f/8, and the lack of an AA filter introduces visible moiré artifacts in certain sample images. Finally, its 1/2000 maximum...

The Nikon Coolpix A is a pocket-sized camera with a large 16-megapixel DSLR sensor and a sharp, collapsing 18.5mm f/2.8 lens that delivers excellent image quality. It produces beautifully detailed, sharp photos even in low light and rivals the quality of much bulkier DSLR cameras. The camera also features a high-quality build made in Japan and offers advanced, DSLR-style menu controls that appeal to experienced photographers. However, the camera suffers from slow contrast-detect autofocus that struggles in macro mode and fails to match the high quality of the lens and sensor. It lacks modern features like image stabilization (VR), phase-detect focus, and the ability to remember manual focus settings when turned off. Additionally, it originally launched at a very high price of $1,100 without a built-in viewfinder or lens hood, making the necessary add-on accessories incredibly expensive.

The Amateur Photographer review of the Nikon Coolpix A highlights its exceptional image quality, driven by a large APS-C sensor and a sharp 18.5mm f/2.8 lens that lacks an anti-aliasing filter. It notes the camera's superb low-light performance, producing low-noise results comparable to mid-tier DSLRs. However, the review cites several limitations, including a slow, hunting autofocus system and the lack of a built-in viewfinder. Additionally, the camera is constrained by short battery life and a high price point compared to its, at the time, mirrorless competition.

The Nikon Coolpix A is a highly solid, pocket-sized camera equipped with a 16.2MP APS-C DX-format sensor and a fixed 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 NIKKOR lens, which delivers image quality that challenges far more expensive setups. The reviewer notes that despite its toy-like or cheap point-and-shoot appearance, the camera produces rich colours, exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness even when shot wide open, and some of the best auto white balance seen in a mirrorless camera. Its physical design is praised for its durable aluminum/magnesium alloy frame, physical external control dials that eliminate menu diving, and a beautiful 3.0-inch LCD screen that remains highly viewable even in bright, direct desert sunlight. However, the camera suffers from notable usability drawbacks, primarily the complete omission of a built-in electronic or optical viewfinder, which hurts its overall charm and "fun factor" compared to rivals like the Fujifilm X100S. The autofocus system is a bit sluggish, lacks phase detection, and is prone to hunting or missing focus in low-light situations. Furthermore, while the camera features a necessary "Macro mode" switch to override the restrictive 20-inch normal minimum focusing distance,...

The ⁠Nikon Coolpix A review highlights a solid, pocketable, magnesium-and-aluminium alloy camera that features a large, 16.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter. On the positive side, this combination delivers exceptional, above-average resolution and image quality, maintaining sharp results with minimal noise all the way up to ISO 6400. Its fixed 18.5mm f/2.8 Nikkor lens (a 28mm SLR equivalent) utilizes a seven-blade iris diaphragm to render beautifully natural out-of-focus blurs and highlights. Additionally, the camera is quick on the draw, booting up in just two seconds, and seamlessly supports various external Nikon DSLR accessories like Speedlight flashes and GPS units.

The Nikon Coolpix A is a premium compact camera engineered for enthusiasts and professionals seeking DSLR-level image quality in a pocketable form factor. It features a large 16-megapixel APS-C DX-format CMOS sensor without an optical low-pass filter, delivering exceptionally detailed, sharp images and impressive low-light performance up to ISO 1600 and beyond. The camera boasts a high build quality, utilizing a magnesium alloy top cover and tactile metal control dials that mirror the manual handling experience of a Nikon DSLR. Its specially designed, fixed 18.5-mm f/2.8 lens (a 28-mm equivalent) produces sharp images with minimal distortion and a pleasing background blur. Additionally, it supports 14-bit RAW (NEF) files with in-camera processing, shoots 4 frames per second, and captures full HD video. Despite its premium construction, the camera has notable limitations, chief among them being its high $1,100 price tag when compared to market rivals. While the camera is quick to start up, its autofocus speed lags behind actual DSLRs and slows down in darker settings. The fixed 28-mm equivalent focal length is highly specific, which may prove too wide for...

The Nikon Coolpix A is a portable 16-megapixel compact camera featuring a large DX-format sensor with 11.6 times more light-gathering surface area per pixel than typical smartphones. Its primary redeeming feature is its fixed 18.5mm f/2.8 lens (equivalent to 28mm on FX format), which lacks an optical low-pass filter to deliver sensational, tack-sharp image resolution with practically unnoticeable chromatic aberration and distortion. Manual focus enthusiasts will appreciate the dedicated control ring at the base of the lens, the vertical distance scale that appears in MF mode, and the magnifying feature for critical focus checking. Additionally, the camera is housed in a durable magnesium and aluminum body, has an auto-extending lens mechanism that protects the glass without needing a lens cap, shoots at 4 frames per second, and includes user-friendly "U1" and "U2" custom mode settings. Despite its portability and lens sharpness, the camera is held back by several design limitations and aged specifications. It lacks a built-in viewfinder, making shooting in bright sunlight or tracking fast action on the 3-inch LCD screen highly challenging. The camera lacks vibration reduction, features...

The Trusted Reviews evaluation of the Nikon Coolpix A highlights the engineering feat of placing a DSLR-sized APS-C sensor into a pocketable body, resulting in first-class image quality with exceptional detail. Praised for its exemplary build quality, intuitive menu system, and sharp 3-inch LCD, the camera is recognized as a strong, albeit premium-priced, entry in the compact market. However, the review notes significant performance limitations, including slow, hunting autofocus in low light and a fixed 18.5mm f/2.8 lens that lacks versatility for all scenarios. Additional drawbacks include the omission of built-in Wi-Fi and the lack of a filter thread for the lens.

The Nikon Coolpix A is a premium compact camera featuring a 16.2MP DX-format (APS-C) sensor paired with a fixed 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 Nikkor prime lens. Designed specifically to complement advanced Nikon DSLR shooters, it mimics SLR menus, features a 14-bit RAW workflow, and offers a dedicated manual focusing ring and focus-mode switch. In performance testing, the camera excelled in image quality, earning an "Extremely High" rating from ISO 100 to 1600 thanks to its exceptional noise control and superb color accuracy. It delivers Extremely Low noise when converting RAW files using its included View NX software, outperforming competitors like the Ricoh GR and Fujifilm X100S in maintaining a low-noise profile at higher sensitivities. Field testing also highlighted high-quality 1080p30 video capture, a solid build with an understated design, and a reasonable burst capability of 4 frames per second with a 10-frame buffer when shooting RAW + JPEG.

In his review, Tahir Hashmi praises the 2013 Nikon Coolpix A as a stylish and durable pocket-sized camera equipped with a large APS-C sensor. He highlights several design and performance pros, noting that its premium brushed-metal finish and bevelled details give it a fashionable, "vanity camera" aesthetic. Despite weighing only 299 grams, its robust build quality features tactile, highly responsive buttons and definitive-clicking dials. The camera offers excellent physical ergonomics, featuring 10 dedicated control buttons (including ISO and exposure compensation) alongside a fast, confident contrast-detect autofocus system in standard AF-S mode. Furthermore, its 18.5mm f/2.8 lens (28mm equivalent field of view) delivers signature Nikon high-contrast images, remarkably low distortion, and enough sharpness to trigger moire on the 16MP sensor. However, the review details notable cons rooted in the camera's aging hardware and outdated workflow features. In terms of performance, autofocus speeds drop significantly when entering macro mode. The device lacks a tilting screen, a viewfinder, and modern playback functionality, such as pressing the "OK" button to instantly zoom in. Its older Expeed 2 image processor limits auto white balance and...

The ePHOTOzine hands-on preview highlights the Nikon Coolpix A as a compact camera featuring a 16.2-megapixel DX-format APS-C sensor without an optical low-pass filter, paired with a fixed 18.5mm f/2.8 lens. This metal-bodied, pocketable camera is designed for enthusiasts, offering Full HD video, manual controls, and high-resolution imaging capabilities. ePHOTOzine Key pros include the premium build quality, extensive manual control options, and the large sensor's ability to produce high-quality images. Conversely, primary cons identified are the high £999 price tag, the limitation of a fixed wide-angle lens, and potential autofocus speed constraints, according to ePHOTOzine.

The Nikon COOLPIX A is an enthusiast-focused compact camera featuring a large 16.2 Megapixel APS-C (DX-format) sensor and a fixed 18.5mm (28mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens. Its standout advantage is delivering unsurpassed, DSLR-level image quality within a strong, highly portable magnesium and aluminium alloy body that easily fits inside a jacket pocket. The camera dispenses with an optical low pass filter to maximize image sharpness, provides physical controls that mimic a DSLR (such as a command dial and a dedicated manual focus ring), and features an impressive 4.5fps continuous shooting mode with an interval timer. However, achieving this ultra-compact size forces several major functional compromises. The camera completely lacks a built-in viewfinder, an articulated or tilting screen, and built-in image stabilisation, which makes handheld video recording noticeably shaky. Additionally, its 28mm equivalent fixed focal length can feel overly wide for general use and portraiture, its contrast-detect autofocus system is sluggish compared to rivals, and the battery life is poor at just 230 shots per charge. If you'd like to explore how this camera holds up today, let me know: Do you...

Nikon Coolpix A Review Summary The Nikon Coolpix A is an extremely compact digital camera that successfully integrates a large 16-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor into a body small enough to fit inside a coat pocket. Designed without an anti-alias filter to maximise image sharpness, it provides exceptional image quality, very low noise up to ISO 3200, and a wide dynamic range that ensures precise metering. Additional strengths include a bright, low-distortion 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 prime lens, highly responsive overall operation, a solid build quality, and an accurate automatic white balance system. However, the camera suffers from a slow and error-prone contrast-detect autofocus system, which frequently misses targets in low-light environments. Optical trade-offs include noticeable corner softness and strong vignetting, while the physical design compromises usability due to a poorly positioned rear control-dial, a short battery life, and a power switch that is easily triggered by accident. Furthermore, its original $1,100 price tag and fixed focal length limit its mainstream appeal, especially when compared to rivals like the Fujifilm X100S, which offers a built-in hybrid viewfinder and faster phase-detect autofocus.

Overview The Nikon Coolpix A is a discontinued pocket-sized camera that stands out for delivering professional-grade image quality in a highly compact form factor. It is equipped with a large 16.2MP APS-C "DX" sensor—the same physical size used in several Nikon DSLR models—and a fixed 18.5mm f/2.8 lens. This combination produces exceptional JPEG files directly out of the camera, with the "Mono Picture Control" mode being a notable highlight for its tonal quality. Operating virtually silently due to its mirrorless design, the camera features full manual controls and a familiar Nikon operating system layout, making it a compelling, budget-friendly "retro digital" choice for street photography and daily use. Pros and Cons Pros Large Sensor: Features a DSLR-sized 16.2MP DX sensor that provides excellent low-light performance and usable high ISO levels up to 3200. Portability & Design: Pocket-sized body that is virtually silent, featuring a 4fps burst rate ideal for discreet shooting. Image Quality: Exceptional straight-out-of-the-camera RAW and JPEG files with highly reliable auto white balance and excellent monochrome tones. Media Compatibility: Uses standard SD cards rather than smaller micro/mini variants,...