Nikon COOLPIX P7100 Review | 108 Data compared

The ePHOTOzine review of the Nikon Coolpix P7100 highlights the camera as a highly capable, prosumer-level compact that successfully fixes the sluggish control and menu lags found in its predecessor, the P7000. Key pros praised in the evaluation include excellent out-of-camera image quality with minimal noise, a versatile 7.1x optical zoom range (28-200mm equivalent), a handy front control dial for manual adjustments, and a flexible, tilting 3-inch LCD screen.

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a 10.1-megapixel compact camera built for photography enthusiasts who want full manual control without carrying a heavy D-SLR camera. The camera stands out with its sharp 3-inch tilting LCD screen, an optical viewfinder for eye-level framing, and a hot shoe to attach extra flashes or microphones. Its biggest strength is its large 7.1x zoom lens, which covers a wide 28-200mm range to capture both wide views and faraway subjects. In performance tests, the camera proved to be quite snappy with a fast 1.6-second startup time and a very short 0.1-second shutter lag. Image quality is also very clear, keeping grainy picture noise low even when shooting in darker settings up to ISO 1600. However, this camera does have several drawbacks. On the downside, the physical design is bulky and heavy at 14 ounces, meaning it will not easily slip into a small pocket. It is also quite expensive at around $500. When taking a long burst of photos, the camera suffers from a slow buffer that takes a full minute to clear, locking up important...

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a highly capable, advanced compact camera designed for users seeking SLR-like functionality, though its 395g heft means it is too large to fit into a pocket. Externally, the camera mimics the Canon G12 design and stands out as one of the few compacts to still feature an optical viewfinder. Key design enhancements include a 3-inch, 921,000-dot tilting LCD screen that pivots out from the body, and the inclusion of intuitive dual front and back control dials for seamless setting adjustments. Internally, it relies on the same hardware as its predecessor (the P7000), utilizing a 10.1-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor matched with a 7x optical zoom lens that features an f/2.8-5.6 maximum aperture range. In terms of performance, the camera yields excellent image quality with highly accurate colour rendition, minimal noise below ISO 400, and low lens distortion. Reviewers noted quicker overall response times compared to the older P7000. However, the camera falls short of being class-beating due to several distinct drawbacks. Video capture is limited to 720p resolution and lacks a dedicated instant-on record button, requiring...

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a pocketable fixed-lens compact camera featuring a 10.1-megapixel, 15mm CCD sensor and a 7.1x Nikkor zoom lens equivalent to 28-200mm in 35mm format. Designed to compete directly with Canon's G-series, it stands out for its highly functional external physical controls—such as a dedicated left-side knob for quick access to ISO, white balance, and file quality—as well as an articulated 7.5cm LCD screen that tilts vertically, a built-in 3-stop neutral density filter, and RAW (NRW) file format support. Performance-wise, the camera starts up in approximately 1.5 seconds, delivers images with negligible pincushion distortion at the telephoto end, and handles image noise well up to ISO 1600, with noise only becoming prominent at ISO 3200. Despite its strengths, the camera has notable limitations, particularly regarding video capabilities, as it maxes out at 1280x720p resolution and lacks Full HD support. Furthermore, you cannot shoot still photos while recording video without interrupting the recording, and the lens exhibits obvious barrel distortion at its wide-angle setting. The workflow for applying built-in special effects and scene modes is somewhat clunky, requiring...

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a high-end compact digital camera designed for photo enthusiasts who want the manual controls of a DSLR in a smaller body. It features an oversized 1/1.7" CCD sensor, a built-in optical viewfinder, a high-resolution 3-inch articulating screen, and RAW-format image capture. The camera excels in bright outdoor settings, producing beautifully sharp details and highly accurate color reproduction that outscores many competitors. It also offers a long 7.1x zoom lens, exceptional video color quality, and an impressive physical setup with three command dials and a quick-menu dial for efficient, hands-on setting tweaks. However, the P7100 falls short in low-light and indoor situations due to its slower CCD sensor and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, causing desaturated and soft results at high ISO settings. Performance speed is also relatively slow, with a poke-along continuous burst rate of just 1.14 frames per second. Furthermore, video sharpness is weak because it is capped at a low 720p resolution, and autofocus struggles to adjust while filming. Finally, the camera suffers from severe 2.55% barrel distortion by default because Nikon leaves...

The DPReview evaluation of the Nikon Coolpix P7100 highlights a capable, enthusiast-focused compact that improves on its predecessor with excellent 10MP image quality, a versatile 7.1x (28-200mm) zoom lens, and improved responsiveness. Key advantages include extensive external, DSLR-like controls with a new front dial, a 3-inch tilting 921k-dot screen for versatile shooting angles, and a solid build. Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, including a slow continuous shooting speed and, critically, a complete 8-second lockup when clearing the buffer while shooting in RAW mode. Other cons include heavy-handed noise reduction that reduces fine detail at higher ISO settings, limited 720p video recording, and a bulky body.

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a premium compact camera that improves upon its predecessor with excellent image quality, a sharp 7.1x optical zoom lens, and a 3-inch tilting LCD screen for versatile shooting angles. Key advantages include robust physical controls, including a new front dial, long battery life, and superior low-ISO performance. Conversely, the review notes significant limitations, such as the lack of 1080p Full HD video recording and limited manual controls in video mode. Additionally, the optical viewfinder offers only 80% coverage, and RAW shooting can introduce performance slowdowns, according to the analysis.

The What Digital Camera review awards the Nikon Coolpix P7100 a 90% score, highlighting its excellent 10.1-megapixel image quality, fast RAW capture via the EXPEED C2 processor, and the addition of a versatile tilting LCD screen. While the controls and build are praised, the review notes the camera lacks groundbreaking improvements over its predecessor and holds a high price point. Furthermore, the optical viewfinder is limited by only 80% field of view coverage.

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a robust, enthusiast-focused digital compact camera that acts as a less bulky backup for DSLR owners or manual shooters. Powered by an Expeed C2 processor, it boasts fast operational response times and features a 10.1-megapixel, 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor paired with a high-performance 7.1x optical zoom lens (28-200mm equivalent) that produces sharp and clean images. A major physical highlight of this model is its new 3-inch, angle-adjustable tilting LCD screen that simplifies shooting from high or low angles, although it only tilts vertically rather than flipping out completely. It provides deep manual control with a busy, DSLR-like layout packed with buttons, front and rear thumbwheels, and a dedicated mode dial featuring customizable settings. Additionally, it offers a respectable battery life of roughly 350 shots per charge, outperforming several compact competitors. The review highlights several distinct strengths and weaknesses for potential buyers. On the positive side, the camera offers excellent DSLR-like tactile controls, sturdy construction, and numerous shortcut control options that make on-the-fly exposure adjustments quick and intuitive. It also delivers high-quality image performance with sharp details...

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 review highlights it as a highly capable, prosumer compact camera designed for enthusiast and professional photographers seeking a smaller alternative to a DSLR. A major pro of this model is its significantly improved operational speed, particularly in menu navigation and shot-to-shot RAW image capture, which successfully addresses the main flaws of its predecessor, the P7000. It is also praised for its physical ergonomics, featuring a rubberised grip, an articulating 3-inch LCD screen, and a wealth of direct manual dials—including a new front control wheel and a dedicated exposure compensation dial—that eliminate the need to dig through menus. Image quality is another strong point, delivering excellent performance with usable RAW files at lower sensitivities and retaining creative options via the built-in i-TTL flash system hot shoe and external microphone port. However, the camera does come with several distinct cons related to its physical build and hardware limitations. Due to its substantial size and a design heavily focused on physical control layouts, it is not a pocket-friendly option unless carried in a heavy coat or large cargo pocket....

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 stands out for its exceptional image quality and extensive, advanced feature set built into a compact body. Driven by a 10-megapixel CCD sensor, it produces clean, usable images up to ISO 400 at maximum resolution, and delivers respectable performance up to ISO 3200 for small prints. Its 7.1x wide optical zoom lens offers reliable frame-wide sharpness and built-in stabilization, compensating effectively for minor camera movements. Notable pros include vastly improved autofocus speeds (focusing in under 1/2 a second on average), a quick 1-second power-on time, customizable color saturation, excellent custom white balance, and rare advanced additions like a hot-shoe, a 1-axis digital level, and a mini-jack stereo audio input. Conversely, the camera suffers from several distinct drawbacks that limit its versatility. While it maintains pace with still subjects, its long 2.5-second shot-to-shot time and 1.75-second display blackout make it poorly suited for action photography. The default internal processing also renders images entirely too soft out of the box, requiring manual adjustment, while the default color mode is heavily oversaturated. Optically, noticeable barrel distortion is present at...

The Amateur Photographer review of the Nikon Coolpix P7100 highlights the model as a robust, high-end compact geared toward enthusiasts, featuring extensive physical dials for rapid manual control and a comfortable, curved rubberized grip. Its versatile wide-angle zoom lens delivers sharp image quality across focal lengths, supported by built-in tools like an ND filter, vibration reduction, and a useful exposure compensation warning light. Amateur Photographer However, the camera lacks true pocketability, with a chunky 116x77x48mm, 395g footprint that is heavier than many contemporary compact system cameras. Additional drawbacks include visible barrel distortion at the widest setting—mitigated by built-in digital controls—and an automated white balance that can falter when a single, dominant color fills the frame.