Nikon 10.1 Megapixels Coolpix P7100 Review by NeoCamera With Rating 4/4

Nikon promises improvement to noise-reduction efforts by the P7100's Expeed C2 image processor and the Low Noise Night Mode and Noise Reduction Filter. ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 6400 (expandable to ISO 12,800 in Low Noise Night Mode) for shooting in low-light or photographing fast-moving subjects. The P7100 is capable of recording full resolution JPEG images at up to 1.2 fps. It will record 720p HD video with the option to utilize an external microphone such as Nikon's ME-1 accessory. The optical zoom will be available in video mode, and the P7100 can be used with an optional 0.75x Wide-Angle Convertor for expansion to a 21mm focal length. The Nikon COOLPIX P7100 is listed for retail at $499.95 and is currently selling at around $399. Here's the summary of review by NeoCamera, giving the camera a rating of 4 out of 4:

"Performance starts with image quality, which is the criteria used as the foundation of our digital camera ratings. As the Nikon Coolpix P7100 follows it predecessor with the same 10 megapixels CCD, it is no surprise that this model performs exceptionally well in terms of image quality. While the launch of the P7000 introduced a new image quality champion among fixed-lens cameras, the P7100 now falls short but only against the Fuji Finepix X100 which cost twice as much and uses a much larger sensor. This represents a truly solid performance, particularly when considering its stabilized 7X wide-angle zoom lens. By comparison, the X100 has neither stabilization nor a zoom lens. Images from the Nikon P7100 are usable up to ISO 400 for maximum output size. At ISO 800, it shows a slight amount of noise along with a little softening of details. Still, there image quality is good enough for a relatively large print. ISO 1600 is really fantastic for a small digital camera and even a medium-sized print, like a 9x12", can come out looking good. By ISO 3200, we have to give up on fine details but subjects are recognizable and even small prints are quite reasonable. The dynamic range of this digital camera is on par with most cameras in its class, save for those equipped with Fuji's EXR technology. As such, the X100 and F550 EXR maintain an edge for outdoor photography where light causes extremely contrasty scenes. The usual solution for photography of outdoor scenery is to wait for the time around dusk and dawn when light produces scenes of much lower contrast.

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is an excellent digital camera with an extensive feature set and a design to access most commonly used functions. It has very little direct competitors when counting its zoom range or expansion options. It is only the second compact camera to feature a digital-level or a mini-jack sound input. Image quality is simply excellent. It shows less image noise at high-ISO than all compact cameras with image stabilization. Color, white-balance and exposure are all rather good too and compares well to all other fixed lens camera. Dynamic range is good but not best-in-class. Focus speed is very good for its class and makes it very usable for most situations other than action photography. In terms of ergonomics, having three control dials and plenty of buttons makes it very efficient but we feel Nikon could have done even better. The two usability issues remaining from its predecessor are poor accuracy of the LCD preview and Live-Histogram. In the end, the Nikon Coolpix P7100 provides a very compelling choice for photographers looking for advanced photographic control in a compact body. It has an unparalleled feature set, including support for both an add-on flash and an external stereo sound source, making it the most versatile compact camera to date."