Features & Controls

Nikon has equipped the Coolpix P100 with a powerful 26x Nikkor optical zoom lens with an equivalent zoom range of  26 - 678mm. It offers a versatile maximum aperture range of f/2.8 to 5.0, ED glass elements, and their VR (Vibration Reduction) technology. When fully extended, the lens sticks out quite a ways.

When powered down, the lens pulls inside the body's lens barrel.

The 9-area contrast detect TTL AF system covers a focus range of 1 ft. 8 in.(50cm) to infinity [W], 5 ft. 6 in.(1.7m) to infinity [T]; Macro close-up mode: 4 in.(10cm) to infinity (zoom position where flower turns green), 0.4 in. (1cm) to infinity (zoom position at ^ mark). It is aided in low lighting conditions by a Focus-assist lamp. Auto focus can be set to Auto (9-area), Face Priority, Center, and Manual with 99 possible focus points.

Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization system was originally developed for their SLR cameras, and can provide up to three stops in compensation. This enables you to capture sharper photos when shooting in low-light conditions or when using the telephoto capabilities of this camera.

Here you can see the built-in pop-up flash unit. Modes offered include: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; Slow Synchro. The effective flash range is approx. 1 ft. 8 in. (0.5m) - 32 ft. (10m) at Wide angle, 5 ft. 8 in.  (1.7m) - 8 ft. 2 in. (2.5m) at telephoto (using ISO Auto).

On top of the camera you will find the mode dial (iAuto, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, User Setting, Subject Tracking, Smart Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Scene, and Sport Continuous. Next is the the shutter release with the zoom control mounted around it and the On/Off switch. To the left, you can see the built-in stereo microphones.

The P100 uses a 0.24-inch EVF (Electronic ViewFinder) with 230,000 pixels of resolution. It offers 97% frame coverage and has a diopter adjustment feature located on the left. Along the left hand side of the EVF is the Monitor button, which switches the live image between the LCD and EVF. To the right is the DISPlay button, which controls the amount of information displayed on both screens, along with the Movie shutter release and mode switch.

On the back is a large 3-inch, tilting LCD with 460,000 pixels of resolution. This unit serves as the viewfinder as well as for reviewing your images and movies and accessing the menu screens. The mount allows the LCD to tilt up or down up to 135 degrees, which is great for difficult shooting situations. This display offers 97% frame coverage, and gains up in lower lighting to help you see your subject (the EVF offers this feature as well).

Controls on the back: At the far top right you can see the command dial, which is used for changing various settings as well as for quickly navigating the menu system or scrolling through stored images. The 'blue arrow' Play button puts the camera in Playback or review mode. Next is the 4-way selector, which is for navigating menus and selecting pictures. In record mode pressing it 'Up' selects the desired flash mode, 'Left' activates the self-timer, 'Down' enables the macro focus mode, and 'Right' will adjust exposure compensation. The center OK button accepts menu selections. At the bottom are the MENU button calls up and dismisses menu screens, and the 'trash can' button is for deleting images.

On the left hand side of the camera are the I/O (Input/Output) ports. At the top we have a mini HDMI port for sending video to your HDTV; with an optional cable. Next is a combination plug used to connect either the USB 2.0 cable for downloading images to the host computer as well as direct printing, or connecting the camera to a standard definition TV.

Still images and movie clips are stored on ~43MB of internal flash memory or removable SD, and SDHC memory cards. Shown here with a fast and spacious SanDisk Extreme (30MB/s) 4GB SDHC card.

The camera's proprietary EN-EL5 rechargeable Li-Ion battery is also located behind the same port door. Nikon claims this pack can power the P100 for up to 250 shots (CIPA standard). An optional power adapter (AC Adapter EH-62A) allows the camera to be powered from an A/C wall outlet.