Nikon COOLPIX P7800 12.2 MP Digital Camera Review

Product Description

12.2MP 1/1.7 BSI CMOS Sensor EXPEED C2 Image Processor NIKKOR ED 7.1x Optical Zoom Lens 3 921k-Dot Vari-Angle LCD Monitor 921k-Dot Electronic Viewfinder Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps Lens-Shift VR Image Stabilization Full Manual Control and RAW File Support

From the Manufacturer

Exceptional image quality in compact, portable designs

The COOLPIX Advanced Performance collection is perfect for memories captured in an instant yet cherished for a lifetime. State-of-the-art technology, superb optics and impeccable style come together to make these cameras the flagships of the COOLPIX line.

The total package.

If you're looking for one the best compact digital cameras, meet the outstanding COOLPIX P7800. Amaze yourself over and over again with breathtaking photos and Full HD 1080p videos—tack-sharp detail, rich, vibrant colors, beautifully blurred backgrounds, dramatic lighting, soft, natural skin tones and so much more. Its superb 7.1x Zoom NIKKOR ED glass lens gives you both wide-angle and telephoto capabilties and is engineered to match its extra-large 1/1.7" CMOS sensor. With an Auto Mode you can rely on, 19 Scene Modes for getting the most out of every shooting situation, creative in-camera Image Effects, complete PSAM control, RAW shooting, optional Wi-Fi® connectivity and more, the COOLPIX P7800 will go as far as you want to go. For those who never settle for second best, COOLPIX P7800 delivers.

World-class optics

7.1x Zoom plus fast f/2 max aperture lens yields incredible results

Every COOLPIX camera is built around a genuine NIKKOR glass lens, the lens in the COOLPIX P7800 is no exception. It has an f/2 maximum aperture—pros call it a "fast" lens, you'll call it incredible. Create photos and videos with tack sharp subjects against beautifully blurred backgrounds, and shoot without a flash in situations you wouldn't think possible. It has a 7.1x wide-angle to telephoto zoom range—capture 180°/360° panoramas as easily as detailed close-ups. You even can get as close as 0.8-inches from your subject for exciting macro shots. And with lens-shift Vibration Reduction (VR), you never have to worry about a little camera shake ruining a shot.

Superior low-light performance

High-performance CMOS image sensor lets you shoot without a flash

Imagine being able to shoot without a flash at weddings, concerts, parties—anywhere your flash normally fires. You won't have to interrupt a moment to capture it, and your photos and HD videos will look more natural and true to your memory. The COOLPIX P7800 performs so well in low light situations that, in most cases, using the flash is optional. Of course, when the lighting is extremely poor and you need a flash, it'll be there.

Precise high resolution monitors

Dual Viewing systems—Vari-angle display and Electronic Eye-Level viewfinder

Shooting conditions vary, so the COOLPIX P7800 has two viewing systems: a large 3-inch 921,000-dot Vari-angle display that swings and swivels to provide easy viewing from almost any position, plus an electronic Eye-Level viewfinder for D-SLR-style shooting. Find exciting new perspectives by swiveling out the Vari-angle display and moving the camera around—raise it overhead or move it to ground-level for suprirsing new views. When conditions require, use the bright 921,000-dot Electronic Eye-Level viewfinder and frame exactly the shot you want.

Master the camera in no time

Simple, convenient operation for stress-free shooting

The COOLPIX P7800 is so easy to use, anyone can take great photos and videos with it. Just turn the camera on, point, shoot and marvel at the results. For maximum point-and-shoot convenience, select Scene Auto Selector. It automatically optimizes the camera settings for each shot, so you'll be free to enjoy the moment while you capture it.

Record superior videos

Full HD 1080p videos with stereo sound for dazzling moving moments

If you want a compact camera that shoots stunning Full HD videos, the COOLPIX P7800 delivers. Full HD 1080p means exceptional video quality. Record the action, then connect to an HDTV and watch your videos come alive. A built-in mic records high-quality audio in stereo. Your videos will look and sound phenomenal.

Take control of your vision

When you want to take control of exposure, the COOLPIX P7800 is ready. Select from PSAM exposure modes and the creative options will seem endless.

Record uncompressed (RAW) files

For those who want to record the pure, unmodified versions of their photos, the COOLPIX P7800 can record in RAW (NRW) mode.

Share to your smartphone or tablet

Connect the optional WU-1a Wireless Adapter and wirelessly transfer photos to your compatible smartphone, tablet or any compatible Wi-Fi enabled device, control the COOLPIX P7800 and more.

Expand your capabilities and creativity

The COOLPIX P7800 includes a full-size accessory shoe that's compatible with many exciting Nikon accessories. Take control of light with an external flash, or record ultra-high fidelity sound with an external stereo mic. Fire the camera remotely with a wireless remote control, or geotag your shots with a GPS module. You can really build a creative system around the COOLPIX P7800.

Supplied Accessories

• AN-CP22 Strap
• UC-E16 USB Cable
• EN-EL14 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• MH-24 Battery Charger
• LC-CP26 Lens Cap
• NikonView NX 2

User rating and reviews

An early review after using this camera for a couple of hours. This jacket-pocketable camera makes good images, gives you control over crafting your photos, and is ergonomically comfortable to use. Despite the fact that I generally stay away from gimicky scene modes, I was surprised to find a couple of them appealing, including the different options for for panoramas and the color-selective filters. So far, so good.

Let's get my biases out. I have Nikon gear (a couple of SLRs) and I would prefer to have my camera work well with existing remotes, flashes, and my old P7000 batteries. I also like that the camera menus are familiar for a Nikon user and I have a good sense how the Active-D lighting, TTL flash exposure, and general focusing modes work. For me, quick comprehension and intuitive use of these controls greatly increases the cameras performance. I also prefer diopter-adjustable viewfinders due to superior performance in bright light and the fact that with bifocals, focusing on the camera screen can literally be a pain in the neck.

I am very pleased with the electronic viewfinder as it shows in the viewfinder the setting changes as you go, just like on the back screen. I found myself rapidly adjusting settings without looking, being confident that I was getting it right. The colors in the viewfinder aren't perfect, but it provides more than enough resolution to thoughtfully compose images. I found the manual focus very easy to use compared to other compact-ish cameras I've tried, especially since it can all be done through the viewfinder.

I like that the P7800 has a real lens cap, real camera heft, and real controls. Image quality is good in typical indoor lighting scenes without a flash and great outside in good light. My guess is that there those pixel peepers who will take issue with some of the performance in marginal light conditions, and if that is what you care about, you can study the reference photos of toy soldiers, books, coins, feathers, and color charts at other sites.

I'm still learning the benefits of the articulating screen, but one that I see immediately is that it can be stowed away when not in use, protecting it from sometimes rough treatment and the smudges from my nose when using the viewfinder.

It's not the snappiest camera recording images, but once on, its responsive to the shutter release (the area of performance I value). It just takes a while to write. It is faster than my P7000 (though heftier), but nowhere near as fast as my D90. It allows me to get the shots I need when I need them, except for the most demanding conditions (really low light where you need high ISO's, rapidfire sports shooting, serious macro shooting--although the macro focus functions work pretty well).

I got this camera to have at all times in my work bag as a daily-use camera so that I won't miss images when traveling for work, commuting, or running errands without the bulk of my SLR. With its viewfinder, good image quality, jacket-pocketable size, ease and familiarity in its use, it is the camera I need.

Would I like to have the larger sensor and better ISO performance in it? yes. Would I like it to be smaller? yes. Would I like it to be cheaper? Sure (I could have gotten the P7700 if I didn't prefer viewfinders). But in the overall compromise of wants for a relatively compact camera, the P7800 is what I need.

Update:

After having the camera a few weeks, I'm very happy with it. I was getting frustrated if you have it on one of the "continuous" modes or "Best Shot Selection" and raw photos, as it will take ~10 seconds to digest the photos, but single shots with raw are recorded pretty quickly. The viewfinder and the camera heft and overall design and handling makes for working well in marginal conditions, macro shooting, or generally for just carrying around. I find I'm using the button that replaced the dial on top of the P7000 for adjustments more than I used the dial, especially doing it through the viewfinder. Battery life is good when I primarily shoot with the viewfinder, not having to change the battery over the course of a long weekend and 200 shots even with the flash. Like other Nikons, the TTL flash exposure works great, and I used it to drive a SB-600 and -700 flash for a few photos of a family dinner, which came out super. Low light performance is better than I hoped, with ISO 800 working pretty well. Some examples are at my Google+ site, pretty much straight from the camera. [...] . I found the viewfinder nice at the concert, as it is less obtrusive to snap a shot without having to have a screen lit up.

I'm very happy to get the performance I get from a jacket pocketable camera