Nikon Coolpix A Pros and Cons: I am looking for a pocket size DSLR with at least 16 mp. I saw on the Nikon refurbished site that the Coolpix A is selling for under $300. I also seem to...

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

I am looking for a pocket size DSLR with at least 16 mp. I saw on the Nikon refurbished site that the Coolpix A is selling for under $300. I also seem to remember that they may be retiring that model in favor of something else.

The only drawback I see is that there is no zoom. My question is as far as landscapes and family type pictures, does the absence of any zoom matter to those of you that have the camera?

Thanks for your help, as always.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

MikeMcK wrote:

I am looking for a pocket size DSLR with at least 16 mp. I saw on the Nikon refurbished site that the Coolpix A is selling for under $300. I also seem to remember that they may be retiring that model in favor of something else.

The only drawback I see is that there is no zoom. My question is as far as landscapes and family type pictures, does the absence of any zoom matter to those of you that have the camera?

Thanks for your help, as always.

It has a fixed 28mm F2.8 (equivalent) lens. It does have the same APS-C 16.2MP sensor as was used in the D7000 DSLR body, its a very good sensor. It will also shoot RAW, has a hotshoe, and does Full HD Video with a stereo mic. Its already discontinued and replacement(s) are due by Spring 2016. The $299 refurb price also carries a 10% discount right now as well as free shipping making it $269. Very good quality images if you can live with the fixed focal length lens.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Deleted. Carter got it better, sooner.

JPL

MikeMcK wrote:

I am looking for a pocket size DSLR with at least 16 mp. I saw on the Nikon refurbished site that the Coolpix A is selling for under $300. I also seem to remember that they may be retiring that model in favor of something else.

The only drawback I see is that there is no zoom. My question is as far as landscapes and family type pictures, does the absence of any zoom matter to those of you that have the camera?

Thanks for your help, as always.

No zoom means you have to adjust the distance to the subject with your feet to make the subject fit in the frame. If that is doable then the absence of zoom does not matter.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Good specs- read more at THIS LINK.
Didn't know it was available for such a bargain price now.

That 28mm equivalent focal length appeals to me.
Maybe something to get in the future.

It is NOT a DSLR:
"A digital single-lens reflex camera (also called a digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera combining the optics and the mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor, as opposed to photographic film. The reflex design scheme is the primary difference between a DSLR and other digital cameras."

The Reflex part of DSLR means it has a mirror to reflect the image to a viewfinder for viewing what you are framing.
Not the case with the Coolpix.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Nikon Coolpix line are P&S, not DSLR's
Can you provide more details?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

sirlensalot wrote:

Nikon Coolpix line are P&S, not DSLR's
Can you provide more details?

Google it! I found a complete description on Nikon and B&H sites. The short version is that it will shoot DSLR quality because it has a DSLR in it. Nikon calls it a "DX" sensor. You could shoot side by side against a Nikon 7200 equipped with the right lens.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

bsprague wrote:

Google it! I found a complete description on Nikon and B&H sites. The short version is that it will shoot DSLR quality because it has a DSLR in it. Nikon calls it a "DX" sensor. You could shoot side by side against a Nikon 7200 equipped with the right lens.

.... or look at the link to Digital Photography Review I provided above.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

bsprague wrote:

Google it! I found a complete description on Nikon and B&H sites. The short version is that it will shoot DSLR quality because it has a DSLR in it. Nikon calls it a "DX" sensor. You could shoot side by side against a Nikon 7200 equipped with the right lens.

It is labeled and "advanced" Coolpix. It's a Point and shoot - not a DSLR.
I does sound like a good deal if you could live with a fixed aperture lens. There is more than one Nikon Coolpix designated as "advanced" or "advanced performance". Still doesn't make them DSLR's though.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

sirlensalot wrote:

It is labeled and "advanced" Coolpix. It's a Point and shoot - not a DSLR.
I does sound like a good deal if you could live with a fixed aperture(?) lens. There is more than one Nikon Coolpix designated as "advanced" or "advanced performance". Still doesn't make them DSLR's though.

It's a fixed focal length, NOT a fixed aperture!
I know you know better.
Check the expiration date on your egg nog.
Cheers!

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

GoofyNewfie wrote:

It's a fixed focal length, NOT a fixed aperture!
I know you know better.
Check the expiration date on your egg nog.
Cheers!

I stand corrected and yes I know the difference. BTW - I hate eggnog. lol

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

sirlensalot wrote:

I stand corrected and yes I know the difference. BTW - I hate eggnog. lol

:) :-D

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

sirlensalot wrote:

I stand corrected and yes I know the difference. BTW - I hate eggnog. lol

My DW went to dairy free this year. The egg nog sucks so bad I've been forced to avoid it.

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

First of all, the Coolpix A doesn't have an EVF or OVF. There is an optional OVF available. This may be a deal breaker? If you are interested in a pocketable camera with 16 MP and an APS-C sensor, consider the Ricoh GR or GR II. The Ricoh also doesn't have an EVF or OVF. The Ricoh's lens is very sharp and has a fixed at 28mm full frame equivalent crop factor. I just bought the GR II and it is a pleasure to use. I have found that the Clearviewer accessory that I used on my Sony RX 100 II works well on the Ricoh. The Camera Store YouTube channel did comparative review of the Nikon Coolpix A and the Ricoh GR. If you need a zoom, consider one of the Sony RX100 cameras with a 1 inch sensor and 20 MP. Great pocketable camera with excellent IQ and excellent video capabilities.

bruswen Loc: Eugene OR

MT Shooter wrote:

It has a fixed 28mm F2.8 (equivalent) lens. It does have the same APS-C 16.2MP sensor as was used in the D7000 DSLR body, its a very good sensor. It will also shoot RAW, has a hotshoe, and does Full HD Video with a stereo mic. Its already discontinued and replacement(s) are due by Spring 2016. The $299 refurb price also carries a 10% discount right now as well as free shipping making it $269. Very good quality images if you can live with the fixed focal length lens.

In addition, Nikon removed the anti-aliasing filter on the sensor, so the Coolpix A gives more detailed images than the D7000. I actually own and use a Coolpix A, I have found the lcd display to be adequately bright so I do not miss a viewfinder. The fixed focal length lens is better at 18.5mm than most other lens Nikon makes that reach 18mm, most of them have lots of distortion. This camera can shoot at ISO 1000 without noise and it has a f/2.8 lens, it is good in low light but it does not have VR so there are some limits regarding shutter speed. The dynamic range is comparable to the D7000 and I like the color rendition better. At the current $269 price it is a bargain. If you like shooting at that focal length get one, you won't be disappointed.