During the early 2010s, many companies launched new compact cameras. They were practically releasing cameras left, right, and center. While the numbers gradually dwindled, these point-and-shoot devices were perfect for anyone who wanted a casual shooting device. Nikon was one of the companies that created a multi-series lineup under the Coolpix banner, which performed well. Of them, one camera, despite being popular today, is not an ideal choice for a few people: the Nikon Coolpix A. Here’s a look at the story.
The Nikon Coolpix A is an APS-C CMOS compact camera with a 12MP resolution sensor. Launched in 2013, it has a 28mm f2.8 fixed lens, 9-point AF points, and a burst rate of 4fps. It can also shoot 1080p videos at 30fps, has a 3.0-inch, 921k-dot TFT LCD, and runs on a DS/SDHC card. While the camera has an adorable design, it is really small, measuring 111 x 64 x 40mm and weighing just 299g.
For its time, small cameras were quite popular. Look at models like Canon IXY 650, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10, or the Sony RX1. However, what made the Nikon camera different is that the device is a bit too small for people with larger hands. The back of the camera had most buttons, from exposure compensation to ISO to the control dial and menu buttons. All the layout makes it a more pocketable experience. While everything is laid out really well (except for a few buttons), and the menu was easy to navigate, the challenge was using the buttons. Sure, it is a personal issue, but people with larger hands often find it hard to work around the rear end or even hold the device.
If you ignore the camera’s size, it produces really good images, and the lens controls distortion well despite being wide. Even the files handled black-and-white conversion pretty well. As we said in our review, “In my opinion the files were very usable through ISO 12800, by 25600 the color goes and it’s really for emergencies only. Having usable 12800 is great news, though, because of the f2.8 maximum aperture.” This is really helpful if you want to continue to shoot the night away.
For anyone who wants a camera that is small and discreet, the Nikon Coolpix A could be the one for you. It is sleek and easy to carry, and continues to be a stylish offering for anyone who still wants to invest in a camera that is better than a phone. If you happen to get your hands on this, then definitely go ahead with it.
