TechRadar Verdict
Pros
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Offers a superb level of manual control
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Very good image quality
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Well-controlled noise
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Very robust build quality
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Plenty of customisable options
Cons
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No Easy Panorama mode
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Slow continuous shooting rate
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No Full HD movie mode (offers 720p)
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Similar price to an entry-level DSLR
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The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is the brand's new replacement for its flagship advanced compact camera - the Coolpix P7000 - and comes with a number of new and upgraded features over its predecessor, including some fresh controls, a high-resolution tilting LCD display and a revised user interface, to name a few.
The Nikon Coolpix P7000 was originally launched just over a year ago in order to compete with Canon's revered PowerShot G-series, matching its main rival - the Canon PowerShot G12 - in terms of key specifications, full manual control and premium build quality. It also proved itself capable of producing beautiful images straight out of the camera. Where it fell short, however, was in its handling, delivering a sluggish shooting experience.
The new model doesn't appear to have had much of its fundamental hardware altered in comparison to its ancestor: the Nikon Coolpix P7100 still packs the same 10.2MP CCD, a 7.1x optical zoom lens, which offers an equivalent focal range of 28-200mm on a 35mm camera, and vibration reduction (VR).
Also unchanged is the 720p HD movie mode, which is starting to look a little outdated in comparison with a lot of the lower-spec compact cameras out there that now offer Full HD filming capability.
Nonetheless, the Nikon Coolpix P7100 offers an impressive range of advanced technologies that improve upon the P7000's specifications, not least the addition of the previously-mentioned, more flexible articulated screen (albeit of the same size and resolution).
There's also a new front control dial for improved handling and AE lock when shooting movies, plus some new additions to the camera's effects options and claimed enhancements to the Nikon Coolpix P7100's responsiveness and image quality.
But does Nikon's latest launch live up to the manufacturer's claims?
