Before I bought this camera, I have intensively read reviews which all showed that the P 7800 is indeed good, but not perfect. Mostly it was criticized that the imaging performance as has their weaknesses and down in the areas of distortion, especially at wide angle and telephoto, and the sharpness of waste to the image edges. In addition, the operating speed of autofocus has been described as somewhat "sluggish".
The lens, so my experience with the camera actually recorded in Wide Barrel and pincushion at telephoto, which one in portrait or landscape shots but can not see, but this is seen in architectural images. However, the camera has a very powerful distortion that makes nearly 100% disappear the optical flaw. The sharpness can toward the edge to actually what I could see as I took pictures of a test paper text. In normal everyday photo I have but this sharpness waste not really perceived. Generally, the sharpness of the camera is good and autofocus sits.
Really slowly, as described in tests, I have not felt the autofocus. However, I've also photographed not fast objects in motion, but only static. However, the permanent AF, which can be set but certainly does not have at photos is really slow, but also reliable.
Schön is the aperture of the lens, combined with the image stabilizer. This leaves many shooting situations in the low ISO range; because really sharp and detailed are the pictures with the P 7800 only to ISO 800, then starting noise, noise reduction and the accompanying loss of detail in the presentation. This is now certainly "bleating" at a high level but who so At length, a camera, so my mind, want results, which were at least somewhat reminiscent of an SLR. Must make it clear you but also that of a compact relatively large 1 / 1.7 inch CMOS sensor the P 7800 can of course not the performance, especially in noise performance matching, like a big SLR sensor.
The color reproduction and exposure are good in my view. On white balance there is also nothing to complain about. A darkening of the image corners (vignetting) or the appearance of color fringes so far I could not find.
In short, the image quality is for a "Compact" good to very good and the 28-200mm lens delivers for its truly great focal bandwidth that must always bring optical compromise with it thoroughly.
Not so sure I'm on the performance of the built-in flash; I feel as real "Funzel". When shooting indoors Although an exposure by one stop up showed quite effectively to compensate for the weak flash well; This measure is, however, especially when shooting outdoors, where I like to use the flash for brightening object against the light, not a panacea (possibly as a result of overexposure). Overall, it is advisable to have a shoe mount in the reserve on this camera.
Absolutely convincing is the case with its numerous and strategically placed controls. Large menu Search You are here not necessary because all the important functions "within reach" and the camera can be operated wonderfully. I especially like the two function keys that can be assigned individually varied, such. As the artificial horizon, grid lines or the metering mode. Nikon SLR connoisseurs can be found with the P 7800 immediately familiar and you will find the usual high-quality feel and finish. : O) The casing is mainly made of metal and has a nice rubberized grip round handle, which makes one-handed operation easy possible. The nearly 400-gram camera is nice in the hand. But in your pocket it is clearly too large.
Unfortunately not so great is the plastic cover for the battery compartment on the housing bottom; which is thin and looks "very cheap".
Convinced I was also the electronic viewfinder that acknowledges all relevant photo data and is really useful. It is when criticized in many a review, much better than the optical viewfinder Mini some competing products.
The folding screen that is in some cases made of metal, super in the imaging performance, knackscharf, bright and contrasty. However, what is missing is a locking mechanism when it anklappt to the camera body. While it is fully seated but perfection is missing this arrest.
What bothers me is that the lens cap has no eyelet for a string and therefore no way to fix this loss vulnerable part of the camera. If you take the cover off, you have it in your hand or place it in a bag, that bothers me personally. Here tinkering is announced to burn an eyelet in this lid or drill or the like.
Conclusion:
As owner of a Nikon D 40, D 80 and D 300s I can recommend the P 7800 as a companion camera for SLR photographers or even as high-quality compact camera for other serious photographers.
I think if Nikon camera still donated a larger sensor and a stronger future flash, the device approaches more and more to the optimum.
The Canon PowerShot G1X, the more than 100, but - is EURO expensive, has a significantly larger sensor (approximately SLR half frame level) and a very strong flash, but is maybe not perfect, but perhaps worth as an alternative another look; because the picture quality is unrestricted top and the housing even more valent (reviews and personal experience).
Anyone looking for a smaller and significantly cheaper alternative of Nikon, the Coolpix P should view 330 times. She has, like the P 7800, also has a 1 / 1.7 inch CMOS sensor (12 megapixels) and also features the creative P, Tv, Av and M control options, is loud tests relevant magazines in picture quality but by the P 7800 beaten.
