Whether one is satisfied with a product, depends primarily on the expectations are met - or not. When it comes to you in the first place to the image quality in relation to the purchase price of a camera and you can largely dispense with robustness and water resistance, you are safe with a Nikon Coolpix P340 Digital Camera (12 Megapixel, 5x optical wide-angle zoom, 7.5 cm (3 inches) RGBW LCD monitor 5-axis image stabilization (VR), Dynamic Fine Zoom, Wi-Fi) black better served.
Fans of Actionscams, the versatility and better picture quality than they deliver GoPro Action Camera + Hero3 Black Edition Outdoor & Co., place greater emphasis and for taking a slightly larger case to be accepted, on the other hand be very enthusiastic.
For details:
+ Robust, shockproof
+ Waterproof up to 18 meters depth
+ GPS and integrated world map (as of 2013) with log function
+ Height / depth gauge
+ Electronic compass
+ Integrated 5x zoom from 24 mm (KB-equivalent)
+ Faster, more accurate AF, underwater
+ Excellent auto white balance
+ Very good macro function
+ WiFi connectivity for image transmission and control with Android and iPhone
+ Setting with Action Control possible
+/- Stereo Micro, but not very good sound quality
+/- Tripod socket available and even reversible, but made of plastic
+/- Charge function via USB cable
- / + Image quality for a camera the price range rather average, but much better than at a ActionCam
- No manual setting of shutter speed and aperture
- Only JPEG in 4: 3 and 16: 9 possible
Thus, the AW120 is primarily a robust, reliable companion for people where image quality is too bad a ActionCam and also like an optical zoom wish. Who is traveling often, will also appreciate the possibility to locate the location of recording GPS exactly. The log function is also quite useful if you want to find in a strange city to the starting point, for example. For orientation in unfamiliar terrain or even to navigation, it is however not appropriate. But the card is much too imprecise.
The recordings are not up to the corners sharply especially in the WW area, the vignetting bearable. Slight pincushion distortion is visible, but can be easily eliminated with Photoshop & Co.. The fact that the optical quality of the classmates who do not want to be watertight lagging behind, is almost certainly on the construction of the zoom lens. It is integrated into the housing and can not be extended. Thus, the aberrations electronically must be compensated. This works quite well, but not outstanding. It's just not always easy and successfully, to outwit physics by computer.
This also applies to the built-in microphone. It records the ambient noise at the video function while in stereo, but there needs to be watertight, sound recordings rather dull. Noise from the lens (zoom, AF motor) end up with on the soundtrack.
As Nikon almost accustomed to the exposure will be measured in the shade. They are then distinguished through beautiful, but unfortunately also a bit noisy. 16 megapixel sensor with the small take their toll. For souvenir photos to DIN-A-4 or the display on the monitor / TV picture and video quality is always sufficient. But for rich also 4 - 5 megapixels. This resolution can be adjusted while in the menu, but unfortunately only in conjunction with a high JPEG compression rate. If you want to compress for better picture quality less, must use the full resolution forcibly.
The noise filter can not be deactivated. He reaches for my taste unnecessarily early. This is at the expense of details, although the image include, but are eliminated.
The lights love to eat at high contrast and are clearly too bright. Since the file format is JPEG only available because it can no longer be saved in a lot of image editing. I therefore advise to "Active D-Lightning" to activate the menu and adjust the exposure compensation to -2/3. Something too dark can be easily brighten the image processing.
Simply thrilled me the automatic white balance. Photos and videos, even under mixed lighting of neon tubes and energy saving lamps look very natural and balanced.
The scope of supply, other than the camera, a USB charger with cable and a no cleaning brush, even a quick start guide included. The book is quite extensive. But the text is in five languages. That the detailed instructions are only available as pdf from the website, for a simple reason: As with any firmware update every time a new instruction is necessary, would have a printed little sense. You would be outdated soon after the edition.
