If any photo magazine from October and November it takes to hand, you come across reviews of this camera. And in all the tests that I have read (four or five) ends up with the Nikon partly considerable lead over No. 1 on the respective class of camera. So it is compared, for example in Color Photo 11/11 with a Kodak EasyShare Max Z990, a Leica V-Lux 30 and a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 and beats all competitors significantly.
The feel of the camera is very good in my opinion, here seems to be a clear improvement in the feel to have taken place on the predecessor. At just 400 grams, the device no lightweight and the size is also suitable not for every pocket, compact remains the P7100 - especially considering the scope of services - but anyway. The ergonomics of the many control options on the housing is well managed, I think.
The basic data are already in other reviews, the most important but briefly summarized: the P7100 is equipped with a focal length of 6.0 to 42.5 mm, which corresponds to a small picture focal length of 28 - equivalent to 200 mm, and a 7-fold zoom. So I was well prepared when tested in just the past vacation in Florida for most occasions.
At first glance, the many options fall directly on the housing, without having to seek a menu. Since there are in addition to the compulsory mode dial, a dial, with which you can directly make an exposure. This is extremely helpful and accelerated shooting in under- or over-lit environments enormous. And a menu dial, with which you can directly control functions like the white balance, the exposure sensitivity (ISO), the image quality or continuous shooting. Additional function keys are also available that can be individually configured with frequently used functions. Getting used to is the beginning of the resistance with which the Dials are to use. Meanwhile, I have not only got used to it, but in favor of this resistance which makes accidental changes impossible.
The camera has an integrated flash, which does not replace an external flash, but makes quite a decent result and a hot shoe. Many other cameras (see also the new Nikon 1 models) have either one or the other. Even the built-in microphone produces a quite good form, but can be replaced by an external microphone port through the films.
Contrary to its predecessor (P7000), the P7100 has a folding monitor which can be worked out, however, only about a horizontal axis, not even to a vertical shot. I would welcome at least if you could fold down completely the monitor so that it is protected when not in operation. But these are actions at a comparatively high level. The monitor itself is high quality and can be (dark or very bright) replaced by an optical viewfinder when shooting under extreme lighting conditions. This in turn makes it possible to guarantee sharpness in vision with a diopter adjustment even without glasses for eyeglass wearers.
Unlike the other models mentioned, the P7100 offers outstanding image results. A loss of sharpness at the edges and in the corners is virtually invisible to my eye. Even a noise for me to recognize until ISO values, which I use only in exceptional cases (greater than or equal to ISO 400). The autofocus works really quickly and safely. (What blurry photos of course does not preclude what I especially when taking pictures of animals - was able to discover - dolphins, birds.) The shutter speed is very good, especially for snapshots and fast-moving subjects indispensable. In the description of scene modes and special effects I refrain at this point, even to the scope of review is not to overplay.
The results in the turning of video recordings are not in HD, but only in HD ready, it will auto-focus, image stabilizer and, as mentioned, offer a good sound. All in all more than satisfactory.
A few criticisms I have yet:
- At the forefront is the criticism of the continuous shooting speed. With 1.2 or frames per second that is no continuous shooting mode, but there are sequential shots. I could use this feature for sports shots in training, but I have to dodge to another camera.
- The cover of the lens (lamellae) appears very fragile. To what extent by dust or sand can get into the body, remains to be seen.
- The camera detects only the original battery by Nikon. I immediately worried a spare battery a replacement provider, the loud Product name should be for the P7100 specifically. However, with this, the camera will not turn on.
All in all, however, convinced five stars for the current top model among the compact cameras.
