Housing quality and feel:
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The P7100 does with its mix of a magnesium alloy and a high-quality plastic-quality, solid impression. Nevertheless, I found the P7000 somehow harmonious, it was all of a piece. Due to additional controls and folding screen the P7100 does not look as smart and have nearly the same dimensions slightly chunky. But that's whining at the highest level. Due to the changed handle succeeds much better to hold the camera securely with one hand. Also contributes to the handle attached to key points gumming.
The rotating wheels on top of the housing are made of metal. An accidental change is almost impossible, because they run very tight, almost a little stiff. All other switches and buttons have well-defined pressure points. The lens adapter ring is firmly seated nicely in the P7000 he had pretty much game. The flash sits when unfolded a little shaky in the otherwise excellent processed housing.
The eyelets for the carrying strap are now supported. I'm not sure if that is an advantage. For now the belt constantly twists, that was not so in the rigid attachment of the previous model.
Operation and menu navigation:
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Let's talk about big strength of the camera, the highly successful operating concept! The Camera Menus I feel as logically structured, intuitive and quite as chic, but without seeming cluttered or playful. The very rich distributed controls like for many a daunting, but for the serious photographer, it's just great to be able to adjust pretty much everything directly and without going through the camera menu. A bit disappointing, I feel that the newly added sub-command dial is relatively rare to use.
The folding screen like with an excellent resolution and good color reproduction and tonal gradation. It's the same screen technology, as with the high-order D-SLRs from Nikon home. There my knowledge currently nothing better. The folding mechanism of the P7100 is in my opinion, for taking practical and mechanically stable as a pivotal solution, as offered by the Canon G12. However one has to give up a screen protection during transportation. For this reason, both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages.
As much as I appreciate the viewfinder of my SLR, the copy of the P7100 I feel as an absolute last resort. I think, this is also thought.
Technology, image quality and functionality:
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The P7100 is promoted, among other things because of their "extra large" sensor. It is certainly true that the 1 / 1.7 inch CCD sensor for today is relatively large, but there was and is still compact cameras with larger sensors, such as the new Fujifilm X10, which has a 2/3 inch sensor. Such would also be the P7100 good standing, place it should be present in no more pocket compatible housing. The limitation to "only" 10 megapixels is certainly a logical and appropriate step. The combination of a slightly larger sensor and moderate resolution the other P7100 compact camera is vastly superior with smaller sensors and up to 16 megapixels course regarding noise performance. Compared to other compact cameras, the image quality is significantly better. However, at the level of good D-SLRs, the P7100 does not come close, but I did not expect. An increase in the P7000 did not take place, but even that was not to be expected in the face of nearly identical technology. So it is in conjunction with the Canon G12 at the forefront of current precious-compact cameras.
The not very bright lens covers a focal length of 28-200 mm from a very reasonable range. Although the light intensity is often criticized with a maximum aperture of 2.8, my experiences are in low light but very good. However, the depth of focus is here already very pronounced, so cropping objects is almost impossible against the background. But I've still got my SLR. On the part of image sharpness and resolution I have little to complain, you must the small Nikon just do not compare with SLR. Zooming is quite evenly and fairly gentle vonstatten. Was that the lens barrier achieved by a lamellar design I like, to compact cameras, I find separate lens cap very troublesome.
The primary problems of P7000, unreliable autofocus and partly sluggish menus were actually eradicated. It's really hard to understand why the case of P7000 was not already possible. Software crashes and freezing, I could not find in the P7100 as opposed to the old unit, I think that's history.
Nevertheless, there is a glaring flaw in the P7100, the partially catastrophic automatic white balance. The automatic particularly evident in art and mixed light situations is often next to it and produces strong yellowish, indeed almost orange image results. It is partly so that the camera produces very different results even with unchanged motive and the same parameters. Since the predecessor was a lot better. Since I shoot mostly in RAW mode, I can correct the later, but Nikon should quickly rectify here with a firmware update.
Like the predecessor and current SLRs from Nikon P7100 also tends to over-exposure. Therefore I use the camera more or less by default with an exposure compensation of -0.7.
The in-camera image processing is very careful and unspectacular work. That may be the reason that some users are not very satisfied with the images. But this approach is typical of Nikon and operated more professional claims. So the image results are better reworked. Who wants directly from the camera "spectacular" results, this can achieve configuration by adjusting the Picture Control. This is in addition to the automatic distortion correction of the big advantages of the Nikon Coolpix P7100 against the competing models from Canon G12.
Improves has Nikon displaying the distribution of tones. The likes better now, although I wonder why you have not solved the same way as in the SLRs. Particularly informative the P7100 is not here unfortunately, and some parameters are not displayed even though the large display would offer enough space for it.
I also miss the opportunity to browse through the zoomed images, to carry out for example a comparison of field. Again, this is no problem with the Nikon SLRs. For Nikon P7100 has donated a position sensor, the images in Playback mode when rotating the camera automatically (but works with RAW images) rotates. Also there is now a permanent indicator of the battery level. The optics of the electronic level has been adjusted in addition now they can also be a bar, can instead show in aviator look. Striking are many newly added menu items. This individual adaptation is possible even better than previously. Cautiously should deal with the "Active D-Lighting". In my SLR (D7000) I love this feature and have them permanently "Automatic" is activated in step. But with the P7100 should consider the use, as they can lead to partly muddy and highly farbverfälschten results.
Energy management
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With the energy of its lithium-ion battery, the P7100 comes to very economical. Usually a battery should be loose enough for a full day with many hundred photos. Nevertheless, you will usually want to renounce to carry a spare battery reluctant. And here I have a little annoyed that the P7100 unlike the P7000 does not accept third-party batteries. Finally, I had such a battery of the predecessor left, and in this he works just as well as the original battery, and one-fifth of the original price.
Also worthy of criticism: The plug-in charger! So practically this is to use at home, so it impractical to take this bulky part is traveling.
Others
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During delivery I would only criticize the lack of a printed manual, which Nikon has arrived in good company, because, unfortunately, this is now very much the exception in the camera manufacturers. After all the SLR is still a case, let's see how long ...
The strap of the P7100 is much longer than the P7000. This may one or two customers pleased I found the shorter straps practical.
Nikon P7100 or Canon G12?
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This question will ask a lot of prospects, especially if one favors one of the two brands. Since I know the G12 quite good, I would first like to briefly point out the advantages of the Nikon P7100 compared with the Canon G12:
+ Larger zoom range
+ Faster autofocus and quicker turn-on
+ Higher resolution display
+ Fine tuning of image parameters (sharpening, contrast, color saturation)
+ Automatic distortion correction
+ Better video mode with permanent autofocus and the ability to zoom
However, the Canon G12 is an excellent compact camera, and definitely recommended. For the G12 says the practical swivel screen, because this in the folded state protects the screen from scratches during transport. Also with regard to whether they have a compatible accessory SLR should make its decision. In my case, I am happy that I can use my flash units or the remote control with the little Nikon. And Canon fans it is certainly similar to the G12.
Conclusion:
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Despite criticism of one or another point, the Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a great secondary camera for SLR photographers. It has a superior image quality for compact cameras and white by operating concept fully convincing. Compared to their direct competitors it offers greater functionality and the flexible focal range. Only the automatic white balance Nikon should make improvements quickly.
Those who a little busy with this model and the vast range of functions and photographed like that little Nikon is very close to the heart. I find myself more and more often, unfortunately, going to give the P7100 compared to my SLR D7000 preference when I'm traveling. Best picture quality is certainly very desirable that you have to smuggling but also like ...
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Update 03/01/2012: During the holidays unfortunately is frozen by software and the P7100. The camera controls responded to any more lies and not be turned off. The problem was solved only removing and reinserting the battery. I already knew of the P7000. However, the problem occurred on the previous model more frequently, in P7100, it was the first time. Still disappointing that Nikon has not yet fully the problem even after the model change under control.
Regardless makes the camera but still a lot of fun and produces good images.
