Chapter One
Learning About the Camera
Introduction and Overview
The Nikon Coolpix P1100 is a superzoom bridge camera of 2025 designed for customers who need immense telephoto capability in a single, do-it-all package. It is equipped with a 16?MP 1/2.3? back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and a record-breaking 125× optical zoom NIKKOR lens with a focal range of 24-3000?mm (35?mm equivalent). Its huge zoom range enables one to capture far-away subjects such as wildlife, birds, aircraft, or even the Moon without lens switching. Despite its extended reach, the P1100 has DSLR-like handling, a solid grip, an electronic viewfinder, and a fully rotating 3.2? LCD. It also has automatic Scene modes (Bird-Watching, Moon, Fireworks, etc.) and full manual exposure and focus control for precise exposure and focus adjustments. The P1100 was released on February 5, 2025, and has an MSRP in the range of $1,100.
Key Features
- Ultra-Long Zoom: 125× optical zoom NIKKOR ED lens (4.3-539?mm, 24-3000?mm eq.). Provides Dynamic Fine Zoom to 250× (~6000?mm eq. at full resolution) and digital zoom to around 12,000?mm equivalent. - Image Stabilization: Nikon's Dual Detect Optical VR (lens-shift vibration reduction) provides up to ~4.0 stops of shake correction, essential for handholding at super-telephoto lengths. - High-Resolution Sensor: 16.79?MP CMOS sensor (around 16.0?MP effective) using back-side illumination to gather more light. Captures RAW (NRW) with RAW support and Nikon's EXPEED image processor for full JPEGs. - 4K Video and Special Modes: Can record 4K UHD at 30/25?fps and Full HD 1080p up to 60?fps. Has slow-motion (High-Speed) modes and time-lapse (Superlapse) features. 4K video can produce 8.3?MP still photos. - Screen & EVF: 3.2? vari-angle TFT LCD (921k-dot) and a 0.39? OLED electronic viewfinder (~2.36M dots). Both have flexible shooting angles and stable composition (EVF ~99% frame coverage). - Wireless Connectivity: Internal Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) and Bluetooth 5.2 for Nikon SnapBridge. Wireless image transfer and remote shooting are supported by smartphone apps. - Better Usability: USB-C port (USB 2.0) for fast file transfer and in-camera charging. Support for SnapBridge app on iOS/Android. Special scene modes (Bird, Moon, Fireworks, etc.) and Creative/Image Control modes to facilitate easy settings. - Audio & Flash: 3.5?mm external microphone jack (plug-in power) supports external microphones in video. Built-in pop-up flash (guide no. ~12 at ISO 100) with TTL control and accessory hot-shoe for optional Speedlights. - Durability Construction: All-in-one bridge body of fixed lens with a strong build and deep hand grip. Weighs approximately 1.41?kg with a battery (less weight than carrying equivalent telephoto lenses). Weather sealing is not stated, so discretion must be used in harsh conditions. Technical Specifications
- Sensor: 16.79 million pixels (~16.0 MP effective) back-illuminated CMOS (1/2.3? type, ~6.2?×?4.6?mm). - Lens: NIKKOR ED glass 125× zoom; focal 4.3-539?mm (equiv. 24-3000?mm); aperture f/2.8-8.0; 17 elements/12 groups (5 ED, 1 Super-ED). - Optical Zoom: 125×; Dynamic Fine Zoom to 250× (~6000?mm); Digital Zoom up to 4× (~12,000?mm equivalent). - Image Stabilization: Dual Detect Optical VR (lens-shift VR for stills; lens-shift + electronic VR for movies). - Autofocus: Contrast-detect AF; focus modes include face priority, subject tracking, and manual spot/wide. The Bird-watching mode now offers selectable AF-area (spot/normal/wide). The Manual Focus Ring on the lens is for precise fine-tuning. - Viewfinder: Electronic OLED EVF, 0.39? (10?mm), ~2.36M-dot (2359k), ~99% view coverage, -3 to +3?dpt diopter. - Monitor: 3.2? vari-angle TFT LCD (921k-dot) with anti-reflection coating and 5 levels of brightness. Allows shooting from high/low angles and a selfie/vlogging feature. - ISO Range: 100-1600 (auto); extendable to 3200, 6400 in P/S/A/M modes (minimum ISO 125 in movie manual). - Shutter Speed: 1/4000-30?s (mechanical or CMOS electronic shutter). Bulb available up to 60?s in manual mode; up to 1/8000-1/30?s in video mode. - Continuous Shooting: Approx. 7 fps (burst of ~7 frames at full resolution). - Metering: Matrix, center-weighted, spot. - Exposure Modes: Programmed Auto (P), Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Priority (S), Manual (M), Scene modes (Bird, Moon, Night, Sports, Portrait, Landscape, etc.). - White Balance: Auto (2 settings), presets (Daylight, Cloudy, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent), Custom (manual Kelvin). - In-Camera Processing: Nikon Picture Control, Exposure Bracketing, Long-Exposure NR (auto/off), Quick Retouch, and Filter Effects for JPEGs. - Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card (single slot). - File Formats: Still - JPEG (Exif 2.31), RAW (NRW); Movies - MP4 (H.264/AVC video, AAC stereo audio). - Video Recording: 4K UHD at 3840×2160 (30p/25p); Full HD 1920×1080 (60p,50p,30p,25p); HD 1280×720 (60p,50p,30p,25p). High-Speed modes: 1920×1080@0.5×, 1280×720@2×, 640×480@4×. Timelapse (Superlapse) movie capture supported. - Connectivity: USB Type-C (USB 2.0) for charging and data; HDMI Micro (Type D) output; Wi-Fi 802.11b/g; Bluetooth 5.2 (SnapBridge). - Audio: Stereo microphone integrated; external mic input via 3.5?mm jack (plug-in power). - Power: Rechargeable Li-ion EN EL20a battery. Battery Life: ~full day (moderate use). USB-C facilitates in-camera charging (with an optional USB charger or power bank). - Dimensions: Around 146.3?×?118.8?×?181.3?mm. - Weight: Around 1410?g (with battery and SD card). - Flash & Accessories: Pop-up TTL flash (GN ~12); ISO 518 hot-shoe for external flashes or Nikon DF-M1 dot sight. Accessory port for GPS or wired remotes. ML-L7 Bluetooth remote support (FN buttons can be configured as remote). Lens and Zoom Range
The P1100's strength is its 125× NIKKOR zoom lens, covering an ultra-wide 24?mm to 3000?mm equivalent. It has some extra-low dispersion glass elements as 5 ED and 1 Super ED lens to provide sharpness and color accuracy across the zoom range. It has its largest aperture at f/2.8 on its wide end, with the aperture stopping down to f/8 at full telephoto. Manual focusing is available with a focus ring on the lens barrel when necessary, with the camera offering macro close-up focus to 1?cm at the wide end.
The vast focal distance is made to order for wildlife, aviation, and even astrophotography. For instance, a photographer can capture the moon by enclosing it at full zoom, or snap distant birds with accuracy. In real-life scenarios, Nikon offers dedicated Bird-Watching and Moon scene modes (directly selected on the mode dial) to make such jobs easier. Bird mode even allows choosing AF area size (spot, normal, wide) for more precision on small subjects. Keep in mind that extremely telephoto shots benefit from a tripod or monopod to avoid shaking. The Dual Detect VR stabilization does help, but at 3000?mm even small movement will alter composition.
Image Sensor and Quality
The Coolpix P1100 uses a 16?MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor (approximately 16.0 MP effective). This relatively tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor allows the enormous zoom lens to fit in the small body but sets some limits on low-light ability and depth-of-field management. In bright light, the camera produces bright, richly colored photos; Nikon's EXPEED chip and color profiles (Picture Controls) help optimize skin tones and landscapes. At high ISOs (greater than ~800), however, noise becomes apparent. For example, tests show that ISO 800 shots start to show grain and loss of details, and thus P1100 is best geared to daylight and well-lit shooting conditions.
RAW (NRW) capture is supported by the camera for maximum post-processing flexibility. Setting adjustments are available with In-Camera Picture Control (Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Portrait, etc.). There is a Creative Mode offering instant filter effects. Basic editing like cropping, D-Lighting, and red-eye reduction can be done on the camera.
Color and dynamic range are usually adequate in this class of camera, but highly contrasted situations cause blow-out of highlights (AP review speaks of blown skies in sunset pictures). Users need to exercise caution with exposure to challenging lighting. The P1100 has a True...
