Review of the Nikon Coolpix A, an APSC compact camera from 2013. / drosen7900 www.flickr.com... ---------------------- Music by Oleksandr Stepanov / penguinmusic pixabay.com/us...
I carry this camera with me everywhere I go. I love the photos it takes. Sometimes it annoys me for this or that reason but there is no perfect camera. I too am probably more of a 35-50mm in my ideal focal length, but 1) I’ve gotten better about “zooming with my feet” and 2) because the sensor is so big and the lens incredible, I can crop pretty hard if I get into Lr and want to isolate the subject more. This camera isn’t for everyone, but it is for me!
I bought this camera for 200 dollars around a year ago and been using it almost everyday since then. I really like it but the grip could have been a bit more comfortable. The colors and the sharpness is great.
Nice to see a new Coolpix A review! I own one(my 2nd one). The first one I used so much & heavy it quit in the end. I still use it at assignments. Mostly events as a 2nd or 3th camera. I use it with the very small SB-300 speed light. Great for quick fill-in flesh in bright daylight. The Coolpix A is actually one the sharpest camera / lens combos I ever used. Really tack sharp.
I have a silver one i bought several years ago for under $250 and thought inwas overpaying then. Now looking at orices im astonished to see an old compact camera appreciate in value. Yes this camera has the same sensor as the D7000 (i have that as well). It didnt occur to me that it was a leaf shutter and i am a glutton for flash. But this camera is a work of art. Made in Japan and is just beautiful, especially in silver.
I would love to own a silver one - I think it's so much nicer looking than a ricoh diary edition. But I would probably worry more about scuffing it up.
I absolutely adore the Coolpix A and the images that come out of this magical 16mpx sensor. I just wish it could remind the last MF distance used. I also had the GRIII before and greatly prefer the rendering of the Coolpix A (and the build quality).
That seems to be a common complaint, although I don't use MF too often. On the other hand, I often forget I'm in macro mode and then get really frustrated with the slow AF.
Just love my Coolpix A! Got mine late 2014 new for 500$ and have used it ever since! I bought the Ricoh GRiii to get something better… but even if the Ricoh is a little bit faster and somewhat sharper I still like the rendering from the Nikon lens better! Regards Rikard
Thanks, Rikard! I think they launched the camera a little too expensive, and then had major price drops shortly after. Sadly it looks the used prices have been climbing back up over the last couple of years.
I really like the Coolpix A. In its day, 16MP was high resolution for a DX sensor. The A plays well with Nikon’s best Speedlights, enabling amazing night and low-light performace. I wish that the A would “remember” a distance that had been set, while manually focusing; this was my chief gripe, which I had hoped would be corrected, in a Mark II. A flood ruined my first A, so, I bought two more, pre-owned, to replace it.
I also share your wish that an A had been made with a lens equivalent to 35mm, 40mm, or 50mm. As it is, however, an A can nicely complement a DSLR which has a 40mm, 45mm, 50mm, 60mm or 70-200mm lens affixed.
I love my Coolpix A. I just sent mine in today to get the sensor cleaned. The lens on this baby is so good. It does take time to really learn how to get the best out of it.
@@leadwhite1249 the dust on the sensor built up over the years (I actually bought it new when it came out). It has gotten to the point where even at f8 I can see and at smaller apertures I see the spots all over. I love the camera and noticed over the years that many of my favorite photos were taken with the Coolpix A in part because it is so small it can go in my pocket and well that Nikon glass. I don't have the skills to open up the camera and get the the sensor for cleaning so I shipped it out. Once they get it they will contact with a final quote for cleaning. I thought about parting with it but man I love it so much. Alternatively if you shoot RAW there are processors that you can customize to clean up sport for your camera with the help of a reference image.
@@leadwhite1249 update on my camera. Turns out it was not dust but a fungus growing on my sensor which is going to cost me about $325 to fix. For a bit more I can gamble on another one off ebay but not sure what condition. I decided to go ahead and get it fixed and know I have clean working camera. Also I do have a bit of an attachment to that camera.
@@kaeknows No but I probably should have. I got it fixed but I still needed to send it back because the company I used goofed on reassembly and did not clean it all up. For the price I could have probably gottend a second used copy but at least I know this one is clean. Also this copy is a bit sentimental to me considering over the years most of my favorite and most precious photos where taken with this camera.
I am not in the market for a small "walk-around" camera. If however, I wanted a digital small camera, I'd go retro style. Definitely something with good autofocus, like Nikon's recent Zf, with a small lens.
I like the look of both the Z fc and the new Zf. Sadly the AF on the Coolpix A isn't nearly as good as nikon's later cameras - even the Nikon 1 series.
This is surely obsolete, spec-wise, but such a rarity on the used market and a gem. I think it has the Nikon D7000 or D7100's innards, if I'm not wrong.
Yep, same sensor as the D7000, amazing image quality, beautiful camera. I remember when it came out, and is often the case for Nikon cameras, DPReview gave it a lukewarm review. lol.
Nikon make beautiful compact cameras. If they could release a ZX pancake 18 or 20mm f2.8 for the Z30 to pair with the 24f1.7 that would be the ideal younger brother to this camera. 🥰 Just for curiosity's sake: I used to own the Fujifilm X70, and upgrade to the GR III this year after it died. It was Fujifilm's answer to the GR II. 16mp also. Great camera. I traded a flip up screen for IBIS, and I don't know which is more useful still. I really miss the ease of shooting from low and awkward angles.
Great camera for its time. The only thing missing is IBIS. I had and it used it a lot. Looking back the colors the sensor produced were never good. Lots of work in Camera Raw to get the images to look good.
Had one years ago. Excellent Camera. It's funny how Nikon dipped into Large sensor Compacts and left sharpish...I remember this came out with the Ricoh GR - Both sporting the same sensor. Canon had the G1X at the time also. I think the price of this one put many OFF. The FEEL, the metal, the Menus, all beautiful. - - - Camera was Slow. The lens couldn't take full advantage of the Sensor. Autofocus SLOW. No manual controls for Video. The video was hidden deep in the MENU.
The battery cover on mine is broken. I can’t find the replacement. Doesn’t anyone how can I find one? I even contacted Nikon but they say it’s discontinued. Thanks.
There's no easy answer for you, unless you are fine with some Gaff tape. Once a camera is discontinued and parts are no longer available, sometimes people will use a broken camera as a donor for parts - you see this with some of the collectible film cameras. Other idea is maybe you could get someone to 3D print a replacement door or cover. good luck!
Tip! If you use the Nikon UR-E24 adapter ring + the Nikon WC-E68 0,68x wide angle conversion lens you will get around 20mm! f.2.8 without vignetting. Nikon never intended to use a Coolpix A with a conversion lens(like Ricoh & Fuji did). I'd tried several other conversion lenses with it. But most are 0,7x and that makes up for lots of vignetting. Using the WE-E68 works perfect! It becomes a bit bulky.. but great for landscapes, architecture + event snapshots ect.
@@leadwhite1249 You have to be a bit lucky. Even some new or 2nd handed show up at camera stores or on market places. There my be also after market versions.
Nicely done, I recently got robbed on the streets of my trusty canon g10, Which I loved for street photography. I generally use my z6ii for heavy use but for simple street photography the g10 was nice. Maybe I will pick up this one. Could you tell me about the battery life? Should I buy a couple of spares ? Again thanks and good job with the info. Cheers
Sorry to hear about that, what a terrible thing to have happen and hope you are otherwise ok. I use to shoot with a g10 back in the day as well. As far as battery life - I find it good enough, personally, for my shooting style, but i also carry one spare in my bag all the time.
@@leadwhite1249 good to know, meh to be honest I am fine, it’s not the first time and it’s not the last time I will get robbed streets of Rio de Janeiro are like this. From Brazil btw. Plus I was in a slightly sketchy neighborhood. 🤷 I knew the risk going in
Whoaa compact camera with apsc sensor size, reminds me of ricoh gr3 and canon gix. Canon g1x is not really apsc, but 1"5, but that almost as big as apsc.
I like mine, but still use my GR a little more, but my fav Nikon is still my J5. Anyway, just after getting this it started to develop hot pixels, and i cannot find anything in the menus for mapping them.. maybe it was too early for such functionality in fw back then, except my Pentaxs have that functionality
Nikon J5 is next on my list of my videos to make! Doesn't seem to me that the Coolpix A has pixel mapping either. On the J5 it's right there in the 'setup' menu.
For me yes, I think it's still worth it. For someone else, I don't know. But you are right, the 24-28mm focal length is what phones do best and they get better every year.
i really really want to try this camera, i already have fuji x70, before ricoh gr 2013 but disappoint me in dust sensor, stuck lens, jumpy dials, fix it then sold it lol. Found coolpix a on facebook market for only $100! But i'm late to make a deal on it 😭. Now i found about $350, do you think it's worth it sir? Thank's for the reply
If it's in decent condition, it's probably worth it. I think thats still a fair price for the camera, and if you don't end liking it, you could resell it for the same price.
This is now a unicorn camera, it's very difficult to still find these. Ebay has a handful of them, but they're pretty expensive. Probably an excellent camera, but it's not as good as any of the APS-C Ricoh GR cameras.
What kind of shots were you hoping for? Side by side comparisons with thr GR? More photos? Or did you just mean, it's a bad deal because the price has gone up so much?
Talking to my computer screen, like everyone else on youtube. But seriously, I'm probably looking at a script & monitoring feed to the right of the camera. I thought it was better this time compared to the previous one.
I had an on-camera monitor, but it died just a couple of days before I shot the video. I'm looking at the new Elgato Prompter as a better long term solution.
I carry this camera with me everywhere I go. I love the photos it takes. Sometimes it annoys me for this or that reason but there is no perfect camera. I too am probably more of a 35-50mm in my ideal focal length, but 1) I’ve gotten better about “zooming with my feet” and 2) because the sensor is so big and the lens incredible, I can crop pretty hard if I get into Lr and want to isolate the subject more. This camera isn’t for everyone, but it is for me!
Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoy the camera!
I agree, but what is in the competition for the GRIIIX at 40 mm focal range?
I bought this camera for 200 dollars around a year ago and been using it almost everyday since then. I really like it but the grip could have been a bit more comfortable.
The colors and the sharpness is great.
You have good luck, it’s near impossible to find one for that price anymore. 5 bills and up lol.
It's a bargain at that price.
Nice to see a new Coolpix A review! I own one(my 2nd one). The first one I used so much & heavy it quit in the end. I still use it at assignments. Mostly events as a 2nd or 3th camera. I use it with the very small SB-300 speed light. Great for quick fill-in flesh in bright daylight. The Coolpix A is actually one the sharpest camera / lens combos I ever used. Really tack sharp.
Glad to see you liked it enought to buy it again! I think people understimate the value of leaf-shutter plus flash together.
@@leadwhite1249Yes totally agree!
I have a silver one i bought several years ago for under $250 and thought inwas overpaying then. Now looking at orices im astonished to see an old compact camera appreciate in value.
Yes this camera has the same sensor as the D7000 (i have that as well). It didnt occur to me that it was a leaf shutter and i am a glutton for flash.
But this camera is a work of art. Made in Japan and is just beautiful, especially in silver.
I would love to own a silver one - I think it's so much nicer looking than a ricoh diary edition. But I would probably worry more about scuffing it up.
I absolutely adore the Coolpix A and the images that come out of this magical 16mpx sensor. I just wish it could remind the last MF distance used. I also had the GRIII before and greatly prefer the rendering of the Coolpix A (and the build quality).
That seems to be a common complaint, although I don't use MF too often. On the other hand, I often forget I'm in macro mode and then get really frustrated with the slow AF.
When you say it doesn’t remember the focus distance, is this after switching off or after every shot?
@@andrewlarking7492 after switching off
@@andrewlarking7492 When you turn it off.
I ended up selling the cam because of this, and now I regret it.
Just love my Coolpix A! Got mine late 2014 new for 500$ and have used it ever since! I bought the Ricoh GRiii to get something better… but even if the Ricoh is a little bit faster and somewhat sharper I still like the rendering from the Nikon lens better! Regards Rikard
Thanks, Rikard! I think they launched the camera a little too expensive, and then had major price drops shortly after. Sadly it looks the used prices have been climbing back up over the last couple of years.
Won’t ever get rid of mine!
I really like the Coolpix A. In its day, 16MP was high resolution for a DX sensor. The A plays well with Nikon’s best Speedlights, enabling amazing night and low-light performace. I wish that the A would “remember” a distance that had been set, while manually focusing; this was my chief gripe, which I had hoped would be corrected, in a Mark II. A flood ruined my first A, so, I bought two more, pre-owned, to replace it.
Thanks for sharing! The bit about it not remembering MF distance between power cycles seems to be a common complaint.
I also share your wish that an A had been made with a lens equivalent to 35mm, 40mm, or 50mm. As it is, however, an A can nicely complement a DSLR which has a 40mm, 45mm, 50mm, 60mm or 70-200mm lens affixed.
I love my Coolpix A. I just sent mine in today to get the sensor cleaned. The lens on this baby is so good. It does take time to really learn how to get the best out of it.
Was the sensor dust a big problem? it's not something I've experienced.
@@leadwhite1249 the dust on the sensor built up over the years (I actually bought it new when it came out). It has gotten to the point where even at f8 I can see and at smaller apertures I see the spots all over. I love the camera and noticed over the years that many of my favorite photos were taken with the Coolpix A in part because it is so small it can go in my pocket and well that Nikon glass. I don't have the skills to open up the camera and get the the sensor for cleaning so I shipped it out. Once they get it they will contact with a final quote for cleaning. I thought about parting with it but man I love it so much. Alternatively if you shoot RAW there are processors that you can customize to clean up sport for your camera with the help of a reference image.
@@leadwhite1249 update on my camera. Turns out it was not dust but a fungus growing on my sensor which is going to cost me about $325 to fix. For a bit more I can gamble on another one off ebay but not sure what condition. I decided to go ahead and get it fixed and know I have clean working camera. Also I do have a bit of an attachment to that camera.
hi did you send it to nikon for servicing, can you share some info please, thanks
@@kaeknows No but I probably should have. I got it fixed but I still needed to send it back because the company I used goofed on reassembly and did not clean it all up. For the price I could have probably gottend a second used copy but at least I know this one is clean. Also this copy is a bit sentimental to me considering over the years most of my favorite and most precious photos where taken with this camera.
I am not in the market for a small "walk-around" camera.
If however, I wanted a digital small camera, I'd go retro style. Definitely something with good autofocus, like Nikon's recent Zf, with a small lens.
I like the look of both the Z fc and the new Zf. Sadly the AF on the Coolpix A isn't nearly as good as nikon's later cameras - even the Nikon 1 series.
This is surely obsolete, spec-wise, but such a rarity on the used market and a gem.
I think it has the Nikon D7000 or D7100's innards, if I'm not wrong.
I'm not sure on the exact internals either, but it also maintains a pretty consistent menu and button layout with other Nikon DSLRs of the same era.
Yep, same sensor as the D7000, amazing image quality, beautiful camera. I remember when it came out, and is often the case for Nikon cameras, DPReview gave it a lukewarm review. lol.
Nikon make beautiful compact cameras. If they could release a ZX pancake 18 or 20mm f2.8 for the Z30 to pair with the 24f1.7 that would be the ideal younger brother to this camera. 🥰
Just for curiosity's sake: I used to own the Fujifilm X70, and upgrade to the GR III this year after it died. It was Fujifilm's answer to the GR II. 16mp also. Great camera. I traded a flip up screen for IBIS, and I don't know which is more useful still. I really miss the ease of shooting from low and awkward angles.
I kind of want a flip up screen AND ibis on every newly released camera. I think both are super valuable.
yeah same here, my X70 aged quickly but was my EDC. Now I have a GR3X an I am happy but still missing the images and the use of the X70
Great camera for its time. The only thing missing is IBIS. I had and it used it a lot. Looking back the colors the sensor produced were never good. Lots of work in Camera Raw to get the images to look good.
Thanks for sharing! And I agree, IBIS would have been great.
Had one years ago. Excellent Camera. It's funny how Nikon dipped into Large sensor Compacts and left sharpish...I remember this came out with the Ricoh GR - Both sporting the same sensor. Canon had the G1X at the time also. I think the price of this one put many OFF. The FEEL, the metal, the Menus, all beautiful. - - - Camera was Slow. The lens couldn't take full advantage of the Sensor. Autofocus SLOW. No manual controls for Video. The video was hidden deep in the MENU.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! The G1X series is in my backlog of videos to do soon.
Bless you bro...@@leadwhite1249
If only I could find one at a decent price 😢
The battery cover on mine is broken. I can’t find the replacement. Doesn’t anyone how can I find one? I even contacted Nikon but they say it’s discontinued. Thanks.
There's no easy answer for you, unless you are fine with some Gaff tape. Once a camera is discontinued and parts are no longer available, sometimes people will use a broken camera as a donor for parts - you see this with some of the collectible film cameras. Other idea is maybe you could get someone to 3D print a replacement door or cover. good luck!
Tip! If you use the Nikon UR-E24 adapter ring + the Nikon WC-E68 0,68x wide angle conversion lens you will get around 20mm! f.2.8 without vignetting. Nikon never intended to use a Coolpix A with a conversion lens(like Ricoh & Fuji did). I'd tried several other conversion lenses with it. But most are 0,7x and that makes up for lots of vignetting. Using the WE-E68 works perfect! It becomes a bit bulky.. but great for landscapes, architecture + event snapshots ect.
Thanks for the tip! I have a feeling the adapter ring might be as hard to find as the camera these days.
@@leadwhite1249 You have to be a bit lucky. Even some new or 2nd handed show up at camera stores or on market places. There my be also after market versions.
this one have real potential to get some premium price in a future :) Its shame i sold out this one to my friend for only 300USD few years ago.
Miss those Coolpix's.
Nicely done, I recently got robbed on the streets of my trusty canon g10, Which I loved for street photography. I generally use my z6ii for heavy use but for simple street photography the g10 was nice. Maybe I will pick up this one. Could you tell me about the battery life? Should I buy a couple of spares ? Again thanks and good job with the info. Cheers
Sorry to hear about that, what a terrible thing to have happen and hope you are otherwise ok. I use to shoot with a g10 back in the day as well. As far as battery life - I find it good enough, personally, for my shooting style, but i also carry one spare in my bag all the time.
@@leadwhite1249 good to know, meh to be honest I am fine, it’s not the first time and it’s not the last time I will get robbed streets of Rio de Janeiro are like this. From Brazil btw. Plus I was in a slightly sketchy neighborhood. 🤷 I knew the risk going in
It'd be amazing if this could make good videos. Nikon should bring it back with good video recording capabilities.
Whoaa compact camera with apsc sensor size, reminds me of ricoh gr3 and canon gix. Canon g1x is not really apsc, but 1"5, but that almost as big as apsc.
More like the ricoh GR than the Canon. I shot with the Canon G series for a good number of years, but never got to try the X models.
I replace the missing image stabilizer on my Coolpix-A with a small series of about 5-6 shots and there is always a sharp image!
There's always a way to make it work for you, no matter what you shoot with.
I wish nikon will bring out FX version on this
That would be great, or even just a 2023 updated model. -I- think there is a market, but I doubt they would do it.
I like mine, but still use my GR a little more, but my fav Nikon is still my J5. Anyway, just after getting this it started to develop hot pixels, and i cannot find anything in the menus for mapping them.. maybe it was too early for such functionality in fw back then, except my Pentaxs have that functionality
Nikon J5 is next on my list of my videos to make! Doesn't seem to me that the Coolpix A has pixel mapping either. On the J5 it's right there in the 'setup' menu.
Great Review Thank You.
Very welcome
hello,is it still worth it for today compared to phone camera? seems the focal length almost similar with phone camera..
For me yes, I think it's still worth it. For someone else, I don't know. But you are right, the 24-28mm focal length is what phones do best and they get better every year.
What camera and mic setup did you use to shoot this video specifically? It looks and sounds great!
Thanks! I use a Z-Cam E2, and a vintage Oktava mic.
I got Nikon 26518 Coolpix A10 from my grandparents is it the next version of coolpix A
Haha no. They probably made the naming scheme weird to confuse customers. Totally different camera lines.
i really really want to try this camera, i already have fuji x70, before ricoh gr 2013 but disappoint me in dust sensor, stuck lens, jumpy dials, fix it then sold it lol. Found coolpix a on facebook market for only $100! But i'm late to make a deal on it 😭. Now i found about $350, do you think it's worth it sir? Thank's for the reply
If it's in decent condition, it's probably worth it. I think thats still a fair price for the camera, and if you don't end liking it, you could resell it for the same price.
Is that an ascend acoustics sierra with the RAAL ribbon? Great speaker!
They are actually handmade speakers I bult over a decade ago. It is a ribbon tweeter, but not RAAL - it's a Fountek Neo CD 3. Thanks for noticing!
This is now a unicorn camera, it's very difficult to still find these. Ebay has a handful of them, but they're pretty expensive.
Probably an excellent camera, but it's not as good as any of the APS-C Ricoh GR cameras.
Thanks for the comment! Prices have definitely been going up recenlty, unfortunately.
Cool Man! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Combine this with a Nikon A1000 and it's all the kit you need.
Like your content. Sub earned!
Much appreciated!
Great review & cool camera.
thanks!
Why should you ever pay for overpriced cameras? You forgot the fujifilm X70! Nice video
I haven't tried the X70 or the XF10, but yes, both are very similar takes on the EDC 28mm camera.
Prices are on the rise ....
When a camera is only a few years old, prices go down. After some more years, it becomes rare and 'collectible' and the prices go back up.
These are super expensive now :(
Most used cameras go through a period when they are get cheap, and then prices go up once they become rarer and collectible.
so without shots in the end of story D:
What kind of shots were you hoping for? Side by side comparisons with thr GR? More photos? Or did you just mean, it's a bad deal because the price has gone up so much?
Who are you talking to…
Talking to my computer screen, like everyone else on youtube. But seriously, I'm probably looking at a script & monitoring feed to the right of the camera. I thought it was better this time compared to the previous one.
@@leadwhite1249 it looks weird, ur eyes are going crazy, barely have any eye contact.. make a vertical setup with ur screen and camera
I had an on-camera monitor, but it died just a couple of days before I shot the video. I'm looking at the new Elgato Prompter as a better long term solution.
wow 😮😮it's beautiful but the samsung nx100 is better but I have no purchase for the samsung nx1000HAHAHHA

Thanks for sharing