Coolpix A1000

I bought the Nikon A1000 as a camera to carry when I don’t want to carry a DSLR camera (and lenses), but want to have something to provide more zoom and better handling than a cell phone camera. I was waiting for Nikon to release the A1000 as it has the capability of shooting RAW images, and so far I am pleased with the camera.It’s important to note that point and shoot cameras with a long zoom like this, 24mm-840mm, usually have a small sensor, so you are not going to get the same results you get with a crop frame or full frame DSLR. That being said, you can get good results from this camera. All the photos posted here with this review were taken with the A1000 with very minor (or in some cases no) post processing.The A1000 has a number of modes – the standard P,S,A,M modes – as well as “Auto” and scene modes for more automatic operation. The vibration reduction is also very good on this camera, so you are able to zoom long distances and keep the ISO relatively low, or shoot indoor with low shutter speeds. The camera does have a pop-up flash if the subject is too dark, but no flash shoe. The camera also has a sensor so that when you bring it up to your eye to take a photo it activates the electronic viewfinder (EVF). The senor is sensitive so if you run your finger over it the image on the rear screen will be off and the electronic viewfinder will be activated. There is also a button to manually activate the EVF.Additionally, being a Nikon camera, the A1000 has great ergonomics and feels more substantial than other point and shoot cameras I researched. It’s small enough to easily fit in a jacket pocket (or cargo shorts pocket) or purse, but not tiny so that I feel like it’s going break or I’m going to drop it. The rear screen folds out and down, for selfies, (or when you want to get down low for photos of kids and pets) and the camera connects pretty easily to Snapbridge, the Nikon app for transferring photos from your camera to your cell phone.The one negative for me is the battery charging door, which appears flimsy and looks like it will break after repeated usage. I suggest buying a separate charger and some spare batteries, so you can charge the batteries without using the camera. Battery life is on the low side (about 250 shots).Overall, I like this camera and can definitely recommend it, especially if you are looking for something with a lot of reach. There are 1 inch (sensor size) compact point and shoot cameras on the market, but they do not provide a zoom like the A1000. I would rate it 4.5 stars.

I'm an amateur photographer who is an admitted fan of Nikon Coolpix cameras. Prior to the arrival of my new A1000 on 25 March, I had previously acquired a Nikon Coolpix P530 (since gifted to a family member), B700, and P1000, in that order. The sequence reflects my desire for greater and greater optical zoom (42X > 60X > 125X). It also is an indication of my quest for additional features like capturing RAW data files. My primary subjects are landscapes and wildlife. For those who may not have a feel for the actual size of the A1000, the first two images I've included compare it to my B700 and P1000.When I saw the announcement for the new A1000, I was intrigued. Although it has less zoom (35X) than my current cameras, it has nearly all of their features and a couple that neither the B700 or P1000 possess. It has a touch LCD screen, for one. It also has the ability to select the number of shots (3 or 5) that the camera will take when Exposure Bracketing is enabled. This is a plus for using external software to process a series of High Dynamic Range (HDR) images.Since I've only had the A1000 for a few days, I haven't experimented with every aspect of its performance but I have taken enough pictures to begin to form some opinions and make some observations.1) The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is noticeably smaller than those on the B700 or P1000 but it gives a clear, crisp view of the images being framed. It also produces easily readable shooting parameter data and menus. The Diopter adjustment works well. The proximity sensor that automatically switches between the EVF and the LCD touch screen works as advertised but, until I got used to the placement of the sensor and EVF on the rear of the camera (left side vs centered), I found that I sometimes triggered the sensor with my left thumb during handling. NOTE: I've been using the viewfinder exclusively for shooting so I have no opinion on touch screen performance except to say that it's bright, clear and crisp when displaying menus and reviewing images.2) Zooming seems quick, smooth and accurate. Both zooming levers perform as they should as does the Snap Back button. NOTE: I've only used optical zoom because I've been capturing JPG and RAW data files in PSAM modes. When capturing RAW data files, digital zoom is disabled.3) So far, auto focusing seems quick with no hunting. The single exception I found was when I enabled Macro focusing for super close ups. I only tried a few shots, but on a couple of occasions, the camera struggled, hunting a bit before achieving a good focus.4) All the images I've shot so far were with the camera handheld using, with one exception, only PSAM modes - no tripod shots yet. The Vibration Reduction (VR) feature works great. I've only tried one Scene mode, Backlighting. For Backlighting, the camera takes a series of images and uses software in the camera to synthesize a single JPG image from the High Dynamic Range (HDR) images. It worked as it should.5) The protruding grip on the front of the camera is large enough to let one keep a firm grip but not so large as to compromise the camera's size. NOTE: I purchased a Case Logic DCB313 camera case into which the A1000 fits nicely.6) I see the A1000 mainly as a companion camera to the others I own but also as a primary device when zoom isn't that important and ease of carry comes to the fore.7) I compared images from the A1000 to those from the P1000 using similar subjects shot on different days. For each of the image pairs of the turtles and geese in the last six images, the first image is from the A1000 and the second from the P1000. The A1000 doesn't quite capture the very fine details that the P1000 does IMO. This doesn't surprise or disappoint me. I suspect that the relative size of their optics may account for this. That said, the images produced by the A1000 are great. NOTE: 99.999% of the images I've shot so far have been taken outdoors in sunlight. I've have no basis to comment yet about the A1000's low light performance.8) I haven't taken any video with A1000 so I have no basis to comment on that feature.Bottom Line: Based on just a few days of handling and shooting, I'm very pleased with the A1000.

Nikon's Coolpix division hasn't always been first choice for many photographers including myself over the last 15 years or so. Until the P900/A900/B700 cameras I considered them to be nearly irrelevant.However, with the A1000/P1000 and even the B700 Nikon's Coolpix division is improving. Many of the quirks and irritating issues in their designs have given away to logical handling, and excellent choices in features etc. for the price.The A1000 is no exception. Starting on the outside it's a well built, handsome camera that handles nicely in the hand with ample controls for those who like to take control of the camera. The touch and flip down screen is also excellent, along with the addition of including a viewfinder (all compacts should have some sort of viewfinder if I had my way!).I won't rattle on about the specs, you can read them yourself here and decide if they are good for you. Overall I'm pleased with the A1000 and this is the first time I've liked a Nikon Coolpix camera in well over 11 years of reviewing cameras online. This is a nice step for the division, and good to see.Now Nikon just need to make a line of Coolpix cameras similar to the A1000/P1000/B700 with 1" sensors that have a little less reach (a worthy trade off for a larger sensor) and similar designs. They need to keep the momentum they are on and likely they can acquire a much larger following than in the past.Ask me any questions you'd like to know about the A1000 and I'll reply. I don't want to make the assumption I know all the questions potential buyers will ask. But, I will say I am happy with it. Your expectations may vary, we all have our own individual needs for a camera.-Carl