Nikon Coolpix P330

Advantages: Pocket sizes, relatively high-aperture, very sharp, with low optical distortion lens. Almost silent at small ISO matrix at maximum resolution. Ability to work with raw.

Disadvantages: For the device with the first firmware, slow raw recording is peculiar. For example: an exhibit records about 30s. Therefore, I press off. and put it in your pocket, after recording it will be put on its own and turn off. Native software does not accurately convert nrw raw. I use FastStone Image Viewer with the best result. I can still complain that there is no viewfinder. But for the price ... Dreaming is not bad.

Comment: I bought this device for the stock with a big discount in addition to the existing SLR and compact superzoom, very pleased. Got what I wanted: a quality pocket f.apparat. According to the complex of consumer qualities, at the moment I have it most used. Superzoom is now using for a specific purpose i. as a trucker, a DSLR, too, on special cases.
A little about the features in the comparisons. The reason for the acquisition of this device was the experience of operation, the compact superzoom mentioned by me, acquired from the desire to have a device with universal properties.It soon became clear that the versatility and compactness fraught with some not very pleasant compromises. For example, a small CMOS matrix has significant luminance noise, it was necessary to reduce the working resolution. Compact multiple zoom does not provide satisfactory quality throughout the entire range of f. Therefore, I thought about something less universal, with greater quality assurance. The quality of the Nikon P330 photo is almost as good as the entry level SLR, it is only inferior in speed and convenience. The video writes satisfactorily, but not in all modes: I selected with a reduced bit rate and with an increased frame rate. JPG from the camera of good quality, very little inferior to what can be obtained from nrw, so you can safely trust the automation. The HDR function, especially of level 3, produces a semi-finished product from which in a graphical editor, by simple manipulations with curves, very decent pictures are obtained. I approve it because I have experience with programs HDRi. Total: the device in terms of price and quality is very attractive, I recommend.

Advantages: A large matrix, a rather small size (in the off state, nothing protrudes), many (including manual) modes, the ability to shoot in RAW, built-in GPS. Video 1920x1080 25p, high-speed shooting modes at reduced resolution.

Disadvantages: Virtually no remote control capability. RAW files are very large and are written to the memory card just insanely slow (almost 10 times slower than the memory card allows). I was not able to achieve shooting in RAW with a frequency of less than 1 frame in 9.5 seconds ;-( It is impossible to record long and continuous videos. In 1080 25p mode, one recording does not exceed 29 minutes ;-( During this time, an MOV file is obtained approximately 3270 MB in size (the file size is practically independent of the dynamic plot).

Comment: I wanted to buy a spare camera at home with the maximum capacity with the minimum size and not too much price. The main criteria were the physical size of the matrix (the larger, the better) and the size of the apparatus (the smaller, the better). The ability to shoot in RAW and the presence of built-in GPS were also very helpful. The device was bought for two main applications: 1. Everyday family shooting (mostly children, as it is rather uncomfortable to constantly carry a DSLR with me). There are practically no complaints on this point - the device is excellent. 2. Shooting TimeLapse (here I was very much hoping for the possibility of shooting in RAW). This requires long-term operation of the device and the possibility of remote control. Long-term operation is achieved by purchasing a Nikon EH-62F mains power adapter, which, if you so desire, can be powered from a portable battery. But with remote control, everything turned out to be much worse; - (((The device has neither a connector for connecting a remote control nor an IR receiver for typical wireless remotes. The only way of remote control was to buy an external WiFi adapter Nikon WU-1a, but you can use only the original program from Nikon (Wireless Mobile Utility) for mobile devices (for example, Android), which does not provide the possibility of periodic shooting. Found two more third-party programs: DslrDashboard for Andoid and gphoto for linux, which I have t the possibility of periodic shooting. But both of them (even after correspondence with their authors) did not work for me ;-( (August 2013) As a result, having spent quite a lot of time, I wrote my own script for periodic shooting in Python. And then it turned out that the device cannot take pictures in RAW at a speed of more than 1 frame in 10 seconds. And I needed 1 frame in 1, 2, 3, less often in 5 seconds ;-( In addition, after a few hundred shots, the WU-1a module freezes and stops responding until a full reboot.

Advantages: Large matrix size (acceptable shooting at dusk), interesting color rendering, flash operation modes, nice grip, rubber inserts on the case (does not slip in the hands), large nice screen, correct operation with SDHC

Disadvantages: Relatively slow focusing, significant image distortion along the edges of the image (this can be attributed to features), very slow GPS, only one battery in the kit (purchased separately), lack of charging for the batteries in the kit (also purchased separately)

Comment: This camera was purchased about a year ago as a replacement for the Pentax A20 (ordered to live long), the P330 is much larger in size, which at first was unusual, then used; This device began to work correctly with the SDHC Transcend 8GB card, rearranged with the Pentax (the card only saw 4GB on it, reformatting and other manipulations did not help), I use it for domestic purposes, RAW didn’t use it, I was very pleased with the color rendition, the pictures are much more interesting, immediately acquired The second battery, in order not to be discharged somewhere on an excursion or in nature, experimented with charging through the camera, understood not for me and bought a separate external charger (for Pentax it was also included for AEs was very convenient for the second battery). I do not use the attached software, and in standard tools there is no work with images, they do not use GPS tags, respectively, while GPS is more for beauty, it is not really involved. The camera acquired about 12k. rub + add. Nikon EN-EL12 550rub battery + LOWEPRO Apex 30 AW bag (convenient for the size and availability of a battery section) 600rub + (later) Flama FLC-MH-65 charger (from Nikon did not find it) 600rub total more than 13k. rubles, which is not quite comparable with the apparatus of this class. Examples of photos from this device can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/95893667@N07/
By and large, the acquisition is satisfied and the camera can be used, given the nuances.

Advantages: A good camera, I was taken for travel, I did not want to drag myself with a DSLR, but this one:
light and compact, strong body
get good pictures and videos
manual settings + many scripts
decent flash

Disadvantages: there are no flaws for me

Comment: the best soap dish I've seen

Advantages: A lot of manual settings, RAW, excellent constructive, for these parameters, "mini mirror". Owners of Nikon SLR cameras in the P330 interface will be "like at home."

Disadvantages: Camera jpeg is not suitable for me, as well as with the D5100. Qualitative result only from raw.
The firmware is not updated.

Comment: I bought the camera solely because of the great picture in video mode. Much more expensive camcorders do not give anything like that. Great detail. But only in modes 25 (30) p. Interlaced 50 (60) i
completely unsuitable. Tracking autofocus brake, the work of the auto exposure in the video is noticeable and spoils the picture. In this sense, Sony cameras are much more perfect, almost indistinguishable from video cameras, but the soap video, which has little to do with the concept of Full HD, does not interest me.
Therefore, I exclude automatics: a fixed focus, a zoom in the pause, I’m exposing as much as possible ... as a result, a fabulous video picture.

Advantages: It focuses well, the flash does not spontaneously jump out, comfortable grip (rubber inserts), bright screen, easy-to-perform panoramic shooting, does an excellent job of shooting indoors and outdoors at night.

Disadvantages: Not quick turn-on, is activated by pressing with effort. Not very convenient switching between modes (sets additional questions). There is no option to place files in folders by date, when viewing frames, the increase is triggered with a delay.

Comment: All the advantages and disadvantages are based on a comparison with the Canon S100, which I replaced with the Nikon.

The first test shots:
http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/debethune/tags/nikon%20p330

Advantages: dimensions;
matrix size;
HD-video 1080p on a 42-inch TV set - did not expect such quality (clarity and color) pictures from this foto (like) - autofocus does everything right (I like it completely), the microphone is quite sensitive, sounds quite realistic (though the zoom sound and pressing the buttons (quiet noise, almost imperceptibly), as well as the wind (noticeably, something like when a person in the wind speaks to you on the phone and does not cover the microphone from the wind) also writes ... for taking pictures at sea and during excursions to historical places - not critical, picture quality nki outweighs significantly and does not pay attention to extraneous noises when viewing);
There are no complaints about the image stabilizer - everything is OK (it does not cope only with a long shutter speed, smears the picture, if taking pictures from hands)

Disadvantages: the battery charges for a long time (4.0-4.5 hours), and is not enough for the whole day, discharges at the most inopportune moment (hours at 7 pm; left a request for an additional battery on the website nikon, if it does not appear, you will have to buy as a spare at least unoriginal - you can certainly take a day off the phone on a trip, but then it hurts to look at such pictures and videos);
there are some problems with focusing when shooting, sometimes you have to adjust manually to achieve what you want in the photo (although it may be a virtue that you can set the settings yourself); Often can not focus on a flat place, although while focusing the clarity of the picture slips, but stops at a less dramatic version - I don’t know why ... because of this, from several shots of the same object at best one will turn out to be one normal (or not one .... and you have to be content with not enough clear frames :(

Comment: compared to ordinary soap dishes, it significantly wins in the comfort and quality of photos and video - I have enough SCENE settings in 80% of cases - Auto-selection of the plot (usually correctly selects the appropriate mode to get a beautiful and realistic photo) ...
I don’t know if it’s normal, but the battery when shooting video at 1080p 25 frames / s quickly heats up to 45-50 degrees (at first I thought that it was so in the sun, but it turned out that even in a room at 25g the air temperature is 15 minutes for video shooting) This is despite the fact that in the passport it is written not to expose the camera to heat above 40 hail (avoid heating appliances, including in the car, as well as direct sunlight)

Advantages: Quality of a picture, rather high for the class of cameras, at small dimensions. Rich functionality: P, A, S, M modes, interval shooting, ND filter (useful in bright sun), exposure bracketing, several flash modes. Smart autofocus, with a large number of modes. Able to record RAW, but its usefulness is not great. (I did not see any improvement in the conversion) A convenient set of focal 24-120mm, with the possibility of a "fixed" zoom in the positions: 24, 28, 35, 50, 85, 105, 120mm. Effective optical stabilizer, "holds" the picture at shutter speeds up to 1/2 sec !!! (it does not help in 100% of cases, but rather confidently fights with the "shag"). The main thing is not to confuse the "lubrication" (depending on the exposure and movement / immobility of the object) with the "shake" (shaking hands). And some people do not understand the principle of the optical stabilizer and then write about the "soap" in the frame under difficult shooting conditions.
Excellent 3 "screen with high resolution, wide viewing angles and correct color reproduction. Able to display a live histogram when shooting. Adequate, consistently good white balance.
Decent quality of Full HD video: merit of relatively large (1 / 1.7 ") matrix and high-aperture lens with optical stabilization.When shooting video, the zoom is quieter and slower, apparently to create less extraneous noise. Writes a stereo sound.

Disadvantages: Firmware bugs: when recording several RAW + JPG frames in a row, it confuses a sequence of files. At first, I thought that he did not have time to write a JPG, but it turned out he sometimes gives one number for RAW, and another number for JPG (the next in order). Funny, but not convenient).
And in the menu when you select frame-by-frame shooting [S] displays the inscription "continuous". Moreover, when selecting, it writes "frame by frame", and after selecting "continuous". ))
A little "slows down" the work of some menu items and view captured frames. Little information about the frame when viewing. (not everyone needs it, but I'm used to analyzing the camera while watching)
The lens "chromatite" at 24mm at aperture of f / 1.8, is treated with a cover to f / 2.8 (or f / 4). But I note that this is visible only on highly contrasting plots and only at the edges of the frame. In general, "chromatite" on the open aperture almost any optics, and especially high-aperture! From the experience of using DSLRs, I was convinced of this repeatedly.
At the extreme positions of the zoom, the detail of the picture drops slightly, but this is predictable and noticeable only with a 100% increase in the frame. Again, this is characteristic of almost any lens and I did not notice anything criminal. But in the middle range of the zoom sharpness abound.
Instructions to the camera contains a very limited information. I was familiar with Nikon cameras for a long time and it was not difficult for me to figure it out, but some moments even it was difficult for me to understand without looking at the instructions. Nikon DSLRs have a lot of hints and descriptions of functions right in the cameras (even in the older models), and there’s practically no such thing.

Comment: Bought as a pocket camera for every day. Mirror Nikon rented for more than 6 years and respect this company. Ergonomic controversial, but not bad.
With the Standard color profile, the picture is a bit faded, I added a saturation of +1. For a more "clean" pictures reduced the noise level to a minimum and sharpness -1. Sharpness is better to add later in the editor, if necessary.
In general, the camera did not disappoint and I slowly get used to it (too tiny buttons and levers). I recommend, the camera is worth the money.

Advantages: Large matrix, wide angle, bright lens at wide angle, smart automatics, smart ideology, white body color, above-average battery capacity, good display, fixed display, no touchscreen, good video, rubber inserts for comfortable grip, blind on the lens, many settings.

Disadvantages: There are few stage modes right on the mode disk (only one, but I would like 6-7), the presence of GPS (with a battery of such capacity), the flash does not extend in the center, the presence of a digital zoom (why is it at all?), A dark lens on a large zoom, Fn button in front (and not behind, just forgetting about its existence without seeing it before my eyes, and only one, but I would like 2-3), some incomprehensible plot programs (according to the description of their differences in the user manual, some are repeated), a convenient control wheel not in all modes is used (I would like it more actively use, for example, to select scene programs and available options in selected scene programs).

Comment: It used to be Nikon P310. In general, I was pleased with the device. P330 feels better than its predecessor, less soap, like better autofocus, video and color rendition. On the machine and with the factory settings made test photos, especially not trying. In parallel, shot on the DSC-H70. The difference is too obvious in favor of the P330. The control wheel with the dimensions of the device (thickness 32 mm) is still better from above, like in the P300-330, and not around the lens. So it is safer to keep the thin machine in your hands when working with the control wheel. It is more convenient for larger photo cameras around the lens to twist the control ring, taking into account the design of the flash. At the same time the maximum thickness of the device will not increase. In general, I would like more control buttons with direct access to functions and modes, since fast output of the fotik to the desired mode is the main condition for a good photo! After all, a good frame will not wait.In general, I think that making fotiki thinner than 33 mm to the detriment of photo quality and convenience does not make sense.
I chose between him and Nikon P7700, Canon S100 / 110, Panasonic Lx7, Panasonic LF-1, Olympus XZ-2, Olympus xz-10.

Selection criteria (without specifying the degree of importance):

- Lens (wide angle, bright, preferably a larger zoom)

-Matrix (more)

-Color color (not black, not dark, so as not to overheat in the sun)

-Battery capacity (more)

-The thickness is smaller, so that you can carry it in your pocket or in a case on your trouser belt.

-HD 1080P video (more frames per second)

- Convenience of operation (lens cover, a lot of buttons and wheels, continuous shooting, clear controls, etc.)
Test photos:
http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/maybewildwind/album/341098/

Advantages: Compactness
Ease
Quick start (0.5 seconds approximately)
Fast focus
It takes pictures very quickly
Many settings in manual modes
Good photosensitivity (while testing only with a tripod)
There is HDR with setting the number of shots at a time

Disadvantages: The function of the wheel that is the right of the shutter button (if you look at the screen) - in modes other than manual - is absent, i.e. turn, and nothing happens ... stupid like that
Instructions confused, it's easier to understand
In low light in macro mode, it doesn’t focus well on shiny surfaces, but there is a manual adjustment of sharpness in manual modes.
The charger is very large, you will not put it in your pocket
USB connector is very rare

Comment: In the mass

I have not tested the battery yet, but judging by the previous series, it is not very cheerful, so I immediately took a spare one, the issue price is 300 rubles.

Examples of pictures, see here.
http://everest8.beon.ru/44242-367-nikon-coolpix-p330-foto-sdelannye-im.zhtml
In the same place I will lay out archive with originals later