Compact with an SLR heart

You can get great images from the new Nikon COOLPIX A, but you have to pay double the price of an entry-level SLR

If you're serious about photography, you probably like carrying your kit everywhere. But is it always practical to a big camera and lenses around? That is why many enthusiasts look for a compact camera that can match the quality of shots taken by a single-lens reflex machine.

And the Nikon COOLPIX A may be the right answer. Before you dismiss the 16 megapixel shooter as a lightweight, consider this: It sports the same APS-C DX sensor as found in Nikon's much-loved D7000 SLR. Two, it features full manual controls. And three, it costs nearly double an entry-level DSLR.

The aluminium and magnesium alloy body feels nice and provides a comfortable grip while being small enough to fit into a large trouser pocket. Weighing below 300 g, the camera is comfortable to carry around.

Besides the shutter, the top edge also houses the command dial, protruding a bit on the back. In the PASM mode, you can use your thumb to set exposure via the command dial. The PASM dial has two user-defined modes, a scene mode (with 19 modes) and an auto mode, but lacks the Easy Auto mode.

The three-inch LCD screen is not an articulating one, possibly to maintain the compact form factor. While we're happy with the help button, we were disappointed that there were no quick access buttons to Auto ISO setting or video recording. What was also baffling was no HDR mode, now standard on most compacts.

Anyone who has used a Nikon DSLR before will feel perfectly at home with the identical menu. While focusing was quick, sometimes we were left with a blank screen if we took successive shots quickly - effectively turning us blind between these shots. Also, the camera may be found lacking if you principally want to capture sport or wildlife since the focusing motor, while fast, lacks the finesse of a DSLR.

The absence of a viewfinder meant we had to frame our shots on the LCD, but this posed a problem outdoors. In bright sunlight, the screen is dim and we had to sometimes hold it away from our body for the right frame, which caused visibility issues.

The lens on the COOLPIX A has a focal length equivalent to 28mm with a fixed aperture of f/2.8. While this wide-angle view is great for landscapes, it may not be the most suited for portraits. Focusing on anything closer than 10 cm or so will pose a problem - the camera provides no alert if you're out of the effective focusing range.

The camera is capable of shooting videos in 1080p and also has a stereo microphone. But the COOLPIX A has absolutely no image stabilisation, so a tripod is a necessity. Shooting HD videos takes up a lot of storage and you will require at least a Class 6 memory card.

You can access the shooting mode only through the menu. Also, you can set the aperture only before the start of the shoot. There are two modes available - AF-S and AF-F, or servo mode, which focuses continuously while shooting. Our pick is the latter.

The COOLPIX A on a single charge will be good enough for 230-240 shots, so a spare battery is a must if you're planning field trips.
SPECIFICATIONS
Resolution: 16.2 million pixels
Image sensor: 23.6 x 15.6 mm Nikon DX format CMOS
Lens: 18.5mm, F2.8
Battery life: 230 shots, 70 mins of video
Price: Rs 54,990