There are only a few differences between the two devices: increased endurance and Wi-Fi. The AW100, protected to depths of up to 33 feet, can survive drops of 5 feet and can continue to operate in temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The AW110 retains a temperature-free window system. similar, but waterproof to a depth of 59 feet and shockproof from up to 6.6 feet. These ratings make it one of the most durable cameras in the category (although Every compact device certainly has its limits).
Wi-Fi, when combined with the Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility app for iOS or Android, makes it possible to view and transfer images to mobile devices and use them to control the camera remotely .
Nikon also switched from the AW100’s 3-inch LCD to a 3-inch OLED, which, while beautiful, doesn’t help you frame your shots better in bright light (which is important for a rugged camera). sure).
Otherwise, both are the same, so if those changes don’t make much sense to you, there’s no reason to upgrade. The AW110 is one of the more affordable rugged compacts available given its specs and durability, and it’s also a good performing camera.
Image quality
Overall, the Nikon Coolpix AW110’s photos are best suited for prints up to 8×10 inches or for use on the Web without much need to enlarge or crop. When viewed at 100 percent, artifacts and noise are visible even at sensitivities as low as ISO 125. Subjects also look soft (not unusual for rugged cameras. ) and can withstand some sharpness after shooting.
As you increase the sensitivity, the image becomes softer and softer, and the color quality begins to deteriorate. Above ISO 800, subjects look a bit flat, and colors don’t have as much of a highlight as at lower ISOs. The high ISO shots of this camera are basically just OK, and with its slow lens, it’s hard to recommend it in low light, especially if you’ve never had one. intention to leave its Easy Auto mode.
That means, if you are someone who likes to snorkel or pool or want a sturdy camera for snow or offroad sports, it can take some very nice photos when there are lots of them. the light. (You can read more about the camera’s capabilities in the slideshow above.)
Movie quality is also decent, although again, the more light you have, the better things will look. The AF-assist illuminator can be turned on and used to illuminate close subjects. The zoom lens is active while recording; you won’t hear it move necessarily, but you will hear the press and release of the zoom button. Additionally, if you enable the continuous AF function, you may hear the camera focus in your movies.
Shooting performance
The AW110 is a pretty fast camera, though I wouldn’t depend on it to consistently capture realistic pictures of kids and pets. From shutdown to first shot takes about 2.4 seconds, which is oddly slower than its predecessor. Thankfully, though, all of its other performance numbers have improved.
The delay between shots is about 1.3 seconds or 1.7 seconds with the flash. The time from pressing the shutter button to shooting without pre-focusing is just 0.1 second in high-contrast scenes and 0.4 second in low light.
In my tests, the camera’s full-resolution continuous shooting was capable of up to 9 fps, though it could only do six shots before the camera needed a break. seconds to save the image.
Outside of lab conditions, the camera feels pretty quick aside from booting. However, the buttons have a spongy feel, probably because the camera is waterproof, and sometimes become unresponsive unless you press it moderately. So while the AW110’s overall performance is very good, you might miss out on some shots simply because of the controls.
Design and features
The AW110 looks like a solid compact machine, but its build isn’t so sturdy that you have to be self-conscious about it. Aside from the large knob on the right and two buttons on the left (a bit more on those), all the controls and features are pretty typical compared to what you’ll find on other Nikon Coolpix models. However, the buttons are small and tightly spaced, which can lead to some mistaken presses. And, again, the buttons feel very spongy. The body is also slippery, especially when wet, and has nothing really to hold on to.
On the right side of the camera is a single door protecting the battery, card slot, Mini-HDMI port and Micro-USB port. Having everything underneath a door limits access points to water, and the door has a nice big seal on it as well as a padlock that requires you to press a button while turning the knob, so it quite safe. I say it fairly because if you for some reason forget to turn the knob all the way until you hear the button click, the door can close but not lock.
The battery is charged by an external adapter. Normally this wouldn’t bother me, but for a rugged camera it’s silly to ask for an outlet and charger. If it is charged via USB, you will have other options to recharge the battery. If you’re considering the AW110 for a trip where you won’t have an outlet for a while, you’ll want to bring a spare battery pack or two.
| Main specifications | Nikon Coolpix AW110 |
|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $349.95 |
| Dimensions (WHD) | 4.4 inches x 2.6 inches x 0.9 inches |
| Weight (with battery and media) | 6.9 ounces |
| Megapixels, image sensor size, type | 16-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOS |
| Screen size, resolution / viewfinder | 3-inch OLED, 614K dots / None |
| Lens (zoom, aperture, focal length) | 5x, f3.9-4.8, 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) |
| File format (static/video) | JPEG / H.264 AAC (.MOV) |
| Highest resolution size (still/video) | 4,608x3,456 pixels / 1,920x1,080 at 30fps |
| Image Stabilizer Type | Optical and digital |
| Battery type, CIPA rated life | Lithium ion rechargeable, 250 shots |
| The battery is charged in the camera | No; external charger included |
| Storage media | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
The 3-inch OLED display is great for framing your photos and giving you crisp text as you're navigating menus. However, even with the brightness up, it doesn't get all the brightness and is difficult to see in full sun.
GPS performance has been solid on other Coolpix cameras, and that is the case with the AW110. Turning it on and off doesn't require as many menus as other GPS-enabled cameras I've tested, but it does require some effort.
A button to the left of the camera shows the camera's map information, and if GPS is enabled and locked on the satellite, it will show your current location. It can be used for geotagging photos as well as displaying and embedding points of interest. You can also use GPS to record your path while shooting.
Even if you turn off the camera, the GPS receiver stays on, searching for your location every 30 minutes for up to 6 hours. If it can't find your location, it will start searching every 15 minutes for an hour. Needless to say, all of this taxes your battery life, which isn't great to start with. If you don't plan to shoot for a while, make sure you turn it off.
The second button on the left can be used for the camera's Active Control system. Again, the buttons on the AW110 are actually a bit too small and close together for use underwater or with gloved hands. Active Control allows you to shake and tap the camera to change shooting modes, enter playback, or start recording movies. It can be useful, but it's something you'll want to turn off when you don't need it.
Turning Wi-Fi on and off requires a bit more menus than GPS. Assuming you have enough battery life to use (the menu option will be grayed out if you don't), you can simply turn it on and pick up your mobile device. Open the Wi-Fi settings on your device and select the camera from the available networks. From there, you open the app (the Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility app must be installed on the device before it can be used with this camera) and you get two options: take a photo or view it.
With this application, you can set the timer, zoom in, zoom out and release the shutter. You can also choose to store all photos on your device and camera - perfect if you want to upload or e-mail photos instantly. The app will also tell you the aperture, shutter speed, and battery life.
If you choose to view photos (and movies), the app will download a preview of everything stored on the camera's memory card. From there, you can flip through your photos on your device, or if there's something you'd like to share, you can select and download them from the camera to your device.
One last thing: Nikon includes a plastic adapter that attaches to the lens, allowing you to add 40.5mm filters like polarizers to the camera.
| General shooting options | Nikon Coolpix AW100 |
|---|---|
| ISO sensitivity (full resolution) | Auto (125-800), 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 |
| White balance | Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash, Manual |
| Recording mode | Auto, Easy Auto, Scene, Special Effects, Smart Portrait |
| Focus modes | 9-point AF, Manual AF (99 points selectable), Center AF, Subject tracking AF, Macro |
| Macro | 0.4 inch (Wide) |
| Metering mode | Matrix, Center of gravity |
| Color effect | Sepia, High Contrast Mono, High Keys, Low Keys, Selective Color, Soft |
| Continuous shooting limit (full resolution) | Six pictures |
The AW110's shooting options are pretty similar to what you'll find on other high-end Coolpix Nikon cameras - lots of automatic options, not much direct control over the results. Two Auto modes are available: one is Nikon's Easy Auto mode, which adjusts the appropriate settings based on six common scene types, or an underwater mode when descending into the water. If the scene doesn't match any of them, it will default to Auto Shared. Then there's Auto mode, like Program mode on other point-and-shoots. You can change the ISO, white balance, and exposure compensation, as well as the area and autofocus and burst modes.
There are 18 scene modes with standards like Landscape and Portrait as well as an Underwater mode, a Pet Portrait mode that automatically shoots when a cat or dog face is detected, and an Easy Panorama mode. Simply press the shutter button and rotate the camera left, right, up or down to create an in-camera panorama.
There's also a Special Effects mode, for those who want to get a little more creative with their photos; Backlight mode uses flash or multiple exposure combinations to improve backlit subjects; handheld Nightscape mode, which also uses a series of photos and combines them to reduce blur and noise; and Intelligent Portrait mode that detects smiles, softens skin, and alerts blinks.
Nikon also includes some additional editing features in the playback menu. These include D-Lighting, which enhances highlights and shadows; Quick correction enhances contrast and saturation; several filter effects such as fisheye, miniature, and selective color, allowing you to select colors in the scene and make the rest of the image monochrome; and Glamor Retouch to soften skin, reduce face size, and widen eyes.
Inference
For anyone who wants to use a point-and-shoot in places where they don't want to risk shooting with their smartphone, the Nikon Coolpix AW110 is a good choice.
