Nikon Coolpix A: 28mm effective APS-C compact

deadwolfbones · 03-04-2013, 09:12 PM

Info here.

- Tiny, unintimidating, but probably a bit stripped down control-wise for most enthusiasts vs. the X100S, etc.
- Dumb name. You're not Leica, Nikon.
- $450 OVF is a joke.
- Looks like AA filter-free sensors are becoming the norm.
- I like that it's 28mm effective, though. Something different, and a FOV that I quite enjoy. Can't wait to see some samples.

deadwolfbones · 03-04-2013, 09:20 PM

Samples here, actually: Nikon | Imaging Products | Sample Images - COOLPIX A

Adam · 03-04-2013, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Info here.

- Tiny, unintimidating, but probably a bit stripped down control-wise for most enthusiasts vs. the X100S, etc.
- Dumb name. You're not Leica, Nikon.
- $450 OVF is a joke.
- Looks like AA filter-free sensors are becoming the norm.
- I like that it's 28mm effective, though. Something different, and a FOV that I quite enjoy. Can't wait to see some samples.

DX in your pocket? That's not bad at all! Looks like the pricetag is $1.1k:

Nikon Coolpix A Digital Camera, Black 26423

Unsinkable II · 03-05-2013, 02:49 AM

Agree with DWB that the viewfinder price is a joke.

Nice and compact, but in that market I'd go for the X100s (or the X100 now it has been reduced to US$720 here in HK).

Alternatively, I'd just get a NEX6 and some small primes. More flexible and nearly as compact.

Lots of pics of the A here:

Nikon Coolpix A Hands-on Photos | PhotographyBLOG

JinDesu · 03-05-2013, 04:51 AM

The price tag is really high. If it was $600 or so, it would be brilliant.

NickLarsson · 03-05-2013, 05:30 AM

Seems very similar to what we can expect for the future Ricoh GRD V.
The price is steep though...

Medium FormatPro · 03-05-2013, 06:23 AM

I'll be going to give this camera a serious consideration next month. But also hoping to somehow find a "secondary option" for a hotshoe mounted less expensive optical viewfinder than what Nikon is offering.

If I'm not able to then I'll have to make due with modifying a type of hunting sensor to the hotshoe, much like I sometimes use with the K-01

cali92rs · 03-05-2013, 07:01 AM

Originally posted by NickLarsson

Seems very similar to what we can expect for the future Ricoh GRD V.
The price is steep though...

+1....unless they go with a 1" sensor.
I think the people thought that the new GRD would be ~700 bux were seriously mistaken. The GRD IV was priced high, theres no reason the V will be a budget piece.

cali92rs · 03-05-2013, 07:03 AM

This looks like a nice camera, but damn that price AND a f2.8 lens?

NickLarsson · 03-05-2013, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by cali92rs

This looks like a nice camera, but damn that price AND a f2.8 lens?

The good thing is that Nikon is now used to make rebates all the year so we can expect a lower price in a few months.

But if Ricoh can come with a faster lens and is able to keep a pocketable size with an APS-C sensor, I will be in.

NickLarsson · 03-05-2013, 07:41 AM

Some (small) pics :

JinDesu · 03-05-2013, 07:41 AM

I don't mind a lack of a VF with a fixed lens pocketable camera. It's not a big deal. The VF they have, however, is sorta ridiculously priced. It's not even an EVF!

A $650-700 priced APS-C 24mm F2 compact camera with an optional $150 OVF/$300 EVF would be a much more reasonable starting point in my opinion. If Nikon decides to rebate the prices reasonably in a short time, then it makes sense. Otherwise, it's kinda crappy when compared to the X100 (ignoring the X100's kinda crappy AF, and Nikon's possibly good AF).

cali92rs · 03-05-2013, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Otherwise, it's kinda crappy when compared to the X100 (ignoring the X100's kinda crappy AF, and Nikon's possibly good AF).

Not to mention the stop faster X100 lens.

JPT · 03-05-2013, 07:54 AM

You could use either of the GRD's OVFs on this just fine. They are much cheaper than the Nikon one, if not exactly cheap. It will be interesting to see how this compares with the Sigma DP1 Merrill and the GXR with the A28 module. It's interesting that the GXR was criticised when it came out for locking expensive lenses together with sensors. Now these luxury compacts are all the rage and they offer no upgrade path whatsoever. Admittedly, a meaningful GXR upgrade path has not really been delivered by Ricoh, but in principle it is a more flexible system.

NickLarsson · 03-05-2013, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

I don't mind a lack of a VF with a fixed lens pocketable camera. It's not a big deal. The VF they have, however, is sorta ridiculously priced. It's not even an EVF!

A $650-700 priced APS-C 24mm F2 compact camera with an optional $150 OVF/$300 EVF would be a much more reasonable starting point in my opinion. If Nikon decides to rebate the prices reasonably in a short time, then it makes sense. Otherwise, it's kinda crappy when compared to the X100 (ignoring the X100's kinda crappy AF, and Nikon's possibly good AF).

But do you consider the X100 as a pocketable camera ? It's not big compared to a DSLR but you need a small bag to carry it.

The Nikon would be noticeably smaller and could fit in a jeans pocket, and that's a big difference to me.

03-04-2013, 09:12 PM	#1
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Nikon Coolpix A: 28mm effective APS-C compact Info here. - Tiny, unintimidating, but probably a bit stripped down control-wise for most enthusiasts vs. the X100S, etc. - Dumb name. You're not Leica, Nikon. - $450 OVF is a joke. - Looks like AA filter-free sensors are becoming the norm. - I like that it's 28mm effective, though. Something different, and a FOV that I quite enjoy. Can't wait to see some samples.

03-04-2013, 11:08 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Info here. - Tiny, unintimidating, but probably a bit stripped down control-wise for most enthusiasts vs. the X100S, etc. - Dumb name. You're not Leica, Nikon. - $450 OVF is a joke. - Looks like AA filter-free sensors are becoming the norm. - I like that it's 28mm effective, though. Something different, and a FOV that I quite enjoy. Can't wait to see some samples. DX in your pocket? That's not bad at all! Looks like the pricetag is $1.1k: Nikon Coolpix A Digital Camera, Black 26423 Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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03-04-2013, 09:20 PM	#2
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450 Original Poster	Samples here, actually: Nikon \| Imaging Products \| Sample Images - COOLPIX A

03-05-2013, 02:49 AM	#4
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Agree with DWB that the viewfinder price is a joke. Nice and compact, but in that market I'd go for the X100s (or the X100 now it has been reduced to US$720 here in HK). Alternatively, I'd just get a NEX6 and some small primes. More flexible and nearly as compact. Lots of pics of the A here: Nikon Coolpix A Hands-on Photos \| PhotographyBLOG

03-05-2013, 04:51 AM	#5
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	The price tag is really high. If it was $600 or so, it would be brilliant.

03-05-2013, 05:30 AM	#6
NickLarsson Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,390	Seems very similar to what we can expect for the future Ricoh GRD V. The price is steep though...

03-05-2013, 06:23 AM	#7
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	I'll be going to give this camera a serious consideration next month. But also hoping to somehow find a "secondary option" for a hotshoe mounted less expensive optical viewfinder than what Nikon is offering. If I'm not able to then I'll have to make due with modifying a type of hunting sensor to the hotshoe, much like I sometimes use with the K-01

03-05-2013, 07:01 AM	#8
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by NickLarsson Seems very similar to what we can expect for the future Ricoh GRD V. The price is steep though... +1....unless they go with a 1" sensor. I think the people thought that the new GRD would be ~700 bux were seriously mistaken. The GRD IV was priced high, theres no reason the V will be a budget piece.

03-05-2013, 07:03 AM	#9
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	This looks like a nice camera, but damn that price AND a f2.8 lens?

03-05-2013, 07:21 AM	#10
NickLarsson Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,390	Originally posted by cali92rs This looks like a nice camera, but damn that price AND a f2.8 lens? The good thing is that Nikon is now used to make rebates all the year so we can expect a lower price in a few months. But if Ricoh can come with a faster lens and is able to keep a pocketable size with an APS-C sensor, I will be in.

03-05-2013, 07:41 AM	#11
NickLarsson Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,390	Some (small) pics :

03-05-2013, 07:41 AM	#12
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	I don't mind a lack of a VF with a fixed lens pocketable camera. It's not a big deal. The VF they have, however, is sorta ridiculously priced. It's not even an EVF! A $650-700 priced APS-C 24mm F2 compact camera with an optional $150 OVF/$300 EVF would be a much more reasonable starting point in my opinion. If Nikon decides to rebate the prices reasonably in a short time, then it makes sense. Otherwise, it's kinda crappy when compared to the X100 (ignoring the X100's kinda crappy AF, and Nikon's possibly good AF).

03-05-2013, 07:44 AM	#13
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by JinDesu Otherwise, it's kinda crappy when compared to the X100 (ignoring the X100's kinda crappy AF, and Nikon's possibly good AF). Not to mention the stop faster X100 lens.

03-05-2013, 07:54 AM	#14
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	You could use either of the GRD's OVFs on this just fine. They are much cheaper than the Nikon one, if not exactly cheap. It will be interesting to see how this compares with the Sigma DP1 Merrill and the GXR with the A28 module. It's interesting that the GXR was criticised when it came out for locking expensive lenses together with sensors. Now these luxury compacts are all the rage and they offer no upgrade path whatsoever. Admittedly, a meaningful GXR upgrade path has not really been delivered by Ricoh, but in principle it is a more flexible system.

03-05-2013, 08:04 AM	#15
NickLarsson Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,390	Originally posted by JinDesu I don't mind a lack of a VF with a fixed lens pocketable camera. It's not a big deal. The VF they have, however, is sorta ridiculously priced. It's not even an EVF! A $650-700 priced APS-C 24mm F2 compact camera with an optional $150 OVF/$300 EVF would be a much more reasonable starting point in my opinion. If Nikon decides to rebate the prices reasonably in a short time, then it makes sense. Otherwise, it's kinda crappy when compared to the X100 (ignoring the X100's kinda crappy AF, and Nikon's possibly good AF). But do you consider the X100 as a pocketable camera ? It's not big compared to a DSLR but you need a small bag to carry it. The Nikon would be noticeably smaller and could fit in a jeans pocket, and that's a big difference to me.