Pixiq

When Nikon released the P7000, the general consensus seemed to be that it was a serious photographer’s second camera, but hadn’t quite reached the echelons of an enthusiast’s first camera. Now that the upgrade, the P7100 is here, has it managed to iron out the kinks and become something really special? Well, we won’t really know until the reviews come in, but we can take a look at what it has to offer.

Improving on the P7000, there’s a reduced time lag, speedier autofocus, quicker start up times, and a tilting 7.5 cm (3″) LCD screen. The lens has a 28mm to 200mm range in the 35mm format equivalent. Resolution remains the same at 10.1 megapixels, which I’m sure is plenty. And of course it hasn’t lost RAW capability or its full manual settings.

In-camera effects are of course de rigueur now, and the P7100 doesn’t disappoint with a cross-processing effect and selective colour tool.

You can record HD videos in 720p and then watch them on an HD enabled TV via the HDMI port. You can use the optical zoom and autofocus when filming, and set the white balance before hand, too. There’s also a microphone point, which I’m sure will make lots of people who like making films very happy indeed.

When it comes to getting your pictures off of your camera and doing something with them, you can use Nikon’s software package View NX 2 to import, browse, edit and share still images and films. Apparently it is available on all of Nikon’s digital cameras and is there as a free download if you don’t have it already.

If the RAW processing has speeded up and it has kept all that was lovely about the P7000, the P7100 could be a real winner.

We’ll find out on 22 September, when it goes on sale around £499.99 or €580.00.