The Nikon COOLPIX P1100 is Nikon's latest bridge camera, built for photographers who want an extreme zoom range without changing lenses. With a wild focal length range of 24-3000mm, it's worth a look.
Coming to you from Leigh and Raymond Photography, this insightful video offers practical perspectives on the new Nikon P1100’s capabilities. With a fixed lens boasting an impressive 125x optical zoom—equivalent to 24mm to 3000mm on a full frame camera—you can shoot both expansive landscapes and finely detailed wildlife shots from a single vantage point. Leigh demonstrates this vividly by zooming from a wide angle desert landscape directly into distant mountain campers, capturing clear details normally invisible to the naked eye. It’s rare for a camera this compact to possess such extraordinary focal versatility.
Key Specs
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Sensor Resolution: 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456)
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Image Sensor: 1/2.3"-Type CMOS
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Image Stabilization: Yes
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Lens Focal Length: 4.3 to 539mm (35mm Equivalent: 24 to 3000mm)
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Optical Zoom: 125x
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Digital Zoom: Up to 4x (500x combined), optimized at 2x (250x combined)
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Aperture Range: f/2.8 (maximum), f/8 (minimum)
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Focus Range: Wide: 1' to Infinity; Telephoto: 23' to Infinity
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Shutter Speed: Auto 1/4000 to 1 sec, Manual 1/4000 to 30 sec
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ISO Sensitivity: 100 to 6400
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Exposure Modes: Auto, Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program
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Continuous Shooting: Up to 7 fps (JPEG)
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Video Recording: UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at up to 29.97 fps, Full HD (1920 x 1080) at up to 60 fps
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Recording Limit: 30-Minute Maximum
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Media: Single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot
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Display: 3.2" Articulating Non-Touchscreen LCD (921,000 dots)
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Viewfinder: Electronic, 2,359,000 dots, 100% coverage
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Built-In Flash: Yes, effective range up to 39.37' (Wide), 26.2' (Telephoto)
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External Flash Connection: Shoe mount
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Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
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Battery: EN-EL20a rechargeable lithium-ion (Approx. 250 Shots)
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Dimensions: 5.8 x 4.7 x 7.1" (Without Protrusions)
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Weight: 3.11 lbs (with battery and recording media)
Beyond portraits, Leigh explores the P1100’s strength in wildlife photography, specifically birding. The built-in "bird watching" mode directly supports photographers interested in avian subjects, simplifying settings for optimal results. Leigh provides clear examples capturing desert birds, demonstrating how the optical zoom eliminates the need for cropping that would be necessary with larger sensors and shorter lenses. While the sensor is smaller, limiting extreme cropping or low-light performance, the optical zoom largely mitigates these concerns in bright conditions or controlled environments.
At the Phoenix Zoo, Leigh illustrates the camera's versatility further, photographing pelicans, monkeys, and orangutans. The quick handling and lightweight design of the camera enabled comfortable day-long use, transitioning smoothly from detailed close-ups to wider habitat shots. Although the autofocus isn't as quick as some premium models, Leigh emphasizes the importance of understanding and practicing autofocus techniques to maximize your results. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Leigh.
