Nikon A300 Review

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A300 Overview
Specifications
Prices

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Nikon Coolpix A300
Resolution:	20.10 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.3 inch (6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	8.00x zoom (25-200mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	No / LCD
Native ISO:	80 - 3200
Extended ISO:	80 - 3200
Shutter:	1/1500 - 4 sec
Max Aperture:	3.7
Dimensions:	3.8 x 2.3 x 0.8 in. (96 x 58 x 20 mm)
Weight:	4.2 oz (118 g) includes batteries
Availability:	02/2017
Manufacturer:	Nikon
Full specs:	Nikon A300 specifications

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Nikon A300 (Silver)

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20.10 Megapixels	8.00x zoom	1/2.3 inch size sensor

Nikon A300 Review -- First Impressions

by Zig Weidelich
Preview posted: 01/06/2017

The ultra-slim and compact Nikon Coolpix A300 is the successor to 2015's S3700 model, the main upgrade being the addition of Bluetooth LE for always-on connectivity, making the Nikon A300 compatible with Nikon's SnapBridge app. This allows the camera to automatically transfer low-resolution images to a smartphone or tablet for quick and easy sharing. The Nikon A300 continues to include built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for transferring full-resolution files and movies, as well as for remote control.

Based around the same 20-megapixel, 1/2.3"-type CCD image sensor, the Coolpix A300 continues to offer a relatively limited sensitivity range of just ISO 80-1600 equivalents, expandable to ISO 3200 equivalent in Auto mode. Burst performance is rated at only 1.1 frames per second for 6 frames, thanks to its slower CCD sensor.

As in the earlier model, that 20-megapixel CCD sensor sits behind a fairly far-reaching 8x optical zoom lens. With a somewhat dim maximum aperture of f/3.7-6.6 across the zoom range, this optic does cover your bases nicely in terms of focal length. It also features mechanical lens-shift type image stabilization that will help steady the image at longer focal lengths.

From a 25mm-equivalent wide angle that will help when you can't step back from your subject to a 200mm telephoto that will help you frame more tightly on distant subjects, the Nikon A300's lens provides quite a bit of versatility in a body that's just 0.8-inches thick.

On the rear panel of the Coolpix A300 is the same 2.7-inch LCD monitor that's used to frame and review images or movies. It's a bit smaller than average these days, and saves a little more on cost with a resolution of just 320 x 240 pixels, but on the plus side does include five-step brightness control and an anti-reflective coating.

Other features of the Nikon Coolpix A300 include 720p high-definition movie capture at 30 frames per second, 16 scene modes, Nikon's Scene Auto Selector function for simple and approachable image capture, and a Panorama Assist mode.

Like the S3700, power for the A300 comes courtesy of a rechargeable EN-EL19 lithium-ion battery pack, rated as good for 240 shots on a charge. Images and movies are stored in a limited 19MB of internal memory (down from 25MB), or on Secure Digital cards, including the higher-capacity SDHC and SDXC types. And as well as the built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, you can also transfer data from the camera via a USB 2.0 High-Speed connection that also doubles as an NTSC / PAL standard-definition composite video output.

The Nikon A300 will be available in the US from February 2017 in silver only for the same suggested retail price of US$139.35 as its predecessor which was available in multiple colors.