Smartphones have somewhat killed the joy of taking photos while on vacation, right? There is no more thrill of waiting for the film to roll, waiting for the flash to shine, just taking your time and preparing for a nice family photo. Plus, you couldn’t take numerous selfies and save the best one – there was a limit to taking photos, and no LCD screen or front camera to serve as a mirror.
Of course, camera quality has progressed and advanced over the years, and today we have magnificent cameras with lots of memory, great battery life, and a “mirror screen”. Be that as it may, taking photos with cameras is still quite cool, especially if you have little ones in your family – there is always a professional feeling, even when using a simple or a mid-range DLSR.
Bearing that in mind, we have selected two great and affordable Nikon COOLPIX cameras specifically designed for a family trip. So, enrich your family vacation, take great photos, and enjoy the experience!
Here is a Nikon COOLPIX W100 and Nikon COOLPIX B500 review.
Nikon COOLPIX W100 Review
This is a perfect camera for your kids! Why? You can submerge it to a depth of up to 10m underwater! Also, it is resistant to shocks from falls of up to 1.8m in height to cold at temperatures down to -10° C, and especially to dust – it is designed to withstand all the blows that life throws at it! Or your kids…
Capture high-quality video and photos with great stereo sound. There is always SnapBridge to automatically transfer all the images and videos to any of your smart devices, making this camera easy for sharing and file storage. Dedicated one-touch buttons and an easy-to-use interface make operation easy for everyone. If that is not enough, it even has a special menu for children.
The 13.2-megapixel COOLPIX W100 makes photography easy and enjoyable for everyone. Let’s now check out some of the key features of this device.
Worry-free Durability
This camera is capable of withstanding all the blows that life throws at it. It is waterproof to a depth of up to 10m and is shock-resistant from drops up to 1.8m in height, so you no longer have to worry about damage if dropped to the ground or submerged in the pool.
It is cold resistant to temperatures down to -10 ° C and it is also resistant to dust, allowing you to take it with you anywhere without worrying. So you just have to relax and enjoy making photography fun for everyone.
Easy Sharing with SnapBridge
Your Nikon images will light up any of your social networks right away with SnapBridge. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to maintain a constant low-power connection between the camera and up to five smart devices.
Photos can be automatically transferred to your phone or tablet as you take them. Simply choose your smart device and your photos will be there – images synced during shooting are automatically resized so they’re easy to review or edit in your favorite app, and can be quickly uploaded to your photos or social networks.
If you don’t want to automatically sync all photos, a series of simple controls will allow you to manually sync specific photos, transfer higher resolution images, and sync videos.
Capture Full HD Video
Take great videos with friends and family at the touch of a button. Just press the dedicated video record button and you can capture full-definition video (Full HD, 1080p) with stereo sound. When the action begins, you are always ready to record the most memorable moments on the move, while Electronic VR (Vibration Reduction) provides stability to your clips.
You can even experiment with a Miniature Effect to make your videos look like miniature scenes, and be able to play them back on your HDTV with an optional HDMI cable. Bring special celebrations and travel scenes to life with high-quality videos that are perfect for sharing on social media.
Capture High-Quality Images Every Time
Say goodbye to grainy photos and lost moments when shooting with a super sharp NIKKOR lens and 13.2 MP CMOS image sensor.
The 3x NIKKOR optical zoom can be enlarged up to 6x Dynamic Fine Zoom, allowing you to get closer to your subject for all the fun of shooting, as well as capturing great facial expressions. High image quality is guaranteed, helping you capture images and videos that you will be proud to share.
Intuitive and Simple Operation
When the action happens, the last thing you want to worry about is camera handling, so the COOLPIX W100 makes it easy for you. Its four dedicated buttons give you direct access to the menu, while a user-friendly interface helps you find the function you need with ease.
The buttons, which are large and convenient for small hands, are designed for photographers of all ages to shoot in comfort. Select Easy Auto Mode and the camera will optimize all the settings for you, so you get great pictures every time. The large 6.7 cm (2.7-inch) 230,000-dot TFT LCD screen makes it easy to frame your photos.
Furthermore, the anti-reflective coating and brightness adjustment will give you clear visibility at all times, even in low light conditions or in direct sunlight. Micro USB fast charging provides a lightning-fast recharge time, hence you will always be ready to capture the perfect moment.
Functions for the Whole Family
The COOLPIX W100 makes shooting a breeze, even for the smallest photographers, thanks to the Full Menu, which offers you the option to choose between the adult menu or the children’s menu.
Within the kids’ menu, the brightly colored Home Screens change from day to night according to the shooting time. Welcome characters also appear to make shooting even more fun. Also, children can play by adding drawing effects or cute stamps, like hearts and stars, to the pictures. The camera is available in a wide range of vibrant colors to suit any lifestyle.
Get Creative with Image Effects
Make your photos stand out with several effects, ranging from Color Highlight (which adds a spark of color to a black and white image) to Fish Eye and Toy Camera. Glamor Touch Up lets you change everyone’s look with a touch of makeup, thanks to options like Mascara, Teeth Whitening, or Lipstick.
You can even use the Add Light Trails option to add this effect to photos with Multiple Exposure (Lighten) mode or create a Soundtrack Slide Show directly in-camera. You’ll never get dull photos again!
Perfect Portraits in a Simple Way
The Smart Portrait System makes it easy to capture flattering portraits of family and friends. Activates functions such as face-priority AF, which automatically detects the subject’s facial area and focuses on it. Even if the composition of the photo changes or the subject moves, this function will automatically keep the focus on the face.
The Smile mode releases the shutter when it detects that the subject is smiling, while the Blink Warning feature immediately informs you if the subject has blinked during the photo capture, so you can re-capture the image. Underwater Face Framing saves you from getting wet when shooting near a pool or on the beach by automatically capturing underwater images when it detects people’s faces.
Defined and Reliable Focus
Built-in Target Finding AF (in Auto Mode) gives you a sharp focus on every image. It can accurately predict the main subject of your photo, so you can focus automatically just by framing the image.
The focus area is displayed on the screen before you press the shutter, so you know exactly where the main focus of the image will be. In the case of human subjects, the priority for focus is the faces.
Specifications:
- Effective pixels: 13.2 million.
- Image sensor: 1 / 3.1-inch type CMOS; Total pixels: approx. 14.17 million.
- Objective / lens: NIKKOR objective with 3x optical zoom.
- Monitor: TFT LCD with a diagonal of 6.7 cm (2.7 inches) and approx. 230,000 dots, with anti-reflective coating and 5 levels of brightness adjustment.
- Storage – media: SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal memory (approx. 22 MB)
- Image size: 13 megapixels [4160 x 3120], 4 megapixels [2272 x 1704], 2 megapixels [1600 x 1200]
- Wi-Fi (wireless LAN) standards: IEEE 802.11b / g (standard wireless LAN protocol)
- Power Sources: One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL19 (included), AC Adapter EH-62G (available separately)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 109.5 x 67 x 38 mm (excluding projections)
- Weight: Approx. 177 g (including battery and memory card)
Nikon COOLPIX B500 Review
This camera has a 16MP BSI CMOS 1/2.3” sensor for shooting high-resolution images and Full HD videos. The construction of this sensor uses a complex backlit design to improve the clarity and quality of the image when working in low light conditions.
The lens has a 40x optical zoom and covers viewing angles from a wide-angle of 22.5 mm all the way to a telephoto 900 mm equivalent focal length in 35 mm format and is suitable for work in a variety of environments. Further magnification of the subject can be achieved by using 80x Dynamic Fine Zoom which effectively doubles the range of the camera.
The lens also features advanced Vibration Reduction (VR) which helps eliminate camera shake when shooting with high zoom or longer shutter speeds. The movable 3-inch 921k dot LCD screen will allow making images from different angles. Scrolling through images or simply using a menu is possible this way as well.
Using the aforementioned SnapBridge, with the help of built-in Bluetooth low energy (BLE), NFC and WiFi make B500 connectable to various compatible smart devices. Images can be easily transferred to a connected smartphone or tablet, and from there further shared on a favorite social network.
The Nikon B500 is designed for easy, stress-free operation, with point-and-shoot capabilities, and simplicity is maximized by choosing one of 18 scene modes or using Easy Auto Mode, which automatically optimizes settings even when operation in low light conditions.
This all may sound quite high-end when you read this COOLPIX B500 review, and in comparison with W100 it kind of is, but Nikon COOLPIX B500 is still not a professional camera and is made with family vacations in mind.
16MP Image Sensor
This sensor features a unique stacked backlight which will enhance poor and low-light capabilities. 7.4fps continuous shooting along with an ISO range of 125-6400 is possible.
40x NIKKOR VR Zoom Lens
The COOLPIX B500 has a remarkable 40x NIKKOR ED VR zoom lens which boasts a nice focal length range of 4.0-160mm, and covering wide-angle to telephoto shots with an aperture range f/3.0-6.5 maximum. It has three lens elements helping to improve image color, sharpness, and quality. The vibration reduction is present as well, in order to reduce the dreadful camera shake appearance.
3″ LCD screen
The B500’s monitor has a great anti-reflective coating with a 5-level brightness adjustment. It is easy to take photos from unique angles, or monitor video recording and navigate the menu.
Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, and NFC with the SnapBridge app
When paired with a compatible smart device via the Nikon SnapBridge app, built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, and NFC connectivity allow the B500 to quickly and easily send photos for sharing on social media sites. Upload photos along the way, even when in remote locations. Use your smartphone or tablet device to control camera functions.
Full HD Video
Record fantastic Full HD videos with great stereo sound. Hybrid 4-axis Vibration Reduction (VR) keeps videos steady. The Superlapse Movie function transforms your video into an amazing fast-moving sequence! It can be ideal for first-person perspectives, video tours, sports moments, and much more.
Easy Exposure Control
Simple, stress-free operation with point-and-shoot capability for both stills and videos. The smart portrait system uses multiple functions such as Face-priority AF, skin softening, blink warning, and more to enhance images of people; while Target Finding AF quickly determines the desired subject and maintains focus. Choose from 18 scene modes or easy auto mode, which automatically optimizes camera settings, even when shooting in difficult lighting conditions.
Flash in an Instant
When shooting in low-light or backlit situations, the pop-up flash can act as a filling light to produce well-exposed images.
Efficient Energy
Take up to 600 shots with four regular AA alkaline batteries. Capture an entire vacation and more with just one set of batteries.
Specs
The following section is aimed at tech-savvy users who just want to check out the core specs and see if they find them suitable.
Images
- Pixels: Effective: 16 megapixels
- Maximum Resolution: 4608 x 3456
- Aspect ratio: 4:3
- Sensor type: CMOS
- Sensor size: 1 / 2.3″
- Image file format: JPEG
- Image stabilization: Digital, optical (4-axis)
Lens
- Focal length: 4 to 160 mm (35 mm equivalent focal length: 22.5 to 900 mm)
- Optical zoom: 40x
- Digital zoom: Maximum 4x (160x combined zoom), 2x optimized (80x combined zoom)
- Maximum aperture: f / 3 up to 6.5
- Focus range: 11.81″ to infinity / 30 cm to infinity (large wide) 11.48 ‘to infinity / 3.5m to infinity (telephoto); Macro: 0.4 “to infinity / 1.02 cm to infinity (wide)
- Optical design: 12 elements in 9 groups
Exposure Control
- ISO sensitivity: 125 to 1600 (extended: 3200 to 6400)
- Shutter speed: Electronic front curtain shutter 1/4000 to 1 second
- Measurement method: Center-weighted average, matrix, spot
- Exposure modes: Auto
- Exposure Compensation: -2 to +2 EV (1/3 EV steps)
- White Balance: Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, White Set
- Continuous shooting: Up to 7.4 fps at 16 MP for up to 7 frames
- Self-timer: 2/5/10 second delay
- Special Options: Beach, Fireworks, Food, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Panorama, Party / Indoor, Portrait, Snow, Sports, Sunset
Video
- Recording modes:
- MP4 / H.264 / MPEG-4
- Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 12.5p / 15p / 25p / 29.97p
- Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 12.5i / 15i / 50i / 59.94i
- HD (1280 x 720) at 25p / 29.97p / 50p / 59.94p
- SD (640 x 480) at 25p / 29.97p / 100p / 119.88p
- Video encoding: NTSC / PAL
- Audio recording: Built-in microphone (stereo)
- Audio file format: CAA
Viewfinder and Monitor
- Monitor size: 3″
- Monitor resolution: 921,000 dots
- Monitor type: Tilting LCD
Flash
- Built in an instant: Yes
- Flash modes: Automatic TTL
- Effective range: Auto ISO flash 1.6 to 22.6 ‘/ 0.5 to 6.9 m (large wide), 11.5 ‘/ 3.5 m (telephoto)
- External flash connection: None
Interface
- Memory card slot: Single slot: SD / SDHC / SDXC
- Connectivity: HDMI D (micro), USB Micro-B (USB 2.0)
- Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- GPS: No
Environmental
- Operating temperature: 32 to 104° F / 0 to 40° C
Physical
- Battery: 4 x AA (approx. 600 shots)
- Dimensions: (W x H x D) 4.5 x 3.1 x 3.7″/ 113.5 x 78.3 x 94.9 mm (excluding protrusions)
- Weight: 19.08 oz / 541 g (body with battery and memory)
Free Quiz: Find Your Ideal Gear Setup in 1 Minute or Less 📷
A Final Word from Run Gun Shoot
You don’t have to spend tons of cash to get a quality camera for your vacation. As if vacations can’t be expensive enough already!
With a maximum budget of just $300, you can get either of these two fantastic cameras (or even both, if you find a good deal), and have lots of fun with your family on holiday. Explore the world, take amazing photos, keep them for the rest of your life.
