---
title: 'Coolpix A'
url: 'https://www.ondrejsramek.cz/en/blog/coolpix-a'
markdown: 'https://www.ondrejsramek.cz/en/blog/coolpix-a.md'
lang: en
date: '2014-11-26'
description: "First impressions with a compact I decided to buy a compact camera. Several things led me to this: I can't always travel with a bag dedicated to photo gear. Sometimes it's better not to draw attention with a big camera (I also have a battery grip). With that in mind I set out to explore what the ma…"
taxonomy:
  category:
    - fotografie
    - cestování
  tag:
    - fotografie
    - Coolpix
    - nikon
    - kompakt
  '':
    - ''
  archives_year:
    - '2014'
---

# First impressions with a compact

I decided to buy a **compact** camera. Several things led me to this: I can't always **travel** with a bag dedicated to photo gear. Sometimes it's better **not to draw attention** with a big camera (I also have a battery grip). With that in mind I set out to explore what the market had to offer, naturally starting with **Nikon's** **catalogue** (I'm not such a fanatic that I need everything from Nikon, but consistent feel and controls are always a plus). The **Coolpix A** caught my attention. The body is comparable in size to any other Coolpix. Inside, however, you'll find **significant** differences. The most striking is the **DX** **sensor** (from the D7000). Image processing is handled by the **EXPEED 2** chip. Unlike other Coolpix models, the A comes with a **fixed lens** (18.5 f/2.8). The cherry on top is **14-bit** RAW.

Nikon regularly holds **presentations** of their products at selected shops. So I kept an eye on when the Brno stores would be up and went to try the camera **in person**. Even after talking with the Nikon rep (who obviously wasn't going to talk me out of it) I came away with the impression it was going to be a **good** choice. Weeks passed, the end of the year approached... the trip to Tallinn was coming up too, and the Coolpix was **selling out** fast (as if Nikon was about to announce a new model). And with Christmas coming I gave myself an early **present**. I'm quite curious what shooting will be like with Active-D Lighting, ISO higher than 1600, and other features my D80 lacks.

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---

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