Nikon Coolpix P100

Playback Mode

The number of playback view options and the depth of information displayed is quite limited. For example, there is no way to see the color mode used, the focal length or the scene mode setting.

Photos taken as part of a high-speed sequence (even bracketed shots) aren’t displayed individually by default, but grouped in a ‘sequence,’ with only the first shot displayed and the rest to be played back in order, like a stop-motion movie. We found it much more useful to see the individual images, which requires a trip to the playback menu to change a setting. That would be OK but, for some unknown reason, you have to change this setting separately for each high-speed sequence you shoot. The fact that you can’t make separate shots the default choice is ridiculous.

Video playback lets you fast forward and rewind, move forward or back a frame at a time, and adjust playback volume. You can’t jump to the beginning or end of a clip, though.

Full Info	Calendar

In-Camera Editing (4.50)

The Nikon P100 offers several useful in-camera editing tools, though a few useful options are missing.

Quick Retouch is an automatic image enhancement option, with three levels of impact which are previewed on-screen before taking effect. D-lighting attempts to expand dynamic range in photos you’ve already taken (as opposed to Active D-Lighting, a similar processing effect done while shooting). Skin softening uses digital spackle to hide facial imperfections. You can also choose to have the photo reduced slightly and a black border added, though we’re not quite sure why you’d want to.

Among the more standard editing options, there’s image rotation, resizing, and a limited trimming function that saves a copy of the photo as seen magnified on the LCD.

It’s very easy to add an audio annotation to a photo during playback; just hit the OK button and you’re ready to record for up to 20 seconds. This is a very useful way to audibly ‘jot down’ information about where and when you took a photo, without reaching for pen and paper.

There are no in-camera video editing tools, which is unfortunate. We’d like to be able to clip off the jerky beginning and ending of a clip, and split clips into separate segments.

Direct Print Options (3.50)

The DPOF utility lets you create a print order file on a memory card you’re planning to bring to an outside service (or a DPOF-compatible printer). You can specify which pictures to print (up to 99), how many of each (up to 9) and whether or not you want the date and/or photo info imprinted. It’s basic, but at least it’s easy to follow.

When connecting via USB to a PictBridge-enabled printer, you gain the option to specify paper size, but none of the more advanced features found on other cameras, such as the option to have multiple images printed on a single sheet, and to generate index prints with thumbnail-sized images.