The New York Test!!!!!!!

I have written often about how handy the compact cameras are when you simply don’t want to be burdened with a big DSLR.  For the trip to New York this week, I hope to shoot some great images, so I thought, what a great place for a test of two great compacts; the P7100 (the new updated version of the killer P7000), and the new nifty and stylish Nikon 1.  On the Nikon 1 I will use the beautiful and compact 10mm (equivalent to 27mm) f 2.8 lens, its super sharp and the speed will allow some great available light situations.   The P7000 proved itself out west in 2010 and the new model has many great improvements so I’m anxious to try it out in a urban environment.  With the P7100’s 28-200 zoom it contains a complete lens system right in the camera!  Since both cameras shoot High Definition video (P7100 720P and the Nikon 1 1080P) I hope to also record some video segments.  To further make the test interesting I will forgo any kind of tripod and shoot everything hand-held, which should be greatly aided by the Vibration Reduction system built into both cameras.

I will post images from the show and “the city” each evening in the Pilgrim’s Chronicles blog.  If I have technical things to share I may post some work and info here in the Learning Center as well.

the pilgrim

End of trip, and test thoughts:

This is a very tough decision and I can’ actually declare an overall winner, both cameras excel at certain things.  For me I would lean to the P7100 simply because it’s included, built in, 28-200 covers so much range!  The Nikon 1 has lenses that will allow you to have even more range, but with them attached the camera is no longer compact.  For video and high speed shooting the Nikon 1 is the hands down winner.  For low light it also edges out the P7100 with the virtue of a larger sensor.   If you attach just the 10mm pancake type lens it is a joy to carry and use, until you need something longer than 27mms, then you long for one of the longer zooms or the P7100.   The cool white Nikon 1 makes a lot more of a fashion statement for sure.  Since I’ve spent very little time on the fashion show runway, that is not as important to me, but to some it is!!!

The bottom line is that these are both very capable cameras for travel and use when carrying a full size DSLR is just not  convenient.  For travelers that is lots of times.  Just to muddy the water even more, the P300 should have been included as it is a great camera when small is the key thing, and it’s 24mm wide end of it’s zoom is very nice when space gets tight.  If I am very, very concerned about getting killer images, I will have at least a small DSLR (D7000) and a couple of lenses.  I could travel with just the 12-24 and the 24-120 for the D7000 and do just about anything!!  Add a 77mm diopter for the 24-120 and a 70-300 VR and  I’m ready for anything, but then that won’t fit in your jacket pocket!!!!!!!!

So it’s time to go home, and maybe it’s a good thing!!      *See below