Outdoorkamera: Nikon Coolpix AW 120 in the test

Outdoorkameras like the Nikon Coolpix AW 120 can be seen first on the inside lens. The optics are well protected from dust, water and mechanical stress. The overall shape of the housing is designed for stability and robustness. For this purpose, Stiffening ribs – especially in the design variant camouflage you can see at first glance that this camera can withstand a lot. The processing of the camera is very good, the cover for the compartment with battery, connectors and memory card accurate. The encircling gasket is pressed tightly by the cover and closed with a 90 ° twist-lock and fuse.


Operation


The grip is less successful: apart from nine alibi mini studs at the thumb position, there is no slipping brake and at all, the approx. 220 gram heavy and 110 x 66 x 26 mm large bar does not give a secure holding feeling due to its shape and design. Especially the camera front is too smooth. The quality of the controls is very good, the buttons and their marking however small and so somewhat filigree to operate.


Menu


For cold, snow, rain, storm, sand and dirt, where sensitive adjustments on small buttons are rather difficult, the Nikon designers have donated an alternative operating concept: On the left side of the camera there is a button called "Action Control" . If this is activated, some settings must be made by camera movement. This is the right path for an outdo camera, especially since this function, which is transmitted by a motion sensor, now functions much more reliably than the predecessor type AW 110.


Also interesting is


The menu is extensive, but the division into the areas of recording, film sequence, WiFi options, position data options and system settings makes it clear. Direct access to exposure compensation, flash functions, self-timer and macro are available via the four-way button. A menu button opens a variety of special functions. In addition to the already mentioned Action Control button, you can also see the lavish GPS options: GPS, barometer 500 to 1100 hPa, altimeter from -300 to 4500 meters, depth gauge to 20 meters depth and electrical compass - everything is on board .


Conclusion


The 3-inch display with its 307,000 pixels makes a crisp image. All colors are rendered realistic and even at extreme angles brightness and color hardly change. The font size in the menu is pleasantly clear and large. The symbols are small but clearly recognizable. The display brightness is adjustable over five levels, the gradation being rather narrow.


The internal zoom has a focal range of 24 to 120 mm (KB) with a light intensity of 2.8 to 4.9 - so it is in the upper area for outdo cameras. An optical image stabilization is supposed to ensure shake-free shooting, a digital "Motion Detection" also corrects motion blurring. The 16 MP sensor in the standard 1 / 2.3 inch format dissolves at ISO 100 in the center of the image decent 1482 Lp / BH, but the edge waste is unusually high with around 600 Lp / BH. Unfortunately, this is not only unpleasant for test panel recordings. The AF module is really good: 0.15s in the wide angle and 0.3s in the tele are very good values.


An outdo camera with great equipment and a well-functioning "Action Control". The high loss of sharpness after the corners saddens the positive overall impression unfortunately.


Nikon Coolpix AW120