Introduction
The Nikon Coolpix A was released in 2013, and it was Nikon’s first compact digital camera with an APS-C sensor. Weighing a mere 299 grams, it is the only other APS-C sensor (or larger) camera besides Ricoh’s GR series to be able to slip in a trouser pocket. Unlike the Ricoh GR cameras, though, it brings a lot more style, surely fitting the bill as a vanity camera.
I acquired a Silver Coolpix A in 2021 and I’ve used it off and on since. Here’s a review of the Nikon Coolpix A in 2025.
Fujifilm X100V Dwarfs the Coolpix A
Build Quality
Honestly, it’s hard for me to overstate how much I love the design of the Coolpix A. The warm silver version I have is particularly striking, with a brushed metal finish that looks fantastic. The diamond shaped knurling on the mode and command dials is precise. There is very fine bevelling and grooving on the buttons that shows that the Coolpix A was meant to be worn as a fashion accessory as much as being used as a camera. There are also quaint little features like an actual AF lock LED at the back, alongside a Flash Ready LED. The pop-up flash is merely ornamental, but hey, there’s also a CLS compatible hot shoe up top!
Behold the Beauty
Despite its diminutive size and low weight, the Coolpix A doesn’t feel flimsy. The buttons are tactile and responsive, and the dials have a definitive click. The lens barely protrudes from the body when the camera is off and the broad bevels around the lens make it easy to slide in and out of a pocket. This is unlike the sharp edged RX100 series lenses, which catch on the edge of a pocket, making it difficult to stash the camera quickly.
It’s a shame that when the camera was launched, all I could see was the price that didn’t scale down in proportion to the size. Little did I know back then that it’s much harder to make a small camera that performs well.
Handling and Performance
Sunset
The camera comes with dedicated ISO, EV Comp and i-Menu buttons among the total of 10, including a programmable Function button in the front. While shooting, I don’t feel like I’m missing any controls.
The front grip bar on the camera works well with the rubberised thumb rest at the back. However, for one-handed operation it is best to get a wrist strap attached to the right hook. As is usual for Nikon, the ergonomics are well sorted out. However, coming from more recent Nikons, some of the controls are definitely out-dated. For example, you can’t push the OK button to zoom in on a photo in playback mode. I also wish the camera had a tilting screen… and a viewfinder? But then it wouldn’t be as small as it is.
The most surprising thing about the Coolpix A is its speed. The lens actuation is fast. The autofocus, considering it is pure Contrast Detect AF without any Phase Detect speed boost, is still plenty fast. More importantly, the AF is confident. I have had more misses with a Nikon Z30 than with this camera! Although I’m cheating a bit by comparing its AF-S performance with Z30’s AF-C. But then again, we have 12 years of technology between the two cameras and its autofocus is not something that would put me off from using it.
Dusk Take-Off from CGK
The AF speed drops when Macro mode is engaged, though. I once put the camera away for a long time thinking that it’s bad performer because I had left it in Macro mode.
There are also some age-related niggles that make it a bit cumbersome in terms of workflow. It’s obviously not compatible with SnapBridge, being older than the app. The SD card gets formatted as “UNTITLED” so you won’t know which camera it came from. And the model name in the EXIF data is “COOLPIXA”. Seriously, Nikon?
The Lens
The 18.5mm ƒ/2.8 lens on the Coolpix A offers a 28mm equivalent field of view, which is the best focal length in my opinion. Wide open, the lens is not as sharp as contemporary lenses, but it is sharp enough to trigger moire on its 16MP sensor, except when shot wide open. The contrast is great, matching the Nikon house look. Another plus is the low distortion, which is surprising for such a small lens.
View from the 52nd Floor
The only problem I have with the lens is its coma, which makes point light sources in the corners look somewhat weird.
Image Quality
Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall
Unfortunately, the age of the camera shows when it comes to image quality. The D7000 era dynamic range is not anywhere close to that of a D7200. This is also the generation of Nikon sensor that was infamous for turning people’s faces orange. It just seems to clip the red channel too readily. The image processor in the camera is an Expeed 2, a whole 5 generations behind the one in the latest Z cameras. This processor does not handle auto white balance and metering as well as the newer ones.
All that said, it’s still an APS-C camera, and the resulting images have the distinctive large sensor look. Essentially, the camera has what it takes to make great photos, but you have to take control to realise its potential.
Conclusion
If Nikon could foresee what happened with the X100 series and the Ricoh GR series, perhaps they would have iterated the Coolpix A further. I can’t help but wanting to shoot with a version of Coolpix A powered by the amazing 20MP sensor and the Expeed 7 chip inside a Z50 Mark II.
Nikon Coolpix A
