After seven years of waiting, Nikon has finally unveiled the Coolpix P1100, the highly anticipated successor to the P1000 which took the world by storm, namely for birders and photographers. This Nikon Coolpix P1100 review for birdwatching is done before its release in Malaysia, as there is no official news on when it will arrive here.

What makes this one of the most popular bridge cameras is its jaw-dropping 125x optical zoom lens, which Nikon calls the P1100 the “gold standard” in its class. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a birdwatcher, or just someone who loves capturing distant subjects, this camera promises to deliver unparalleled reach and versatility.

Nikon Coolpix P1100 Review for Birdwatching

The P1100 retains the familiar design of its predecessor, featuring an integrated lens and a slightly protruding front body. At 1,410g, it’s a little lighter than the P1000 (1,415g), making it slightly more portable without sacrificing performance. But the show’s real star is its 24-3000mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range, powered by a 16.79-megapixel 1/2.3-inch sensor.

The lens is a marvel of engineering, constructed with 17 elements in 12 groups, including five extra-low dispersion elements and one super extra-low dispersion element. This setup ensures exceptional image clarity, even at extreme zoom levels.

Unmatched Zoom Capabilities

The P1100’s 125x optical zoom is already super impressive, but Nikon has gone a step further by offering a 4x digital zoom option. This extends the equivalent focal length to a mind-blowing 12,000mm—perfect for capturing subjects that are really far away. However, Nikon does caution that using the digital zoom may result in some image quality degradation. For birders, this can spell disaster while handheld. So take note of this.

To help combat image blur caused by such extreme zoom ranges, Nikon has integrated Dual Detect Optical VR, which provides vibration reduction equivalent to 4.0 stops at the centre of the frame. This means sharper, clearer images even when fully zoomed in, which should please beginner birders or even those starting bird photography.

Designed for Birdwatchers and Wildlife Photographers

Nikon has clearly positioned the P1100 as a go-to camera for birdwatchers. The updated Bird Watching Mode now includes a selectable AF-area mode, allowing users to assign specific functions to the Fn1/Fn2 buttons on the optional ML-L7 Remote Control. This makes it easier to track and capture fast-moving wildlife with precision.

I believe that Nikon has been quietly listening to all the complaints from consumers for the last seven years since the P1000 was launched. Therefore, they took a lot into consideration and added whatever they could to the P1100. Well done, Nikon!

4K Video and Modern Connectivity

For those who love to do bird videos, the P1100 doesn’t disappoint as it supports 4K video recording at up to 30p, along with clean HDMI output for external recording. The 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD monitor ensures you can frame your shots from any angle, whether you’re shooting stills or video.

Nikon has also embraced modern connectivity with the inclusion of a USB-C port, making it easier to charge the camera and transfer files. But don’t forget that you also need a fast SD card to experience this fully.

Creative Features for Every Scenario Besides Bird Photography

The P1100 comes packed with features to spark your creativity. It includes built-in timelapse functionality and a new fireworks mode, which helps reduce overexposed highlights in long-exposure shots. Whether you’re capturing a stunning sunset, a bustling cityscape, or a dazzling fireworks display, this camera has you covered.

Nikon P1100 Pricing and Availability in Malaysia

The Nikon Coolpix P1100 is set to hit the shelves in the US by late February with a retail price of $1,100, and you can be sure that it will sell out really fast. Converting this into Malaysian Ringgit, we can expect the price to be around RM4,900.

Compared to other premium brand bridge cameras, the price it is going for is actually very affordable. And what’s more, for those who own a Nikon P950 or P1000, this is also an opportunity to upgrade without breaking the bank.

As for the availability of the Nikon P1100 in Malaysia, there is no official news as of writing this review and I can only assume that it should be in mid or late March. That is just a wild guess, but on the positive side, Nikon Malaysia has been actively promoting this on their social media accounts in February.

Snapshot of the Nikon Coolpix P1100 Features:

• 125x optical zoom (24-3000mm equivalent), extendable to 250x with Dynamic Fine Zoom.
• Dual Detect Optical VR for effective vibration reduction, ensuring clear handheld shots even at extreme zoom.
• 4K UHD/30p movie recording for stunning video capture at super-telephoto range.
• Birdwatching & Moon modes are accessible directly via the mode dial.
• Super ED and ED lens elements for superior image quality across the zoom range.
• Weight at 1.4 KG or 3.1 lbs, offering easy portability despite its massive zoom.
• Fireworks scene mode reduces blown-out highlights for clear long-exposure shots.

Additional Features:

• Focus mode selector and control ring for fine-tuning settings like white balance and manual focus.
• Bluetooth remote control via the optional ML-L7 remote, customizable Fn button functions.
• 3.2-inch TFT LCD Vari-angle monitor for easy composition from various angles.
• RAW (.NRW) format support and COOLPIX Picture Control for flexible post-processing.
• Superlapse and time-lapse movie recording options.
• Clean HDMI output for external monitor recording without on-screen info.
• USB Type-C input/output and compatibility with DF-M1 Dot Sight for easier telephoto shooting.

For more information on this fantastic camera, visit the official Nikon USA website, as they have a detailed write-up about most of its features, but in general.

And just for old times’ sake, read my Nikon P900 review, which I did back in 2015 when it first came out in Malaysia, and I was one of the first people to own it. Eventually, I sold it off because I wanted to focus more on bird photography and went for a mirrorless camera.

Conclusion

The Nikon Coolpix P1100 is a powerhouse camera, offering extreme telephoto capabilities in a relatively compact package. Its 125x optical zoom, advanced vibration reduction, and bird-watching-friendly features make it a dream come true for anyone who loves capturing distant subjects.

Stay tuned for its release, and get ready to zoom in like never before with this bridge camera. Thank you for dropping by my Nikon Coolpix P1100 review for birdwatching. Again, apart from birds, you can also use this for wildlife. Again, your comments and feedback about this camera are welcome.