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Nikon P7800 Comparison Review

The Nikon Coolpix P7800 is a fixed lens compact camera that was officially introduced in September 2013 and is equipped with a 1/1.7-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 12 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon P7800 a good camera? The P7800 has a Camera Elo of 1732. This rating puts the P7800 below average of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the P7800 ranks among the top 50 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Nikon P7800
Fixed lens compact camera
28-200mm f/2.0-4.0
12 MP, 1/1.7" Sensor
1080/30p Video
ISO 80 - 3 200 (80 - 6 400)
Electronic viewfinder (921k dots)
3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
8 shutter flaps per second
350 shots per battery charge
119 x 78 x 50 mm, 399 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Nikon P7800 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon P7800 vs credit card front
P7800 versus credit card top view
P7800 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon P7800 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon P7800 119 mm 78 mm 50 mm 399 g 350 n Sep 2013 549ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G16 109 mm 76 mm 40 mm 356 g 360 n Aug 2013 549ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G15 107 mm 76 mm 40 mm 352 g 350 n Sep 2012 499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G12 112 mm 76 mm 48 mm 401 g 370 n Sep 2010 499ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X30 119 mm 72 mm 60 mm 423 g 470 n Aug 2014 599ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X20 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 353 g 270 n Jan 2013 599ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X10 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 350 g 270 n Sep 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus Stylus 1 116 mm 87 mm 57 mm 402 g 410 n Oct 2013 699ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic LF1 103 mm 62 mm 28 mm 192 g 250 n Apr 2013 499ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic LX7 111 mm 68 mm 46 mm 298 g 330 n Jul 2012 499ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax MX-1 122 mm 61 mm 51 mm 391 g 290 n Jan 2013 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon P7800 was launched in the US market at a price of $549. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Nikon P7800 features a 1/1.7-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 4.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon P7800 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Nikon P7800 sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon P7800 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/30p21.211.720054
2.
 
Canon G16 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.011.723054
3.
 
Canon G15 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.911.516546
4.
 
Canon G12 1/1.7 10.0 3648 2736720/24p20.411.216147
5.
 
Fujifilm X30 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.411.2-31249
6.
 
Fujifilm X20 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.110.9-46246
7.
 
Fujifilm X10 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/30p20.511.324550
8.
 
Olympus Stylus 1 1/1.7 11.8 3968 29761080/30p20.711.617951
9.
 
Panasonic LF1 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60i20.811.621152
10.
 
Panasonic LX7 1/1.7 10.0 3648 27361080/60p20.711.714750
11.
 
Pentax MX-1 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/30p20.411.320849
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The P7800 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the P7800 can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon P7800 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon P7800921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon G16optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.2/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G15optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.1/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon G12optical n2.8 / 461 swivel n 1/4000s 1.1/s Y Y
5.
 
Fujifilm X302360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X20optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Fujifilm X10optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Olympus Stylus 11440 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 7.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Panasonic LF1200 n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Panasonic LX7optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Pentax MX-1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/8000s 1.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Nikon Coolpix P7800 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the P7800

One convenient feature of the P7800 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon Coolpix P7800 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon P7800Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon G16Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon G15Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon G12Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Fujifilm X30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Fujifilm X20Ystereo / mono--micro2.0---
7.
 
Fujifilm X10Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Olympus Stylus 1Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Panasonic LF1-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
10.
 
Panasonic LX7Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Pentax MX-1-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
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It is notable that the P7800 has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

The P7800 has a zoom lens built in (6.0-42.8mm f/2.0-4.0), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 28 to 200mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the P7800 can be found in the free online Nikon P7800 Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the P7800 handle or perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why expert reviews are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon P78003/5......4/54.5/5 Sep 2013 549ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G164/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 549ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G154/5+..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G124/5+..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 499ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X304/5....76/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2014 599ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X204/5+ +..77/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 599ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X10......76/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus Stylus 1..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 699ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic LF13/5+....4/54.5/5 Apr 2013 499ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic LX73/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2012 499ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax MX-13/5....74/1004/54/5 Jan 2013 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Nikon P7800 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the P7800.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Nikon P7800?

The camera is build around a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon P7800?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200.

Does the Nikon P7800 have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the P7800 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Nikon P7800?

No, the Nikon Coolpix P7800 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Does the Nikon P7800 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Which battery does the Nikon P7800 use?

The camera gets its power from the EN-EL14 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon P7800
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 28-200mm f/2.0-4.0
    Launch Date September 2013
    Launch Price USD 549
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/1.7" Sensor
    Sensor Size 7.6 x 5.7 mm
    Sensor Area 43 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 9.5 mm
    Crop Factor 4.5x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 000 x 3 000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.89 μm
    Pixel Density 27.70 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 3 200 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 6 400 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 54
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.2
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 200
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 921k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type EN-EL14 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 119 x 78 x 50 mm
    (4.7 x 3.1 x 2.0 in)
    Camera Weight 399 g (14.1 oz)

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