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Nikon W300 Comparison Review

The Nikon Coolpix W300 is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in May 2017 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 15.9 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon W300 a good camera? The W300 has a Camera Elo of 2077. This rating puts the W300 among the top 40 percent of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the W300 ranks among the top 30 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Nikon W300
Fixed lens compact camera
24-120mm f/2.8-4.9
15.9 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
4K/30p Video
ISO 125 - 1 600 (125 - 6 400)
no viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
7 shutter flaps per second
Waterproof body (30m)
280 shots per battery charge
112 x 66 x 29 mm, 231 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 W300 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon W300 vs credit card front
W300 versus credit card top view
W300 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon W300 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 W300 112 mm 66 mm 29 mm 231 g 280 Y May 2017 389 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon B600 122 mm 82 mm 99 mm 500 g 280 n Jan 2019 349ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon A1000 114 mm 72 mm 41 mm 330 g 250 n Jan 2019 429ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon P1000 146 mm 119 mm 181 mm 1415 g 250 n Jul 2018 999 amazon.com
5.
 
Olympus TG-5 113 mm 66 mm 32 mm 250 g 340 Y May 2017 449ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic TS7 117 mm 76 mm 37 mm 319 g 300 Y May 2018 449ebay.com
7.
 
Ricoh WG-60 123 mm 62 mm 30 mm 193 g 300 Y Oct 2018 279ebay.com
8.
 
Sony HX99 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 449ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX95 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 429ebay.com
10.
 
Sony WX800 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 233 g 370 n Oct 2018 399ebay.com
11.
 
Sony HX80 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 390 n Mar 2016 349ebay.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 W300 was launched in the US market at a price of $389. 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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Check W300 price at
amazon.com

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. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Nikon W300 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon W300 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Nikon W300 sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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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 W300 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.512.093850
2.
 
Nikon B600 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.712.2109552
3.
 
Nikon A1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.712.2109552
4.
 
Nikon P1000 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.612.1104451
5.
 
Olympus TG-5 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30004K/30p20.511.993450
6.
 
Panasonic TS7 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1102851
7.
 
Ricoh WG-60 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.612.2107251
8.
 
Sony HX99 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105851
9.
 
Sony HX95 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105751
10.
 
Sony WX800 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.2107051
11.
 
Sony HX80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.411.882248
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The W300 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the W300 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Nikon W300 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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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 W300none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Nikon B600none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
3.
 
Nikon A10001166 n3.0 / 1036 tilting Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Nikon P10002359 n3.2 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Olympus TG-5none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/2000s 20.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Panasonic TS71170 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/1300s 10.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Ricoh WG-60none n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Sony HX99638 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony HX95638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony WX800none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony HX80638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One convenient feature of the W300 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 W300 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 W300-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Nikon B600-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Nikon A1000-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Nikon P1000Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Olympus TG-5-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Panasonic TS7-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Ricoh WG-60-mono / mono--micro2.0---
8.
 
Sony HX99-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
9.
 
Sony HX95-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
10.
 
Sony WX800-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony HX80-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the W300 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The W300 has a zoom lens built in (4.3-21.5mm f/2.8-4.9), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 120mm. 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 W300 can be found in the free online Nikon W300 Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the W300 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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 W300..+....4/54/5 May 2017 389 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon B600..+....3.5/53/5 Jan 2019 349ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon A1000..+ +3.5/5..3.5/53/5 Jan 2019 429ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon P1000..+3.5/573/1003.5/53.5/5 Jul 2018 999 amazon.com
5.
 
Olympus TG-5..+ +4.5/5..4/54/5 May 2017 449ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic TS7..+......3.5/5 May 2018 449ebay.com
7.
 
Ricoh WG-60............ Oct 2018 279ebay.com
8.
 
Sony HX99........4/54.5/5 Aug 2018 449ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX95............ Aug 2018 429ebay.com
10.
 
Sony WX800............ Oct 2018 399ebay.com
11.
 
Sony HX80............ Mar 2016 349ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods 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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Check W300 price at
amazon.com

Nikon W300 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the W300.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Nikon W300?

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

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon W300?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 1600.

Does the Nikon W300 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 W300 use?

The camera gets its power from the EN-EL12 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Does the Nikon W300 support geotagging?

The W300 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) module and can embed location information in the EXIF data of the captured image.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon W300
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-120mm f/2.8-4.9
    Launch Date May 2017
    Launch Price USD 389
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 608 x 3 456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 1 600 ISO
    ISO Boost 125 - 6 400 ISO
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type No viewfinder
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    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 no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWaterproof body (30m)
    Battery Type EN-EL12 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)280 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 112 x 66 x 29 mm
    (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.1 in)
    Camera Weight 231 g (8.1 oz)

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