Features
The Nikon Coolpix P310, which replaces the P300, has a 16.2-million-pixel backlit CMOS sensor rather than the 12.2-million-pixel CMOS unit of the P300. The new sensor should improve performance in low light.
Unlike the Canon PowerShot S100, which uses a 12.1-million-pixel, 1/1.7in (approx 7.6×5.7mm) sensor, the P310 has a smaller, more conventional 1/2.3in (approx 6.7×4.55mm) unit.
Sensitivity has been increased, with the P310 having a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-3200 and an extended high setting of ISO 6400, which is 1EV over that of the P300. However, the camera’s key feature is a 4.3mm-17.9mm f/1.8-4.9, 4.2x lens, which is the equivalent of a 24-100mm lens on a 35mm or full-frame camera. Having an f/1.8 maximum aperture helps the camera’s performance in low light, but does little to provide the implied shallow depth of field due to the comparatively small size of the sensor.
There is a full complement of exposure modes, including aperture and shutter priority and manual exposure, as well as scene modes, including a backlit option that creates an in-camera HDR image. A customisable user settings mode is also available via the camera’s program dial.
Other new features include the addition of an interval-shooting timer that is useful for time-lapse photography, a pre-shooting continuous mode and 3D shooting.
