Nikon Coolpix P330 Hands-on Preview: Digital Photography Review

Body & Design

Available in black and white, the P330 is a near-twin to its predecessor the P310. Although it won't fit into the pockets of slender jeans, it's small enough to fit into a shirt or pants pocket. There's no grip to speak of, although a small ridge running vertically on the front panel and a rubberized thumb rest on the back mean that it's easy to hold firmly one-handed.

Like most compact cameras, the P330 lacks an optical viewfinder but its 3-inch, 921,000 dot LCD serves for image composition and review. The P330 differs from its big brother the P7700 in many ways, but significantly, it lacks a hotshoe, and its built-in flash cannot be used as a controller for external flashguns. This also distinguishes it from larger peers like the Fujifilm X20, Olympus XZ-2 and Panasonic LX7, all of which feature faster lenses, hotshoes, and in the case of the X20, a built-in optical viewfinder, too. The P330, like Canon's S110, sacrifices some of this versatility for reduced size and weight.


Like its predecessor the P310, the P330 is solid and well-built, and with its lens retracted, small enough to fit inside a shirt pocket. Although it features a fairly conventional control layout, the large top-mounted command dial is well-placed for manual adjustment of exposure parameters. We do wish the P330 had a front-mounted dial though, like the Canon PowerShot S110, Olympus XZ-2 and Panasonic LX7.

Like its predecessor the P310, the P330 is solid and well-built, and with its lens retracted, small enough to fit inside a shirt pocket. Although it features a fairly conventional control layout, the large top-mounted command dial is well-placed for manual adjustment of exposure parameters. We do wish the P330 had a front-mounted dial though, like the Canon PowerShot S110, Olympus XZ-2 and Panasonic LX7.

The P330's control logic is the same as that of the P310, with two control dials located on the top plate and rear of the camera for adjusting key exposure parameters. Unlike its main competitor the Canon PowerShot S110, the P330 does not offer a front-mounted control dial. This is a shame, since we've found that performing some actions - particularly aperture and exposure compensation - feel very natural using a control point in this position.

Body Elements

	The P330's tiny built-in flash is activated with a mechanical catch and springs up from the camera's top-plate, providing enough power for relatively close-range portraits and 'fill in' when shooting outdoors.
	On the front of the P330 you'll find a tiny Fn button, positioned within easy reach of your forefinger to the lower right of the lens. The button can be programmed to provide access to one of a number of options including image quality, Picture Control, white balance, metering, and ISO, among others.
	A traditional exposure mode dial on the P330's top plate provides access to PASM exposure mode, as well as a user-configurable 'U' setting, full auto (shown as a green camera icon) Scene modes and Night Landscape mode.
	This view shows the P330's integrated zoom control and shutter button. Behind it and to the right you'll see one of the P330's two command dials, used for setting exposure parameters.
	And here's the second one, positioned on the rear of the camera. Both dials are controlled with the thumb of your right hand, and by default, the rear dial controls aperture in the PASM modes and the upper dial controls shutter speed, but their functions can be swapped if you desire.
	The P330 doesn't have much of a hand-grip, but this rubber accent on the upper-right of the camera's rear helps keep a firm hold when the camera is used one-handed. To its left you can see a flash confirmation light and the movie record button. The five vertical holes conceal the P330's tiny speaker, for audio alerts and video playback.
	The P330's EN-EL12 battery and memory card share a compartment on the bottom of the camera, hidden behind a lockable door next to the tripod socket.

Comments

Total comments: 82

Nikon Coolpix p330 An overall review

Comment edited 43 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Nikon Coolpix p330 An overall review
The Nikon Coolpix p330 is a 12.2 megapixel camera to capture your memories forever. It is a high
toptenfact.com

Comment edited 21 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Unless the Canon will improve on its S115 or120, the Nikon P330 will definitely take the S110 market regardless of the price and image quality.

0 upvotes

Don't know why it would "feel more natural" as DPR states to change aperture or EV compensation with a ring around the lens as unlike a DSLR where you are actually holding the lens in your left hand, on a compact there is virtually no reason to have your hand anywhere near the tiny retractable lens.

1 upvote

Looking at the P330 manual, I just realized that it has a command dial (the knurled dial next to the shutter button which will be in easy reach with your thumb). This is even more reason why the lens ring is not needed.

A camera like the S110 or XZ-1 doesn't have a command dial under your thumb so it relies on the four-way controller and the ring around the lens.

1 upvote

In fact, thumb wheel is MORE natural than the lens ring.

In a DSLR, we use touch the lens ring for ZOOM.
For all the other controls, we prefer using thumbs and finger wheels to control Ev, Aperture, Shutter, ISO.

0 upvotes

Finally P300-like model with manual focus.

0 upvotes

Cool camera. But I can't help but think that the lens is just not fast enough to be really exciting. Why not a 1.8 and make it awesome. Also, it should manually extend to make the camera super fast on startup.
But cool. I am a big fan of the Ricoh GRD line. But it lacks a kick ass sensor. This has that, but Nikon needs to go further.

0 upvotes

actually there is no need to compare sensor sizes any more as we have the equiv. *f-number* vs equiv. focal length chart, that nothing special will happen when the sensor size changes (well they are included in the chart already).

when people say "small sensor" they usually mean higher noise level and deeper depth of field, but these really have nothing to do with the sensor size. the real reason is the lenses on these "small sensor" cameras got small apertures (we do have problem to make large aperture lenses for too small sensors).

I'd like to see a beautiful chart to include all the lenses from mobile phones to mid-format, just like the one used by DxOMark sensor tests.

and please do delete the words "for depth-of-field purposes" which we do not need. that every effect controlled by aperture will be exactly the same as on a 35mm format camera with no exception.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 10 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

It seems to make sense that they include that text- otherwise, you get people thinking that f/1.8 gathers more light (and allows a faster shutter speed) on a 1" sensor vs a 1/1.7" sensor. That's a conversation I've seen in threads here many times.

0 upvotes

"and please do delete the words "for depth-of-field purposes" which we do not need. that every effect controlled by aperture will be exactly the same as on a 35mm format camera with no exception."

Wrong. Smaller sensors are usually made on better technology compared to large sensors, so image quality parameters (noise etc) don't fall anywhere as fast as sensor areas suggest (simply because the larger sensors made on old technologies cannot utilize the light they get as efficiently). To the point that sometimes smaller sensors are actually better.

0 upvotes

Hmm, I don't understand the sense of this digicam category (like S110), given the latest fast-lens offerings.
If one wants better low light perfromance/IQ - why not make a real step to faster lenses, like XZ-1/2 or G15? These also fit well into a jacket pocket.

If smaller, lighter and cheaper variants of 1/1,7" sensors make sense, then it would be with more zoom range, i.e. 28-200 but smaller aperture as the P-7700.

BTW I am currently discovering Marseille with a Canon A720 that I got at ebay after having sold an A710 there years ago :)
The IQ is really good (8 Mpx), it offers 35-210 zoom range AND an optical viewfinder AND fits into a pocket.
Pfff...

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

why a 1/1.7" and an APS-C compacts?
why not Nikon 1 inch type senor?

0 upvotes

I think CX is a brilliant word for "compact". I used to think that 1/1.7" was a good one but now I would like to see 1/2.3" for super-zooms and 1" for image quality (can be very compact with primes or moderate zooms, and CX itself can die).

for compacts the real issue is the size of the lenses, that if we don't want large aperture lenses, we won't need large sensors, either. we can have 24-120/4 equiv. for CX (8.8-44/1.5) which will beat the current APS-C but too big to be called compact.

0 upvotes

At least they are back in the game, even if they copied Canon...I will consider buying Nikon again,(after five years) I don't know what the heck they are doing there....

1 upvote

I'm really glad about this addition to the camera market!

While I don't understand the reviewer's statement:
"The P330 (left) is exactly the same size as the P310, which is pretty impressive, given the increased dimensions of its sensor"

It's finally quite exactly the same lens and sensor specs that Canon puts in the Powershot S series since years, and those are even a bit slimmer. I certainly won'T exchange 2.0 against 1.8 or 5.9 for 5.6 given the S110's body is 5mm slimmer. The aperture difference would have to be bigger to get me excited.

3 upvotes

The reviewer's only talking about how Nikon managed to fit the 1/1.7" sensor in the exact same body as the P310, which had a 1/2.3" sensor. His statement has nothing to do with the Canon S110, but clearly Canon was able to achieve such a small camera by using the slower f2-5.9 lens.

Personally if IQ matches the P7700 I'd take this over the Canon any day.

1 upvote

Could be my next purchase, I hope there will be a complete review soon :)

2 upvotes

Yes, it looks very nice, and the sample images (see Letsgodigital) look wonderful, with similar high IQ to the excellent P7700.

It beats the Canon S110 on specs in nearly every area, and is not too expensive. Good job.

1 upvote

Unless 4 second delays between the P7700's RAW capture amounts to excellence...

Canon has always been miles ahead in the lucrative compact camera arena... and i doubt this trend is likely to change anytime in the near future...

It may marginally be ahead in certain areas... but can it beat the S110 for image quality...? The G15 was always superior to the P7700 for pure IQ... in both RAW & JPEG

0 upvotes

The G15 and S110 do not have better IQ than the P7700. All you need to do is look at DxOMark sensor ratings to see the P7700 has the best IQ performance of ALL 1/1.7" compacts due to it's superior high ISO, color depth and DR.

If that's Canon being "miles ahead" perhaps we don't have the same definition of the term.

0 upvotes

Does someone have the Aperture vs focal length chart? It would be a very useful information. I'd like to know how bright the lens is at 35mm & 50mm ;)

Comment edited 10 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

That is an awesome question ...read the article, look at the pictures ...especially the one of the Aperture vs focal length chart.

2 upvotes

I'm talkin about the REAL aperture, not the eq. aperture. Sure you can do aperture=eq. aperturt/crop factor from the graph, but it's not very accurate.

0 upvotes

the equiv. aperture chart is a good tool to understand the lenses' performance, to compare them on the level ground.

the only fly in the ointment is that dpreview says "for depth-of-field purposes." while this statement is correct, it gives a wrong message that there may be some other effects that will be different.

acturally there is none that's controlled by the aperture can be different. they are all the same because the aperture sizes are the same (the diameter, not f-number).

0 upvotes

Looks like my next pocket camera!

1 upvote

Apart from a slightly wider zoom range and lower price (which may not last long), I cannot see where this P330 is better than the Olympus XZ-2 : faster tele end, optional (good) EVF, adapter tube for hood and filters, tele converter, articulated LCD, hot shoe, better battery life,...
Same advantages on the XZ-1, but the XZ-1 has a 10MP-only CCD sensor (no BSI-CMOS) with lower high ISO performance and lower frame rate.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

The P330 is MUCH thinner and weights 150g less.
http://camerasize.com/compare/#386,446

Comment edited 9 seconds after posting

1 upvote

Perhaps you should've written Olympus XZ-10

1 upvote

Looks just like a copy of Olympus XZ-1, Nikon has no imagination and keeps copying other camera makers. They all do it anyway.

0 upvotes

It looks nothing like the XZ-1, but is a update on the P300 (and P310) which was released at Winter 2011 just like the XZ-1.

XZ-1 uses a lens cap, has a hot shoe, is larger, and really not similar to this camera very much at all.

2 upvotes

Oly XZs are good cameras among many others. some may be better, some may be not. no big deal this is a heated battle ground.

0 upvotes

no viewfinder

2 upvotes

Well, duh. No remote shutter port, lens mount, 1.4 aperture, or 20x zoom either.

9 upvotes

think the iPad style is cool.

0 upvotes

Too little, too late I think.
Same sensor as a few of it's rivals, and disappointing battery life.
What's it gonna take to get back up above 400 shots in a compact ?

0 upvotes

I can't see much point in this. Almost exactly the same camera as the Canon S110 which was introduced in 9/2012... Just in Nikon brand. S110 already has similarly specced lens, similar size and RAW capture.

Comment edited 29 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

The point is that Nikon might have a chance of stealing some sales. From the consumer's point of view this is good news, since it should make this market segment more competitive.

2 upvotes

Canon S100/S110 has some major focus issues, I will buy this Nikon and replace my Canon S100 as my pocket camera... or maybe the Olympus XZ-10, after reading some reviews...

1 upvote

Yes, for sure competition is always good, even though the Canon is pretty reasonably priced already. And I'm happy to see that several manufacturers see this type of camera as an interesting product. But I would have liked to see Nikon improve the concept in some way. But I guess that's up to Canon in the next iteration of the S1xx series to differentiate from Nikon :)

0 upvotes

"Almost exactly the same camera as the Canon S110 which was introduced in 9/2012"

Actually, it is more like Canon S100 introduced in 2011... S110 has WiFi instead of GPS, being practically identical otherwise.

Of course most people use the cameras while traveling, and recording picture location is a useful feature, while accessible WiFi is unavailable. And when they get back home where WiFi is available, SD card reader (which is built-in into any PC now) works much faster than any WiFi and does not consume the camera's battery.

0 upvotes

i have found out a non-official feature in this camera. if you want to apply a fade-in transition effect to a video while recording, just zoom in.

0 upvotes

You forgot to mention you have to shot in Manual mode...

0 upvotes

I have a D600 for work (defense contractor; product shots and PR stuff), and use my P7700 constantly for snaps. I love it. It is the P-series I've always wanted and waited patiently for. If this is functionally a smaller P7700 (for snaps), I'll buy a refurb or used one to use in circumstances a truly pocketable camera arise.

0 upvotes

It would have been nice to see a picture of the P330 alongside the Canon S-110 to get an idea of their respective size comparisons.

1 upvote

Considering that the P330 is identical in size and shape to the P310 and P300, you could look at one of the many size comparisons that have already come. I'll leave the Googling to you, but this might be enough:

http://j.mp/YuhwLg

1 upvote

I hope the video issues that I've seen on 7700 and P9000 series are fixed. AF/AE is totally unacceptable on those units.

0 upvotes

Pointless camera.
RX100 is way ahead.

Canon and Nikon compatcs are outdated.
By a good margin.

2 upvotes

It's almost half the price of the RX100.

3 upvotes

Not here, in Italy.
I've bought the Sony for 485 €.
The Nikon will ship for 350 €.

0 upvotes

Then I agree, the Nikon is overpriced in Italy. Here it's $649 versus $379.

1 upvote

The RX100 was listed for €650. Like-wise, you will likely see the Nikon to be discounted soon after launch. The P300 was discounted heavily (by 25+%) within a couple of months of launch here in US.

I think the P330 will give Olympus XZ-10 a run for its money given that they have similar size and price.

1 upvote

24mm I miss so much in my rx100, otherwise it's the perfect camera

1 upvote

It is what it is. I'd probably be shooting it at the wide end (24mm is a good thing) and having f/1.8 at that point is also a good thing. Raw is a good thing. Tiny size is a good thing. No hot shoe, well, you can't have everything.

If it takes the same pics as the P7700 (more or less, since they share the same sensor) it would be a fantastic "pocketable" camera to have for owners of other Nikon cameras.

If I need a hot shoe and a viewfinder I can take my D5100.

3 upvotes

It's incorrect to say something can never be done. However, this is not yet bringing pocket cameras into serious consideration. This size sensor does not bring state of the art quality to the table yet. We have entered an age; where ISO 1600 needs to be very clean, and 3200 on it's tales. Currently, that seems to be M3/4 size sensors, and should improve. The compromise is too great; at least for high quality results, in all but ideal conditions. That, is yesterdays news, and I don't mean to disrespect the hard work put into the good improvements. Yet, if they are not in total balance, what is the point? Hey! Look at my amazingly tiny, and controllable, bad picture taker.

It's a great chart. "Equivalent Aperture" is incorrect. There is no such thing. It is your location change (given the same F-Stop), due to a different, and cropped angle of view, that effects the thinness of your DOF, and then there's also many qualities of Bokeh to be considered, for portraiture. F-Stop is F-Stop.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 14 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

So, why not call it thinness of DOF, instead of Aperture equivalents? I understand, that stating it in F-Stops, as if on 35mm sized, full frame sensors, and that thinness of dept of field, might be memory for some; but not everyone will get that. Here, a picture is worth a thousand words. Why not state the DOF ranges, in distance, to show thinness, as desirable; instead of F-Stops? Not to mention, at some point, it can become too thin, for comfort (focusing).

0 upvotes

I don't understand the point being made by the cribbers.
Nikon has given something that all Canon Powershot S fanboi always harped about: 1/1.7" sensor and RAW.

I can already see this become a Canon S series killer ... lets hope the idiotic herd opinion of "canon compact better than nikon compact" dies.

2 upvotes

Nikon has had a 1/1.7" sensor and RAW for years with the P series like the P7000, P7100 and now the class leading P7700.

If this camera has the same IQ as the P7700, I'd take it over the S110 any day, just like I'd take the P7700 over the G15. It's all about the IQ for me.

0 upvotes

The design is based on the ability to fit in a pocket, it's surprising reading the complaints about lens speed in this regard.

Even so, it is still doing better in equivalent aperture than the previous champion in this size class. Nikon is late to the party for sure, but this is directly comparable to the Canon S series and for not bad money.
You want a faster lens compact? then there's always the slightly larger class like the LX7.

It won't fit in your pocket though.

3 upvotes

Those complaints are likely from users familiar with the RX100. The difference in thickness is only 4mm (32mm vs. 36mm), but the Sony has a much faster lens and bigger sensor, and it most certainly does fit in your pocket. Not exactly a fair comparison given the difference in price, but the form factor is nearly the same. The Canon S series is still the slimmest at 27mm thick for the S110.

0 upvotes

Hmmm... well have a look at the Oly XZ-10 that is coming soon. Same 5x zoom, but 1.8- 2.7. It also has function ring around the lens and touch screen, only downside is the 1/2.3" sensor. Overall camera looks the same size a P 330

0 upvotes

" but the Sony has a much faster lens and bigger sensor,"

But no 24mm or GPS.

2 upvotes

"But no 24mm or GPS."

Well, duh. Then just get the Canon or the Nikon?

0 upvotes

I don't know what Nikon's thinking with the slow lens speeds on these new premium Coolpix models. In the final analysis this may be their only major downside, but it's a big one.

0 upvotes

Sony likes this item.

Also, seeing Nikon's and Olympus' offerings in the lower-end of their enthusiast camera offerings, I realize how Canon's S100 is the camera that has aged better in the whole digital photography history. Being the best choice at its price range two years after its initial release is no small feat!

2 upvotes

People tend to ignore the video aspect. Who wants 24fps as the only 1080 option? Yeah, no one.

0 upvotes

"People tend to ignore the video aspect. Who wants 24fps as the only 1080 option? Yeah, no one."

Exactly, Canon's definitely lagging in this respect.

Nevertheless, it still remains to be seen whether the actual 1080p video resolution of the P330 is any good. That of the P300 was REALLY bad and was only a little bit higher than the 720p mode of the same camera - and waaaay worse than that of, say, the iPhone 4S / 5 or the Nokia 808.

1 upvote

Can't say I care. Cameras this size are far from ideal camcorder replacements. Too hard to hold steady, hard to zoom smoothly (not hard - impossible), and no good indoors. 24fps really isn't bad, and for casual use I'd find it just fine. Sure, others are better at serious video work, but this is very good for what it's designed for, vacation pictures and casual social snapshots, and their video equivalents.

0 upvotes

Well it's nothing exciting, but nice to have an alternative to the Canon S series. I'm still partial to Canon color, but Nikon usually puts out better lenses.

2 upvotes

Two years late but on the track again...Nikon finally makes great products, makes me wonder if they got new management or not enough money from sales...

1 upvote

I have P300 and I am super happy with it. I didn't think P310 was an upgrade so I was waiting and waiting for this camera... but the lens kind of disappoints. Here is here dilemma.. this or the new Oly XZ-10. Oly has a smaller sensor, but a much better lens, focus/function ring and a touch screen. Same price. Which to get? Any opinions?

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Canon S100 for $250 new.

5 upvotes

just wait for the reviews ... the XZ-10 sensor might be close in performance to the one from S110 and P330. If the XZ-10 lens is as good optically as the one on XZ-1/2 it could be a winner. But with the larger zoom range and lower price level, that remains to be seen.

I ditched the S110 because it needs too much in-camera processing to compensate for the very compact lens (just like RX100). Probably the P330 is a bit better optically, and I guess the XZ-10 needs even less internal processing - which usually means more even images across the frame.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

I too have the same dilemma...
Tottally agree with user technic, the S100 takes too long to process, lets see what the P330 would do!

0 upvotes

Just like the S100 only 2 years late! :)

3 upvotes

Yikes, good to see Nikon's lens speed still puts it alongside Canon S1110 for worst effective aperture f/8.5 or so wide open. Much worse than their P7700 and trailing the other competitors by quite a margin - up to two stops at the tele end.

0 upvotes

They compromised to make it slim. This and the S110 are actually pocketable, unlike the P7700, G15, Lx7, etc.

2 upvotes

You mean F5.8

0 upvotes

when all the people are attracted onto the Coolpix A. I am still get excited for the big improvement on the small little P3XXX series.

2 upvotes

It looks like a fine camera but between this and the Canon S110, I would still go for the S110 due to the touch shutter/touch focus feature.

2 upvotes

No hot shoe is a killer for me. I wonder how much more space and technology it would be to make the flash on this camera a controler?
Nikon always seems to miss the boat on their compacts.

0 upvotes

That would defeat the whole purpose of a camera like this. The idea is to have it as compact as possible, but give you more control and better image quality than your average point and shoot.

1 upvote

Total comments: 82