Opening the year with a bit of fan service, Nikon announced a pair of anticipated products: a new super-zoom, the COOLPIX P1100 digital camera, and the company’s first-ever 35mm f/1.2 S lens for its Z series mirrorless cameras. The P1100 replaces the popular—and in used markets, pricey—P1000, a darling of birders and stargazers that was discontinued last year, while the long-awaited 35mm f/1.2 lens brings the company’s latest advances in optical resolution and bokeh to this popular, wide-angle focal length, benefitting lifestyle, environmental portraiture, and documentary photographers.
The COOLPIX P1100 retains many of the highlights of its predecessor, most notably its massive 125x optical zoom, spanning a staggering 24-3000mm full-frame equivalent focal length and complemented by a 16MP CMOS sensor. Aiding photographers on the telephoto end is Nikon’s Dual Detect Optical VR, offering up to four steps of image stabilization and supporting handheld use when shooting birds, celestial bodies, or other distant subjects. The lens, which sports an f/2.8 maximum aperture, also features extra-low dispersion and super extra-low dispersion elements to ensure the clarity and resolution of images throughout the zoom range.
Additions to the P1100 include a new USB-C port, upgraded Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and added functionality when using the optional ML-L7 remote. Birdwatching and Moon modes are now directly accessible using the mode dial. The versatile camera also benefits video shooters and documentarians, supporting UHD 4K video at 30 or 25 fps. For users looking for the best quality, the P1000 does feature clean HDMI output and has a 3.5mm mic input for cleaner audio.
For mirrorless shooters with Z-series interchangeable lens cameras, the 35mm f/1.2 S lens offers the possibility of outstanding subject isolation in a fully rendered environment. Rounding out a series of f/1.2 prime lenses that includes 50mm and 85mm focal lengths, the 35mm f/1.2 is a natural storytelling lens ideal for event, documentary, and street work as well as environmental portraiture.
The lens’s superior performance is a result of its symmetrical optical design, which includes three ED elements and an additional aspherical element to correct lens aberrations. Three coatings—Meso Amorphous, Nano Crystal, and ARNEO—help suppress flare. A multi-focusing system with multiple stepping motors achieves fast and accurate autofocus in both stills and video applications.
Speaking of video, the lens’s symmetrical design results in a balanced weight distribution that benefits use on stabilizers and gimbals. Additionally, videographers can expect a clickless control ring, silent focusing, stable exposure, and suppressed focus breathing, to ensure a smooth and stable shooting experience.
Two L-Fn buttons allow custom function assignments, improving workflow. The lens is also weather-sealed and dust and drip-resistant for use outdoors.
For more information about the new camera and lens, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out their detailed product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
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