• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon Coolpix A advantages over Canon G16

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.4 vs 21.0 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,164 vs 230 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.8 vs 11.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.1 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G16 advantages over Nikon Coolpix A

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 770 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Less shutter lag
    0.31 vs 0.58 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.5 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    39 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Nikon Coolpix A

Review Excerpt

  • Solid alloy body with true twin-dial design; Smaller, lighter, and cheaper than most direct competitors; Excellent image quality, even when compared to interchangeable-lens cameras; Numerous accessories expand upon its capabilities.

  • Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Ergonomics could be better; Performance is spotty; Built-in flash is rather weak; Battery life is quite modest.

  • AF speed vastly improved; Increased continuous frames per second (JPEGs at 12.5fps vs 10fps in G15); Solid build and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture; Dedicated ISO button; Customizable buttons; Excellent macro mode; 1080p/60fps Full HD video.

  • LCD screen not articulated; Larger design makes it not very pocketable; Optical viewfinder not very accurate; RAW burst shooting still slow; Wi-Fi is clunky to set-up & no remote shooting capabilities; No built-in GPS.

The Competition

Compared to Leica X2

Nikon Coolpix A
Leica X2
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon G16
Leica X2
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Nikon Coolpix A
Olympus XZ-2
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G16
Olympus XZ-2
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G15

Nikon Coolpix A
Canon G15
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon G16
Canon G15
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Nikon Coolpix A
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Canon G16
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Nikon Coolpix A
Fujifilm X70
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Canon G16
Fujifilm X70
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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