Nikon Coolpix AW100

The Coolpix AW100 arrived in August 2011 as Nikon’s first waterproof camera — and they went all in. Waterproof to 10 metres, shockproof from 1.5 metres, freezeproof to −10°C, with built-in GPS, an electronic compass, and a world map display that showed exactly where every photo was taken. The 16MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 28–140mm zoom with ED glass, and 1080p video with optical zoom during recording meant the rugged spec didn’t come at the cost of the camera underneath.

NO FILTER: SHOT ON AW100

THE LOOKS

The camo AW100 commits fully to the brief — a green and brown woodland pattern printed across the sealed body that looks like actual fieldwork equipment. The lens sits behind a fixed optical glass shield in the top-right corner, the 3-inch LCD fills most of the rear, and the rubber-gasket construction gives every seam a deliberate, functional feel. At 110 × 65 × 23mm and 178g it’s compact for what it does. Also available in black, orange, and blue.

THE SPECS

16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch back-illuminated CMOS, ISO 125–3200. Nikkor ED 5× optical zoom, 28–140mm equivalent, f/3.9–4.8, lens-shift + electronic VR. EXPEED C2. 3-inch LCD (460k dots). Waterproof 10m, shockproof 1.5m, freezeproof −10°C. Built-in GPS with A-GPS, electronic compass, world map display, POI, log function. 1080p/60fps Full HD video with stereo sound and optical zoom during recording. HS Movie slow motion 240fps. Action Control gesture functions. SD/SDHC/SDXC. Mini HDMI. 110 × 65 × 23mm, 178g.

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

• Waterproof to 10m, shockproof from 1.5m, freezeproof to −10°C: the triple weatherproofing spec that made the AW100 usable in conditions that would destroy most compacts outright.
• Built-in GPS with world map, electronic compass, and log function: every photo tagged with coordinates and compass bearing — the log tracked your route even with the camera off.
• Internally stacked lens behind a fixed optical glass shield: no extending barrel means nothing to jam with sand, water, or grit — the whole sealed face stays flush whether on or off.

THE VERDICT

The AW100 is the camera you take when the shot matters and the conditions don’t cooperate — rain, cold, underwater, a drop on rocks. GPS and compass tag every image with exactly where and which direction you were facing. The camo version looks the part for outdoor use, 10 metres of waterproofing covers snorkelling and kayaking, and the 1080p video with optical zoom works just as well underwater. A proper adventure camera.