Nikon Coolpix W300 Review

The Nikon Coolpix W300 features a 16mp sensor, a 5x optical zoom lens, 4K video recording and is waterproof down to 30 metres! The W300 updates the AW130 and features built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The W300 is available for £389, in a variety of colours, including orange, yellow, camouflage, and black. 

Nikon Coolpix W300 Features

The Nikon Coolpix W300 is waterproof to 30m, shockproof from a height of 2.4m, freezeproof, and dustproof. Designed as a take anywhere camera, it should survive all manner of mistreatment. 

The Coolpix W300 features a 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, with 7fps continuous shooting at full resolution. There's 4K UHD video recording, with stereo sound, plus high-speed video recording. Optical zoom is available while recording videos, letting you use the 5x optical zoom to get closer to the action. The 5x optical zoom lens, is equivalent to 24-120mm, with a relatively bright f/2.8 aperture at the wide-angle end of the lens. 

VR vibration reduction uses Lens shift image stabilisation (IS) and electronic VR to help reduce blur and camera shake in images. This is also used for video recording to keep video steady and smooth. 

Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth let you setup low power image transfer using Nikon's Snapbridge app, as well as remotely control the camera. There's also built-in GPS, an electronic compass, and altimeter so that it can show you the altitude, or depth. 

Additional buttons on the side of the camera give quick access to settings, and let you change settings even when wearing gloves in cold weather. 

Updates compared to the Nikon Coolpix AW130:

• 4K video recording
• New design, updated grip
• Self-portrait timer added (5s)
• Bluetooth added
• Improved shockproof rating (to 2.4m)
• 280 shot battery life (compared to 370)
• No longer features NFC

There are only a small handful of waterproof cameras to choose from currently available, so let's quickly have a look at the options available:

There are numerous auto and scene modes which adjust the camera settings automatically for the best results. There are a number of scene modes such as Auto HDR and Night Landscape to make sure the camera is on the correct settings.

Key Features

• 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor
• 5x optical zoom lens, 24-120mm equivalent, f/2.8-4.9
• VR Vibration Reduction Image Stabilisation
• 3inch 912k dot screen
• 30m waterproof, 2.4m Shockproof, Freezeproof
• GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth built-in
• 7fps continuous shooting speed
• 4K UHD video recording
• ISO125 - ISO6400
• 1cm macro focus
• HDR / Panoramic shooting
• Available in orange, yellow, black and camouflage

Nikon Coolpix W300 Handling

The Nikon Coolpix W300 is mostly plastic, with a shiny painted front, and the camera feels quite tough and chunky for a compact camera.

The front of the camera has an updated handgrip that protrudes a good distance out of the camera. There's also a dotted area on the back of the camera for your thumb, and on top of the camera, there's a textured pattern to aid grip. 

On top of the camera is an on/off button and shutter release. The rear has a zoom rocker with movie record, scene mode, playback, menu and delete buttons. There's a 4-way pad for cycling through the menus, this also gives quick access to exposure compensation, flash, self-timer and macro mode.

On the left-hand side, there are three buttons, the first (top) button displays an electronic compass, the second button lets you switch mode by shaking the camera up or down, and the third button switches the LED light on and off when you hold it down. These buttons can make it easier to operate the camera when underwater or wearing gloves.

The rear of the camera has a 3-inch screen with a high resolution of 921k dots and is quite easy to view in all light. Access to the battery and memory card is via the chunky round dial on the side of the camera. You have to press the central button and turn the dial 90° to open it, making it difficult to accidentally open it.

Menus – The menus are well laid out, with five main sections, including shooting, movie, network (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), location, and setup. There's also built-in help, that gives information on the options available. 

Nikon's Snapbridge app gives quick access to photos on the camera, which can be automatically transferred using Bluetooth. To remotely control the camera, the app needs to set up a Wi-Fi connection, and this can take a little longer. The app gives you the ability to take photos, as well as adjust the zoom. There are very few further options or settings available beyond this, which is a shame, as it could be useful to use the touchscreen to set the focus position or start video recording. You can choose between transferring 2mp images, or full-size images. If you transfer the full-size images, then these are much slower to transfer.

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 280 shots according to Nikon / CIPA test results, which is less than the previous version. The camera features USB charging, using a MicroUSB cable and AC adapter, this means you can charge it from the wall, or plug it into a USB port on a computer (although charging may be much slower using this method).

Nikon Coolpix W300 Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.

Focus is quick, as is shutter response. Continuous shooting is impressive, at 10fps, however, you can only take 5 shots before the camera stops shooting.

Nikon Coolpix W300 Sample Photos

Sample Photos - Colour reproduction is good. Exposure is reliable, although sometimes images have high levels of contrast reducing the dynamic range recorded. Dynamic range can be expanded, by using Advanced D-Lighting, or the backlighting scene mode, which has an option to shoot HDR as well, combining a number of shots. Photos taken with flash show no signs of red-eye.

Nikon Coolpix W300 Lens test images

Lens Performance - Macro performance is impressive, with the camera displaying on the screen the optimum zoom position for the closest focus, although care needs to be taken to ensure enough light gets to the subject, as it's easy to block with the camera so close. Some purple fringing can be seen in areas with high levels of contrast, for example in trees and tree branches against a bright sky. Detail is a little low, with images being fairly soft. Images are softer still at the telephoto end of the lens and in the corners of images.

Nikon Coolpix W300 ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - For the lowest noise and best detail possible we would recommend using ISO125 to ISO400, as images have low levels of noise. For lower light situations ISO800 to ISO1600 still provides reasonable results, although noise increases and detail is reduced. At ISO3200 noise levels become strong and we would recommend avoiding this setting if possible, although results may still be useful if resized and used on the web. ISO6400 is best avoided as noise is extremely high, and detail is very low.

Nikon Coolpix W300 White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs well under tungsten and fluorescent lighting, plus in mixed lighting. Using the presets shouldn't be needed, and the fluorescent preset gives a strong colour cast.

Nikon Coolpix W300 Digital filters

Digital Filters - Under the "Custom" photo mode, there are 9 different options, and each of these produces 4 different effects, as well as taking a photo with no effect applied. This means there are lots of different effects you can apply, or alternatively, you can add effects in playback.

There are numerous scene modes, with a number of effects available here (including backlighting and HDR). There are a number of advanced options which can be found in the scene modes, including Time-lapse movie, Superlapse movie, and "Multiple exposure lighten" - for shooting nightscapes with light trails, or star trails.

The camera features an automatic panoramic mode, where you simply press the shutter release button and pan the camera from one side to the other. Results are reasonable and well stitched together, although they are quite low-res.

Nikon Coolpix W300 Outdoor images

Here we used the continuous shooting mode to take this sequence of shots.

Video - The camera records 4K UHD (3840x2160) video at 30/25fps, and FullHD video at 60,50,30,25fps. Optical zoom is available and the camera has stereo microphones. When recording 4K video, the camera uses optical image stabilisation to help keep video steady. You can also record high-speed video at 640x480 resolution at 100fps, and you can watch an example video on the ePHOTOzine YouTube Channel.

Nikon Coolpix W300 Review - Verdict

Value For Money

The Nikon Coolpix W300 is available for around £389, a large jump in price compared to the AW130, which was £225 when reviewed in 2015, and is now discontinued. However, the price of the W300 is roughly in line with other waterproof cameras capable of recording 4K video, such as the Olympus Tough TG-5.

Have a look at more waterproof cameras in our Top 10 Best Waterproof Cameras. You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Nikon Coolpix W300 Verdict

If you’re looking for a point and shoot waterproof camera, with 4K video, then the Nikon Coolpix W300 fits the bill. The W300 is also waterproof down to 30 metres, more than any other compact camera, without the need of an external waterproof case.

Image quality, as is normally the case with folded optics cameras like this, is a little soft. However, for general snapshots, for example on holiday, colour and exposure are both good, and images will look good when shared online. 4K video quality is quite good as well with image stabilisation helping produce better-looking videos. The macro mode is impressive letting you get very close to your subject.

If you want better image quality and more controls, then you’d be best looking at the Olympus Tough TG-5. The W300 offers no manual controls, although you can adjust ISO speed, white balance, and exposure compensation.

The Nikon Coolpix W300 offers 4K video and is waterproof down to 30m.

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