Nikon Coolpix AW100 Waterproof Underwater Digital Camera, Orange {16MP}

Nikon's Waterproof 16MP Compact with Built-In GPS

The Coolpix AW100 is Nikon's answer to the question of what happens when you drop a camera in a kayak, a snowbank, or a swimming pool. It's rated waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and freezeproof, built around a 16MP CMOS sensor paired with a 28-140mm equivalent 5x zoom lens at a maximum aperture of f/3.9. That focal range covers wide landscape framing through moderate telephoto reach without a lens swap, useful when you're hiking somewhere you don't want to carry a bag full of gear.

Built-in GPS logs location data straight to your files, so travel photographers and documentary shooters can track routes and tag images without a phone tether. The 3-inch, 460,000-dot fixed LCD gives a clear view for composing in bright outdoor conditions, and HDMI output means you can review footage on a bigger screen after the trip. Video tops out at 1280 x 720 at 60 fps, recorded in H.264, with a stereo microphone picking up ambient sound.

At 178 grams and just 23mm thick, it disappears into a jacket pocket or a bike bag. ISO runs from 125 to 3200, giving some flexibility for dim conditions like overcast beach days or shaded trailheads. This is a camera built for the moments when a standard compact stays home.

Who It's For

Kayakers, skiers, and beach photographers benefit from the waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof construction that lets the AW100 go places a standard compact can't survive. Travel photographers get built-in GPS for automatic location tagging across a trip without extra apps or accessories. Family and vacation shooters get a 28-140mm equivalent zoom that covers group shots and moderate telephoto framing of kids at a distance, all in a 178-gram body that's easy to hand off. Casual videographers get 720p60 recording with stereo audio for quick clips at the pool or on the trail, backed by HDMI output for playback on a television afterward.

Key Features

• 16MP 1/2.3" CMOS sensor with 5x optical zoom (28-140mm equivalent)
• Waterproof to 10 meters, shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof to -10°C
• Fixed 3-inch LCD with 460,000-dot display
• 1280 x 720 video at 60 fps in H.264 with stereo microphone
• Built-in GPS for automatic geotagging
• ISO 125-3,200 for low-light flexibility
• 178 grams and 23mm thick, pocket-sized design

FAQ

Is the AW100 actually waterproof, or just water-resistant?

It's fully waterproof to 10 meters, plus shockproof from 1.8 meters, dustproof, and freezeproof to -10°C. The sealed construction means you can take it in a pool, kayak, or snowbank without worrying about moisture creeping into electronics.

Can you use the zoom while recording video?

No. The optical zoom doesn't work during video recording. Zooming in playback mode will digitally crop the frame, reducing resolution and quality. Frame your shot with the optical zoom before you press record.

What's the autofocus performance like in video?

Autofocus hunting can be slow and imprecise during panning shots. It works better on a tripod than handheld, and handholding the camera without stabilization produces noticeable shake in the footage.

How close can you focus for macro work?

The minimum focus distance is 5 centimeters at the wide-angle setting, which works for small subjects like sea anemones but won't let you fill the frame with insects or achieve true macro detail.

Does it have built-in image stabilization?

No. Video recorded handheld will show shake, especially noticeable in panning shots. A tripod improves steadiness considerably.

Can you shoot faster burst sequences?

Continuous shooting captures up to 11 frames at 4.7 fps with focus and exposure locked to the first frame, giving you about two and a half seconds of action. You need to time your burst carefully, and the camera takes a few seconds to finish writing the sequence to the card.

What storage does it use?

SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The camera includes 83 MB of internal storage, but you'll need an external card for any real shooting volume.