The Nikon AW100, a waterproof (up to 33 shocking feet!) and shockproof (which was proved true in some occasions for me) up to about 5 feet camera! AWESOME!

Yup. So, I’ve decided to write a post (or review) about the camera I’ve gotten… for Christmas.

It has a CMOS sensor (whatever that is, it’s better then other sensors XD), too! Meaning, higher quality!

It has 5x zoom, full HD (1080p) video recording, GPS + electronic compass (as you will see in it’s website page). There are many different scenes (even an underwater one!), and it has image stabilization (which, for me, doesn’t work well with flash turned off. Bummer.). It can reach up 3200 ISO (but turns really noisy at above 400 or 800, which is bad), and has 16 megapixels. It has this “Action Control” so you could shake your camera left/right instead of pressing buttons. I’ve tried this, and it’s good and all, but I like the buttons much better.

(You can check it out some more at it’s page: http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26293/COOLPIX-AW100.html#tab-ProductDetail-ProductTabs-Overview)

But – the question is (for you, probably) – does it really work, and is it worth the money (yes, it’s really expensive)?

Answer: Yes, it’s worth the money… Well, personally, I think they made it a bit too expensive… XD

Of course, these products are probably machine made, so there could be some certain AW100′s that has faults, but it’s probably not Nikon’s fault.

So, let me explain how to keep your beautiful, new camera safe. You’d find this in the manual, but if you’re too lazy to read it (I’m not. XD), fine to me. But you should read it.

You probably have an exhausted battery. To know this, it either won’t start up even with the battery put in properly, or it turned off with the words “BATTERY EXHAUSTED”. Either case, you should charge you battery. RIGHT NOW.

In the manual, it says:

1. Connect the power cable in the order indicated below.

(Ok, since I can’t put the picture in here, I’ll explain. You plug the part with two circles [XD Bad way of putting it] to the battery charger, and the other to an electrical outlet in the wall.)

2.  Insert the battery into the battery charger by sliding the battery forward, and press down until it locks into place.

• CHARGE lamp starts blinking when charging starts.
• A fully exhausted battery charges in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• When charging is completed, the CHARGE lamps stops blinking.

3. When charging is complete, remove the battery, and unplug the adapter.

That is how you properly charge the battery. Keep this in mind, please.

Another tip is that you should keep your camera in water (yes, like underwater) for only 60 minutes. Else water could seep in.

So, starting the review.

Does it actually work?

Yes, yes it does.

I’ve fully submerged it in water (both salty and fresh [or clean], and it’s awesome. Well, I panicked at first). I’ve taken lots of pictures underwater, and no damage was done!

And, I dropped it several times already! Hmm.. Still as good as new!

I admit, though, I’ve used it underwater only in a low… depth. XD

How about the quality?

Ahh, the quality… Well, why don’t you see for yourself? I’ll post some pictures, but I also recommend you go to flickr.com and type into the search bar “AW100″. Of course, you should click interesting for better images. Check this photo out (it’s in flickr).

Japanese Shipwreck

The Sunset

SO, yeah, thanks for visiting Bene’s awesome blog, and I hope that you subscribe and read lots more of the posts!

Ally