Nikon COOLPIX W150: A Basic Waterproof Point-and-Shoot Camera

If you want a powerful camera with DSLR-like features, the Nikon COOLPIX range has a lot to offer you. If you want to go all out, spring for the COOLPIX P950. For a basic point-and-shoot camera for video recording, the COOLPIX A1000 is a good option. Finally, if you want a simple but durable waterproof camera, the Nikon COOLPIX W150 is where it’s at.

This camera does not have the best specifications, nor can it provide the best quality. However, as a travel camera, or specifically as a camera for underwater video and photography, it is a decent and affordable option. This could be the perfect choice for family holidays or adventure trips where you intend to explore and want to try some new underwater shooting techniques.

Main Features

The Nikon COOLPIX W150 is not meant to be a hugely powerful camera. It is a basic compact point-and-shoot camera that should be used for general photography. Also, its waterproofing gives it extra versatility and means you can use it comfortably as an action camera.

However, if the specs really matter to you, there are definitely better action cameras available like the GoPro HERO 8. The following are the basic technical specs of the COOLPIX W150:

• Size: 109.5×67.0x38.0mm
• Weight: 177g
• Sensor: 13.2MP CMOS
• Max Video Resolution: 1080p
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: No
• Image Stabilization: Yes

The first thing to note is the 13.2MP CMOS sensor. This is relatively low compared to most other point-and-shoot cameras. For example, the Nikon COOLPIX A1000 has a 16.0MP CMOS sensor, and many point-and-shoot cameras have a 20MP or higher image resolution. As a result, you can only expect middle-of-the-road photo quality; not terrible, but not the best.

Also, this point-and-shoot camera really has a limited ISO range of 100-1600. This means that it will not perform well in low-light situations. It just doesn’t have the versatility of most other popular point-and-shoot cameras.

The lens of this camera is a NIKKOR lens with a 3x optical zoom. It has an effective focal distance of 4.1-12.3mm or a 35mm equivalent of 30-90mm. This means that you will mainly take wide-angle shots with the camera, and it has no true telephoto capabilities. It does have Electronic Vibration Reduction and Motion Blue Reduction to help with image stabilization for movies and still images.

Design

The Nikon COOLPIX W150 has a slightly archaic design that looks quite dated. It does look stylish, but also quite basic. Regardless, it is lightweight at just 177g and is incredibly small. This means it is easy to carry and could be used as a travel point-and-shoot camera.

It has a simple interface and a minimalistic control panel. The top panel features a record button for movies, the power switch, and the shutter release button. On the rear, there is a large LCD screen and a simple D-Pad to move through the different menus and settings. Beginners and first-time camera users shouldn’t struggle to understand how this camera works.

It does not have an EVF, therefore you must use the LCD screen to compose images and change settings. For beginners, this shouldn’t be an issue. In terms of durability, the Nikon COOLPIX is waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof. It is IPX8 waterproof equivalent which means you can use it up to a depth of 10m for up to 60 minutes, which is quite impressive.

Usability

In terms of usability, this camera is fantastic for first-time users. It doesn’t have a host of complicated features and controls. You can simply turn the camera on and take photos without much effort. You can use the automatic shooting mode, which chooses the best settings for you based on the current scene.

This COOLPIX does have some useful shooting modes that help with underwater shots. For example, it has an underwater face-framing mode that helps you easily take underwater portraits. This camera also has a fun set of features like adding voice messages to photos and creating animated slideshows.

We also like that this camera has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. You can connect the camera directly to the Nikon SnapBridge App and transfer photos immediately to your smartphone. Also, you can use your smartphone to remotely control the camera for greater flexibility.

This is a highly usable camera, especially for beginners. Professionals and serious photographers, however, would not really benefit from the features of this camera and may find its usability limiting.

Nikon COOLPIX W150 vs. Fujifilm FinePix XP140

The Nikon COOLPIX could be considered a dedicated waterproof camera, as this is one of its main selling points. It is therefore ideal to compare it to another dedicated waterproof model like the Fujifilm FinePix XP140. This is a decent-spec underwater camera, and the comparison gives you some idea of where the COOLPIX W150 stands.

As you can see, the XP140 has a superior image and video recording quality by some margin. Also, the XP140 has a much higher maximum ISO of 12,800. This means that it should perform much better in low-light situations.

In terms of size and weight, there is not much difference between the two cameras. Both are relatively portable and lightweight.

There is not much difference in price either. As a result, the XP140 is the better option for a dedicated underwater camera – its superior image quality and 4K UHD video recording are hard to ignore. Alternatively, the Nikon COOLPIX W150 could make a better option just for general photography.

The Nikon COOLPIX W150 Is a Basic Camera with Decent Waterproof Capabilities

This is not the best spec camera in the world. It offers “okay” quality for both photos and videos. Its main selling point is the underwater performance, which it does well. If you want a cheap point-and-shoot camera mainly for travel and for underwater adventures, this could be an option.