I Probably Shouldn't Have Bought This Camera - Nikon AW100

[@leelsw]

Very entertaining video, when i saw the filter on the thing i almost fell off my chair laughing.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I mean, it definitely isn’t ideal😂

[@andydean9479]

That is one camera that I don't have to try then. Thanks for the head up :)

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Yeah definitely one to skip🖖😁

[@luzr6613]

John was right - it looks like one of those sucky things that window installers use. Now, the upside: if you put it down on the forest floor you'll likely never find it again (that maybe a 'Pro Hint'). Anyway... I look forward to the 2nd part of the review where you go snorkeling in the local duck pond. Cheers from NZ.

[@ARIMF]

I have also been eyeing this model for a long time (in this color), but I am definitely not ready to pay such a price. Moreover, such total protection from weather and water is not such a necessary measure, I have never had a camera break down from use in nature. For a harsh mountain hike along categorized passes, I preferred to have Nikon P340 with me, which with the same size and weight has an enlarged matrix, RAW and a wide angle (I can tell you how to get 20-21mm focal length from this camera). This camera withstood rain and cold without problems, and gave a decent result at ISO 800 and even 1600. Although who am I kidding, for the collection of course I would like AW100 =)

[@joecarey7123]

You got some good results, considering the limitations of the camera. I bought a reasonably affordable Oly TG4 as I wanted RAW, but also earlier models applied sharpening on the Jpeg. Like you, I worry the Em1 is not as weatherproof as I'd like and needs the lens to be also. I enjoyed this content, thanks.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Thanks for watching. I think after using the TG-6 I should have just gone with one of those or the older models. Live and learn I guess😂

[@amermeleitor]

Ok, so you want a cheapo waterproof camera that shoot raw or at least no so sharpened jpg. You have two possible ways: - A relatively new but cheap smartphone with basic IP rating that allow the use of the API camera2 and then shoot with ProCamX, ProShot, or any camera app that deliver raw. MotionCam allows you to decide some parameter of the raw. Any third party camera allows to shoot in manual mode. Most smartphones only deliver 10bit raw, a few delivers 12bit raw. - Buy an old Canon D30 (or D20, D10), the Canon waterproof point and shoot line. Instal CHDK and voilà, you can use raw and much more. The con is that you need to correct lens distortion in post.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

The problem with phones is that they all look pretty garbage too for different reasons than just over sharpening. I think I need to just not cheap out on one of these and buy something decent like the Olympus tg6.

[@talbotcd1]

Try one of the Olympus TG range of cameras they shoot RAW well the 6 @ 7 do, I have the TG7 and that s great in the rain and as you point out you can stick it in a puddle and shoot away.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I actually used the tg6 a bit back and was really happy with the results. I guess this is a good example of what can happen when you cheap out😂 Thanks for watching 🖖

[@StephenStrangways]

​@@DavidFlowerOfficialThe TG-4, TG-5, TG-6, and TG-7 shoot raw. DxO PhotoLab and PureRAW do a fantastic job with the raw files, pulling out way more detail, and eliminating any over-sharpening and watercolour smeary noise reduction.

[@cameronm5248]

I bought this model when it was new. Still got it in a cupboard somewhere. I wasn't right into photography back then and didn't really know about RAW. I was just happy to upgrade from a film P&S. Even way back then I wasn't impressed with the IQ. I had a Kodak zoom that took better pics. The camo looked cool though.

[@PitNeex]

I have a 16 megapixels Nikon s6200 by default the resolution is 16 megapixels but not fine quality, you have to set it manually, it's the option with the star. Mine is not oversharpening at all, actually the lens is scratched and so a bit gloomy but overall gives an organic look, a bit under exposed but has decent jpg that can take some pulling. The main advantage is the zoom range and the size! And the non smartphone hdr look!

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Yeah it’s set to the 16mpx star setting and still looks like this. I’m not too worried though, as I said in the video it’s not like I expected stellar image quality from it. I’ll just stick with my canon G10 or Lumix lx3 and avoid water😂 Thanks for watching 🖖

[@serhiirudenko6183]

I had a similar camera. I think it was AW110. My biggest complain- it always tend to set long exposures instead of cranking up ISO. So i got mostly blurry photos instead of noisy, hah. Sold it years ago.

[@thatsamshow]

I love compacts! You know how much I love my Sony RX100. 😊 I could give you a huge list of really cool ones that can be snapped up cheaply. The Canon Powershot SD1100 IS / IXUS 80 IS is nice (and other models around that series). It's 8.0 MP and has some image stabilisation. I've found that model as low as £30 after 7 bids on eBay before, so it's worth looking around. Or even the Canon IXUS 100 IS which was 12.1 MP. This was capable of recording in 720p which was huge at the time and popularised the early vlogging, etc. There are tons in this range, like the IXUS 95 IS, IXUS 120 IS, AND IXUS 110 IS. I think there was even a craze on KZbin a year or two ago where large creators made them popular again and the prices skyrocketed. If you ever look for those old compact PowerShot cameras, it's worth knowing that the name changed depending on the region. So, in North America, the model number starts with SD (like SD1100), the European market named it 'IXUS', and the Japanese market named it 'IXY DIGITAL'. Also, the numbering system for Canon’s PowerShot series, particularly during that time, didn’t always follow a linear progression where higher numbers necessarily indicated newer or more advanced models. Other cool ones are the Canon PowerShot A Series (e.g., A95, A80), Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W Series (e.g., W55, W100), Nikon Coolpix L Series (e.g., L10, L11, L12), etc. There's even great ones by Olympus, Fujifilm, Pentax, and Kodak. People are fond of these old compact cameras because of nostalgia and because the finished images look analogue and retro. They give a film look without being film and are less 'digital' than modern cameras. Plus, you're a similar age to me and retro is just bloody cool! Damn this was an essay, sorry. I'll stop now. It's just I've done a ton of research on these old compacts. Great video! 👍

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Wow Sam, that’s quite the list, thanks mate. I have a few compacts I really like with the Canon G10 and lumix LX3 but they have no weather sealing to speak of and I’d rather not use them in bad weather if I can help it. I’ll have a good look at that list and see what’s available 🖖😁

[@thatsamshow]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial I've had my eye on the Olympus Stylus XZ-1 for a while. It's highly rated, with a 28-112mm equivalent superbright lens at F1.8 - 2.5. But I can't justify the £200 price tag (mint) some 13 years after release! Even pre-owned it's around £150.😄 I love browsing retro cameras, but I don't like too much choice. It frazzles my brain. There are too many good ones!

[@PhotoswithArt]

Wow, this model I used to wanted it when I was young, luckily I didn't buy it when I was able to. I always hate in-camera sharpen image, annoying me since in my cheap phone camera, and you couldn't turn it off except you buy a new more expensive one. Fortunately my D3400 is able to turn it off, I turned it off in every Picture Control, it makes image looks ugly. Thank you for the video.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I had the d3300 some years ago, such great cameras! Thanks for watching🖖

[@henrywilliam8506]

Hi David, great video as always. Just a question. When you were doing your PTC (piece to camera) were you in Little Switzerland? I grew up in Hessle but left almost 40 years ago for Australia.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I was, good eye. It's a spot I visit quite often and sometimes just to wander down by the river. Thanks for watching 🖖

[@GenX_in_the_wild]

Oh you are one of those Raw guys.. 😅 This camera will outlast the next zombie apocalypse and you will make great photos

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Very much a Raw guy 😂 If you want the best image quality and most flexibility, you have to shoot Raw but honestly, if there is a zombie apocalypse, I doubt image quality will be high on my list of priorities 😂

[@GenX_in_the_wild]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial 🙂

[@ValeHow-de5ts]

Love all the views/angles/lines/contrasts and dynamics on the pictures you have taken. Such a talented artist you are, David. And, as usually, hugely appreciate the camera review, cheers!

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Thanks very kind of you. Thanks for watching 🖖

[@cgriggsiv]

The PENTAX WG-8 Digital Camera would have been a better choice

[@biggstavros5876]

I have an old Fuji XP waterproof camera and it takes better pictures than than Nikon lol

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Yeah, I definitely should have done a bit more research on this one 😂