Nikon COOLPIX P310 User Manual

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Reference Manual
DIGITAL CAMERA

Nikon COOLPIX P310 Specifications

General

Megapixel	1.61 MP
Camera type	Compact camera
Sensor type	CMOS
Image stabilizer	Yes
Total megapixels	16.79 MP
Image sensor size	1/2.3 \
Image formats supported	JPEG XR
Maximum image resolution	4608 x 3456 pixels
Still image resolution(s)	-
Optical zoom	4.2 x
Focal length range	4.3 - 17.9 mm
Number of diaphragm blades	6
Lens structure (elements/groups)	7/6
Maximum focal length (35mm film equiv)	100 mm
Minimum focal length (35mm film equiv)	24 mm
Focus	TTL
Focus adjustment	Auto/Manual
Auto focusing (AF) modes	Centre weighted Auto Focus, Contrast Detection Auto Focus, Tracking Auto Focus
ISO sensitivity	100, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Light exposure modes	Aperture priority AE, Manual, Shutter priority AE
ISO sensitivity (max)	6400
ISO sensitivity (min)	100
Light exposure control	Program AE
Light exposure correction	± 2EV (1/3EV step)
Camera shutter type	Electronic
Fastest camera shutter speed	1/2000 s
Slowest camera shutter speed	4 s
Flash range (tele)	0.5 - 2.5 m
Flash range (wide)	0.5 - 6.5 m
Power source type	Battery
Video resolutions	640 x 480, 1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Motion JPEG frame rate	30 fps
Video formats supported	H.264, MPEG4
Maximum video resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Audio system	stereo
Memory slots	1
Internal memory	- MB
Compatible memory cards	SD, SDHC, SDXC
Field of view	100 %
Display diagonal	3 \
Display resolution (numeric)	921000 pixels
USB version	2.0
HDMI connector type	Mini
Scene modes	Backlight, Beach, Close-up (macro), Cuisine, Dawn, Dusk, Fireworks, Museum, Night portrait, Panorama, Party (indoor), Pet, Portrait, Snow, Sports, Sunset
Image editing	Crop, Rotating
White balance	Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Manual
Self-timer delay	2, 10 s
Languages support	ARA, CHI (SIMPL), CHI (TR), CZE, DAN, DEU, DUT, ENG, ESP, FIN, FRE, GRE, HUN, ITA, JPN, KOR, NOR, POL, POR, RUM, RUS, SWE, THA, TUR, UKR
Camera file system	DCF, DPOF, Exif 2.3
Battery life (CIPA standard)	230 shots
Product color	Black
Operating temperature (T-T)	0 - 40 °C

Weight and Dimensions

Depth	32 mm
Width	103 mm
Height	58.3 mm
Weight	194 g

Summary

Read This First

Confirming the Package Contents

Lists items included in the camera package for user verification.

About This Manual

Explains how to find information in the manual using symbols and conventions.

Symbols and Conventions

Defines icons used in the manual to indicate cautions, notes, and cross-references.

Information and Precautions

Provides important information and precautions regarding product use and safety.

Notice Concerning Prohibition of Copying or Reproduction

Warns against illegal copying and reproduction of materials.

Disposing of Data Storage Devices

Explains how to securely erase data from storage devices before disposal or transfer.

For Your Safety

WARNINGS

Lists critical warnings about potential hazards like fire, electric shock, and injury from product use.

Observe caution when handling the battery

Provides precautions for handling the battery to prevent leakage, overheating, or explosion.

Observe the following precautions when handling the Charging AC Adapter

Details safety measures for using the charging AC adapter to prevent fire or electric shock.

Use appropriate cables

Advises using only Nikon-provided or -sold cables for proper compliance and operation.

Observe caution when using the flash

Advises caution when using the flash near subjects' eyes, especially infants, to prevent visual impairment.

Avoid contact with liquid crystal

Advises caution if the monitor breaks to prevent injury from glass or liquid crystal contact.

Notices

Notices for Customers in the U.S.A.

Provides FCC compliance information and safety instructions for US customers.

Modifications

Warns that unauthorized modifications may void user's authority to operate equipment.

Interface Cables

Advises using Nikon-provided interface cables to stay within FCC Class B limits.

Notice for Customers in the State of California

Alerts California users about lead exposure from product cords and advises washing hands.

Notices for Customers in Europe

Provides European guidelines on battery disposal and product collection points.

Parts of the Camera and Basic Operations

Parts of the Camera

Introduces the camera's physical components and their functions.

The Camera Body

Details the external parts and controls of the Nikon COOLPIX P310 camera.

Controls Used in Shooting Mode

Identifies and explains controls used specifically for taking pictures.

Controls Used in Playback Mode

Identifies and explains controls used for reviewing recorded images and movies.

The Monitor

Describes the information displayed on the camera's monitor during operation.

Basic Operations

Explains fundamental camera operations and controls for user interaction.

Switching Between Shooting Mode and Playback Mode

Explains how to switch between the camera's shooting and playback operational modes.

Using the Rotary Multi Selector

Details how to operate the camera's multi-selector for navigation and selection.

Using Menus (the d Button)

Guides users on how to access and navigate camera menus using the MENU button.

Attaching the Camera Strap

Provides instructions on how to properly attach the camera strap for secure carrying.

The Basics of Shooting and Playback

Preparation

Outlines the necessary steps before starting to shoot or play back images.

Preparation 1 Insert the Battery

Explains the procedure for correctly inserting the camera's battery.

Removing the Battery

Provides instructions on how to safely remove the camera battery.

Preparation 2 Charge the Battery

Guides users on how to charge the camera's battery using the provided AC adapter.

Understanding the Charge Lamp

Explains the meaning of the charge lamp's status indicators during battery charging.

Preparation 3 Insert a Memory Card

Details the process of inserting a memory card into the camera correctly.

Removing Memory Cards

Provides instructions for safely removing a memory card from the camera.

Internal Memory and Memory Cards

Explains where image data can be stored, including internal memory and memory cards.

Approved Memory Cards

Lists SD memory card types and capacities tested and approved for use with the camera.

Shooting

Covers the fundamental steps involved in taking pictures with the camera.

Step 1 Turn the Camera On

Guides the user through powering on the camera and initial checks.

Check the battery level and number of exposures remaining

Explains how to check battery status and remaining shots displayed on the camera's monitor.

Turning the Camera On and Off

Instructs on how to power the camera on and off, including using playback mode.

Power Saving Function (Auto Off)

Describes the automatic power-off feature to conserve battery life and how to wake the camera.

Setting the Display Language, Date, and Time

Guides users through initial setup for language, time zone, and date settings.

Playback

Details the process of reviewing and managing recorded images and movies.

Step 5 Play Back Images

Guides the user through viewing recorded images on the camera.

Press the c (playback) button.

Explains how to enter playback mode to view recorded images.

Use the multi selector to view previous or next images.

Details using the multi selector to navigate through recorded images.

Changing How Images Are Displayed

Explains how to zoom, switch views (thumbnail, calendar), and navigate images.

Step 6 Delete Unwanted Images

Guides the user through deleting unwanted images from the camera.

Press the l button to delete the image currently displayed on the monitor.

Describes deleting the currently displayed image using the delete button.

Press the multi selector H or I to select the desired deletion method and press the k button.

Explains selecting deletion methods like current image, selected images, or all images.

Operating the Erase Selected Images Screen

Guides users on how to select multiple images for deletion using the erase selected images screen.

Shooting Features

A (Auto) Mode

Explains how to shoot easily with basic operations in the auto mode without detailed settings.

Scene Mode (Shooting Suited to Scenes)

Describes using scene modes to optimize settings for specific shooting situations.

Changing Scene Mode Settings

Explains how scene mode settings can be changed and lists available functions.

Characteristics of Each Scene

Details specific characteristics and recommendations for using various scene modes.

Scene auto selector

Explains how the camera automatically selects the best scene mode for simpler shooting.

Portrait

Details using the portrait mode for capturing people, including face detection and skin softening.

Landscape

Describes using the landscape mode for vivid outdoor scenes with noise reduction or single shot options.

Sports

Explains using sports mode for capturing fast-moving subjects with continuous shooting.

Night portrait

Details using night portrait mode for low-light portraits, with hand-held or tripod options.

Party/indoor

Explains using party/indoor mode for capturing ambient lighting in social gatherings.

Beach

Describes using beach mode to capture brightness of beach scenes or sunlit water.

Sunset

Explains using sunset mode to preserve deep hues in sunsets and sunrises.

Close-up

Details using close-up mode for photographing small objects like flowers or insects.

Food

Describes using food mode for taking pictures of meals, with hue adjustment options.

Museum

Explains using museum mode for indoor shooting where flash is prohibited.

Fireworks show

Details using fireworks show mode with slow shutter speeds for capturing light bursts.

Black and white copy

Explains using black and white copy mode for clear images of text or drawings.

Backlighting

Explains using backlighting mode to capture scenes with light behind the subject, including HDR composition.

Panorama

Describes shooting panorama pictures using easy panorama or panorama assist modes.

Pet portrait

Details using pet portrait mode for shooting dogs or cats with face detection and auto release.

Special effects

Explains how to add various digital filter effects to images during shooting.

Using Skin Softening

Describes the skin softening feature that smooths facial skin tones in portraits.

A, B, C, D Modes (Setting the Exposure for Shooting)

Explains how to set exposure in P, S, A, M modes using command dial or multi selector.

White Balance (Adjusting Hue)

Explains how to adjust white balance to match light sources for natural color reproduction.

Using Preset Manual

Guides on measuring and setting white balance manually for unusual lighting conditions.

Metering

Explains the different metering methods (Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot) for measuring subject brightness.

Continuous Shooting

Details various continuous shooting modes including single, continuous H/L, and pre-shooting cache.

BSS (Best Shot Selector)

Explains using BSS to automatically select the sharpest image from a series, especially in low light.

Multi-shot 16

Describes capturing 16 images rapidly and arranging them into a single picture.

Interval Timer Shooting

Explains setting up automatic shooting at specified time intervals.

ISO Sensitivity

Explains how ISO sensitivity affects light sensitivity and image grain, with auto and fixed range options.

Exposure Bracketing

Explains how to automatically vary exposure over multiple shots for difficult lighting conditions.

AF Area Mode

Explains how to set the focus area for autofocus, including face priority and auto modes.

Manual

Describes manually selecting focus position from 99 areas for precise focus control.

Center

Explains focusing on the subject at the center of the frame.

Subject tracking

Details how to select a subject and have the focus area follow it for moving subjects.

Target finding AF

Explains how the camera detects and focuses on the main subject automatically.

Using Subject Tracking

Guides on selecting and tracking a subject for shooting moving subjects.

Autofocus Mode

Explains autofocus modes like single AF and full-time AF for focusing during normal speed movie recording.

Flash Exp. Comp.

Details how to adjust flash output compensation to correct over- or under-exposed flash images.

Noise Reduction Filter

Explains how to set the strength of the noise reduction function to reduce image noise.

Active D-Lighting

Describes the feature that preserves highlight and shadow details for natural contrast.

Save User Settings/Reset User Settings

Explains how to save and reset custom shooting settings for the U mode.

Zoom Memory

Details setting preferred focal lengths for quick zoom adjustments.

Startup Zoom Position

Explains setting the initial zoom position when the camera is turned on.

Features That Cannot Be Used Simultaneously

Features That Cannot Be Used Simultaneously

Lists combinations of settings that cannot be used together to avoid conflicts.

Features That Cannot Be Used Simultaneously

Lists combinations of settings that cannot be used together to avoid conflicts.

Features That Cannot Be Used Simultaneously

Lists combinations of settings that cannot be used together to avoid conflicts.

The Control Range of the Shutter Speed (A, B, C, D Modes)

The Control Range of the Shutter Speed (A, B, C, D Modes)

Details the shutter speed ranges available in P, S, A, M modes depending on ISO and aperture.

Focusing on Subject

Using the Target Finding AF

Explains how target finding AF automatically adjusts focus on detected subjects.

Using Face Detection

Describes how the camera uses face detection to focus on human subjects automatically.

Focus Lock

Explains how to use focus lock for off-center subjects when the AF area is set to Center.

Playback Features

Features Available in Playback Mode (Playback Menu)

Lists image editing and management functions accessible via the playback menu.

Sequence display options

Explains how to display continuous shooting sequences as individual images or key pictures.

Choose key picture

Describes setting a key picture for each sequence of images.

Connecting the Camera to a TV, Computer, or Printer

Explains how to connect the camera to external devices for viewing and printing.

Viewing images on a TV

Guides on connecting the camera to a TV for playback using AV or HDMI cables.

Viewing and organizing images on a computer

Explains transferring images to a computer for viewing, editing, and organization using software.

Printing images without using a computer

Describes printing images directly from the camera to a PictBridge-compatible printer.

Using ViewNX 2

Introduces ViewNX 2 as Nikon's software for image transfer, viewing, editing, and sharing.

Install ViewNX 2

Provides system requirements and steps for installing ViewNX 2 software.

Transferring Images to the Computer

Details methods for transferring images from the camera to a computer via USB or SD card.

Recording and Playing Back Movies

Recording Movies

Details how to start and stop movie recording, and notes on movie options and aspect ratios.

Notes on Movie Recording

Provides notes on saving movies, digital zoom, and phenomena seen during recording.

Notes on the Camera Temperature

Addresses camera temperature concerns during extended movie recording.

Focusing for Movie Recording

Explains autofocus modes and manual focus for movie recording.

Maximum Movie Length

Lists maximum movie lengths for different resolutions based on internal and memory card storage.

Functions Available in Movie Recording

Covers settings like exposure compensation, white balance, and self-timer applicable to movie recording.

Recording HS (High Speed) Movies

Explains how to record high-speed movies for slow-motion or fast-motion playback.

The Movie Menu

Introduces the camera's movie menu for adjusting recording settings.

Movie Options

Details the types of normal speed movies that can be recorded, including resolutions and bitrates.

Autofocus Mode

Explains autofocus modes (Single AF, Full-time AF) for normal speed movie recording, noting potential sound recording issues.

Playing Back Movies

Describes how to play back recorded movies in playback mode.

Adjusting the volume

Explains how to adjust playback volume for movies using the zoom control.

General Camera Setup

The Setup Menu

Introduces the setup menu for configuring various camera preferences and functions.

Welcome screen

Explains how to set a custom image as the welcome screen, with restrictions on certain picture types.

Time Zone and Date

Guides on setting the camera's date, time, time zone, and travel destination.

Monitor Settings

Details options for displaying shooting information, image review, brightness, and histograms.

Print date

Explains imprinting shooting date and time on pictures, with limitations.

Vibration Reduction

Explains how to compensate for camera shake and advises turning it off when using a tripod.

Motion Detection

Describes enabling motion detection to reduce shake effects by adjusting ISO and shutter speed.

AF Assist

Explains enabling or disabling the AF-assist illuminator for low-light focusing.

Digital Zoom

Details how to enable or disable digital zoom and its limitations.

Sound Settings

Allows adjustment of button sounds, shutter sounds, and startup sounds.

Auto Off

Explains setting the time before the camera enters standby mode to save power.

Format Memory/Format Card

Guides on formatting internal memory or memory cards, warning about data deletion.

Language

Allows selection of the camera's display language from a list of 29 options.

TV Settings

Details settings for connecting the camera to a TV, including video output and HDMI options.

Fn Button

Explains assigning frequently used shooting menu items to the Fn button for quick access.

Charge by Computer

Explains enabling or disabling battery charging when the camera is connected to a computer via USB.

Reset file numbering

Explains how to reset file numbering and create new folders for images.

Blink Warning

Describes the blink warning feature that detects and alerts users to closed eyes in portraits.

Reset all

Explains how to restore all camera settings to their factory default values.

Shooting Menu

Lists default settings for shooting menu options like image quality, metering, and ISO.

Movie Menu

Lists default settings for movie menu options like movie options and autofocus mode.

Setup Menu

Lists default settings for setup menu items like welcome screen, print date, and vibration reduction.

Others

Lists default settings for miscellaneous options like paper size, slide show interval, and sequence display.

File and Folder Names

File and Folder Names

Details file naming conventions for copied files and folder numbering limits.

Optional Accessories

Error Messages

Error Messages

Lists common error messages related to memory cards, panorama, and 3D shooting.

Error Messages

Lists error messages related to saving images, sound files, editing, movie recording, and file numbering.

Error Messages

Lists error messages related to flash, lens, system errors, and printer communication.

Technical Notes and Index

Caring for the Products

Provides guidance on maintaining and storing the camera and its accessories.

The Camera

Provides precautions for using and storing the camera to ensure its longevity.

Notes on the Monitor

Offers notes on monitor precision, visibility, and potential issues.

The Battery

Provides detailed instructions and warnings for using and maintaining the camera's rechargeable battery.

Charging AC Adapter

Details precautions for using the AC adapter, including compatibility and safety warnings.

The Memory Cards

Provides guidelines for using, formatting, and caring for memory cards with the camera.

Caring for the Camera

Explains how to clean the camera's lens, monitor, and body.

Cleaning

Provides detailed instructions for cleaning the camera's lens, monitor, and body.

Storage

Advises on proper storage conditions for the camera and battery to prevent damage.

Troubleshooting

Offers solutions for common problems encountered with the camera's operation.

Power, Display, Settings Issues

Lists common problems related to power, display visibility, and general settings.

Monitor is blank.

Provides troubleshooting steps for a blank camera monitor screen.

Screen for setting time zone and date is displayed when camera is turned on.

Indicates that the clock battery is exhausted, requiring date/time reset.

Electronically Controlled Cameras

Discusses rare phenomena on the monitor caused by static charge and provides troubleshooting steps.

Shooting Issues

Lists common problems encountered during shooting and their respective causes and solutions.

Camera cannot focus.

Provides solutions for autofocus issues, including subject distance, AF assist, and manual focus.

Pictures are blurred.

Offers tips to prevent blurred pictures, such as using flash, vibration reduction, or a tripod.

Specifications

Lists the technical specifications and features of the Nikon COOLPIX P310 camera.

Index

Provides an alphabetical index for quick reference to topics within the manual.