Nikon CoolPix W150

The Nikon CoolPix W150 is a compact camera from 2019. It weighs 177g and measures just 110 x 67 x 38mm, so it slips into a pocket and goes where bigger cameras do not.

A fixed lens is permanently attached, so everything you need is already built in. Stills are the main event, with video recording on hand as well.

Weather sealing and a built-in flash make it a natural fit for holidays and casual family outings. This is a camera to keep in a jacket pocket, not one to build a system around.

The W150 pairs a 13-megapixel CMOS sensor with a small 1/3.1-inch format. That small sensor suits a fixed-lens compact slim enough to slip into a pocket, and it sets the resolution ceiling for stills.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 125 to 1600. In dim conditions the camera cannot push sensitivity higher, so you lean on slower shutter speeds, the built-in flash or stabilisation instead.

In-body stabilisation reduces camera shake, which helps handheld shots stay sharp as the light fades. It does not freeze a moving subject, so treat it as a steadiness aid rather than a low-light cure.

Burst shooting reaches up to 11 frames per second at maximum, enough to catch a fleeting splash or expression. Focus relies on a single autofocus point, so focusing happens through that one point. The maximum shutter speed is 1/2000s, and with no viewfinder, framing happens on the rear screen.

Video recording tops out at Full HD resolution. That is the highest mode listed for the W150, and it sets the limit for recorded footage.

The maximum video frame rate is 30fps. Resolution and frame rate are listed separately, so the two figures describe distinct maximums rather than one confirmed recording mode.

Recording uses MPEG-4 or MOV file formats, so clips leave the camera in one of those two containers.

A built-in timelapse mode records gradual change, such as drifting clouds, without extra gear. In-body stabilisation also helps handheld filming, smoothing the small camera shakes that come from holding the camera at arm's length. As with stills, it steadies the camera, not a moving subject.

Framing happens on the 2.7-inch TFT LCD with live view and 230,000 dots. The screen is fixed in place and offers no touch input, so composing high or low angles takes some bending.

A built-in flash lifts shadows indoors. External flash is not supported, so the built-in unit is the camera's only flash option.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built in for wireless connection to other devices. There is no built-in GPS, so the camera itself does not add location data to photos.

Body sealing rounds off a camera intended for outdoor use, helping keep dust and damp away from the internals when conditions turn rough.

The camera accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, including UHS-I versions, and it also carries internal storage. That built-in space gives somewhere to save files if a card is left behind.

With a single card slot, storage planning matters. A large SDXC card, or the internal memory, is your safety margin on a busy day.

The EN-EL19 battery carries a 220-shot rating. Actual endurance varies with how much flash and playback you use, so a charged spare is worth packing for a full day out.

USB charging lets you refill the battery over a USB connection instead of a dedicated mains adapter, which suits topping up away from home.