Nikon joins the large sensor compact camera party with the Nikon Coolpix A. Built around a 16.2MP DX sensor, the Coolpix A uses a 28mm equivalent f/2.8 lens to allow photographers to capture 14-bit Raw files. The estimated street price will be $1,100.

Lots of good things to explore about this pocketable powerhouse, but I do think it's curious that Nikon decided to go with an f/2.8 prime lens instead of a faster f/2.0 that I'd hope for on a premium priced fixed lens camera.

For example, the Fujifilm X100 features a 12.3MP APS-C sensor, 35mm (equivalent) f/2.0 prime lens, and a switchable optical/electronic viewfinder for $50 less than the Nikon Coolpix A. The Nikon is smaller with higher resolution; the X100 is brighter with a built-in viewfinder. We'll see how things shake out with photographers.

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