DIGITAL CAMERA Quick Start Guide Introduction Parts of the Camera Getting Started Basic Shooting and Playback Operations Connecting to a Smart Device (SnapBridge) Other Functions Technical Notes ii 1 2 8 13 19 23 • Read this manual thoroughly before using the camera. • To ensure proper use of the camera, be sure to read “For Your Safety” (page vi). • After reading this manual, keep it in a readily accessible place for future reference.
Introduction Read This First Thank you for purchasing the Nikon COOLPIX A300 digital camera. Downloading the “Reference Manual” The Reference Manual (PDF format) provides details in various languages on how to use this product. Download the Reference Manual from our Download Center at the URL below and save it on your smart device or computer for reference. • The Reference Manual can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader (downloadable from the Adobe website) or iBooks (an iOS app).
Nikon User Support Should you need technical support, we offer a number of options. Internet For customers in the United States: www.nikonusa.com For customers in Canada: www.nikon.ca (English), fr.nikon.ca (Français) For customers in Mexico: www.nikon.com.mx For customers in Brazil: www.nikon.com.
Information and Precautions Life-Long Learning As part of Nikon’s “Life-Long Learning” commitment to ongoing product support and education, continually updated information is available online at the following websites: • For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com/ • For users in Europe: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support/ • For users in Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa: http://www.nikon-asia.
About the Manuals • No part of the manuals included with this product may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form, by any means, without Nikon’s prior written permission. • Illustrations and screen content shown in this manual may differ from the actual product. • Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in these manuals at any time and without prior notice.
For Your Safety To prevent damage to property or injury to yourself or to others, read “For Your Safety” in its entirety before using this product. Keep these safety instructions where all those who use this product will read them. DANGER Failure to observe the precautions marked with this icon carries a high risk of death or severe injury. WARNING Failure to observe the precautions marked with this icon could result in death or severe injury.
• Keep this product out of reach of children. Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury or product malfunction. In addition, note that small parts constitute a choking hazard. Should a child swallow any part of this product, seek immediate medical attention. • Do not entangle, wrap or twist the straps around your neck. Failure to observe this precaution could result in accidents. • Do not use batteries, chargers, or AC adapters not specifically designated for use with this product.
DANGER for Rechargeable Batteries • Do not mishandle batteries. Failure to observe the following precautions could result in the batteries leaking, overheating, rupturing, or catching fire: - Use only rechargeable batteries approved for use in this product. - Do not expose batteries to flame or excessive heat. - Do not disassemble. - Do not short circuit the terminals by touching them to necklaces, hairpins, or other metal objects.
Parts of the Camera The Camera Body 9 1 23 4 5 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 15 18 16 17 8 Charge lamp Flash lamp 1 Shutter-release button 2 Zoom control f: Wide-angle g: Telephoto h: Thumbnail playback i: Playback zoom 3 Power switch/power-on lamp 13 c (playback) button 14 Multi selector 4 Flash 15 k (apply selection) button 5 Self-timer lamp AF-assist illuminator 16 l (delete) button 17 d (menu) button 6 Connector cover 18 Monitor 7 Eyelet for camera strap 8 Power connector cover (for conne
Getting Started How to Attach the Camera Strap 2 Getting Started
Inserting the Battery and Memory Card Battery latch Memory card slot • With the battery’s positive and negative terminals oriented correctly, move the orange battery latch (3), and fully insert the battery (4). • Slide the memory card in until it clicks into place (5). • Be careful not to insert the battery or memory card upside-down or backward, as this could cause a malfunction.
Charging the Battery Charging AC Adapter Electrical outlet Charge lamp USB cable (included) If a plug adapter* is included with your camera, securely connect it to the Charging AC Adapter. Once the two are connected, attempting to forcibly remove the plug adapter could damage the product. * The shape of the plug adapter varies according to the country or region in which the camera was purchased. This step can be omitted if the plug adapter comes permanently bonded to the Charging AC Adapter.
B Notes About the USB Cable Check the shape and direction of the plugs and do not insert or remove the plugs at an angle. B Turning the Camera On While Charging If you press the power switch while charging with the Charging AC Adapter, the camera turns on in playback mode, and captured images can be played back. Shooting is not possible. C Charging Using a Computer or Battery Charger • You can also charge the battery by connecting the camera to a computer.
Camera Setup 1 Press the power switch to turn the camera on. • Use the multi selector to select and adjust settings. Power switch Up Multi selector Left Right k button (apply selection) Down d button • A language selection dialog will be displayed. Use HI on the multi selector to highlight a language and press the k button to select. • The language can be changed at any time using the Language option in the setup menu (A21).
4 Highlight your home time zone and press the k button. • To turn daylight saving time on, press H. The clock is set ahead one hour and W is displayed at the top of the map. Press I to turn daylight saving time off. Back 5 6 Use HI to choose a date format and press the k button. Enter the current date and time and press the k button. • Use JK to highlight items and use HI to change. • Press the k button to set the clock.
Basic Shooting and Playback Operations Shooting Images x (scene auto selector) mode is used here as an example. In x (scene auto selector) mode, the camera automatically recognizes the shooting scene when you frame a picture, making it easier to take pictures using settings that suit the scene. 1 Hold the camera steady. • Keep fingers and other objects away from the lens, flash, AF assist-illuminator, microphone, and speaker.
• When the camera recognizes the shooting scene, the shooting mode icon changes accordingly. • Battery level indicator b: The battery level is high. B: The battery level is low. • Number of exposures remaining C is displayed when no memory card is inserted in the camera, and images are saved in the internal memory. Shooting mode icon 8m 0s 1400 Number of exposures remaining Battery level indicator 3 Press the shutter-release button halfway.
C The Auto Off Function • When no operations are performed for about one minute, the screen turns off, the camera enters standby mode, and then the power-on lamp flashes. The camera turns off after remaining in standby mode for about three minutes. • To turn the screen back on while the camera is in standby mode, perform an operation such as pressing the power switch or shutter-release button.
Playing Back Images 1 Press the c (playback) button to enter playback mode. • If you press and hold down the c button while the camera is turned off, the camera turns on in playback mode. 2 Use the multi selector to select an image to display. Display the previous image • Press and hold down HIJK to scroll through the images quickly. • To return to shooting mode, press the A button or shutter-release button.
Deleting Images 1 Press the l (delete) button to delete the image currently displayed on the screen. 2 Use the multi selector HI to select the desired deletion method and press the k button. • To exit without deleting, press the d button. 3 Delete Current image Erase selected images All images Select Yes and press the k button. • Deleted images cannot be recovered.
Connecting to a Smart Device (SnapBridge) Installing the SnapBridge App When you install the SnapBridge app on your smart device and establish a wireless connection between the smart device and a SnapBridge-supported camera, you can upload images captured with the camera to the smart device, or use the smart device to release the camera shutter (A17). • This manual describes the procedures for version 2.0 of the SnapBridge app. Use the latest version of the SnapBridge app.
Connecting the Camera and a Smart Device • Use a sufficiently charged battery so that the camera does not turn off during the procedure. • Insert a memory card with sufficient free space into the camera. 1 Camera: Select Network menu (A21) M Connect to smart device, and press the k button. Airplane mode Connect to smart device Send while shooting • The screen in step 2 is displayed when you turn the camera on for the first time. This step is unnecessary in such cases.
4 Smart device: Launch the SnapBridge app and tap Pair with camera. • When the dialog to select a camera is displayed, tap the camera you want to connect to. • If you did not connect to the camera by tapping Skip at the upper-right of the screen when launching the SnapBridge app for the first time, tap Pair with camera in the A tab and proceed to step 5. 5 Smart device: In the Pair with camera screen, tap the camera name.
8 Camera/smart device: Finish the connection settings. Camera: Press the k button when the screen shown on the right is displayed. Smart device: Tap OK when the dialog indicating that pairing is complete is displayed. 9 Your camera and smart device are connected! SnapBridge will send your photos to your smart device as they are taken. Next Camera: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
Disabling or Enabling the Wireless Connection Use any of the following methods to disable or enable the connection. • Switch the setting in Network menu M Airplane mode in the camera. You can set it to On to turn off all communication functions in places where wireless communication is prohibited. • Switch the setting in Network menu M Bluetooth M Connection in the camera. • Switch the setting in the A tab M Auto link options M Auto link in the SnapBridge app.
Remote Photography You can tap the A tab in the SnapBridge app M Remote photography to release the camera shutter using a smart device. • Follow the instructions in the SnapBridge app to switch to a Wi-Fi connection. In iOS, a dialog related to Wi-Fi connections may be displayed. In such cases, see “If a Dialog Related to Wi-Fi Connections Is Displayed in iOS” (A18). If a Dialog Related to Wi-Fi Connections Is Displayed in iOS The SnapBridge app normally connects the camera and smart device via Bluetooth.
Other Functions Selecting a Shooting Mode The shooting modes described below are available. • x Scene auto selector The camera automatically recognizes the shooting scene when you frame a picture, making it easier to take pictures using settings that suit the scene. • b Scene mode Camera settings are optimized according to the scene that you select. • D Special effects Apply effects to images during shooting.
Setting Shooting Functions with the Multi Selector When the shooting screen is displayed, you can press the multi selector H (m) J (n) I (p) K (o) to set the functions described below. • m Flash mode You can select a flash mode to match the shooting conditions. • n Self-timer The camera releases the shutter 10, 2, or 5 seconds after you press the shutterrelease button. • p Macro mode Use macro mode when you take close-up pictures. • o Exposure compensation You can adjust overall image brightness.
Menu Operations You can set the menus listed below by pressing the d (menu) button. • • • • • 1 2 3 A Shooting menu1, 2 D Movie menu1 G Playback menu3 J Network menu z Setup menu Press the d button when the shooting screen is displayed. Menu icons and available setting options vary depending on the shooting mode. Press the d button when the playback screen is displayed. 1 Press the d (menu) button. • The menu is displayed. 8m 0s 1400 2 Press the multi selector J.
4 Select a menu option and press the k button. • Certain menu options cannot be set depending on the current shooting mode or the state of the camera. 5 Select a setting and press the k button. Time zone and date Monitor settings Date stamp Photo VR AF assist Digital zoom Date stamp • The setting you selected is Date applied. Date and time • When you are finished using the Off menu, press the d button.
Technical Notes Notices Notices for Customers in the U.S.A. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. DANGER - TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS For connection to a supply not in the U.S.A., use an attachment plug adapter of the proper configuration for the power outlet if needed. The power supply unit is intended to be correctly orientated in a vertical or floor mount position.
Notice for Customers in the State of California WARNING Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. Nikon Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, New York 11747-3064, U.S.A.
Notes About Wireless Communication Functions Restrictions on Wireless Devices The wireless transceiver included in this product conforms to wireless regulations in the country of sale and is not for use in other countries (products purchased in the EU or EFTA can be used anywhere within the EU and EFTA). Nikon does not accept liability for use in other countries.
Precautions when Exporting or Carrying This Product Abroad This product is controlled by the United States Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The permission of the United States government is not required for export to countries other than the following, which as of this writing are subject to embargo or special controls: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria (list subject to change).
Notice for Customers in the U.S.A. and Canada Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry of Canada (IC) Declaration of Conformity This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules and Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of this device.
Caring for the Product Observe the precautions described below in addition to the warnings in “For Your Safety” (Avi–viii) when using or storing the device. The Camera Do Not Apply Strong Impact to the Camera The product may malfunction if subjected to strong shock or vibration. In addition, do not touch or apply force to the lens or lens cover. Keep Dry The device will be damaged if immersed in water or subjected to high humidity.
Notes About the Monitor • Monitors (including electronic viewfinders) are constructed with extremely high precision; at least 99.99% of pixels are effective, with no more than 0.01% being missing or defective. Hence while these displays may contain pixels that are always lit (white, red, blue, or green) or always off (black), this is not a malfunction and has no effect on images recorded with the device. • Images in the monitor may be difficult to see under bright lighting.
Carrying Spare Batteries Whenever possible, carry fully charged spare batteries when taking pictures on important occasions. Using the Battery When Cold On cold days, the capacity of batteries tends to decrease. If an exhausted battery is used at a low temperature, the camera may not turn on. Keep spare batteries in a warm place and exchange as necessary. Once warmed, a cold battery may recover some of its charge. Battery Terminals Dirt on the battery terminals may prevent the camera from functioning.
Cleaning and Storage Cleaning Do not use alcohol, thinner, or other volatile chemicals. Lens Avoid touching glass parts with your fingers. Remove dust or lint with a blower (typically a small device with a rubber bulb attached to one end that is pumped to produce a stream of air out the other end). To remove fingerprints or other stains that cannot be removed with a blower, wipe the lens with a soft cloth, using a spiral motion that starts at the center of the lens and working toward the edges.
Troubleshooting If the camera fails to function as expected, check the list of common problems below before consulting your retailer or Nikon-authorized service representative. Also, refer to the Reference Manual (PDF format) for further details on how to use this camera (Aii). A Problem Cause/Solution The camera is on but does not respond. • Wait for recording to end. • If the problem persists, turn the camera off.
Memory Cards That Can Be Used The camera supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. • Memory cards with an SD Speed Class rating of 6 or faster are recommended for recording movies. When using a memory card with a lower Speed Class rating, movie recording may stop unexpectedly. • If you use a card reader, make sure that it is compatible with your memory card. • Contact the manufacturer for information on features, operation, and limitations on use.
• All other trade names mentioned in this manual or the other documentation provided with your Nikon product are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. “Made for iPod,” “Made for iPhone,” and “Made for iPad” mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone, or iPad, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards.
No reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written authorization from NIKON CORPORATION.
