I want whatever they're smoking.

Review

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_coolpix_a_review/

It's amazing that they want virtually the same money for this as their new D7100. It appears to be a fine quality and discreet camera, but priced a bit flamboyantly!

First impressions and samples

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikon-coolpix-a/4

We were very pleased and impressed with the level of quality in the images that the Coolpix A can produce. Pricing of this camera seems to be considerably higher than its direct competitor, the Ricoh GR. Nikon has created a great small camera, and they priced it according to what they think it’s worth. We did enjoy shooting with the camera overall, and it would make a great inconspicuous shooter for candid photography.

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/06/17/review-nikon-coolpix-a/

Price is high. Agree.

Ricoh GR is priced better, and Nikon is not known for frequent firmware updates for their compacts and mirrorless lineups.

Nikon shooters looking for a pocket camera should very seriously consider the Coolpix A. The similarity in controls, high image quality, and simple integration into your RAW workflow make it a no-brainer—as long as you can stomach its price tag. Mind you, it costs less than the Fujifilm and only slightly more than Sigma’s DP Merrill line of cameras, which are bulkier and, in our opinion, almost require a RAW workflow.

http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2013/07/camera-test-nikon-coolpix

The Nikon A records video at Full HD 1920x1080p at either 30 or 25 frames per second. The camera can also record 1280x720p at 30 or 24 frames per second. Audio is recorded in stereo sound. Unfortunately, the video mode is hidden in the menu instead of having its own dedicated button.

The Nikon Coolpix A offers very good to excellent image quality. Modern cameras have become very effective at reducing noise up to 1600 and 3200. The Nikon A is no exception to this accepted norm. When entering into the extended ISO range, noise becomes apparent. But that is to be expected.

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=5408&p=3

Nikon's Coolpix A is one of the smallest cameras that includes an APS-C sized image sensor, and that sensor gives this Nikon camera the ability to create extremely high quality photos, similar to what you'd see with an entry-level DSLR camera.

The Coolpix A's autofocus doesn't work as well as it should for a camera in this price range.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/nikon/coolpix-a/

COOLPIX A firmware: C:1.12 firmware update released

https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19232

$299 deal

Still kicking myself I didn't buy the Nikon Coolpix A when it was on a close out sale waaaay back in 2015, went onto eBay just now and they're still not as cheap as that sale! Crazy.

The original Fujifilm X100 has however dropped down to nearing on that price. However dunno if I'd want to spend that much for the older model which does 12MP / 720P in 2018 :-/

Ricoh GR tend to be even more than the Nikon.

So guess I might wait a little while longer, see if prices come down even more on APS-C P&S cameras (Fujifilm X70 has been out for a couple of years, and is now discontinued, and it was the cheapest of them all at launch. So maybe soon we'll see a tumble in its price on eBay).