Nikon Coolpix P500

During the course of the past week, I had the opportunity of taking the Nikon Coolpix P500 for a test drive. The Coolpix P500 is one of Nikon’s compact digital cameras, and is the replacement of the Coolpix P100. The one feature of the Coolpix P500 that really stands out is its massive 36x zoom lens. This is a step up from its predecessor which had only a 26x zoom lens. The Coolpix P500 also has a 1/ 2.3 inch, 12.1 megapixel sensor-- two more megapixels than the Coolpix P100 (but who needs more megapixels if you aren’t making big enlargements?). The f/3.5 maximum aperture of the Coolpix P500, however, is smaller than the older Coolpix P100 which has a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The Coolpix P500 also has four exposure modes as well as a nineteen different scene modes, and a Full HD Movie Mode. Anyway, that’s enough tech specs. A full list of specifications of the Coolpix P500 can be found here.

Now onto the tests. (Click 'MORE')

First of all, I liked how the camera fit perfectly in my hands. Keep in mind, I have small hands, so for those of you who have a bigger hands it may feel very small. Like the P100, the P500 also has a movable LCD screen. You can adjust the screen so that it is facing down: convenient for when you are holding the camera over head, and you can adjust the screen so that

it is facing up so you can photograph things that are low to the ground (With movable LCD screens I like keeping the camera at waist level with the screen facing up because it makes it feel like I am using a medium format camera with a waist level viewfinder).

Now, although I was never a fan of the design of bridge cameras, I have to admit, the ergonomics of the Coolpix P500's design is acceptable. As I said before, the camera fit into my hands really well. There is a thumb wheel, two zoom controls (one by the shutter release and one on the barrel of the lens), a dedicated video recording button right next to the thumb

wheel, a pop up flash button, and a control pad to adjust macro settings, exposure compensation, flash control, and self timer. Everything was easily accessible with little effort from my fingers. A downside is that there is no dedicated button for white balance and ISO so you have to go into the menus and change it from there.

Photographing with the camera is pretty simple-- with a fast start up time all you have to do is turn on the camera, point and shoot. You can alternate between the LCD screen viewfinder and the electronic viewfinder.

When it came to image quality, it was average. I have read multiple reviews of the P500 that the camera produces sharp images, but in my opinion, the images were more on the soft side-- especially at 810mm. I found the images to be "sharpest" at widest to mid telephoto range.

I did like the experience of using the 36x zoom lens though. Its just crazy thinking that such a small camera has a a massive zoom capability-- 22.5mm-810mm to be exact. However, I did find it difficult to use the camera hand-held zoomed in all the way, so I suggest using a tripod if you want to take pictures or video zoomed in all the way. Finally, Here is a sample of the movie mode. (iNikon Coolpix P500 video)

All in all, I think that the Nikon Coolpix P500 is a decent camera at a reasonable price point. If you are looking versatility without having to lug around a bunch of different lenses then the Nikon Coolpix P500 is for you. However, being priced at$399.95 I would rather buy an entry level SLR body such as the d3000 and a good lens for a little bit more money.

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