Nikon Coolpix P500

The new Nikon Coolpix P500 is the Nikon’s latest super-zoom for those who require the broadest possible focal length range in the most compact chasis. Replacing the Nikon P100 which offered 26x zoom, it just nudges ahead of its chief competitor, the Power Shot SX30. Other competitors include the Fujifilm HS10, Fine Pix HS20 and Olympus SP800UZ, all of which offer 30x zoom.

Nikon Coolpix P500

 

Though the Nikon Coolpix P500 features a huge 36x zoom, a large, articulating 3-inch LCD and a solid, SLR-like grip, it weighs in at a surprisingly light-feeling 1.1 pounds. At 2.3 by 4.06 by 1.26 inches though, it’s not small. All that space is to hold the camera’s massive zoom lens. The grip on the right side provides a firm hold  while framing your shot, and well-placed buttons and switches offer plenty of control.

Nikon Coolpix P500

 

The Nikon Coolpix P500 is fast, powering up and shooting in an average of 2 second, and you only wait 1.5 second between shots. Nikon P500 can capture footage in high-def at 30 frames per second in either 1080p or 720p. Nikon includes a mini-HDMI port so you can plug it right into an HDTV for video and still-image play back.

Coolpix P500

 

Nikon Coolpix P500 specifications:

• Effective Pixels     12.1 million
• Image Sensor   CMOS
• Sensor Size   1/2.3 in. 
• Lens    36x optical Zoom, NIKKOR ED glass lens 
• Lens Focal Length   4.0-144.0mm (angle of view equivalent to that of 22.5-810mm lens in 35mm [135] format)
• Lens f/-number  f/3.5-5.7
• Lens Construction  14 elements in 9 groups
• Lens Zoom  36x
• Digital Zoom  Up to 4x (angle of view equivalent to that of approx. 3240mm lens in 35mm [135] format
• Storage Media  SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card
• ISO Sensitivity  Auto (auto gain ISO 160-800), High ISO Sensitivity auto (ISO 160-1600

The performance of the Nikon P500 is mostly satisfactory. It starts up in under two seconds and zooms pretty quickly yet accurately for a power zoom. As noted earlier, its AF speed is not the greatest, but you’ll only notice that when trying to capture fast action. We found the high-speed continuous shooting mode brilliant but sadly limited by a small buffer.

If you’re after a truly super, superzoom then you can’t get much better than the Nikon P500. It’s 36x zoom is quite simply one better than the competition, spanning as it does a range of 22.5 – 810mm (in 35mm terms). With Full HD video, including stereo audio, and a full set of manual exposure controls, it’s also a versatile tool. Add in a reasonably competitive price and you’ve got a near perfect site seeing/travel companion.

Nikon P500 picture

Nikon Coolpix P500 LCD

Coolpix P500