The Nikon Coolpix P500 comes with a cool 36X optical zoom that allows you to have great zoom capabilities without the weight and the bulk. Photography lovers often joked about people who carry these semi-pro super zoom camera, complaining that they are neither as good as a DSLR or as light as a compact camera.
While I do not dispute this, the Nikon P500 gives me picture quality near that of a DSLR with a decent zoom lens. This is simply amazing because given it’s weight of less than 500 grams including batteries, it almost feel like I’m carrying feathers around.
Down to the review proper. Startup time is fast and zoom is fast and smooth. There is electronic vibration reduction system in place, so the zoom shots are pretty crisps and clear.
The colours are slightly oversaturated to me although people who love rich colours especially when taking fruits and food may like it.
Overall it’s a relatively cheap and good option to lug around for holidays.
Specifications for Nikon Coolpix P500
| Effective pixels: | 12.1 million
|
|---|---|
|
Image sensor: |
1/2.3-in. type CMOS; approx. 12.75 million total pixels |
| Lens: |
36X optical zoom, NIKKOR lens; 4.0-144mm (angle of view equivalent to that of 22.5-810 mm lens in 35mm [135] format); f/3.4-5.7, Digital zoom: up to 4X (angle of view equivalent to that of approx. 3240 mm lens in 35mm [135] format) |
|
Focus range (from lens): |
[W]: Approx. 50 cm to ∞ , [T]: Approx. 2.2m to ∞ ,
Macro close-up mode: Approx. 10 cm to ∞ (when F lights in green and the zoom indicator is on the wide-angle position of K), and from approx. 1 cm to ∞ (at three increments from the maximum wide-angle position to the telephoto position) |
| Monitor: |
7.5 cm (3-in.), approx. 921k-dot, wide viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating and 5-level brightness adjustment, tiltable 82° downward, 90° upward |
|
Storage media: |
Internal memory (approx. 102 MB), |
|
ISO sensitivity: |
ISO 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto (auto gain from ISO 160 to 800) |
|
Interface: |
Hi-Speed USB |
|
Power sources: |
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5 (supplied) |
|
Battery life: |
Still pictures*1: Approx. 220 shots |
|
Dimensions (WxHxD): |
Approx. 115.5 X 83.7 X 102.5 mm (excluding projections) |
|
Weight: |
Approx. 494 g (including battery and SD memory card) |
(1920 X 1080)
