Nikon Coolpix P1 Review

AUTO record mode offers no menu options, you set the image resolution, ISO speed and White Balance from the Mode Dial. The "8M" icon indicates the image resolution is 8-megapixels at Fine quality and there's 250 pictures remaining at the current image resolution.

When you half-press the shutter release the autofocus is locked and the exposure is calculated and set. If autofocus was successful the AF dot icon is green, if it fails it is red and blinks.

Program AE mode is also automatic but it allows the user full access to all the menu options (see below.)

Aperture priority mode allows you to specify the aperture value for depth of field (focus) control. A larger number is more depth of focus, a smaller number is less.

In Program or Aperture modes you press the 4-way "right" to access this screen with a histogram and from here you can set the exposure compensation value, or adjust the shutter speed or aperture depending on the mode in use.

Program AE/Aperture mode menu:

White Balance - Auto, Custom WB, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy or Speedlight
Metering - Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot or Spot AF area
Continuous - Shooting mode: Single frame, Continuous H, Continuous L, Multi-Shot 16, Ultra HS, 5-shot buffer, Interval timer
BSS - Best Shot Selector: On or Off (Shoots up to 10 frames and then automatically saves the best [sharpest/clearest] one)
Bracketing - AE Bracketing or WB Bracketing
Flash Exp Comp - Flash intensity ±2.0 in 0.3 steps
Image Adjustment - Auto, Normal, More Contrast, Less Contrast
Image Sharpening - Auto, High, Normal, Low, Off
Saturation - Maximum +2, Enhanced +1, Normal, Moderate -1, Minimum -2
Sensitivity - ISO Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400
Image Quality - Fine, Normal, Basic
Image Size - 8M, 5M, 3M, 2M, 1M, PC, VGA, 3:2
AF Area Mode - Auto (5-area), Manual or Center
AF Mode - Single AF or Continuous AF
Fixed Aperture - The aperture remains constant as you zoom
Noise Reduction - Long shutter noise reduction On or Off
Reset - Return all settings to default
User Setting - Customize the User 1 or User 2 memory settings

If the Menu option is set to "icon" then this is what your menu will look like.

Whenever you are making a menu selection you can press the Help button (telephoto zoom) to display a brief explanation of the mode or option.

Pressing the 4-way selector "up" changes flash modes, "left" enables the self-timer and "down" changes the focus mode. You set these options via onscreen popups as shown above.

Scene mode options include: Face Priority AF, Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night portrait, Landscape, Panorama, Night landscape, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Fireworks show, Backlight, Closeup, Museum, Copy and Sports

Face Priority AF mode actually detects the presence of a human face in the frame and focuses on it. Some of the other portrait scene modes have onscreen framing guides to help you properly position your subject for the desired effect.

Movie mode options:

TV Movie 640* - Color 640 x 480 pixels, 30fps
TV Movie 640 - Color 640 x 480 pixels, 15fps
Small Size 320 - Color 320 x 240 pixels, 15fps
Smaller Size 160 - Color 160 x 120 pixels, 15fps
Time-Lapse Movie - Capture up to 1800 images at specified interval and then create a silent 640x480 movie at 30 fps.
Sepia Movie 320 - Sepia toned 320 x 240 at 5fps
B/W Movie 320 - Monochrome 320 x 240 at 15fps
Autofocus mode - Single or Continuous AF
Electronic VR - Vibration Reduction On or Off