Nikon Coolpix P500 Review

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Review posted 8/10/2011

Quick Take
Pros
  • Amazing versatility from the 36x optical zoom lens
  • dSLR style body is easy and comfortable to handle
  • Fully Automatic and Manual controls
  • Excellent 1080p video recording with full use of the optical zoom
  • Robust shooting performance
  • High quality Vari-Angle 3.0-inch LCD screen, shows amazing detail
  • Powerful built-in flash
  • Second zoom control is very convenient
  • Stereo Microphone
  • HDMI output
Cons
  • At full telephoto, the camera can be very hard to hold steady, even with the optical image stabilization
  • Overall image quality is not up to our expectations
  • No audio input
  • Sub-Par battery life
Bottom Line
Nikon's CoolPix P500 is an incredibly versatile and fun camera to operate. Sporting a 36x optical zoom lens, 12.1-Megapixel Backside Illuminated CMOS, 3.0-inch LCD and 1080p HD video capture this camera is capable of more than just fun. Its overall image quality is a concern and may lead you to look at other Mega-Zoom models. Read more in our Full Conclusion.
nikon_P500_550.jpgNikon is well known for their powerful P-series of super-zoom cameras, and their latest edition is the most powerful model yet. The Coolpix P500 boasts the longest zoom ever integrated in a Coolpix camera, with 36x magnification. Nikon has also incorporated their Nikkor ED glass into the lens construction, which has been passed down from their D-series dSLR lenses. With a 22.5-810mm equivalent zoom range, the P500 is ready for just about any photo opt with one of the most versatile focal ranges to date (8/2011).

Other key features on the P500 include a 12-megapixel BSI (BackSide Illuminated), CMOS image sensor, Nikon's proven hybrid Vibration Reduction (VR) system (Sensor-shift + Digital VR), in-camera HDR, up to 5fps burst mode shooting at full-res, 1080p HD video option, and a awesome 3.0-inch Vari-angle LCD screen to name a few.


Nikon Coolpix P500 features:
  • High-speed 12-megapixel BSI, CMOS imager
  • Nikkor 36x optical zoom lens with ED glass elements
  • Nikon's Hybrid VR image stabilization
  • 3.0-inch Vari-angle LCD screen with 921k dots
  • Full 1080p HD video recording
  • Auto Scene Selector
  • High Speed Movie capture
  • On-lens Zoom controls
  • Stereo Microphone
  • Full Manual Shooting mode with manual focus
  • Up to 8fps burst shooting at full resolution
  • SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot
  • Li-ion battery pack (good for up to 220 photos)
The Coolpix P500 is available now with a suggested retail price of $399.95 US. See our buy box below for the most current online pricing.

What's in the box?:
  • Coolpix P500 camera body
  • Camera Strap AN-CP21
  • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5
  • Charging AC Adapter EH-69P
  • UC-E6 USB Cable
  • Audio Video Cable EG-CP16
  • Nikon ViewNX 2 Software CD
  • Lens Cap LC-CP23



Next: Specifications

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