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 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