Nikon Coolpix P80 Review

AUTO record mode offers very few menu options, just image resolution and quality. The "10M" icon indicates the image resolution is 10-megapixels at Fine quality and there's 697 pictures remaining at the current image resolution. The zoom lens gauge is shown for a few moments whenever the focal length is changed (not shown above). The "VR" indicates the vibration reduction system is enabled. You can also see the shutter speed and aperture values at the bottom.

When you half-press the shutter release the autofocus is locked and the exposure is calculated and set. If autofocus was successful the AF marks will turn green, if it fails they turn red and blink. You will also see the selected shutter speed and aperture values across the bottom.

Program AE mode is also automatic but it allows the user full access to all the menu options (see below.) You can also use the "Flexible Program" option, where you can choose different combinations of shutter speed and aperture by rotating the command dial.

Shutter priority mode allows you to specify the shutter speed and the camera selects the correct aperture. Select a fast shutter speed to freeze fast-moving subjects or use a slower shutter speed to capture flowing water. Rotating the command dial changes the shutter speed values.

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. Rotating the command dial changes the shutter speed values.

Manual is for more experienced users, here you select both the shutter speed and aperture value. While you are adjusting the values, an exposure meter is displayed to help you dial in the settings for optimum exposure (not shown.)

P/S/A/M mode menu:

Image Quality - Fine, Normal, Basic
Image Size - 10M, 8M, 5M, 3M, 2M, 1M, PC, TV, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
Optimize Image - Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, Custom, Black-and-white
White Balance - Auto, Custom WB, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash
ISO Sensitivity - 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000, 3200, 6400 (3M only)
Metering - Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot or Spot AF area
Continuous - Single, Continuous, BSS, Multi-shot 16, Interval timer
Auto Bracketing - Off, ±0.3, ±0.7, ±1.0
AF area mode - Face Priority, Auto, Manual, Center
AF Mode - Single AF or Full-time AF
Flash exp. comp. - ±2EV in 1/3EV steps
Flash control - Auto, Built-in off
Fixed aperture - The aperture remains constant as you zoom (On or Off)
Noise reduction - Auto or On
Distortion control - Off or On

The Menu option lets you display menu screens in icon or text format. You can call up HELP for any menu function by pressing the "T"elephoto zoom button.

The help function allows you to quickly understand a specific menu item or option, without having to refer to the user's manual. You simply press the telephoto zoom control while the menu item is highlighted, then you will see a screen like the above Distortion control example.

Pressing the 4-way selector "up" changes flash modes, "left" enables the self-timer, down" changes the focus mode, and "right" adjusts exposure compensation in Program mode or the aperture/shutter speed values in S/A/M modes. You set these options via onscreen popups as shown above.

Scene mode options include: Portrait, Night Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Party, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show.

There's an eVR option in the movie menu (default settings if off), which can help compensate for hand and camera movement.

Movie mode options:

Movie options - TV* (640/30fps), TV (640/15fps), 320, Time-lapse, Sepia 320, B&W 320
AF Mode - Single AF or Full-time AF
Electronic VR - On or Off