Nikon P7000 Compact: A Photographer's Dream

September 17, 2010 @ 12:24AM

Nikon P7000 Compact: A Photographer's Dream

Coolpix Offers Features Normally Seen on DSLRs

Nikon has added the P7000 to its line of Coolpix cameras. The camera is designed for the enthusiast or pro photographer looking for a compact camera to take with them on the go.

The 10.1-megapixel Coolpix P7000 features a CCD sensor, 7.1x wide angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens, and Nikon's proprietary EXPEED C2 image processing engine. ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 6400 (expandable to ISO 12,800 in low noise Night Mode). The camera utilizes a 5-way VR Image Stabilization system to minimize the effect of camera shake. The P7000 also features a Zoom Memory function that turns the 28-200mm zoom into a simulated prime lens.

Advanced features such as added controls/buttons for ISO, white balance, bracketing and exposure compensation give the camera a feel closer to that of what the DSLR shooter would expect. A new Quick Menu dial gives easy access to key functions without having to navigate through menus. The compact P7000 gives users the best of two worlds, with full manual and automatic shooting modes. Nikon's Smart Portrait System integrates such features as a smile timer, blink warning and enhanced face-priority AF that can detect up to a dozen faces.

Other features include the ability to shoot RAW (NRW), Macro shooting as close as .8-inches to the subject, a large optical viewfinder with diopter adjustment, 3-inch LCD, electronic virtual horizon indicator, in-camera editing functions including Nikon's D-Lighting and Active D-Lighting, and much more. The P7000 records HD video at 720p/24 fps with optical zoom and AF control. The camera is the first Coolpix to allow for the use of an external stereo mic, via the microphone input. Either a mic or a Nikon Speedlight can be mounted onto the camera's hot shoe.

Nikon's P7000 is expected to ship later this month with an MSRP of $499.95.

For more information, go to www.nikonusa.com.

Comments

Peter K Burian

1 year ago

Hi Diane, I just got a P7000 for testing. Very classy camera. I am particularly impressed with the lens, 28-200mm equivalent focal lengths.

Hope to post my Review in about two weeks!

Peter

Marilyn Sholin

Pixiq Expert

1 year ago

I would enjoy seeing a comparison to my new favorite toy camera the Canon 210is
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_...

I am especially enjoying the zoom in the HD video mode!
Always looking for small cameras to recommend to students and friends.

keekimaru

6 months ago

Nikon P7000 really a joy to use!

This is a great camera if you're looking for an extremely customizable compact camera.

Size and Handling -- This really just depends on what you are looking for. If you want a pocket camera that can fit into shirt pockets, jean pockets, etc then this is not the camera for you and you really should look elsewhere. For me, it's the perfect size, not too big and not too small. The camera is solid but not too heavy.

Picture quality -- I shoot mainly in RAW and the quality so far is excellent. Little noise up to ISO400 and usable to ISO800. Can go to 1600 in a pinch.

Autofocus -- Focus is fast and accurate. There are options for Autofocus, Macro Focus, Infinity, and Manual Focus. Be sure to read the manual and spend time understanding the focus options. Some people are reporting focus issues and I believe many are related to users not learning enough about the focus system.

Write speed -- This is where I would have given a 4 1/2 instead of a 5 if I could. JPG write speeds are good but RAW is fairly slow and doesn't appear to buffer. It doesn't affect me much based on the way I take pictures but there are times that it would be nice if it were faster. Of course if you shoot JPG then this is a non-issue.

Pros
Customization
Battery life
Viewfinder (I don't use it too often but nice when you need it)
Image quality
Zoom range
Menus (intuitive, easy to use. Even better if you're familiar with Nikon DSLR menus.)
Works with Nikon remote and Nikon flash
Preset zoom

Cons
Have to select Playback button to scroll through images (I like the ability to scroll after taking a photo like the D90)
No articulating screen (If I have to choose, I'll take the higher res LCD but every once in a while the articulating screen would come in handy).
RAW write speed (will be a bigger con for some than it is for me)

In summary this is a great camera and I highly recommend it as long as you aren't confusing it for something it's not like a pocket P&S with limited controls or a full sized DSLR!!

All I bought at the price $399 dollars from website amazon.

Or you may access information from this link.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00427ZLRO/tipfla-20

I think Nikon Coolpix P7000 Camera where everyone must have. I believe you will get a very good experience like me.