Nikon Coolpix P5000: Review

Posted to Digital Cameras 2009-09-14

Nikon Coolpix P5000 Review:

Need a good point-and-shoot for that next trip or event? Consider purchasing the Nikon Coolpix P5000, a 10.0 megapixel digital camera inspired by Nikon's digital SLR models. What's so great about the P5000 is that it is lightweight and compact- perfect enough to fit in your pocket. It comes loaded with a variety of new features and technologies, so you can be confident you are getting your money's worth. Although this isn't the best point-and-shoot camera as far as performance goes, it is great for the casual photographer or for families who want to capture memories.

At 2.5 x 1.6 x 3.9 inches and 7.1 oz, the Nikon Coolpix P5000 is very compact, but at the same time very versatile and snapshot-accurate. To assist you in getting close to your subject, this model features a 3.5x optical vibration reduction (VR) zoom. Other impressive features include the 2.5 inch high-resolution LCD display, automatic ISO 3200, and Nikon image processor. Some users have questioned the performance of this model, but slow snapshots can usually be cured with a high-speed memory card. Overall, this is a good 4-star point-and-shoot that works well for the casual traveler or active family. It also works very well as a secondary camera for amateur and hobbyist photographers.

Rating:

4.0 out of 5

Features

Not only does the Nikon Coolpix P5000 support both JPEG images for export, but it also captures high-quality video for the moments when you need quick recording. This model also has an excellent ISO range, which will automatically adjust between 100 and 3200. Other innovations include In-Camera Red Eye Fix, Face Priority AF, and D-Lighting- all exclusive Nikon technologies that will enhance your picture experience. Several exposure modes allow the user to use this camera like a digital SLR, which is great for seasoned photographers who are used to their SLR. Overall, this point-and-shoot is fairly impressive with a 4-star rating.

Performance

Naturally, the performance experience will vary by user, but some consumers have been disappointed by the quality of performance with this camera. If you are a die-hard professional photographer who wants something quick and small, then this point-and-shoot may not be for you. Although it is compact, shooting is unusually slow, which may be attributed to the memory card. But if you are a hobbyist or someone getting into photography, the Nikon Coolpix P5000 is perfect for on-the-go photographer.

Summary

This 10.0 megapixel digital camera is fancy with features, loaded with capabilities, but has some drawbacks. The price tag is certainly okay, but you should look for future models to increase in quality as well as come down in price. Keep in mind that it's just a point-and-shoot, not a digital SLR. If you really need the speed and quality of a SLR, then we recommend you go with an SLR because this model will not replace it. However, it you are looking for a good compact point and shoot digital camera, the Nikon Coolpix P5000 is excellent for shooting and is also great to use as a backup to your SLR. It is compact and lightweight- something that SLR's simply cannot offer.

Pros

Very compact and lightweight
Not as impressive as SLR models, but good overall
Great backup camera
Zoom-3.5x optical with vibration reduction

Cons

May be slow when downloading images