Nikon Coolpix P5000

Opinion: Bought the camera in preparation for a trip overseas as soon as it became available on the market. I knew I wasn't going to get dslr quality images and therefore lowered my expectations.
The camera feels like a real cameras, the body has some heft to it and feels solid..not like some other cameras out there...the image stabilization is dead on target, rock solid. the menu is easy to use, you don't even need to look at the user's manual.
I spent the last 6 days testing it, using it the same way I use my other cameras to see if the image quality lives up to the manufacturer's advertizing. I've shot hundrerds of pictures so far.
The exposure meter seems to be off by at least one F stop. The image quality is a big disapointement. All shots seem fine on the little screen until you transfer them to your pc and find out they aren't sharp at all. The colors are less than accurate. The are just plain dull.
The lens is slow at the telephoto end. I wish Nikon had included a Raw file format. After all people buy cameras for the quality of the images they deliver and not because they are built to look and feel great. camera looks for me will never make up for poor image quality. The lack of a Raw format was a tragic mistake, in my opinion. I think Nikon wanted to protect it's newest products sales, mainly the D40 ans D40x. I would have paid more if it had a Raw format.
The screen resolution is very good even thought it's a litte bit hard to look at it ouside.
With a lot of patience, I was able to take some ok images.
The camera more often than not makes any white surface look purple or magenta. All the other colors are rendered accurately. The b/w feature mode includes 4 filters (yellow, orange, red and green).
If you want a camera you can tuck in your shirt pocket for those shooting situations or places where carrying a bigger camera can be a hassle, this one is for you ca settle for the kind of picture this one delivers.

Opinion: I bought this camera to replace my SamSung V50. P5000 is a very friendly camera in almost every aspect. It is light. It is Ok for man and woman to carry around over your necks. Even with 10 million pixels, the camera can store the pic quite fast. This new Nikon P5000 has all the features that a NEW camera should have. VR image stabilization works very good. This camera has a very User-friendly menu. It only takes you a few tries to get used to it. It has a Hot shoe for external flash light. It even supports SDHC card, G7 does not. It can even shoot the pics with Shutter Priority Auto, Aperture Priority Auto and Manual mode. You can print the date on the pics for your easy reference. The battery last for over 250 shots. This price is only 2/3 of G7 as well as the weight. This is the right camera for beginner or even professional.
I took this camera to a dog park together with my dog on Sunday. I use Shutter priority to shoot the pics. I used ISO64. The pics are all very good even the dogs running around.
I have been waiting for this kind of camera for a long time. It finally came out in the market with a Nikon brand.

Opinion: I last owned a Coolpix when it was 5 meg. I now use a Nikon D200, which is
great, but heavy. I sprung for this Coolpix to have something small. It is
shockingly good. I had no idea. Furthermore, the controls are very sophisticated
for the not-point-and-shoot crowd. As one example, when you put on the wide
angle accessory lens, there is an option to offset the barrel and pincussion
distortion. I believe this camera could be happily used by someone who would do
little or no computer work after taking the picture – unlike most of our experience.

The Nikon software has an ease of use that is completely lacking in my Aperture +
CS2 setup as well as the easiest panorama routine I have encountered – not that I
do so much panorama. I plan to recommend this outfit very widely.

Opinion: body is ok
picture quality - very average