Nikon Coolpix P6000

Opinion: I bought this camera 5 months ago because I wasn't satisfied of the poor image quality of my SLR with a 18-135 zoom. I chose this model because of the good experience with an old Coolpix 5400 I used many years before. After many images in all situations I shoot, I can say P6000 is the compact suited for my needs: light, quick enough in response, no visible chromatic aberration, very good overall image quality. I'd suggest this camera.

Opinion: i am buying this camera (refurbished from Nikon for $299!!) now because its price dropped like a stone, and had never owned a Nikon before. so, as a keen user of Canon (I currently own the G9 and S90) is was curious and eager to experiment with the differences.

first of all, the look and feel of this camera is quite spectacular. while it is a bit smaller than a Canon G series, it's had a very nice grip on the right side, it lies solidly and has reassuring weight in your hand. the ergonomics and the way it sits in the photographer's hands are the best i have ever experienced in a camera. very well thought out.

the operation is also more DSLR geared. the butrtons on the left will be well known to DSLR guys, but P&S folk will have to learnt o use and configure them.

i upgraded it to FW 1.2, and the camera performs very well indeed. it is probably by far the best $299 camera in the world, really. very pleasing everything. i made sure than i keep the ISO low (auto to 400, and i got the SB-400 flash to shoot inside), and when you do that things work well. with a fast SDHC card there (i have a sandisk extreme II) performance times are also snappy.

this camera expects you to take more control and know what you want to achieve. if you learn it it will take superb pictures for you. it simply demands more than other similar offerings, but rewards those who do.

it also has by far the best digital zoom i have ever seen in a camera. it is supersharp, fantastic and very effective post-processing.

i think with the current firmware it is a very valid value proposition, and a its current price from Nikon for refurbished onces, possibly one of the best buys out there.

i am keeping it.

Opinion: Bottom line: skin tones from people are the same as a DSLR. Not the Canon yellows,
this camera makes people look nice and pink, healthy. Canon makes people blind
white or yellow. This Nikon makes people look great.

Opinion: Bottom line: skin tones from people are the same as a DSLR. Not the Canon yellows,
this camera makes people look nice and pink, healthy. Canon makes people blind
white or yellow. This Nikon makes people look great.

Opinion: Basic operation and features are OK. Still, I sold it due to the shortcomings mentioned below. I used it for a whiile and decided to move on. Before this one, I owned the P5100, then the P6000.

Opinion: This is my 2nd Nikon compact camera in my life, the 1st one was CoolPix 3100, this was story over 10 years, it was really disappointing me for its battery life, I still remember that I keep buying batteries for the camera as the batteries get exhausted too fast.....after this, whenever I plan to buy camera, Nikon never be my consideration.

The reason I have changed my mind to Nikon it is b'cos I have make research thru' internet and reading a lot of reviews of this camera, and one of my friend are using it now, as a compact camera, I'm quite satisfied with the picture produced especially in sufficient lighting condition and low ISO.

Opinion: I have had this camera for a month now and have very mixed views on it. The GPS is a waste of power, time and money. The viewfinder is one of the reasons I chose the P6000 and it is reasonably good in most conditions. the image quality is reasonably good, the camera looks good and is built like a tank. If a compact is what you want you wont get much better at the price. Personally I prefer it to the LX3, but that is a personal preference.

Update. Three months of use has not changed my opinion much. I now feel the LX3 is probably the better camera, my initial problem was the 24-60 lens, one of the reasons I chose the P6000. I am now not so sure the 24-60 is that big a problem and may well change in the very near future.

Further update, almost a year on, persevered with my P6000 and have grown to love it. I love the look and solid feel in my hand and the mini DSLR like controls. Got used to the difficult zoom control. The image quality is brilliant, camera for life? maybe! Have raised my rating

Opinion: I'm a Canon guy from my point and shoots to my SLRs. I picked this up for ~250.00 at the Circuit City closing. I am very pleased with the black and white performance. I prefer using this point and shoot for black/white street photography over my SLR.

Pros:
- Image quality is great under the "right" lighting conditions.
- GPS (though, I haven't used it yet)
- pocketable (unlike my G10)
- Fantastic black and white portrait pictures!

Cons:
- Slow start up
- Terrible imaging for city shots at night (may be me not knowing how to get the best under these conditions yet)
- Not so sure I like the way it displays its noise at higher ISO (I prefer the Canon G10 here).

Opinion: It is a basic camera- if all you want is a point and shoot it is fine. The lens is not very good, the auto focus is bad, especially in low light, and there is no manual focus. no intervalometer, and white balance is so-so (there should be a deticated button for it- not buried in the menu.

do not buy this camera for the manual features as they are inadaquate for anyone but the amatur photographer.

I have only used a few point and shoots, but this one still appears to be on of the best on the market, a sad state of affairs. I feel I over paid buying a refurb for $165.

My other camera is a canon 30d- I am happy with it, but am upgrading.