Nikon Coolpix P3 Concise Review

June 2006 | By Simon Joinson

Review based on a production Coolpix P3. Firmware Version 1.1

Announced just before PMA in February 2006, the 8 megapixel Coolpix P3 replaces the P2 at the top of Nikon's compact Coolpix range, adding a few features (the headline change being the introduction of optical image stabilization) and sleeker, simpler styling. Like the P2 the P3 is one of the small, but growing, band of cameras with built-in wireless (802.11 b/g) Wi-Fi capabilities, and like most of Nikon's higher-end Coolpix models it is stuffed to the gills with features, options and controls. Nikon also announced a sister model (the Coolpix P4) that offers exactly the same specification without the Wi-Fi for around $40 less. It is safe to assume that the image quality and handling aspects of this review are equally applicable to the P4.

Headline features

8.1 million effective pixels
3.5x optical zoom (36-126mm equiv.)
2.5" TFT screen
Two-mode VR (Vibration Reduction) system (lens-shift)
Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) capability
BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest image automatically from ten sequential shots
Continuous shooting at up to 1.8fps
Aperture priority mode
Face-priority AF
Histogram
In-camera red-eye removal
16 Scene modes
23MB internal memory + SD card storage

Key specifications

Street price	• US: $396 • UK: £280
Body Material	Metal (aluminum)
Sensor	• 1/1.8 " Type CCD • 8.3 million pixels total • 8.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 3264 x 2448 • 2592 x 1944 • 2048 x 1536 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480 • 3264 x 2448 (3:2)
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 @ 30fps • 320 x 240 @ 30fps • 160 x 120 @ 30fps • QuickTime (.MOV) with sound (WAV) • Time lapse movie (30s to 30 mins interval, 30fps playback)
Lens	• 36-126mm equiv • F2.7-5.3 • 3.5x optical zoom • Lens shift image stabilization (Normal/Active/Off)
Focus	• Contrast-detect TTL autofocus • Single / Continuous AF • Manual focus • Focus lock • 11-point auto area select • 99-point manual focus area select • Center focus • Face Priority AF • 4cm minimum focus range (macro)
Metering	• 256-segment Matrix metering • Center-weighted average • Spot (center or linked to focusing frame)
Shutter	• Mechanical shutter + Electronic shutter • 8-1/2000 sec
Aperture	• F2.7-F7.6 in 10 steps (wide) • F5.3-F7.3 in 4 steps (tele)
Shooting mode	• Auto • Programmed Auto • Aperture Priority • Portrait [Face AF] • Portrait • Night Portrait • Landscape • Night landscape • Sunset • Dusk/Dawn • Fireworks show • Close up • Party/Indoor • Panorama assist • Beach/Snow • Back light • Museum, • Copy • Sports • BSS (Best Shot Selector)
Sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400
White Balance	• Auto with TTL control • Direct sunlight • Incandescent • Fluorescent • Cloudy • Shade • Flash and White balance preset
Image parameters	• Contrast (3 levels + auto) • Sharpness (4 levels + auto) • Saturation (5 levels) • My Colors (Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, B&W, Positive film, Lighter skin tone, Darker skin tone, Vivid blue, Vivid red, Vivid Green, Custom color)
Continuous	• Continuous (approx. 1.8fps) • Multi-shot 16 (approx. 1.7fps @ 8M) • Ultra HS (approx. 30fps up to 100 shots) • 5 shot buffer (approx. 1.8fps)
Flash	• Built-in • Range: Wide 0.4-4.0m (1 ft 4in - 13 ft 1 in), Auto ISO • Range: Tele 0.4-2.0 (1 ft 4in - 6 ft 7 in), Auto ISO • Auto • Auto with red-eye reduction • Flash cancel • Anytime flash • Slow synch
Storage	• SD compatible • Approx 23 MB internal memory
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 2.5-inch TFT amorphous silicon TFT transflective • 150,000 pixels • Brightness adjustment • 98% coverage
Connectivity	• USB • AV out • IEEE 802.11b/g wireless range up to 30m
Power	• Rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL5 • Optional AC adapter EH-62A
Other features	• Orientation sensor • AF Illuminator • DPOF • PictBridge • Histogram • AE-Bracketing • White balance Bracketing • 4x digital zoom • Voice memo • Fixed Aperture option (aperture doesn't change when lens is zoomed) • 3 and 10 sec self-timer • D-Lighting function
Weight (inc batt)	200 g (6.6 oz)
Dimensions	92 x 61 x 31 mm (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 in)

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

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Nikon Coolpix P4 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3.5x Vibration Reduction Optical Zoom	$104.50
Nikon Coolpix AW110 16 MP Waterproof Camera with Built-In Wi-Fi (Black) Package 3	$329.99
Nikon Coolpix AW110 16 MP Waterproof Camera with Built-In Wi-Fi (Blue) Package 3	$329.99

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