Nikon Coolpix P500 first impressions

[Falconflight]

Here are some first pics with my new Nikon P500. I didn't like the FZ100 because of the noisy pics. I think these are much better. I like the camera's handling. You can adjust the Auto Iso from 200 to 1600 and adjust the minimum shutter speed just like the Nikon DSLR's. The active D lightning slows the camera down and the HDR Option gives pictures I wouldn't like to show to anyone. Zooming out in movie mode looses Focus and the Camera has no orientation sensor (in 2011!). The night landscape mode doesn't work as well as sony's interpolation and leaves you with a noisy over 500 iso picture. The slow motion in 720p60 is very nice. There is also a 720p 15 mode. The continuous high mode locks the camera up like on the sony's and the Fuji hs10, but the Continuous Low locks only the menu and review but you can continue taking Pictures while the camera writes them to the card. Overall I like the camera.

 

[cdroman]

Looks promising. Could you please tell me what was the distance from the object on picture DSCN0618 at full tele (144mm)? (or what is the best distance that you can get a full macro shot? not to be closest to the object but most far, using the tele)

And can you post some 100% crop pictures from the corners at full wide 4mm?

Nice work. I was waiting a long time for some sample pictures to come out from P500. You are the first one, Great.

 

[phat_slug]

Hi I got the P500 two days ago. Dont know yet about if I will keep it. Low light performance is not the greatest imho. That was expected, however, I probably go with a bigger sensor camera.

Zoom is incredible. However, I didnt like what I see on the horns in the one pictures, blue corona around the horns.

Will play with it a few more days, then I'll decide.

500

 

[phat_slug]

@Falconflight Thanks for your first impressions, I second all you are saying.

What I also didnt like is the special connector cable, no standard USB,so once again you need a special (always lost) cable to connect to the PC.

Battery life isnt the greatest, maybe the battery will perform better after a few charging cycles. But I am used to the AA cells Canon.

 

[anchor722]

Unfortunately, it appears that Nikon has once again published a great spec sheet. But when users get the camera in hand there is a subsequent measurable let down of enthusiasm as the hardware is decided less than the spec sheet.

Sarah Joyce

 

[John McCormack]

The shots above look quite good. the CA is not bad - better than the Canon SX30 IS.

The shot of the kayaker and swans looks out of focus; all the others look good. Colors are pretty realistic.

Does the P500 accept filters on the lens barrel?

I'd like the longer zoom for small birds. Not sure I'd trade my FZ35 - yet.

FZ35. Little Blue Heron

 

[millersdad]

Thanks for your first look photos. Been waiting to see some "real-life" photos from someone other than Nikon. Did you get to play with the video, both high speed and HD?

I have to smile at another respondent that appears to believe "if it ain't Canon, it's a disappointment".

I accept the fact that in a small form camera there will be trade-offs. I will be traveling in a couple months for a return visit to Alaska. From what I've read and seen, having a massive zoom, what appears to be really nice panoramas, high speed video (to catch wild life in motioin) strikes me as a nice package to work with. Perfect for all situations? Doubt any camera truly is. However since I recently returned the Canon T2i combo i recently purchased when I saw this camera was coming out, I was willing to take the gamble. Why turn in what is a really nice DSLR?

By the time i mount one lens to the camera, carry the other (one was 18-55mm the other 55-250mm), the bag, and associated gear it took up nearly 2 cubic feet of precious travel space. And then there was the weight. With this camera having an effective 800+mm zoom, great macro and in a package weighing right at 1 lb and taking up 1/8th to 1/10th the size of the former dslr. My P500 is scheduled to arrive Thursday and you have my mouth watered for what is in store.

 

[millersdad]

Phat_slug...Did you get an opportunity to try the HDR? Was interested what a shot like "supermarket 2" (or supermarket (1)) would look like if shot in HDR or one of Nikon's pre-loaded night time modes.

Thanks for getting these posted for those of us that are hungry to see actual results.

Please continue to give us your impressions as you get to play with your camera more.

 

[Falconflight]

Hallo here are some corner crop's at full wide The first one is center the others upper left right and bottom left right. You see the center pic is much better.
I'll post some real live pics later.

 

[Paris1982]

Dear 'Falconfight' sorry for my english can you help me?.I put my P500 at 'Auto ISO' and the minimum sutter speed under the 'Auto ISO' setting put it at 1/4 or 1/8 and at night shots when my flash isn;t pop up when i use The 'P' programm the camera choose 1' sec sutter speed.Why?Because i put the minimum sutter speed at 1/4,so the ISO number must be auto.Why the camera didn't increase the ISO number to have the Minimum sutter speed that i have choose.Thanks for your time if you understand what i mean

 

[Falconflight]

Hello Paris1982 I checked my auto iso and it behaves the same. It doesn't up the iso to 800 to keep the minimum shutter speed. It behaved as it should though in high iso auto.

My camera overexposes so I have to put it at -0,3 to -0,7.

Twice my camera didn't respond to the on/off button and i had to take the battery out. Did you have the same problems too.

Here is a comparison between the Nikon d90 with Tamron 18-270 PZD and the Nikon P500 in full wide and full tele.

First is d90 at 405mm





D90 crop like 810mm





P500 at 810mm





P500 at 22,5mm





D90 at 27mm

 

[millersdad]

Nikon is moot on the subject of if the end of the barrel can accept filters. Are there threads that allow filter placement?
Also, when one says "it has issues in dim light/ dark situations / indoor use"
how dark are we talking?

Anxious to see HDR photos along with more photos in "challenging" situations. (dim light, moving subjects, etc.)

 

[Falconflight]

There are no filter threads. Autofocus in total darkness works fine.

 

[cdroman]

Thanks for the crops. Looks like at the corners the pics are blurry, and not sharp. with some distortion. But thats because its 22.5mm, right?

Can you tell me again what is the distance between the camera and the flower on picture DSCN0618 (at full tele) ?

 

[Indylilian]

Hmmm...The panorama is much more natural than that sweep pano from Sony, at least no fisheye like photo....

But I just wonder the ability of handheld twilight and handheld twilight portrait, especially the noise control in compared with that from SONY HX1

One more thing, I found that in Nikon P100, the video zoom will have great problem of image stabilization or even I can call it a kind of serious JELLO effect~
Not sure if it has been improved in such strong P500 model~

 

[Falconflight]

Thanks for the crops. Looks like at the corners the pics are blurry, and not sharp. with some distortion. But thats because its 22.5mm, right?

Can you tell me again what is the distance between the camera and the flower on picture DSCN0618 (at full tele) ?

I checked it again today its a little more then 2 meters

 

[phat_slug]

thats right, no filters, that sucks.

 

[cdroman]

Thanks for the crops. Looks like at the corners the pics are blurry, and not sharp. with some distortion. But thats because its 22.5mm, right?

Can you tell me again what is the distance between the camera and the flower on picture DSCN0618 (at full tele) ?

I checked it again today its a little more then 2 meters

Wow, that's awsome. From 2 meters great macro.

 

[Sumandira]

There are no filter threads.

The world may come to an end or a big meteorite will fall on the Head Quarter of Nikon Office if they put a Filter Thread and attach a hot - shoe to P 500 !!!

I really wonder why such a reputed and much honoured company like Nikon is so casual in their P & S cameras. They are really underestimating the users of P & S Cameras.
Sumandira

 

[cdroman]

Hmmm...The panorama is much more natural than that sweep pano from Sony, at least no fisheye like photo....

But I just wonder the ability of handheld twilight and handheld twilight portrait, especially the noise control in compared with that from SONY HX1

One more thing, I found that in Nikon P100, the video zoom will have great problem of image stabilization or even I can call it a kind of serious JELLO effect~
Not sure if it has been improved in such strong P500 model~

for the panorama picutre from SONY ....Are you referring to the SONY HX1 model..or some other, because the new SONY HX100V is on the way, and can't wait to see the full review which is about to come out any moment.