Nikon P500 (1 Viewer)

[John Fleet]

36 x optical zoom; 8 fps etc etc. 12 mp CMOS sensor
The Canon Powershot SX30 is no longer king of the block:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Coolpix-P500-Digital-Camera/dp/B004LRO71G

but will the iq be better than the P100?

 

[marshal]

Definitely Nikon P500 is better than the P100. In Nikon P500 has more features like the Expansion of the multi-function, high-performance COOLPIX P-series lineup.As successor to the compact, high-power zoom P100 (released in March 2010), the P500 offers greater zoom power and improved functions over its predecessor.

 

[Hobbes2]

Nikon P500 (36x optical zoom)

I shall be very interested to see how this superzoom performs. I wonder too if you can add the teleconverters to it too? Might I be tempted away from the Panasonics?! ChrisKten, do you have any thoughts on this camera?
Thanks
Hobbes

 

[John Fleet]

.. and what about the new Sony? this looks really interesting - built in GPS - appeals to me - and there's also a new Fuji Superzoom - Finepix s4000 coming - rather cheaper but lower res fixed LCD screen might be an issue.

Seems that we can expect some interesting reviews over the next few months!

 

[Hobbes2]

.. and what about the new Sony? this looks really interesting - built in GPS - appeals to me - and there's also a new Fuji Superzoom - Finepix s4000 coming - rather cheaper but lower res fixed LCD screen might be an issue.

Seems that we expect some interesting reviews over the next few months!

Great stuff, John.
Thanks for pointing me towards those. I particularly like the look of the Sony with the Zeiss lens. You'd except some good quality images from that glass. For me, all I want (mmm!) is a big zoom and fast shutter speeds with great image quality. Everything else is peripheral. I shall keep my eye on the reviews.
Hobbes

 

[John Fleet]

I agree, I REALLY hope that it cuts the mustard, as apart from a fully articulating screen, I find it hard to fault the spec. I'm off to Canada on holiday at the beginning of September, so if the reviews are favourable, I might well try and pick one up over there - I'm assuming (with no evidence to support this!!) that Canadian prices will be more competitive than ours - simply on the basis that U.S. prices always seem to be......

 

[Hobbes2]

I agree, I REALLY hope that it cuts the mustard, as apart from a fully articulating screen, I find it hard to fault the spec. I'm off to Canada on holiday at the beginning of September, so if the reviews are favourable, I might well try and pick one up over there - I'm assuming (with no evidence to support this!!) that Canadian prices will be more competitive than ours - simply on the basis that U.S. prices always seem to be......

I hope it cuts the mustard too ! The crucial issue with these superzooms seems to be whether they can produce detailed, sharp images at the max focal length. That's the deal breaker for me. I'm still using the 'old' Panasonic FZ8 (max optical zoom 14.4x at 5MP). In good light, it's capable of producing pretty decent shots considering its spec. I've not seen any images yet from later superzooms that pursuade me its worth the cost of upgrading. However, maybe this summer's releases will provide the incentive. I shall certianly look forward to seeing how you get on, if you get the Sony.
Hobbes

 

[ChrisKten]

I shall be very interested to see how this superzoom performs. I wonder too if you can add the teleconverters to it too? Might I be tempted away from the Panasonics?! ChrisKten, do you have any thoughts on this camera?
Thanks
Hobbes

Plenty of thoughts, Hobbes, but no idea what the camera will actually be like.|=)|

The Specs on new Superzooms always sound good, but they really don't deliver what I (and you) want; Faster shutter speeds - more reach - better high ISO performance. OK, they all have more reach than our cameras, but that's all.

The only new camera that might deliver, is the Fuji HS20, and that's only due to the 1/2-inch EXR-CMOS used. AFAIK, the rest of the new crop use the smaller 1/2.3-in. type CMOS or CCD.

But who knows, I guess we'll have to wait for the reviews.|=)|

 

[Hobbes2]

Plenty of thoughts, Hobbes, but no idea what the camera will actually be like.|=)|

The Specs on new Superzooms always sound good, but they really don't deliver what I (and you) want; Faster shutter speeds - more reach - better high ISO performance. OK, they all have more reach than our cameras, but that's all.

The only new camera that might deliver, is the Fuji HS20, and that's only due to the 1/2-inch EXR-CMOS used. AFAIK, the rest of the new crop use the smaller 1/2.3-in. type CMOS or CCD.

But who knows, I guess we'll have to wait for the reviews.|=)|

thanks for chipping in Chris. Always glad to hear your thoughts on these cameras. I imagined that with the larger sensor, the weight of the camera would increase and, having just looked at the spec, it does seem to be a heavier camera (730g with battery/mcard). This is more than twice the weight of my current camera (320g). The Sony DSC-HX100V (with the 1/2.3 sensor) is 577g (with battery/mcard). So, as ever, it's going to be a balance of what works for you personally. I might have to start lifting more weights!! :-O
Hobbes

 

[ChrisKten]

thanks for chipping in Chris. Always glad to hear your thoughts on these cameras. I imagined that with the larger sensor, the weight of the camera would increase and, having just looked at the spec, it does seem to be a heavier camera (730g with battery/mcard). This is more than twice the weight of my current camera (320g). The Sony DSC-HX100V (with the 1/2.3 sensor) is 577g (with battery/mcard). So, as ever, it's going to be a balance of what works for you personally. I might have to start lifting more weights!! :-O
Hobbes

LOL, you and me both.|=)|

 

[jogiba]

Plenty of thoughts, Hobbes, but no idea what the camera will actually be like.|=)|

The Specs on new Superzooms always sound good, but they really don't deliver what I (and you) want; Faster shutter speeds - more reach - better high ISO performance. OK, they all have more reach than our cameras, but that's all.

The only new camera that might deliver, is the Fuji HS20, and that's only due to the 1/2-inch EXR-CMOS used. AFAIK, the rest of the new crop use the smaller 1/2.3-in. type CMOS or CCD.

But who knows, I guess we'll have to wait for the reviews.|=)|

The HS20 sensor is 6.4 x 4.8 mm vs 6.2 x 4.6 mm for the 1/2.3" sensors so I don't think that is a large enough difference to make it noticeable IMHO. I have the GH2 with four thirds sensor that has a 2.6x/3.9x sensor crop mode that crops the center 1920x1080/1280x720 pixels that works well for telephoto use in HD video mode. Here are two videos that show how it looks using it.
http://vimeo.com/18215055
http://vimeo.com/17525299

 

[J.D]

Hi,I have found a few pics taken with a P500 here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1007&message=37922920
Look ok to me.

 

[pe'rigin]

On Rumour Mill, it looks like Nikon are set to launch a mirror-less camera in the next few week.

Probably based around the Sony design, it just might solve a few requests in the P&S sector.

The Mill thinks that it will be aimed at the pro market, I can't imagine Nikon will be that stupid and restrict potential sales.

I don't think it will be cheap, but if they do get it right with this one, then perhaps we might just have a camera which has some longevity.

 

[njlarsen]

On Rumour Mill, it looks like Nikon are set to launch a mirror-less camera in the next few week.

Probably based around the Sony design, it just might solve a few requests in the P&S sector.

The Mill thinks that it will be aimed at the pro market, I can't imagine Nikon will be that stupid and restrict potential sales.

I don't think it will be cheap, but if they do get it right with this one, then perhaps we might just have a camera which has some longevity.

What will the lens selection be for such a camera? compared to the existing lens selection for the micro4/3 system? If, for birding, you would have to use existing lenses made for the existing nikon cameras, then no significant size saving will be available, you might as well buy a body intended for those lenses in the first place! (it took two years for m4/3 to get a birding lens out)

Niels

 

[pe'rigin]

That’s the conundrum Neils.

The choice of lenses in the micro sector is limited. Panasonic are making strides to get a firm foothold, but Sony and Olympus are too!

At the present time the set-up isn’t quite right, but I think in time they will all get out a product that has more appeal.

Nikon entering this market can only be good news, how they deal with the marketing we’ll have to wait and see.

Nikon have seriously lagged behind in the P&S sector, looking at the posted P500 images, they’re not that good in dull conditions. I personally don’t think they will put all their efforts into this sector at the higher end.

Nikon have a good choice of DX lenses, if their intentions is to marry-up some sort of combination, then I think they’re on a winner.

I feel in the future the camera market for consumers will fragment, with different brands specialising in a particular type of camera, we can see at the moment this split gathering momentum.

 

[Neil]

I picked up a P500 today. No decent weather for testing yet.
Neil.

 

[I4ani]

Hi Neil,
mine arrived today also, but without the card ( could use inbuilt memory), card due Monday, intend to put it up against a D300 + 600/4 + 1.4tc = 12mp at 840mm and see what the little instamatic can do against the big one at max mm!!!
First impressions are how light it is and how small and compact it is, if it can delivery the quality it will be a very suitable camera for birders who don't want to be lumbered up with heavy camera kit. I do a lot of macro as well and again if this can deliver then this will be an added bonus for me, time will tell.
No drivers hand book supplied, only a cd, which I will have to read on line, to find how it works. Keep in touch, am intrested to know how it pans out for you.
regards.

 

[Neil]

I took the P500 and the D7000 out onto the mudflats yesterday on one of the best days we've had for months. I'm still going through the photos but here is the first comparison. The first image is with the P500 at full zoom and the second is with the D7000 plus 500/4 AFS VR lens and Nikon 1.7 tele (1275 mm)
Neil

Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong,
China.
March 2011

 

[Hobbes2]

I took the P500 and the D7000 out onto the mudflats yesterday on one of the best days we've had for months. I'm still going through the photos but here is the first comparison. The first image is with the P500 at full zoom and the second is with the D7000 plus 500/4 AFS VR lens and Nikon 1.7 tele (1275 mm)
Neil

Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong,
China.
March 2011

Great to see these Neil. It's interesting to see the significant difference in depth of field of the two images. I wonder what the P500 image would be like with the same DoF as the D7000 image. Either way, very nice to see the two side by side and, although the DSLR is better, I wouldn't be too disappointed to get that P500 shot of the Avocet! Are you pleased with the P500?
Hobbes

 

[Neil]

Great to see these Neil. It's interesting to see the significant difference in depth of field of the two images. I wonder what the P500 image would be like with the same DoF as the D7000 image. Either way, very nice to see the two side by side and, although the DSLR is better, I wouldn't be too disappointed to get that P500 shot of the Avocet! Are you pleased with the P500?
Hobbes

I was happy with this shot and I've got a few others but I found it hard to hold it steady at 810 mm. I took some video too which I'm working through now.
I'm still not sure about it as the light today was poor and the focus had trouble at the long end. I'll need a bit more testing to be sure about it.
Neil