Camera Review: Nikon Coolpix P50

Few will argue that Nikon's DSLRs are among the most esteemed digital cameras available; however, the prevailing sentiment among photo enthusiasts is that the compact Nikon digicams often pale in comparison to their bigger siblings. All that's about to change with the introduction of the shirt-pocket sized Nikon Coolpix P50 ($160, street), an 8.1-megapixel image-making dynamo.

The Coolpix P50 is nearly the size of Nikon's flagship point-and-shoot, the Coolpix P5100, yet has none of the gizmos, fluff, and confounding extras that get in the way of everyday shooting. There are no WiFi features, complex button schemes to learn or even a hot shoe. What you've got instead with the P50 is a stripped-down hotrod of a camera for the casual snapshooter or budget-minded enthusiast.

Sure, you give up some high-end control for the cost, such as RAW capture and full manual exposure, but we're OK with that at this price. Nikon is more than generous with shutter speeds though, having a full range from 8 seconds to 1/1000th of a second available and an ISO range of 64 to 2000. It is clear though that Nikon's intent is to make the P50 a utilitarian image-producing machine.

The P50 fits well in smaller hands and snuggles into a shirt pocket, but measuring 3.8 x 2.6 x 1.8 inches and weighing-in at 5.6 ounces, it will appear a bit bulky and feel weighted.

Even the battery source for the P50 has been simplified, using 2 standard "AA" batteries for power. The conservative feature set also allows the P50 to sip power, having a CIPA rating of 140 shots -- respectable for just 2 cells. Real-life evaluations with the camera however, are more in the range of 200-230 shots using fresh batteries.

Placing the P50 next to the more complex flagship of the Coolpix line, the P5100, is an amazing lesson in making simplicity work very well. It may seem unfair to compare the P50 to the higher-end P5100, yet in many ways, they are similar beasts. Like the P5100, the P50 uses Nikon's EXPEED image processing engine to improve the overall quality of the picture. The P50 also has Nikon's VR image stabilization, yet uses software to achieve this rather than the more complex lens shifting technology incorporated into the P5100. The P50 also features an optical viewfinder and has some limited manual exposure controls. Add to this facial detection, high ISO capability, D-lighting image processing, which can take a lesser image and reprocess it to create a highly improved image, and an optical viewfinder. Still want more? The list of features doesn't stop there either -- try 256-segment matrix metering, in-camera red-eye fix and full motion, VGA quality video that allows you to rack the zoom while recording, and all for a remarkable price of just under $160. Reading all of this, you're more than likely thinking that this doesn't sound like a simple to use point and shoot. Relax. Nikon's designer's have simplified everything.

The P50 has a flat black polycarbonate finish that doesn't show fingerprints and smudges on the body. Ergonomically, we're happy to report that the P50 is nearly identical to the P5100 and is comfortable to hold in your hands. Nikon has also smartly given all control features on the camera a highly visible brushed chrome finish that makes them stand out against the black camera body. All of the buttons are at least as large as those found on the P5100 and in some instances they are significantly larger. An example of this is the power button, which in an unscientific side-by-side comparison appears to be about twice as large on the P50.

One distinct difference in the P50 is the zoom toggle switch, which engages the 3X optical 28-102mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8-5.6 lens. On the P50, the zoom toggle is located on the back face of the camera and within easy reach of your thumb. This makes for more comfortable and precise control of the lens and is more desirable in comparison to the P5100's zoom toggle that wraps around the shutter release button and is quite tiny in comparison.