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Nikon clearly wanted the P5000 to bear a family resemblance to the company's current generation of digital SLRs, and not just in having a 10-megapixel sensor. Along with an optical viewfinder, the back of this small camera hosts a control layout not all that different from that of Nikon's D80 and D40x D-SLRS, with a 2.5-inch LCD monitor flanked by a line of buttons and a four-way jog dial. A top-deck command dial permits speedier camera settings than the typical compact's menu muddle. Manual exposure control is particularly quick for a compact. The P5000's dedicated flash hotshoe accepts the same i-TTL Speedlights used by Nikon D-SLRs, namely the SB-800, SB-600, and SB-400. At about three times the size of the P5000 body, the SB-800 makes for rather an odd pairing, but the rig isn't difficult to use if you hold it by the flash rather than the camera. The petite SB-400 is a better choice for traveling light. The Coolpix P5000's SLR-ness is also evident under the hood. The 3.5X zoom (comparable to 36-126mm in 35mm) is equipped with Vibration Reduction, Nikon's effective image stabilization system. Typically, VR allows steady handheld shooting at shutter speeds up to three stops slower than you'd otherwise need for sharp results. And outnumbering most D-SLRs, the camera's autofocus and spotmetering can be done at any of 99 points across the viewfinder frame. You can select and fine-tune various image parameters, including color, contrast, and sharpness, in an Optimize Image menu that's a junior version of the ones found in Nikon D-SLRs. You can even shoot black and white with different "filters," for traditional-style tonal control. After the shot you can subdue unwanted contrast in-camera with the D-Lighting control, which improves shadow detail. The Coolpix P5000 adopts the latest fad in photo technology, face recognition, which works very well. Frankly we're more impressed with its panorama mode, which superimposes a precise template on your shots, so that they line up well for later stitching.
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| Slowest Shutter Speed |
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8 |
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| Fastest Shutter Speed |
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2000 |
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| Screen Size |
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2.5 in |
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| Screen Resolution |
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230,000 |
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| Screen Type |
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LCD and Optical |
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| Maximum ISO |
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3200 |
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| Widest Focal Length |
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7 mm |
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| Longest Focal Length |
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26 mm |
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| Maximum Aperture |
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f/2.7 |
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| Zoom |
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3.5 |
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| Video Resolution |
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Up to 640x480 |
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| Video Frames per second |
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30 |
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| Battery |
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Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5 |
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| Battery Life |
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Approx. 250 shots |
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| Width |
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3.9 in |
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| Height |
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2.5 in |
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| Depth |
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1.6 in |
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| Weight |
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7.1 oz |
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| Release Date |
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April 2007 |
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More Nikon Coolpix P5000 Articles
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July/August 2007
Compact cameras earned their name by being smaller than SLRs. Given the streamlined proportions of ultrathins, though, standard models are really the midsize sedans of digital photography. |
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June 2007
With this powerful little compact, Nikon puts a monster in your pocket -- and it's easy to control. |
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June 2007
The FP-5000 protects Nikon's advanced point-and-shoot down to 200 feet below the surface. |
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February 2007
The new 10-megapixel Coolpix P5000 provides manual exposure control, external flash support, and numerous automatic image-enhancement tools. |
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More Digital Compact Articles
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April 2008
Canon's 12.1-megapixel compact delivers high image quality and great battery life at a competitive price. |
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April 2008
This pocketable 8-megapixel compact offers a 7x optical zoom lens and respectable high-ISO performance. |
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March 2008
If you have less than two bills to drop on a camera, you should seriously consider the Nikon Coolpix P50. |
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March 2008
Planning a vacation? We let you know what to bring to get the most out of your travel photography. |
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March 2008
Better selective focus? Better Depth of field control? |
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User Reviews
Here's how our visitors have reviewed this camera.
RATINGS |
AVERAGE RATINGS |
Overall quality |
10
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Ease of use |
10
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Fit and finish |
10
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Click-to-click speed |
8
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Display quality |
10
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Flash quality |
10
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Image quality |
10
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Overall value |
10
|
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RATING SCALE: 1 = WORST 10 = BEST |
Read other reviews
Submit your own review
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