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Nikon Coolpix P3

Nikon Coolpix P3Nikon Coolpix P3 Concise Review,Simon Joinson, June 2006

Review based on a production Coolpix P3. Firmware Version 1.1Announced just before PMA in February 2006, the 8 megapixel Coolpix P3 replaces the P2 at the top of Nikons 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 Nikons 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 features8.1 million effective pixels3.5x optical zoom (36-126mm equiv.)2.5" TFT screenTwo-mode VR (Vibration Reduction) system (lens-shift)Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) capabilityBSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the sharpest image automatically from ten sequential shotsContinuous shooting at up to 1.8fpsAperture priority modeFace-priority AFHistogramIn-camera red-eye removal16 Scene modes23MB internal memory + SD card storageKey specifications Street priceBody MaterialSensorImage sizesMovie clipsLensFocusMeteringShutterApertureShooting modeSensitivityWhite BalanceImage parametersContinuousFlashStorageViewfinderLCD monitorConnectivityPowerOther featuresWeight (inc batt)Dimensions

• US: $396• UK: £280

Metal (aluminum)

• 1/1.8 " Type CCD• 8.3 million pixels total• 8.1 million effective pixels

• 3264 x 2448• 2592 x 1944• 2048 x 1536• 1024 x 768• 640 x 480• 3264 x 2448 (3:2)

• 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)

• 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)

• 256-segment Matrix metering• Center-weighted average• Spot (center or linked to focusing frame)

• F2.7-F7.6 in 10 steps (wide)• F5.3-F7.3 in 4 steps (tele)

• Auto• ISO 80• ISO 100• ISO 200• ISO 400

• Auto with TTL control• Direct sunlight• Incandescent• Fluorescent• Cloudy• Shade• Flash and White balance preset

• 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)

• 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

• SD compatible• Approx 23 MB internal memory

• 2.5-inch TFT amorphous silicon TFT transflective• 150,000 pixels• Brightness adjustment• 98% coverage

• USB• AV out• IEEE 802.11b/g wireless range up to 30m

• Rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL5• Optional AC adapter EH-62A

200 g (6.6 oz)

92 x 61 x 31 mm (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 in)

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window.To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top.DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C.