Nikon Coolpix P60 Digital Camera Review

Nikon Coolpix P60

Digital Camera Review

Nikon unveiled the update to its Performance series, the Coolpix P60, at PMA 2008 in Las Vegas. With a target audience of advanced point-and-shooters, the 8.1-megapixel P60 is the update to the P50 with a longer 5x zoom. The camera keeps the face detection technology and optical image stabilization of its predecessor. The Nikon Coolpix P60 will retail for $229.95 when it ships in March 2008.
Advertisement
Recently Viewed Products
$49
$159
$488
$949
Top Point & Shoot Cameras
Max Price: $1020
$0 $255 $510 $765 $1020
Filters
All
Canon
Casio
Fuji
Kodak
Nikon
Olympus
Panasonic
Pentax
Sony
All
Compact
High-End
Pocket
Ultra-Zoom
1.Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Ultra-Zoom
$400
2.Canon SX1 IS
Ultra-Zoom
$527
3.Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Compact
$318
4.Samsung HZ15W
Ultra-Zoom
$280
5.Canon G11
High-End
$499
Coolpix P60 Prices
Latest Camera Reviews
DSLR Point & Shoot
Panasonic
DMC-GF1
Canon
G11
Pentax
K10D
Panasonic
DMC-ZS3
Olympus
E-P1
Canon
PowerShot A650 IS
Canon
EOS 5D
Kodak
EasyShare Z950
Nikon
D3000
Nikon
Coolpix S630
Coolpix P60 Manual


Model Design / Appearance
While other point-and-shoots today are moving toward super slim bodies in multiple color choices, some manufacturers are keeping a more traditional camera look. The Nikon Coolpix P60 has a prominent right hand grip and dark exterior for a handsome, more professional style. It’s not the most eye-catching camera when compared to flashy pocket cameras like Nikon’s S-series, but the Nikon P60 does a good job of maintaining a consistent, clean design.

Size / Portability
The Nikon P60 measures 3.8 x 1.4 x 2.5 inches and weighs 5.6 ounces without battery or memory card. That’s not as lightweight as Nikon’s S-series or competing cameras. Instead, the P60 is marketed as an advanced point-and-shoot without the weight of a hybrid or compact camera. It is still portable enough to carry around in a clutch purse or sweatshirt pocket.

Handling Ability
The Coolpix P60 handles well when compared to other point-and-shoots. It has a right hand grip with rubber padding for hand support. The body also has Braille-like dots on the back of the camera to serve as a thumb rest. The left side could use some work since it lacks room between the LCD and the edge of the camera, though.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
Controlling the Nikon P60 is fairly easy. Most of the buttons are ample size and easy to press. The multi-selector is nicely labeled with icons. The buttons are spread out far enough to avoid accidental depression. Controlling the camera should be easy, both externally and internally.

Menu
The Nikon P60 uses a minimalist menu system with simple submenus in a linear column interface. The text is white or black on a gray background, using the Nikon color scheme. When a user selects a menu function, the option is highlighted in yellow. While we love the menu setup, we should warn users the prototype model had severe stalling issues when we tried to navigate through the menu. The menu often kept running through the list of options even when we didn’t hit any buttons. As a result, we often had to turn the camera off completely and restart to resume normal menu browsing. Nikon representatives assured us it was a prototype issue and not representative of the Nikon P60’s true performance. We will more thoroughly test the menus when the final version of the camera comes out in the coming months.

The Main menu is accessed through the dedicated “menu” button on the back of the camera. The menu is missing a few Scene modes, such as Portrait and Landscape, which have been moved to the mode dial on the top of the camera. From the menu button, users can change picture resolution and compression.

 
Menu
Copy
Backlight
Panoramic
Voice Recording (Rec time, Date)
Image Quality (Fine, Normal, Basic)
Image Size (PC 1024 x 768, TV 640 x 480, 3:2 3264 x 2176, 16:9 3264 x 1836)
Party/Indoor
Beach/Snow
Dusk/Dawn
Night Landscape
Sports
Close-up
Museum
Fireworks


Users can’t access the setup tools internally like most point-and-shoots. Instead, Nikon added the Setup menu to the mode dial on top of the camera.

 
Setup
 
Format Memory
No, Format
Language
(23 languages)
Video Mode
NTSC, PAL
Reset all
No, Reset
Battery Type
Alkaline, Coolpix Ni-MH, Lithium
Firmware Version
Q06235 vo. 1270, Back
Advertisement