Nikon Coolpix P60 First Impressions Review

Auto Mode
The Nikon Coolpix P60 has two automatic shooting modes, Auto and Program. The Auto mode is represented by a green box on the mode dial. Users can make a few changes in Auto, such as altering Image Size and Image Quality. Users can also control focus (Auto, Landscape, Macro), Self-timer (10 sec. or 2 sec), EV compensation, and flash (Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, No Flash, Flash On, Night Flash).

Interestingly enough, we stumbled upon an error in the prototype model. In Auto shooting, the P60 model on display showed f-stop and shutter speed values (at 0.0), which most automatic modes restrict. The Nikon representative we talked to assured us that was a prototype error. The final version of the P60 won’t display aperture or shutter speed values on the LCD or viewfinder, since Auto mode disengages those functions.

We tried testing Program mode, too. In Program, users can change EV, timer, autofocus, metering, ISO, and white balance. Unlike Auto mode, though, there is no flash control. During Auto mode, the initial look of the auto shooting modes were disappointing since the camera often stalled and had to be restarted. We can more thoroughly test the P60 when it ships in the coming months.

Movie Mode
The Nikon P60 has four movie options: TV 640 *, TV 640, Small 320 *, and Small 320. Users can change focus between Single and Full-Time AF. The display shows the remaining time left on the memory card or internal memory, which is helpful for time-sensitive situations. Users can also zoom during Movie mode, although zooming is choppy while capturing video.

Drive / Burst Mode
Users can select from four Burst modes: Single, Continuous, BSS, and Multi-Shot 16. Adding to the annoying review period, the prototype camera stalled on us. The Nikon representative brought out another version, and it also stalled during Burst mode, requiring us to consistently restart the camera. We will give the Nikon P60 the benefit of the doubt and assume it was tired from working so hard during the show, like the rest of us. We will test the burst in our full review later.

Playback Mode
The Playback menu is simple, with few built-in editing options. In Playback, users can view a histogram. The P60 includes Nikon’s D-Lighting and Red-Eye Fix, but those functions didn’t work on the prototype model we handled. When we tried to apply these internal editing tools, we were greeted with an “Image cannot be modified” prompt. Like the Burst mode, we can fully review Playback when we review the final version of the camera.