| Likes |
|
- Wireless shoot & transfer
- Impressively low noise in images (particularly at low ISOs)
- Ergonomic handling
- Wide f/2.7 aperture with manual adjustment
- Intuitive interface
- Expansive list of scene modes for snapshooters
|
| Dislikes |
- Loss of detail in images due to noise reduction
- Limited flash range
- Low resolution LCD solarizes easily
- Wireless setup is complicated
- Only connects to profiled computers and printers
- No zoom in movie mode
|
Conclusion
Nikon started with a basic set of features – 8 megapixels, 3.5x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD screen – and crammed them in a compact body with a built-in wireless port. The consumer wireless market is quite new and the P1 is one of the first three models in this new segment. The P1 has stiff competition and answers with more megapixels and a bit more manual functionality. However, the Nikon Coolpix P1 also skimps in some very important areas. The 2.5-inch LCD screen has only 110,000 pixels, making the view not as smooth as the view from other models. Also, the wireless port is built-in but the setup itself isn’t wireless. It requires users to connect the camera with the USB cable to save the computer and printer profiles on the P1. Pictures and movies on the P1 can only be transferred to PictureProject software and PictBridge printers with the optional wireless printer adapter. Pictures cannot be emailed directly from the camera or showcased on online albums, so the P1 doesn’t realize the full potential of WiFi.
That said, the wireless transfer of images to the computer was quick and easy – once past the initial hair-pulling setup. This point-and-shoot has 16 scene modes that include some unique effects. There are also lots of features like histograms, bracketing, blur warnings, and face-priority auto focus to ensure that users of the P1 take great shots regardless of conditions. The Nikon Coolpix P1 sells for a retail price of $549, which seems overpriced when its features are considered and compared with its competition. The P1’s little sibling, the 5 megapixel P2, has many of the same cool features and the wireless capability and sells for a more reasonable $399. The extra three megapixels on the P1 seem a bit unnecessary unless users plan to wirelessly print window-sized pictures. The $150 cost of those three megapixels makes me think the P2 will be a more popular choice for point-and-shooters.
