Picture Quality / Size Options (6.5)
The Nikon Coolpix P1 has 8 megapixels and plenty of image sizes to fill the range. 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480 are the options. All of these are 4:3 formatted except for the 3264 x 2176 size that is optimized to make 4 x 6-inch prints. The smallest two image sizes are optimized for the computer screen and television, respectively. The smallest 640 x 480 size will also be easy to email, which will be very handy on a wireless digital camera. The image sizes can be adjusted in the camera’s menu once the mode dial has been moved into the correct position. The compression – with its Fine, Normal, and Basic options - can only be changed in the menu.
Picture Effects Mode (7.75)
There are lots of in-camera picture effects for photographers who want to print directly and don’t want to mess with editing software. The Saturation option comes with Maximum, Enhanced, Normal, Moderate, and Minimum choices. Image Sharpening comes with Auto, High, Normal, Low, and Off options. Image Adjustment has Auto, Normal, More Contrast, and Less Contrast settings. These options are all available in the recording menu, but they don’t have live views so it’s hard to see their effects until after the pictures have been taken. A noise reduction mode can be turned on and off as well. Surprisingly, there are no color modes such as black & white and sepia; these effects must be added with the included PictureProject software.
