Value (7.0)
Convenience is pricey. The Nikon Coolpix P1’s most notable and marketable feature is its wireless capability, but the competition among wireless digital cameras is fierce. The Kodak EasyShare-one set the standards high with a large touch screen and a wireless system that connects with any other wireless device – not just registered computers or printers. The value of the Nikon Coolpix P1 must be considered in light of the few other wireless models currently on the market. The P1 has more megapixels than any other wireless model and its price reflects that. But the P1 is missing the interesting color modes that Canon has and the monstrous amount of internal memory that the Kodak has. Frankly, the Nikon P1 doesn’t have any cool features beyond its wireless capability. So if you need the 8 megapixels along with wireless, the Nikon P1 will provide. But if wireless is your priority, there are better options at the $549 price point.

Comparisons
Nikon Coolpix P2 – Released at the same time as the P1, the Coolpix P2 is meant to provide a wireless option to consumers who don’t need the megapixels and are searching for a lower price. The Nikon P2 has 5.1 megapixels and retails for $399. The P2 has an identical camera body to the P1; the cameras share the same LCD screens and lenses and modes – even the aperture priority. This Coolpix has a slightly different ISO range of 64-400 and less internal memory with 16 MB, but still has the wireless functionality. Like the P1, the P2 can transfer images wirelessly to computers and printers that have the optional adapter. The Nikon P2 sits at the low end of the new consumer wireless digital camera market, but still has many of the same functions and features as the more expensive P1.

Canon PowerShot SD430 – This new model comes with 5 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens, and WiFi capability. The SD430 has the sleek look of its fellow Digital ELPH siblings, but adds a thin blue LED to flaunt its wireless wares. This Canon is thinner than the other wireless models at 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.9 inches and definitely better looking. It comes with a 2-inch LCD screen that has 118,000 pixels. The Canon PowerShot SD430 has 14 shooting modes including 8 scene modes. This model has Canon’s interesting My Colors mode that has lots of digital color filters and effects for users shy of software. The Canon SD430 comes with a wireless printer adapter and retails for $499. The package will be available at the end of January 2006.

Kodak EasyShare-one – The EasyShare-one was announced in January 2005 but took so long to actually make it to store shelves that the Nikon P1 almost was released within the same week. The Kodak EasyShare-one has half the resolution that the Nikon has at 4 megapixels. However, what it’s missing in pixels it makes up for in very innovative features. This Kodak has a 3-inch touch-screen LCD with 230,000 pixels of resolution that makes it a competitor with digital photo viewers. Its 256 MB of internal memory put this model in the ranks with photo storage units. Besides the flashy features, the Kodak EasyShare-one performed well. It kept noise levels low and produced fairly accurate colors. The EasyShare-one is best known for its wireless capabilities. Its setup can be done completely wirelessly, unlike the P1, which requires a USB cable to set up communication. The Kodak can email pictures directly from the camera, whereas the Nikon only transfers the image files to a computer or a printer. The Kodak costs a bit more at its $599 retail price, but is worth the extra Ulysses S. Grant.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – For the average Joe who wants the convenience of wireless transfer and printing while still enjoying the simplicity of pointing and shooting, the Nikon Coolpix P1 is a great option. The auto mode eliminates all choices except where to point and what to shoot.

Budget Consumers – At $549, penny pinchers probably won’t give the Coolpix P1 a second look. It is wireless and does have 8 megapixels, but budget consumers will have to choose between the two for cheaper options with either feature.

Gadget Freaks – Gadget freaks could be satisfied by the P1’s ability to capture a time lapse movie and then wirelessly transmit it to a computer. In fact, gadget freaks may be the only consumers able to use the Nikon P1 wirelessly because the setup requires users to know their computers’ SSID, their networks’ WEP, and other technical mumbo jumbo.

Manual Control Freaks – The aperture can be manually controlled in ten steps and the white balance can be manually set, but manual control freaks will miss the satisfaction of being able to adjust the shutter speed. Still, this wireless digital camera has more manual control than the other few wireless consumer models currently on the market.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – If the biggest professional draw is the black housing, you know these consumers are going to stay away.

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