5 comments about Nikon Coolpix P5100 12.1MP Digital Camera with 3.5x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom.

1. I've owned this camera for a year and a half, and I do not regret it.
   
   The absolute best thing I can say about this camera is that it is near indestructable A friend of mine dropped this camera on a concrete floor with the lens extended during my wedding, and all I had to do was pop the lens back a bit, and it still works GREAT.
   
   I take this camera EVERYWHERE - I just throw it in a bag or a pocket, and I've never EVER had a problem with it not working right, or even showing much more wear than a scratch on the LCD. And that's with a year and a half of CONSTANT use.
   
   The optical viewfinder doesn't zoom like it used to, unfortunately... but that's a product of several drops and mishaps.
   
   It does have its quirks, however. ISO 800-2000 look HORRIBLE- Awful, awful, AWFUL grain! But strangely enough, ISO 3200 looks better than those two. I've used that to pull off some pictures at concerts that didn't allow cameras that actually look not half bad. I suspect that there's some in-camera trickery that accomplishes this. It will drop your resolution down to 5mp, but who cares? You are able to get pictures without a flash that you'd NEVER be able to get another small sensor camera to take.
   
   Be aware that this camera has crammed 12mp onto a tiny sensor, so noise is GOING to be an issue over anything but the lowest ISO settings.
   
   Also, something to think about: The MASP settings are neat, but you will spend the majority of your time in P unless you want to get frustrated. Do NOT expect the same control over DOF that you would have in a larger camera - That's simply a product of the tiny lens. It's nice to have the control, but you are using a tiny lens on a tiny camera - The custom white balance is more useful.
   
   Optical VR - AWESOME. This alone was a big selling point for me.
   
   Focus is slow, but accurate. If you have time to pre-focus and compose your pictures, then you will not care, but it could be an issue for some.
   
   Flash is adequate, but easy to cover.
   
   Some say that the menu system is weird - I actually find it intuitive. This is one of the easiest cameras to make do what I want, you have COMPLETE control over it. Beware, as this can be a burden as well as a blessing.
   
   My recommendations: Keep it in P, set the FN button to handle white balance, and set to Fixed Auto ISO 64-200.
   
   This is a GREAT travel camera, and a good camera to sneak into concerts or other situations that normally won't allow cameras. It's fairly inconspicuous, and it's easy to use. But more than anything else, you are paying for a RUGGED camera that will last.



2. I am very happy with the camera I purchased. I wanted a smaller Nikon to carry when I didn't want to take my D80. It was in great condition for a used item. I just wish the instruction booklet could have been included.



3. A bridge camera, the size of a compact, with the power of a dSLR, history will record this camera as one of the all-time best in it's class. The software is the most useable I've encountered, and the feature set extensive to the point of saving hundreds of dollars in accessories. And with an extensive array of lenses available, creativity is assured. There are four Nikon lenses available that will cover the range from 7.35mm up to 369mm, and third-party lenses are also available. It has one of the lowest noise levels in its class, and takes pictures that look like photographs, not digital images. Like all cameras, film or digital, once you master its unique qualities, it will reward you with stunning images that will inspire you to create more. And it's design and flexibility as a true photographer's camera will always invite experimentation.



4. I have a Nikon 5600, but this P5100 is the cat's meow. Sharp photos, user friendly.
   
   It is still new to me, so I am still learning. On youtube, I saw some time lapse photography the P5100 shot and am going to investigate how to do that.
   
   But, what I really got it for was digiscoping. I wanted a good camera with which to shoot photos through my Vortex 20-60x80 ED spotting scope. Many web-sites recommended the P5100 for that purpose.
   
   It is one great little camera,this P5100!



5. When I was shopping for a camera, I was extremely finicky. I wanted something that took great pictures (obviously), had manual controls (i was just starting to get into photography at the time), and was very portable (if you can't take it everywhere, what good is it?).
   
   I spent months and months online reading reviews, shopping around, and decided on this camera. It has certainly delivered.
   
   Display: I've never really had a problem using the display in all but the brightest sun. The viewfinder's there if you need it, too, which is nice. I would love it if it was a through-the-lens viewfinder, but it's not; it shows what's in front on the viewfinder, rather than what's in front of the lens, and can't adjust for zoom. This is a really minor complaint though, as I've really never had much trouble with the display.
   
   Ease of use: The auto mode on this camera works great. The special scene modes are great. (That covers ease-of-use for amateurs-- you can easily take great pictures with this camera even if you never touch any of the manual controls.) If you're more knowledgeable, the camera has full manual, aperture, shutter, and program modes too. As someone who's shopped around, I can tell you this is really hard to find in a camera that's this size and price. All of the controls feel intuitive and I've always found it easy to find everything I need. If I could change one thing here, I wish the camera would remember settings that I'd changed after I've turned it off and on again. For instance, I almost never use the flash, but every time I turn it on, I have to turn the flash off again.
   
   Features: Features. Hmm. This camera has every shooting mode I could ever need, manual controls, a FLASH HOTSHOE, *and* can accommodate additional lenses? Ok, so it doesn't come with on-board GPS like the P6000, but other than that, I can't think of a feature I would ever want that this camera doesn't have. Oh, and the vibration reduction's great too. I've been able to take shake-free pictures with shutter speeds up to 1 or 2 seconds handheld if I steady myself on something. This is really nice for shooting in low-light or at night. Complaint: the flash. The flash on this camera is bad. It's not very powerful and most pictures taken with it come out looking unnatural. I think it also sometimes gets the shadow of the lens, which is odd. Then again, if this really mattered, I could always buy an external flash. It hasn't really bothered me, but it has turned me into a natural-light purist. Vibration reduction really helps with this.
   
   On the negative side, don't even try to take pictures of kids playing sports with this thing. It has a mode for it, but I wouldn't recommend it. The camera seems a little too slow to respond for this sort of thing. The high ISOs are really grainy, too. I like to set it at ISO 64-100 and take pictures of fairly stationary things. If this isn't for you, you might want to consider a slightly more nimble little camera.
   
   Picture quality: Picture quality is stellar. Really. Occasionally, I see pictures taken with a professional DSLR and say, "Wow, I don't think I could do that with my camera," but short of being a DSLR, this thing can take really amazing pictures. The 12MP also make it easy to crop things way down and find a more impressive photo hidden within an otherwise dull one.
   
   Portability: It's not as small as some digital cameras made these days, but it's still easily purse/pocket-sized (bulgy pocket, but still). For all the features this thing holds, it seems downright miniscule.
   
   If you can't tell already, I highly recommend this camera. I took mine in for repair the other day (fell off a table and got a lens error. :( otherwise, has been very durable, though.) and, after quoting me the price for the repair, the woman in the camera store said that whether it was worth it or not depended on how much I paid for it and how much I love it. I think I was blushing a little as I told her, "It's worth it."
   
   I am so in love with this camera.

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix L18 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Ruby Red).

1. I love this camera. I have been through so many...guess i'm too picky! It also arrived very quickly!



2. I bought and used two L18 coolpix cameras in December 2008, because they were on sale, rated highly by Amazon, had familiar features, could easily fit in my pocket, used world-wide common AA batteries, had a nice big digital display, and improved 3Xzoom and 8 magapixel capability. I gave one to my wife who rarely uses it. I already owned an L11 which is 3 years old and bought a new L20 this December 2009 to replace the broken one I bought last year. I carry the camera in my pocket and take digital photos daily, have over 100,000 photos in my computer and frequently edit and label them from my international travels and family events. The L18 that I bought and used was blue and my wife's is red. I took about 5000 photos over 10 months with the L18 before the digital display suddenly stopped working - which prevents setting the functions on the camera (video, still pics, flash, etc.) and seeing what the camera is capturing. Without the sales receipt, no way to return the broken camera to Nikon for warranty repair (supposed to be a 1 year guarantee - but no repair facilities in Europe and despite registering the camera on line at the time of purchase, you still have to have the sales slip to return it to Nikon for warranty repairs). None of the three coolpix cameras I have take good fotos at night (without the flash or with it frequently there are so many spots in the foto from moisture in the air that the photo is irreparable even with the best software)resulting in yellow people and blurrrrrred images. Also none of them take good photos of moving objects - more than 40% of my photos of people moving are too blurred - even when the person only slightly moves. The Pentax 330GS that I used 2002-2007 before switching to Nikon took great night and much sharper pictures of moving objects but it only had a 3.0 magapixel capability. When the subject is still, in daylight, and you can hold the camera steady, the coolpix cameras all take great pictures.Nikon Coolpix L18 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Ruby Red)



3. The picture quality was nice. The camera is light weight. BUT less than a year I was taking a picture of my daughters graduation and all of a sudden the less stayed out and the picture said 'lens error'. I bought a three year warranty, and sent it to the company for repairs. They told me that I "apparently dropped it" Which was a BIG flat out lie. I took excellent care of it, not a scratch, and never got to even take it outside my house yet. This is the WORSE camera I ever bought. Save your money dont buy this camera



4. This is such a great camera for a very low price! I bought it like 2 years ago. The first year was great then the second year was not so good though. It lost its fantastic quality but i think now it is time to get a new one like this one for another year. It has a reasonable amount of film in it.(10 min) an you know it is good for camping trips to keep enough memories :). i really recommend this nikon coolpix camera if you just like to have a camera for trips and stuff.
   Tip: NEVER BRING IT IN THE SAND!!! HAD TO FIX IT LIKE 5 TIMES!



5. I once brought a Kids camera for my 5 yo. He loved it. It was garbage. It ate batteries. It had a junk 1" screen. It took HORRID picures. AND It cost me $45!! Awful!!!
   
   So I did plan B. I brought this camera refurbished. At the time it was $75 with shipping. I gave it to him. Forewarned him about always using the strap and not touching the lens. I must have told him 100 times. He knows now and is careful.
   
   HE LOVES IT. He doesn't want to print the pictures(never did). He just takes shots and records movies. He takes hundreds of them. Some nice ones! He can edit them on the camera too. He figured this out on his own. A 5 yo. (So what does it mean for those that complain about the controls...)
   
   This is a nice camera with good battery life. Takes nice pics and is cheap. I'd do it again for him.

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix P50 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Wide Angle Optical Zoom.

1. The shutter lag on this camera is really, really slow, so if you are buying and hoping to get pix of kids and pets - you know, things that move around a lot - then you are in for a world of frustration. If you are doing landscapes, posed shots or stuff like that, I'm sure it's a fine camera. Also, after the shutter finally goes off and you get that blurry picture, you have to wait for the picture to actually load into the memory, so you will miss some photo op's then as well.
   
   I did try to contact the manufacturer to see if I could do something to speed up the shutter speed, but Nikon customer help for camera usage doesn't seem to exist.



2. Purchased N/P50 in early June 09 , took it to Niagara Falls , Ont . , and shot close to 400 pictures ! In rain , and mist conditions , with careful usage , I have some of the best Digital Pictures I have ever taken ! D Lighting saved me in numerous situations , and my shots of N/Falls from the " Maid of the Mist " are just beautiful ! I used Lithium Batteries and for Three Days I was captured by this Little Wonder of a Camera ! Prior experience helped me , of course , but this Digital Camera made the whole Trip completely worthwhile , and enjoyable ! High praise to Nikon ! R E Keay



3. I like this camera and I'd recommend it. While at times it doesn't like to completely close the lens and/or shut down when I power it off, it's still a good purchase in my opinion.
   
   This is easily my forth or fifth digital camera over the years, so I know what I like and don't like- as well as need and don't need. My needs are pretty minimal and I'm pretty sure 8.1 MP was overkill for me. I don't do anything fancy and really only desire a camera that's easy to operate (ie I don't need to resort to the instructions or manual) and takes decent family photos. However I did research this camera prior to buying and it seems some people thought it even good for more advanced levels of photography- of course, not professional.
   
   I will say it seems a lot less durable (the actually camera casing??? not sure if that's the correct term but I'm going with it- the black part) than I expected- especially for a Nikon. Oh, I will it requires rechargable AA or digital camera AA- so plan on either buy a least two rechargable sets (to have one and one for back up) or lots of AAs bc it's pretty typically to most cameras on battery life.
   
   But minus few random things I mentioned, I'd say it's a pretty good camera and very user friendly (my mother even figured it out within a few attempts and she just recently figured out call waiting on her cell phone! So that says a lot!).



4. Being an avid Nikon user (D300) wanting a decent image producing camera, the P50 does not deliver. Nice features and manual settings +/- exp., time lapse, etc. I miss the quality images from my previous Canon point-n-shoot.



5. Someone trashed this camera in a previous review, very early after it appeared. The truth is, the P50
   is a excellent camera, that is capable of taking really great pics. Closeups are crisp, scenics are
   spetacular, due in part from the 28mm wide angle lens! It has a VIEWFINDER in addition to the lcd panel
   on the back. I had a p50, and lost it about a year ago. I was lucky to find another one here in Amazon...
   I bought it from SWIMMOUSE. Great guy to deal with. Brand new in the box. I'm a happy guy again, snapping
   pics almost every day. I have two other 10meg digitals and they don't hold a candle to the Nikon P50.
   Jim Cub

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix S210 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Plum).

1. Bought this for my 16 yr old daughter for XMAS. Worked great and took quality pics but after 6 months the lcd screen developed an internal crack. Sent to Nikon and was told warranty wouldnt cover because it was dropped.
   There was not a scratch on the outside of the camera so I am sure it was not due to misuse. Nikon wanted $99 to repair the camera. I feel their service after the sale is very poor.
   I have had great luck with Fuji cameras and am replacing this one with a Fuji.



2. 
   I always carry two camera with me so when one of my cameras gave up the ghost, I decided on this one. It is small but has really good qualities. The picture is quite clear and it is easy to use. Plus, once it is charged, it stays charged for a long time. I would buy this item again.



3. I had an older coolpix camera for years that I loved--this camera is HORRIBLE. After 3 months it stopped working due to a "lens error." Still under warranty, I sent it in for a repair. It was gone a month, and when it came back, it still didn't work, this time saying "battery temperature high." Sent it in again. Gone another month, even though I had a trip to China in two weeks and begged them to fix it sooner. Gone another month, worked for two weeks, and same problem again. Irate, asked for a new camera, they said no, could send it in again. Worst experience ever.



4. Sadly, our recommendation is to -- AVOID THIS CAMERA -- at all costs.
   
   ** Please see other similar reviews below before purchasing. **
   
   LENS ERROR problems ABOUND & render CAMERA UNUSABLE.
   
   
   I so wanted to leave a good review for this camera. Our family has owned 3 across the last couple of years. The first 2 cameras of this make/model lasted 14 months, and 8 months, respectively. Our 3rd died a few months ago after 14 months of use, and prompted me to at last write a review. LENS ERRORS, without cause (not dropped, no sudden temperature changes, no foreign objects or water got in the camera, batteries were kept appropriately charged, and the like), have rendered all 3 cameras of this make/model unusable.
   
   All 3 cameras were used solely by 2 adults with 8 decades of photography experience between us. Yes, we should have bought a different camera for our 3rd, not purchased another of these, but the size/portability (it is lightweight and a very handy size), and picture quality for the price, were hard to resist.
   
   The cameras did take good quality photos (once you read, read, read the manual and practice, practice, practice, practice with the various modes/settings - see other reviews below re this same issue), and have a terrific zoom, but THE LENS FACILITY FUNCTIONS EXTREMELY POORLY. It stops working suddenly, without explanation or cause, and cannot be repaired for less than 80% of the purchase price for a new one.
   
   We CANNOT RECOMMEND this camera for anyone, for any reason, other than perhaps a vacation of just a few days with the understanding your purchase price will be a total loss.



5. I have taken this camera to concerts...pictures come out horrible. I even tried it on various settings (indoor, sports, nightscape, museum, firework, etc)...every single one came out blurry, distorted and really ruined the concert effect I was trying to save. I also tried zooming all the way, zoom 1/2 way and no zoom...all the images came out horrible. I am going back to Canon.

5 comments about Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only).

1. I bought my D80 in early 2008 and have enjoyed using it. It has many useful features and produces very vivid pictures. It does want to over expose in certain circumstances and isn't the best at high iso low light situations.



2. still learning lot of functionality. found to be very easy to use, always we get sharper image.



3. I purchased the D80 with a 18mm-135mm zoom in early 2009. As a former 35mm professional shooter I was blown away with the features this camera offers for the money. I may decide to upgrade in the future but there is no rush because this camera is very satisfying for the casual shooting I now do. I bought it as an entry level DSLR but I can see now that it would satisfy most buyers as their final upgrade.



4. The seller was very reasonable and shipped out the camera the day it was purchased. It was in a secure box and everything that was in the description was in there. The Nikon D80 is a great camera, especially with the 18-135mm lenses. If your building up your way to a D200 or D300, this is a great camera learn with.



5. My first digital camera was the original Canon Rebel. When I needed to make larger prints, I assumed that I would get the newer Canon Rebel. That is, until I saw it and handled it and found it so small, so hard to grip firmly, so ridiculous-looking when you use a long lens.
   
   But there, alongside it, was the Nikon D-80. Since I hadn't felt sure enough about the Rebel to invest in lenses, flashes, or other brand-specific accessories, I figured I could afford to jump ship. So I got my first Nikon.
   
   The D-80 is said to be comfortable for people with big hands and fat fingers. I have short fingers, long nails, and fairly small hands. Yet, when I hold this camera (in either portrait or landscape orientation) I feel I've got a good steady grip, regardless of which lens I have on.
   
   The camera has DX format, which means that it has a multiplier of 1.5 when you purchase a lens. This means that, if you buy a lens labeled 50mm, it acts like a 75mm lens. If you actually want 50mm, you need something between 33mm & 34mm. This mental arithmetic is important, not because you arbitrarily insist on a particular number. It is because this changes the size you use would traditionally select depending on your intended subject (landscape? closeup? portrait?) You have to remember that the aperture specs listed on the lens aren't what you've got. Wide-angle lenses become less wide; telephoto lenses become longer (your 70-200 mm is suddenly 105mm to 300mm). This is true of the D-80 and almost all other prosumer cameras, so it's not a point specifically against it, it just takes adjusting.
   
   It is a camera that can do all your thinking, just like a point-and-shoot, if you put it on auto mode. Or it will allow you to make your own decisions in fully manual. I usually use it either on Program Mode (which is an adjustable semi-auto) or Aperture Priority Mode. There are several other modes available, the typical macro, shutter priority, etc. The camera can be trusted to choose the right exposure in a surprisingly high percentage of the time. And, if you shoot RAW, this only increases your percentage.
   
   The menu and settings are varied and logically arranged. The controls are, for the most part, easy to reach and remember. The only exception is the AE-L/AF-L button, which is awkwardly-placed and requires changing your grip.
   
   The focusing system is fast and responsive, as is the shutter response.
   
   There is a wide selection of lenses and accessories to support the expansion of the basic camera. I have felt confident enough to commit to continue using Nikon equipment and have invested in a variety of lenses as well as flash and other accessories. I've made a conscious decision to not purchase DX-only lenses because, should I ever be able to get a full-frame Nikon, I won't get full benefit from it. An FX lens can be used on a full-frame camera at full size, (a 50mm lens = 50mm) and the entire sensor is used. If you get a DX lens, and use it in a full-frame camera (which you can do), you lose a wide swath of the perimeter of your sensor and your subject area is greatly reduced, actually canceling out your benefit from full frame.
   
   For the time being, I'm delighted with my D-80, I haven't come across a requirement that it can't meet. If I ever need to make larger prints (than approx. 24"x36") I'll get whatever Nikon full-frame camera with more megapixels is on the market at that time and pass on (or share) my investment in lenses with that other camera. But I think that my D-80 will always remain my favorite and I will always think of it as the camera , didn't teach me, but allowed me to really learn and enjoy photography.

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix S550 10 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Graphite Black).

1. Even though this is a very good product and It is what i expected, my experience buying it was awful. I payed for a brand new camera and when I received it, it was beaten. I read the operation manual and I wanted to configurate the camera and then was when I noticed that the camera has been used. It seems that it was the camera that has been used in the store for demonstration because the memory was full of photos of the store!! There was 30 photos of the store in the memory of the camera. The name of the store is Beach Camera and they sent me a used and beaten camera. I wrote an email to the store but I never got an answer. And I can't go to the store personally because I am living in another country. This really was a very bad experience for me, I was fooled by these people.



2. Nice easy to use camera with excellent picture quality. Had a 16x24 poster made off of camera turned out great. One down fall is i had to purchase a new battery within a year. If you do have to replace battery make sure you get the real nikon battery. I found out from experience the cheap money saving battery is really that cheap. but otherwise best camera we have every owned. We bought our kids nikon cameras also.



3. I got this after reading reviews that it was a decent camera and the low price also convinced me to give it a try. Out of the 5+ digital cameras I've had this has to rank the lowest in quality and ease of use.
   
   The problems:
   1 - Extremely slow: If you have a dog or baby and want to take quick pictures of those precious moments, skip this camera. The camera takes forever to load from one photo to the next.
   2 - Settings are a pain: Every time I needed to take a picture I had to try a few different settings to see what the best option was. If you leave it on auto you won't get the best pictures so you have to actually choose a mode i.e. indoors. And you have to play around with a few different modes until you can finally find the best one. Again back to point #1 that if you want to take quick photos of those precious moments, this is not for you.
   3 - Poor quality: I never noticed how poor the quality of the photos actually were until I compared them to some old photos I had taken with my previous camera - Casio Exilim.
   
   After a few months of use I decided to take the loss and sell this camera and am now on a search for a new one.
   Bottom line, don't bother with this unless you want a mediocre camera.



4. This product was like new - great value, at this point I couldn't be happier - that the same time I am not that particular about cameras.



5. Like a hapless rube, I was bedazzled by the bold announcement of the 10Mb feature on this instrument while perusing the digital camera section of a local retailer. The camera exhibited all the features designed to beguile me:brainless photography, with professional results, was just a click away with this camera of wonders. The apologists for this camera will claim that perfect results only come to those with the patience to pour through the instruction manual, negotiating their way, Thesus-like, through this confusing and inscrutable Cretan's Labyrinth towards excellence. I did, but I failed to vanquish this beast. None of the suggestions in the manual yielded any change to the blurry and thoroughly objectionable photographs I had subsequently taken. The event, and the picture of the event, were at such a wide variance that there is almost a suggestion that the camera was taking pictures of some bizarre parallel universe. I've had some small experience with digital cameras in the past, and in those instances I was able to achieve wonderful results without fiddling with a thousand buttons and features to maximize each and every shot; I'd simply point and shoot and be left with a dazzling photograph. With this blunderbuss, it was always a crap shoot even with the instruction manual committed to memory, and fine tuning every shot like a physicist operating a tunneling electron microscope. This camera will be given away to my most dreaded enemy as a punishment.

5 comments about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. Or just buy it... The Nikon D300 has been the most cost effective way for a Nikon digital photographer to transition into many of the features of a professional-use camera. Since its inception in the summer of 2007, the Nikon D300 has had some of its incredible feature set, like its 12.3mp CMOS sensor, re-appropriated into other less expensive models (D90, D5000; ok, actually they've modified the sensor slightly), and it has even been replaced with a slight upgrade, in the D300s. However, this camera still remains an excellent choice for the photographer looking to either build a business or for a capable back-up model, and with the inevitable fall in its used price, due to the introduction of newer models, it looks to be an increasingly better value.
   
   It beats the Nikon D90 and D5000 in:
   
   1. Body build and weather sealing (ie. Magnesium Alloy vs. Hardened Plastic, Yes vs. No)
   2. 14-bit NEF vs. 12-bit NEF RAW
   3. Top Shutter Speed (1/8000 vs. 1/4000)
   4. Compact Flash Cards vs. SDHC
   5. Better AF Detection (51 points vs. 11)
   6. 100% Viewfinder vs. not
   7. Much larger buffer rate (99 vs 22)
   8. Ability to use older manual focus lenses with metering (also D5000 requires G lenses, or else focusing is all manual)
   9. Balances larger, heavier, pro lenses much better
   10. More of the controls are on the surface of the camera rather than hidden in sub-menus
   11. Shutter life (150, 000 clicks vs. 100,000 in D90, maybe less in D5000)
   
   Nikon D90 and D5000 beat it in:
   1. Slightly better sensor performance (a lot has been made about the subtle improvements made to the original sensor in the later bodies. However, it should be noted that most of the online tests that you read are conducted in jpeg; this defaults the D300's sensor to 12-bit, same as the best capable in the D90 and D5000, in this case, the newer sensors edge it out. Shooting the camera in 14-bit NEF improves its low-light performance especially in controlling shadow noise, which what most of the tests measure. In other words, the tests generally short-change the capability of the D300's sensor in favor of the newer models)
   2. Improved Live View
   3. Video Mode
   4. D5000 has a positionable LCD Screen
   
   And that's just the surface. If you've been contemplating buying one, the best time is when the used prices go down by about a third of the original MSRP (my experience anyway; you are more likely to get a camera still at the peak of its performance, without biting the bullet too much on cost).
   
   Best-
   Jason Gray
   [...].



2. After 2 years of use, teh conclusion is that the camara is a great tool. But...don't forget that in order to get the best out of it, some practice is requiered!



3. There have been ample reviews, mostly positive, written for this all-around high-quality body since it was first introduced in 2008. I bought one right away as my first digital camera after hanging on to film well into the digital era.
   
   I want to comment one of the weaker aspects of this body (and lens lineup) and my main use, that is low-light photography. My previous film experience was with cameras well suited for low light, Leica rangefinders and a Rollei twin-lens. Over my first two years with my Nikon D300 I have used it extensively with high-speed prime lenses, mostly the Nikon 50mm f/1.4, often wide open. And I have often been disappointed by the Nikon seeming to miss focus, even when the subject is stationary.
   
   In comparison to the old rangefinders (my main user was a 1948 vintage Leica IIIc) I would say my Nikon misses focus (at wide aperture) more than 50% of the time. While with my older cameras I would put my focusing success at near 100%. With the split image rangefinders or the large and clear screen on the Rollei TLR I rarely missed, even on moving subjects. So I would rate the low-light focusing of the Nikon inferior to the older technology. Nevertheless the lens if very sharp. And for the photos that are in focus the effect is perfect. I can get selective focus and blur the background with f/1.4 and f/2 at close distances.
   
   While I have some nostalgia for the older technology, with more accurate focusing, I am overall quite satisfied with the D300. Of course just being digital gives it considerable advantage. Even when focusing is an issue I take so many more photos that after some selection I can get as many well composed ones from the Nikon as I did with film. And I see the results right away.
   
   I would also comment that for very shallow depth of focus (as you get with a 50 f/1.4 at close distance) the very focusing mechanism in the D300 may not be adequate to focus perfectly all the time. I do not know the internals of the camera. But the issue may be that the gearing of the focusing within the camera body is not fine enough to step precisely enough. The lenses dedicated to the digital format (which Nikon calls "G" lenses) have focusing motors within the lens which may be more precise than the body's own motor. I haven't tried these lenses for intermediate focal lengths.
   
   My final criticism is that these "G" prime lenses and the smaller sensor of the D300 (compared with 35mm film dimensions) leaves odd gaps in the focal length selection. The current prime lens lineup is biased to the telephoto side. Sigma seems to be making up the difference to an extent. But we maybe without a good high-speed wide and ultrawide "G" lineup (such as Leica has long offered with its M cameras).



4. Up until a few days ago I would have given this camera five stars. It's an excellent camera all around, and surpasses the D3 and D700 for use in nature photography, one of the pluses of the non-full-size sensor (greater reach with your lenses.) Since I use this mainly for nature shots, I wouldn't have traded it even for a D3 (unless someone threw in one of Nikon's big telephoto primes.) But, alas, the shutter failed only a few weeks after the one-year warranty expired, and far short of the 150000 shutter clicks the shutter is supposed to be good for. I have no idea whether this failure occurred due to an engineering flaw or random chance. But a fairly pricey prosumer camera that breaks after a year of normal use is unreliable.
   The D300s is supposedly more or less identical except in its video capabilities, which will put even more strain on a badly designed shutter, so I would guess that unreliability will be a problem with the D300s as well. But that's just a guess. But the D300 camera should have lasted longer without breaking.



5. Why buy a D300 for way over $2000 when you can buy the new model (D300s) for $1500?

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix P60 8.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom with Vibration Reduction (Black).

1. I compared with Canon SX110IS, SD780IS, 560 and Nikon S-220, S-230 cameras. The picture quality of P60 is the best. I feel that the scene is deeper and the color tone is more natural. Canon SX110IS and 560 are also good, but the feeling of full depth is better at P60. The image stabilization seems to be better as well compared to Canon SX110 and SD780. This may suggest that the CCD shift method may be better than the lens shift method of Canon at least in this range of camera. Nikon S-220 & 230 were too noisy in particular at the indoor shooting without the flash. Probably, the Nikon S-series may be different line than the P-series. In addition, the wide angle is OK compared to Canon cameras. The view angle of Canon SX110 was not good enough. Considering the price of P60 ($100 at Officemax), P60 seems to be the best one in this range of camera if the size and weight can be accepted.
   Cons:
   - The LCD screen is too shiny and dim so that it is very difficult to see the scene. In this aspect, Canon SD780 and SX110 are much better. However, this can be compensated by use of the small eye-piece window.
   - The flash mode cannot be saved. Every time the power is on, it has to be set again. In this aspect, Pentax camera is unique and well designed even though its picture quality has some color overflow effect.
   - It is a little bit bulky and heavy to carry.
   - The voltage level of NiMH rechargeable battery does not seem to be recognized as high enough. Only Tenergy brand of NiMH battery could (somewhat) satisfy the expected voltage level of the P60 camera.



2. After less than three months of use the P60 has malfunctioned. The display does not work. Neither do any of the controls. The lens is frozen in the open position. The electronics appear to be fried. This is the second CoolPix that has malfunctioned, in the same way. Bad circuits? Are similar chips used in its high-end models? Nikon needs to address the issue.



3. i bought this camera to replace my nikon coolpix L1 [which underwent an unfortunate accident]. i LOVED my coolpix L1 -- more than any other camera i have had or currently have, including my canon rebel. i love the P60 just as much. it has features not often found on other cameras in this class: 5x optical zoom, a hand grip, and a viewfinder. i find that when set on automatic, the camera makes excellent decisions -- better than my rebel. in fact, i like spending time comparing shots of the same thing taken by both cameras. if you need a trusty camera, small enough to carry around in your pocket, and smart enough to make good decisions for quick shots, i highly recommend this camera.



4. I haven't had the camera long but so far I really like it. Easy to use and it has a viewfinder - an important feature missing in many inexpensive cameras. I must admit I have always been a Nikon fan. So when a salesperson, who had the camera recommended it, I went for it. If you are looking for a simple camera that will take good pictures and downloads easily you might want to consider it.



5. The Nikon Coolpix P60 camera has it all. From the lightweight, easy grip design to the photo quality. It is perfect to preserve your memories with stills or video. Great for vacations and everyday activities. I also suggest getting the Nikon accessory pack (case, tripod, lens covers, etc.).

5 comments about Nikon Coolpix P80 10.1MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom (Black).

1. I'm definitely a novice. There's a lot I need to learn in order to be able to take better photos, but this camera is easy to use. I can take pretty good pictures with it...just pointing and shooting. I haven't learned a lot about the settings yet, but I'm sure that when I do, my photos will be even better! So far, I have captured some really great photos of my kids and of the mountain scenery here where I live! The camera is fun to use, and I figure I will just keep experimenting with it to see what works for me! I cannot believe Nikon has discontinued this camera! The Nikon Coolpix P80 is easily portable. I carry it in a large padded camera bag that will hold other accessories and other "non-camera" things that I need to carry with me. It could easily be carried in a much smaller bag with all the things that you need just for the camera...extra batteries, extra memory cards, etc. It's very light weight and easy to use. It's the kind of camera that makes a novice want to learn more about taking really good photos!



2. I was forced by a poor timing situation to buy a lower level camera for school. For fun I kept researching after class started and found out this was what I wanted. I've been waiting for eight months and I finally bought it. I Love It!



3. I have had this camera for about a year and have taken more than 3000 shots with it. The only thing that I have trouble with is when useing for close up work it does not always want to focus, but if you zoom out then back in you can usually get it to focus on what you want. The file sizes are large enough that you can crop and still keep it at a large enough size to get nice sized prints (4x6, 5x9, never tried getting 8x10's). Awesome for those that enjoy taking photos, may not satisfy those that are looking to sell. I have never been disappointed with image quality. I bought a Canon Rebel XSI (SLR) to replace it but when I used it I was VERY disappointed in what I got and went back to my Nikon.



4. great for indoor/ outdoor use very inexspensive for the quality of pictures. a little slow at taking pictures but :( butt all in all a good camera for under 300



5. This is a great camera if you aren't ready to shell out the big bucks for a Digital SLR, but also want something of better quality and capabilities than say a pocket sized point and shoot camera. Nikon has three different camera series: L ("Lifesyle series") S ("Style series), and P ("Performance series"). The Ls are your basic, slightly more bulky, everyday point and shoot styles. They typically run off of AA batteries, hence are slightly more chunky in shape. The menus are very simple, and the price range is usually $100 or less. The S series emphasizes a more stylized, sophisticated design...your touch screen menus, compact hard metal bodies, slim make. These are usually $115-150 price range and use the lithium-ion rechargeable cell battery. The P series is where you're at before you get to a DSLR, & it's a great bridge between the two in my opinion. Depending on your model, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200-350 on a P series. I owned the P80 for about a year before selling it and upgrading. It served me very well in a variety of situations, though it was certainly not flawless.
   
   Pros: 1. Superior zoom/lens quality. You might see that 18x optical zoom and be skeptical, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Even fully zoomed in, I produced crystal clear beautiful images. Of course how shaky the person operating the camera is plays a big role, but with a steady hand you will get great shots. 2. Actual ergonomics. The camera is big, but not so huge that you feel you can't take it everywhere with you. I wore it strapped around my neck while riding bike trails, and as long as the lens cap was secure, I wasn't worried about it. It feels and appears to be very solid and well made. 3. Great battery life. After a full charge, I usually could get nearly 300 shots before having to plug it back in. I am also not big on using my flash though, so that plays a lot into it. 4. Helpful manual. Some cameras give you a 5 page booklet and then you're on your own. Or worse, you get a 'digital manual', CD, and no literature whatsoever. Nikon's manual was not only thorough in explanation of features, but also provides the user with helpful tips in a variety of shooting situations. Lots of illustrations to take the guesswork out also. 5. Full manual controls. Provided you know how to use these, you'll have a lot of fun experimenting. I was able to take some really nice potraits while in manual mode, with the camera effectively fuzzing out the background and sharply focusing on my subject. Sport mode was nice when wanting to shoot several images in succession, however takes some getting used to because unlike a DSLR, you won't hear the clicking of the shots being recorded each time. You hold your button down and it will record until you let go pretty much. Kind of neat, except then you have like 30 images that are nearly identical and have to go through and weed out the bad ones.
   
   Cons: Not that great indoors, unless using your flash, which is unfortunate because a lot of the time the flash ruins the ambience of things. Without the flash, most of the pictures took on a golden tone, sometimes almost orange, which was rather annoying. Also very noisy indoors!! They didn't look that bad on the LCD, but when printed you could definitely notice. The LCD in general could be irritating, because the pictures looked great on there...but on my computer or printed from a lab, they looked much more drab. It can be kind of tedious having to go in and edit each and every picture just to add some saturation and contrast. I've owned a variety of Nikons and Canons...I must say that Canon seems to be far better in the way of vivid, sharp color straight out of the box. The software the camera comes with is definitely lacking. It is basically just for photo transferring, not much at all in the way of actual editing. I was also looking forward to taking some great panoramic shots with this camera, but it doesn't offer in-camera stitching so I didn't bother half the time. The software provides a stitching tool, but in the end it's just not feasible for someone who takes a lot of shots to go back and locate those specific three. Especially when you have to wait til you're on your computer to do so.
   
   In general--very nice camera, good buy for the price. The zoom is great, and the 10 megapixels are nice for making large prints. My complaints are/were only minor in the end, as overall I got some very nice quality photos from this. I would definitely agree with other reviewers though in that the more experienced photographer will be finicky with this camera's noise level and other 'little quirks' as described. If you don't care about the minute details though, leave the camera on Auto and have at it.

5 comments about Nikon EN-EL5 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery for Coolpix P3, P4. P5000, S10, 3700, 4200, 5200, 5900 & 7900 Digital Cameras.

1. The batteries worked as expected. I typically would get 200+ pictures on one battery. I purchased 2 spares but only used one spare on any particular day with a Nikon P80 camera.



2. OEM, so works just great. Good to have a battery backup when taking lots of pictures in one day or before you can charge the battery already in the camera.



3. This is a great battery for my P5100. I can take hundreds of pictures and carry a spare easily because it is so small.



4. I decided to try the cheaper batteries for my Nikon P90. They DO NOT SPRING out of the camera like the original Nikon battery. On a couple occasions I had to extricate the cheapies like a bad tooth with a pair of needlenose pliers. I am now buying two extra Nikon brand batteries. The cheapos will act as spares in a pinch. I do lots of bird and nature pictures so need to be able to change out the battery quickly since I may shoot 10-20 pix of quackers in motion. I do not want to be fumbling with the no-namo battery and miss a shot. I love my P90. This is my first digital. I am learning that we have traded to expense of film and developing the cost of batteries. You wouldn't buy second rate film or pay for second rate developing on a film camera. Please do not by second rate batteries.



5. No problems holds charge for good while got it as spare as we take lots of pics