Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500
Super zoom Super zoom
February, 2011

Summary Nikon P500

Prices Price
Camera only $300
all P500 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #1 of 17 Among similar cameras #4 of 32
details details
Specifications Key specs
Zoom Help 36x Screen size Help 3.0"
Aperture Help f/3.5 Screen resolution Help 920k dots
Wide angle Help 23 mm Movie format Help 1080p @ 30fps
see all specifications
Nikon Coolpix P500Nikon Coolpix P500

Replacement

Nikon has replaced the Coolpix P500 with the P510.

Nikon Coolpix P510
Nikon Coolpix P510 announced February, 2012
Zoom Significantly more zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
3D Takes 3D photos

Compare the new Nikon P510 vs the P500

reviewsWhat are people saying about the P500

"We found that regardless of AF area mode, auto-focus speed was satisfactory for still subjects, but too slow for fast-moving ones. Manual focusing is also possible"
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's auto-focus
"the Nikon Coolpix P500 remains a good choice for those who want the convenience of a superzoom but also require the creative control provided by a higher-end camera."
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's overall-performance
"This feature really does seem to make a difference and could mean capturing a successful, sharp shot or missing the opportunity altogether."
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's image-stabilization

Videos

Nikon Coolpix P500 Review (WWW...

Nikon COOLPIX P500 - Filmare H...

Preview of the new Nikon P300 ...
Nikon Coolpix P500 Review (WWW.quinetiam.com)
  • Sample video
  • Short film
 Nikon COOLPIX P500 - Filmare HD & Slow Motion
  • Sample video
  • Short film
 Preview of the new Nikon P300 f/1.8 and P500 36x zoom
  • Review
  • Amateur

Browse all Nikon P500 videos

Pros

The Nikon P500 vs other recent digicams

Zoom Huge zoom Help
36x
High-speed framerate High speed movies Help
240 fps
Continuous shooting Rapid fire Help
10 fps
Sensor type CMOS Sensor Help
Better in low light
Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
Digital
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps
Wide angle Great wide angle lens Help
23 mm
Screen resolution Very high resolution screen Help
920k dots
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies
Macro focus Good macro Help
1 cm

Cons

The Nikon P500 vs other recent digicams

HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Thickness Thick Help
4.1"
Announced Old Help
February, 2011
Lowest price Expensive Help
$299.99
Longest exposure Short exposures Help
8 seconds
Size Quite large Help
Professional size 116x84x103 mm
Touch screen No touch screen Help
More buttons
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Weight Very heavy Help
481 g

The Nikon P500 vs other recent super zooms

Aperture Narrow aperture Help
f/3.5
Supports RAW No RAW support Help
Less editing fidelity
Light sensitivity (boost) Lacks boost light sensitivity Help
None
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Battery life Very short battery life Help
220 shots
External flash No external flash Help
Less expandable

Appearance

front photo of the Nikon Coolpix P500back photo of the Nikon Coolpix P500angle photo of the Nikon Coolpix P500

Discussion What do you think about the Nikon Coolpix P500?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 25 comments

André (10:47 PM, May 03, 2012)
Gostaria de saber se essa nikon p500 tem a função de alterar o tom de luz e brilho na hora de fotografar uma imagem que esteja escura? A Canon g12 faz essa função essa nikon também faz?

Grato espero resposta
 
 
Yalimae (3:31 AM, April 18, 2012)
actually, i just got  nikon cool pix P500 , and i disagree negative comments you are posting about it, if you meant to realize there are so much things to explore having this camera and here the accessories you might buy if you want your nikon coolpix p500 to improve http://www.digitaltoyshop.co.uk/Accessories_Nikon_Coolpix_P500_t2367
 
randomone (1:28 PM, April 04, 2012)
Actually, you can preview what you are going to record. If you hit the display button (just on the right of the viewfinder, a gray box will appear on the screen (or EVF). That's the frame for shooting video.
 
Henryd29 (3:50 AM, March 15, 2012)
EXELENTE
 
Alexandre Fonseca (5:04 PM, February 16, 2012)
The best way to compare picture quality is to take photos in RAW (unprocessed) mode. By comparing the RAW photo with its JPEG equivalent, you can also see how extensive is the post-processing/compression applied by the camera software. This camera doesn't do RAW and there is a good reason for that: apparently it applies some heavy processing to the picture after it is shot, which is fine for vacation pictures but doesn't give you much room either for enlargment or for subsequent processing off-camera. There is no way to turn off post-processing. If you are the photograph-and-forget type, that's fine. If you like editing your pictures, don't bother. For picture quality I would definitely recommend the Panasonic FZ-100, which has unbeatable Leica lenses.If 26X zoom is not enough, you can attach a good quality 1.5 enlargement lens (contrarily to the Nikon, the FZ-100 has threads to attach filters and/or lenses).
 
Bruceknj (4:25 PM, February 16, 2012)
 Pictures are not sharp. I have returned this camera to Nikon 3 times because of this problem and they have not been able to correct the problem. I am in the process of returning it again and requesting they give me a camera that does produce sharp pictures.
 
Arjacee (2:49 PM, February 16, 2012)
I want  to get this camera. I don't care about the video so much, I just want good sharp photos! Some other websites say the image quality is not so good. Snapshot gave this camera 100 points so I'm presuming they think the images are sharp. Despite all the features and the zoom... a camera is a camera and most people care about nice sharp pictures. Snapshot..please confirm that it takes nice, sharp and crisp outdoor pictures please ? ( p.s I want to photograph still birds )
 
Vashic (11:16 AM, February 02, 2012)
I like this camera very good..
 
Avatar for kittykattt kittykattt (7:22 AM, January 23, 2012)
Snapsort doesn't like the Canon SX40HS as much as the Nikon P500. I personally like the SX40HS much, much better. The photo quality is superb, and it's identical in most other areas, save the screen resolution. I mean, it's nice to have the P500's very high resolution, but it's not necessary. I'd rather have better photos. Also the Canon has a better stabilizer. I don't really agree with Snapsort in general, as they like the Canon G12 over the Nikon P7100 and I like the P7100 better.
 
KaylaS (3:35 AM, January 16, 2012)
does anyone know if there are macro settings (auto, face priority, manual) on this? i just got a Nikon L120 and found it doesnt have macro settings, which really disappoints me, i expected better for a relatively better camera compared to my point and shoot. curious for future reference
 
Photoguy32 (9:01 PM, January 08, 2012)
This camera sucks i don't know how it beat the canon t3 
 
Rr Rjs (9:24 PM, December 23, 2011)
Essa maquina é uma merda, a da Canon e da Panasonic dão de 1000 a 0!!
 
jit (4:02 PM, December 22, 2011)
P500 is the best superzoom camera upto 2011.One can  buy blindly.Thank you Snapsort.Before buying I thought snapsort giving advertising Nikon's product.After buying I really feeling proud to be a owner of best superzoom camera in the world.
 
Priesteleven@gmail.com (6:02 PM, December 01, 2011)
awesome....mannnnn
 
Anubhav M (9:04 AM, November 19, 2011)
same here
 
geezee (4:21 PM, November 09, 2011)
No it is not only firmware, I upgraded mine and it still froze. I replaced the memory card. Still froze. Its in the Fuji shop now being repaired. NOT a firmware only issue.
 
Ramakrishna (8:21 PM, November 08, 2011)
nikon is good ,it's got higher zoom ,good mp lense,cmos censor which is only avaliable in higher versions,its user friendly,n i think,wen compared to sony n canon its better.........
 
Sesa74 (8:25 PM, November 06, 2011)
hello! which better, canon sx30is or nikon coopix p500? and why?
thanks!
 
Bruceknj (10:25 PM, October 24, 2011)
Very disappointed with picture quality. Am in contact with Nikon and have sent them copies of images I have taken. They will review what I sent and advise me what can be done to correct this problem.
 
An2ar (7:01 AM, October 22, 2011)
i've buy it, not dissapointed.compare with canon 1100d nikon P500 is better, the flash really work in low light room, live view from the LCD is the best.when using the HD Video it is better if not using the zoom, the sound from the AF so loud, the stereo microphone too sensitive.When using max zoom still get great full HD.poor battery cause from the flashlight, continous AF and the LCD. But somehow canon interface is more userfriendly, to get a better picture.learn more i'm sure you'll feel P500 is better
 
Manu_ry (6:50 AM, October 17, 2011)
can we add zooming lenses to Nikon coolpix P500??
 
Aditya (9:25 AM, October 12, 2011)
Guys does this camera take good videos!?
Video shooting is the main purpose im planning to buy this camera....
Is this camera better that Canon powershot SX 230 HS !?
 
Hihialohaau (1:48 PM, September 19, 2011)
image stabilization is horrible on this camera.
when you zoom out all the way the picture is not focused. and you can clearly hear the zoom
if i was to choose a super zoom camera i would purchase the canon sx30is or the sony dsc-hx100v
those are  better alternatives.
 
Cossty20sv (10:11 PM, September 09, 2011)
   Just watch for some shots on flickr.com (nikonisti) and maybe you will change your opinion. (no ofence)
 
Prkc (5:11 AM, August 30, 2011)
 hx100v is really amazing. i m using it. it can clicks 10clicks/sec. its video quality is superb. Not with my words, u can check it and buy