Photography

Nikon gives the Coolpix P900 a monstrous 83x optical zoom

Nikon gives the Coolpix P900 a monstrous 83x optical zoom
The Nikon Coolpix P900 has a whopping 24-2000-mm equivalent zoom lens
The Nikon Coolpix P900 has a whopping 24-2000-mm equivalent zoom lens
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The Nikon Coolpix P900 is due to go on sale in April priced at US$600
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The Nikon Coolpix P900 is due to go on sale in April priced at US$600
The Nikon Coolpix P900 is a DSLR-styled fixed lens bridge camera
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The Nikon Coolpix P900 is a DSLR-styled fixed lens bridge camera
The extending zoom lens on the Nikon Coolpix P900 features Dual Detect Optical Vibration Reduction
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The extending zoom lens on the Nikon Coolpix P900 features Dual Detect Optical Vibration Reduction
The Nikon Coolpix P900 boasts built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and GPS
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The Nikon Coolpix P900 boasts built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and GPS
The Nikon Coolpix P900 is capable of Full HD 1080p video recording at 60/50/30/25 fps
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The Nikon Coolpix P900 is capable of Full HD 1080p video recording at 60/50/30/25 fps
The rear vari-angle monitor on the Nikon Coolpix P900 has 921k dots
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The rear vari-angle monitor on the Nikon Coolpix P900 has 921k dots
The Nikon Coolpix P900 has a whopping 24-2000-mm equivalent zoom lens
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The Nikon Coolpix P900 has a whopping 24-2000-mm equivalent zoom lens
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We've previously marveled at the built-in zoom ability of cameras like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70, Canon SX520 HS, and Pentax XG-1. But compared to the new Nikon Coolpix P900, the lenses on those cameras look positively puny. That's because the new DSLR-styled bridge camera boasts an almost ridiculous 24-2000-mm equivalent zoom lens.

The Nikon Coolpix P900 is designed for users who want the ability to zoom in on distant subjects, whether that's a far-away animal while on safari, or a feature in the night sky. Because its 4.3-357-mm lens is paired with a back-illuminated 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, the camera has a 24-2000-mm equivalent, enough for zooming in on all but the most distant subjects.

Luckily for anyone trying to control that sort of zoom, the whopper of a lens features Dual Detect Optical Vibration Reduction to prevent wobble-induced blur, which is said to offer five stops of image stabilization. However, it's worth remembering that as with other massive zoom cameras, this lens is a variable aperture with F2.8 at the wide end and F6.5 at the telephoto.

The extending zoom lens on the Nikon Coolpix P900 features Dual Detect Optical Vibration Reduction
The extending zoom lens on the Nikon Coolpix P900 features Dual Detect Optical Vibration Reduction

While a contrast-detection autofocus system means this camera isn't going to be as fast as DSLRs and higher-end mirrorless cameras, Nikon says the camera is still quick. It's said to have a reduced shooting time lag of 0.12 seconds at maximum wide angle and 0.75 seconds at the maximum telephoto position. There's also a top continuous shooting speed of 7 fps (for seven shots) and Full HD 1080p video recording at 60/50/30/25 fps.

With built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, users can easily share their photographs, or remotely control the Coolpix P900 from a compatible smartphone or tablet running the iOS or Android app. GPS is also on hand for geo-tagging images so that you can see on a map exactly where they were taken.

Design-wise, the P900 is very DSLR-like (though obviously with a fixed lens) and has an intuitive control layout. A Command Dial and Mode Dial make it easy to apply or adjust settings, while a Fn button can provide fast access to frequently used functions. On the rear is an electronic viewfinder with a 921k-dot equivalent resolution for traditional image composition, and a 3-inch vari-angle LCD monitor with 921k dots which can be positioned for shooting in otherwise awkward situations.

The Nikon Coolpix P900 is capable of Full HD 1080p video recording at 60/50/30/25 fps
The Nikon Coolpix P900 is capable of Full HD 1080p video recording at 60/50/30/25 fps

As you'd expect, a camera with such a big zoom is neither going to be particularly pocketable or lightweight, and the P900 comes in at 139.5 x 103.2 x 137.4 mm (5.5 x 4.1 x 5.5 in) and 899 g (1 lb 15.8 oz). It is said to be good for 360 shots per full battery charge.

The Nikon Coolpix P900 is due to go on sale in April priced at US$600.

Product page: Nikon Coolpix P900

View gallery - 7 images
7 comments
7 comments
MarylandUSA
24-2000-mm equivalent? Nikon ought to be ashamed. Almost no one who buys this camera will be using it on a steady tripod. What a cynical bid to grab dollars from naïve photographers.
pmshah
"The Nikon Coolpix P900 is due to go on sale in April priced at US$600." !!! Are you saying that the Camera including this lens will be priced at $600/- ? If the lens is even halfway decent the price would be worth it for the lens alone.
f/6.5 at 2000mm would be quite an achievement.
I remember Henry Kiesinger's papers being shot by a Canon 85 - 300mm zoom lens during negotiations with China. That lens cost over $300/= at the time.
Charles Tribbey
It will not shoot in raw (NEF) format. Even a pro, on occasion wants something light for travel. Why is that Nikon? Why skimp on one file type? You put all this into something has the potential to do almost anything, then you shoot yourself in the foot by not adding that option to it.
EH
I presume that lag is from turning the camera on, not from pressing the shutter to taking a picture. 0.75 sec. delay when shooting anything in motion wouldn't work, but is quite impressive for extending the lens so far.
YouAre
@Paul Stregevsky: Why would Nikon churn out the same stuff that others churn out well? Is there a way to make a buck without taking risks and offering something new, at least in the name? Have you ever seen what cameras spooks, cops or first-time paparazzi use? Is it cynical to offer something more or less outstanding? Is Nikon a big nanny state that mandates folks to buy its cameras? Good job, Nikon, those rising zooms, inches, GHz are signs of progress and may one day turn into something really new. Keep trying
harrysmatical
A fool was awarded a ... Porsche & he..lamented... : ": Oh,it has sooo many glitches "...
Really..?
If u don't like that NIkon crown jewel,don't buy it..
Knut
@Paul Stregevsky - The camera has an incredible image stabiliser - it is incredible what you end up with. You can shoot the bird in the top of the tree without a tripod - you need a tripod to capture the moon unless you like to be lucky. It is all computer, but not only is she reading a paper, you take a look and get the image 1:1 on the screen, and can read which paper she read. I like driving Porsche, and shoot with Nikon, and this is incredibly flexible. It fits in my pocket.