Nikon P7000 Review

Nikon Coolpix P7000Some of the readers may know that I used the Panasonic Lumix LX3 as a backup/compact camera for the times a dSLR isn't welcome (or practical). One of the places where a dSLR isn't welcome is your average (pop)concert. The Lumix LX3 was (and still is) an excellent compact camera with astonishing low-light capabilities. The only problem I had with the camera was that the zoom function only went to 60mm (35mm equivalent), and 60mm is a bit short when you're not standing directly in front of the podium....

The other end on the zoom-spectrum is the 24mm wide-angle. An angle I haven't used much. So, more than enough reason to look for something with a bit more zoom capability. Adding 'mm' to a lens generally means that the low-light capabilities becomes less and less. Something I was willing to give up (Note: the Lumix had an excellent f/2 lens).

Before the Lumix LX3, I was a Canon compact shooter, mainly because the Canon compacts just rule. The last couple of years, Nikon started to release compacts (the Performance-series) that could measure up with the Canon counterparts. E.g. the Canon G10/11/12 series currently has serious competition from the high-end compacts from Nikon. The Nikon P7000 is currently Nikon's flagship in the compact section.

I won't bother you with listing and comparing specs of the camera. There are thousands of websites doing just that. All I will do is show some concert photos, a small movie clip from that same concert, and you can compare them to the photos I took with the Lumix LX3 on my Flickr site.

Last night, we went to the concert/CD-release of Triggerfinger in Paradiso (Amsterdam). A nice opportunity to check the capabilities of the P7000.

Usage

The Nikon is slower in regards to switching modi (A, P, S, M, etc) on the camera. At least in showing the new modi on the screen. Switching from S(hutter priority) to A(perture priority) is 1-click, but the display takes a while to display this change (even with the new firmware version 1.1). This is a bit annoying, especially in low-light conditions when you're used to the snappy-ness of the LX3.
No doubt that when I know the dial-settings from memory this won't matter anymore.

In comparison, the dial for changing the ISO, White-Balance etc is as it should be. Changing these settings directly visible on the display.

'Confusing' dialsThe dials for exposure compensation and changing the shutter-speed should be inter-changed. For some reason I kept dialing the exposure compensation dial, when I wanted to change the shutter-speed. I think that the reason for this is that the exposure compensation dial is relatively big, and the Nikon D300 dSLR has a similarly placed dial for shutter-speeds.

Shooting video was nice. The P7000 supports continuous Auto-Focus (AF) and zooming while shooting video. The Lumix LX3 lacked this feature.

The Menu

When you're used to the (dSLR) Nikon in-camera menu's this is a breeze. The structure is basically the same as the D300 menu. Only 'but' is that the light metering options are hidden in a menu. I preferably had them somewhere closer to the surface.

The Battery

Not exactly sure what to think of this one yet. The battery drained pretty quick, but I did use the camera extensively during the concert. Low battery is something I didn't really encounter when I used the LX3. Sure, the battery needed charging, but never when I used it. It could also be that the display warns a bit early. To be on the safe side, I'll get a spare battery for the P7000. Just to make sure I don't run dry.

Annoyances

The biggest annoyance about the camera I found was that it's impossible to change the light metering mode when Active D-Lighting is enabled. It's mentioned in the manual, but who reads those anyways? You can see it's in the menu, but you can't select it. A message like; "Other (enabled) options on the camera is preventing you to change this setting." would have been nice.
No doubt thare there are settings with similar challenges in the camera.... So, I added the P7000 User Manual PDF to my iBooks on my iPhone. This way I have the manual everywhere I go (along with the Nikon SB-600 and D300 manuals).

Examples

Photos and videos will be added when I have some decent reference material. Till that time, you can check this posting or my Flickr site. Since I don't shoot video (a lot), don't expect too much of the video examples / reviews.

I shot every image in the Nikon P7000 RAW format, which is now supported on the Apple platform and in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. So no problems processing the RAW format on this end.

Verdict (so far)

Definitely a worthy replacement of the Panasonic Lumix LX3.

Comments

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Wonderful review! Very helpful indeed. I am thinking of getting a new point and shoot camera and I can't decide what to get between Canon PowerShot G12 and Nikon Coolpix P7000. Will definitely consider your review and I hope I won't regret my purchase! Thanks! ;)