Nikon P5000 ‘Prosumer’ Digital Snapper February 20, 2007
Read more Digital cameras , Entertainment , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Peripherals , Portable Media
If you’re someone who thinks you’re better than your average digital camera user but not too arrogant, or rich enough, to deserve a professional digital camera, you may want to opt for something in the middle then.
This is the latest ‘prosumer’ offering from Nikon, the P5000. It will cost around £330 when it launches at the end of next month. It’s a 10MP snapper, which isn’t bad, with an optical zoom of 3.5x, which isn’t good. In fact, 3.5x is pathetic. Someone cynical would think that Nikon wants you to buy the optional lens attachments it’s marketing with this model.
There’s a 2.5in LCD and also an optical viewfinder for taking photos in very bright conditions. The new Mode dial allows you to choose from 16 different scene-optimised modes, seven movie modes, Anti-Shake mode and High-Sensitivity mode. The Vibration Reduction from its SLR cameras is also in-built. According to Nikon:
Angular velocity sensors measure camera movement, calculate the amount of compensation required, and the VR lens unit instantly adjusts position to offset camera shake.
Personally, I'd save a little bit harder and go for a proper digital SLR. Jump now for another pic.-Martin Lynch
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
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Comments
3.5x zoom isn't pathetic. It is excessive. Are you asking for more on the telephoto side? There are lots of so-called "superzooms" out there. A longer telephoto range involves compromises elsewhere.
It would be nice to have more on the wide side. We are still short of zooms that go as wide as 28mm (equivalent) but this will allow that with a converter...
I am interested. I need something portable to complement my Nikon D80 and Fuji F30.
I already have one on order. I actually had a P3 which I had just purchased before this was announced. This has the hot shoe and better light sensitivity indoors which where two things I really wanted. The only thing that worries me is the speed or max FPS that I can get. It was about 1.8fps for the P3 but I cant find a figure other than .8fps for 10mb files. I really want to know if that is the fps for lower resolution which I would primarily be using.
I have just bought a P 5000 and can honestly state that the image quality and general useabilty of this camera is excellent. I really have tried many compacts,but this is the one that delivers.