Nikon Coolpix P2

Reviewed November 2005

Image Quality

As it is the largest segment, the point and shoot segment of the marketplace is cluttered with models from many different manufacturers. And for a manufacturer to elbow a space for a new camera in that marketplace, the camera needs to stand out.

Like the competition, which stands out by providing a longer than average zoom, or a more compact size for instance, the Coolpix P2, and its 8-megapixel twin the P1, offer a slightly longer than normal 3.5X zoom, a 2.5-inch monitor, and adds a Wi-Fi capability, one of only a handful of cameras to offer it.

But one of the advantages of wireless is exactly that: it is wire-less. This advantage becomes a lot clearer when using the Shoot and Transfer option of the P2 which makes it possible to shoot a photo, and then see it on a computer screen instantly and in greater detail than even a 2.5 inch monitor can show.

Obviously, in a number of specialized uses, and in more mundane ones, the fact that the camera does not have to be attached by a limited length cable to the computer can be a valuable asset.

Regrettably, another aspect of the P2's design is not as practical: the absence of an optical viewfinder and its consequent reliance on an LCD monitor/viewfinder. While the monitor provides a good image indoors, or in the shade, outdoors and in the sun it is difficult to see. The image becomes hard to make out, even when it is shaded, and simple things like aligning the horizon — even with the assistance of the composition grid — can become hit and miss.

More positively, the P2 turns out to be very capable with flash photography. While with the camera set to its default the images may occasionally be underexposed, what the manual describes as "Flash Exposure Compensation" offered for the P and A modes provides control over the lighting output of the flash.

The control works well, and often allows the camera to light relatively large areas. Moreover, if the sensitivity is left on Auto, it allows the camera to increase sensitivity when the flash eventually falls short, and at 200 ISO and with the flash power set to the maximum, the P2 will easily light a dimly lit 3 to 4 meter room (9 to 12 feet). Worth noting however, even with much gain on the monitor and the help of the AF assist light, focus can be hard to confirm under poor lighting conditions.

With the P2's 5-megapixel CCD, noise is very minimal up to 200 ISO, and only becomes visible at 400 ISO, a sensitivity that is outside of the Auto ISO range. Still, the 400 ISO setting is quite useable in daylight and although Nikon does not recommend it, can even be used in combination with the flash if absolutely necessary.

On the optics side, the 3.5X zoom of the P2 appears to be free of any chromatic aberration and, although a bit of barrel distortion can be seen in macro shots, it is not obvious with wide angle shots. At the telephoto end, no pincushion distortion is noticeable, however, at least with this camera, we did note that focus was softer than with the rest of the focal length range. Similarly, images captured using the infinity setting were not quite as sharp as we would have expected.

The default Matrix metering of the Coolpix P2, on the other hand, offers very reliable performance. Nikon's Matrix metering does an excellent job of capturing highlights and shadows.

The Coolpix P2 provides 3 JPEG compression levels to record images. The highest image quality is obtained when the camera is set to Fine, a level that applies a compression ratio that runs from 6:1 to 8:1 depending on the complexity of the subject. Set to Fine, the compression does not introduce artefacts into the images and details are retained.

Likewise, the P2 captures accurate colours, and by default colours are very natural looking.

But, when used in Program or Aperture Priority modes, the P2 also provides controls over contrast and saturation, both useful to make colours pop on a dull day, or even boost their intensity on a bright one. And, not only do these two modes extend the capability of the camera, but users should find them to be quite useful. The Program mode offers a Program Shift option that gives the user the choice of giving preference to the shutter speed or the depth of field, and the Aperture Priority mode is very helpful when taking macro photos, as being able to increase the depth of field as much as possible is critical to a good image.

So, in summary, what the Coolpix P2 offers is a very good image quality, and a surprising amount of flexibility by providing controls over how the image is recorded when used in P or A mode.

The P2 also adds an extra layer of technology that should appeal to those who are comfortable with consumer-level wireless technology and who, for example, have their own wireless network at home.