Nikon Coolpix P530

The solid prosumer camera with a superb 42x zoom and easy to operate function keys

Nikon’s newest offering Coolpix P530 acts as a bridge between compact and DSLR with super-zoom capability. The new camera sports a 16.1 MP high sensitivity CMOS sensor with a sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400 and Full HD 1080p video recording. With the 42x optical zoom lens, the P530 is offering an extremely versatile focal length range of 24-1000mm in 35mm camera terms.

Easy to operate: The new member of Coolpix family is a chunky camera with 42X super-zoom. It is similar in build quality and design as its previous siblings. It is pretty heavy, but with good rubberized grip on both the sides, it feels secure in hands. Despite its large size, the camera can be used with one hand.

On the top, it has a dial to facilitate easy switchover between the different exposure options including manual, semi-automatic and fully-automatic modes. There is a shutter release button (wrapped with zoom in and out button) and a dedicated movie record button on the back of the camera. A small function (Fn) button is placed at the top, which can be set to a number of different options, including white balance, metering or sensitivity (ISO). At the rear, it gets a pretty standard compact camera style button layout and 3-inch LCD screen. There’s a scrolling dial that doubles up as a four-way navigational pad, with each directional key having a specific function. Left accesses the timer function, up accesses the flash function, right accesses exposure compensation and down accesses the different focusing modes.

The DSLR type camera has an electronic viewfinder that unfortunately doesn’t have an eye-sensor, so you’ll need to press a button next to it, every time you want to use it. The SD card slots are placed at the bottom left.

Prolific shooter: With the small 1/2.3-inch sensor, the camera performs well. It produces some very nice shots with fine detail. With the huge focal length range, it produces images with virtually no visible barrel or pincushion distortion and excellent sharpness. The chromatic aberration is fairly controlled and rarely visible.

The 16 MP camera represents true colors and is capable of resolving detail well. Even in 100% zoom, it produces smooth images. The camera works well in low light as well with the higher sensitivity sensor. From ISO 100 to 400, there is no distraction, but after ISO 800, it became more pronounced. Even ISO 1600 shots were decent, but ISO 3200 represents noise and substandard picture quality. The P530 lens is capable enough to take macro shots from a distance of 1cm, but closer shooting means camera will cast a shadow over the subject. With the camera, you will miss GPS geo-tagging and location mapping as there is no GPS feature.

It is backed by an 1100 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery that can take about 215+ shots in one full charge depending on your shooting style.