Nikon Coolpix P300 with the Fastest Nikkor Lens Ever Paired with a Coolpix

Camera Review

Melville, NY—Nikon’s Coolpix P300 is the company’s first compact digital camera to feature a super-fast wide-angle 4.2x Zoom-Nikkor glass lens (24-100mm, 35mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 for capturing sharp images and Full HD (1080p) video in a variety of lighting conditions.

In addition to the widest aperture Nikkor lens ever seen in a Nikon Coolpix, the P300 comes equipped with a 12.2 megapixel backside illumination CMOS sensor, a 921,000-dot, 3.0-inch LCD and a complement of other Nikon core technologies designed to prevail in even the most challenging light.

Created for the photo enthusiast who seeks creative control in a portable package, the P300 features manual controls, optical Vibration Reduction (VR) technology and ISO sensitivity up to 3200—to help create low-noise images and minimize motion blur.

The P300 comes with several features commonly found in DSLR cameras, such aperture priority (A), shutter priority (S) and full manual (M) controls. Accessed through a top-mounted wheel, these controls enable users to creatively adjust shutter speed, depth of field, white balance and other settings to achieve the look they want. Users can also apply special effects to colors, and filter effects such as a cross screen or fisheye lens. The camera also includes Nikon’s new easy panorama mode to create vertical or horizontal panoramic shots automatically in-camera.

Several improved scene modes are also included: advanced night portrait mode, night landscape mode and backlight high dynamic range (HDR) mode. When advanced night portrait mode is engaged, the camera captures the essence of night scenes by combining multiple background shots along with a subject flash shot. In backlight HDR mode, the P300 combines multiple shots at different exposures, while night landscape mode combines multiple shots taken with a faster shutter speed for reduced noise and improved tonal range throughout the photo.

For videographers, the P300 records Full HD 1080p movies at 30 frames per second (fps) with autofocus, stereo sound and the ability to use the optical zoom. And, the camera’s video controls can be accessed via one-touch operation. Additionally, the special effects mode and a creative slider mode permit more creative freedom when recording both movies and capturing still images. Users can also adjust the recording speed of their movies to apply slow-motion or high-speed effects.

Nikon’s Coolpix P300 will be available beginning March 2011. $329.95. nikonusa.com