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Review Summary
2015-07-13T20:00:00
I also own a Nikon D80 SLR but the P300 is my walking around camera because it is so much easier to carry, fits in a shirt pocket and still takes excellent photos. I never use the flash because the lens is sufficiently fast. It also has very good battery life. I've had it for several years and have even taken it backpacking for a week in the Grand Canyon, where size and weight were critical. I've also used it to record videos of my bluegrass band for YouTube and it did a great job.
EarthmanByron
2012-10-20T20:00:00
I went online and typed in pocket sized camera, full manual contol with fast lens, and the P-300 came up. As I continued to read all the other features this camera had I was amazed. Finally, a pocket sized camera that someone who really wanted control over the image, and not just accept what the auto mode gave you, was available. When I read the tech specs, I saw that it had as many, if not more features than my full sized D90. And a 1.8 lens for low light? Great camera. I bring it everywhere with me.
Speedfam
2012-04-26T20:00:00
I've had this camera for a while now and I LOVE IT.
Lovelovelove
2012-03-12T21:00:00
The Nikon P300 is a very useful low light small cameral. It has fantastic HD and slow motion video. Easy to use and many settings to try. The only issue is that at the longest zoom it is not as useful in low light situation. Picture quality is really outstanding in normal situation and video is good. I've taken many photos in large auditoriums and great results. Chuck
Charles M.
2012-02-09T19:00:00
Although the megapixel and optical zoom is low when compared with the same price range but its image quality is very great Used it for light painting and exposure photos, great quality too! Having fun exploring it
jacques
2012-02-08T19:00:00
Almost bought a canon S95 but P300 provided enough reasons not to. The main thing was to buy a camera which is small enough to carry around, yet take excellent pictures and videos. I have used it for almost 8 months now and I like it a lot. It stays in my car a.k.a it stays with me. Specifically, I like to take macro, food and black&White street photos. For these types of pictures, I needed something handy. What I like: Focus - Fast focus and unbelievable close distance focus (macro) Lens - Sharp lens with widest setting of f1.8. Believe me, it makes a difference to go all the way down to f1.8 in low light. It also helps in getting good enough bokeh if you are creative with the subject and background. Screen - Bright screen to click and review photos. Speed/Video options - Burst rate is good for running kids (although I use my D300s for sharp kids photos). Video has some cool slow motion options. Again good with kids and pets. Sufficient light is important though. Battery: Brilliant no of shots per charge. What I don't like (no, its not about the RAW): 1. I couldn't figure out how to reduce the excessive sharpening/noise reduction (over processing). I struggle to get natural looking portraits. 2. Battery does not give to enough advance warning before going full to about 0.1%. 3. Some of the menu options are quirky. Overall - Good camera from Nikon and you could see its loved by a lot of people on various websites and reviews.
Nikonious
2012-02-06T19:00:00
I am pretty happy with my camera. This is a compact camera, easy to carry everywhere, particularly for long trips. Manual setting are great for a small camera. I would totally recommend it!
Sevillana001
2012-01-23T19:00:00
As a hobbyst and owner of good compacts from Canon, Panasonic, Fuji, Olympus, etc., i was atracted specially by the fast lens of this camera. Noise is very low. The results are really very good in terms of sharpness, colour reproduction, etc. The possibility to take great pictures whithout flash is amazing - you can simply forget the camera has a pop-up flash. Overall is a very good allday camera, and turned in the last times my preferred, even against my excellent Canon S95. Only the zoom range could be a little larger in the upper end.
Ricardo R.
2012-01-15T19:00:00
Used by Architects and Engineers for job site photos and pre-existing conditions to record data and determine new development.
shutterbug
2012-01-08T19:00:00
The camera broke before I had an opportunity to use it - the zoom quite within 5 minutes out of the box
rh
2011-12-25T19:00:00
I bought this camera for only two reasons, it's size and it's ability to shoot in low light and it does those two things exceptionally well. I have other Nikon cameras with longer lenses and more functions, however they are larger and more of a burden to carry so I would find myself setting them down especially at social functions, however, this is where I wanted my camera the most but did not need a long lense . The P300 is not much bigger than a deck of playing cards and now I move my camera from my hand to my pocket so it is always with me when I want it. The P300 ability to shoot in low light is amazing and most of the time a flash is not needed which solves many red eye issues.
CJKubas
2011-12-18T19:00:00
Easy to use
Chopper
2011-12-06T19:00:00
I was looking for a small form factor P&S with manual control capabilities, good low light performance and video capabilities to augment my DSLR/Lens set when I wanted to go light. The choice was between the Canon S95 and the Nikon P300. As a Nikon photographer I decided for the P300 even though the S95 has a bigger sensor and has RAW support. Key factors for the decision were back lit sensor with good low light performance, great lens, PASM modes, video, great LCD display and nice form factor. Overall I am happy with the camera, but it has limitations: it really should have RAW support , the autofocus can be slow and the sensor has a tendency to blow high lights in contrasty situations.
ShutterBug
2011-12-03T19:00:00
A fun camera to shoot while in auto mode and gets better the more you experiment with exposures ect. What a lens for point and shoot that allows great low light shooting. All this power to perform that handily fits in your shirt pocket. It's my grab and go camera. Thought the battery access door to be a bit lite in build quality is my only negative. A great camera overall.
Pics-A-Lot
2011-11-23T19:00:00
This camera seems to have a great lens and lots of impressive handling features. However, the image quality is mediocre. If you just want snapshots, it produces bright, sharp photos. But if you are interested in detail or need to crop your photos, you soon run into the limitations. Even at base ISO (160) this camera uses a lot of noise reduction. This makes the images look cleaner but smears detail. Small sensor cameras do suffer from this, but this is one of the worst I have tested. It is obvious why the camera does not include RAW - it would show how noisy the sensor really is. This is a great camera for some purposes (the wide, fast lens is really useful) but for those that want fine detail or need to crop a lot, there are better choices.
Photog
2011-11-20T19:00:00
Fast enough to get decent photos of grand kids who can't sit still in low light and/or indoors.
MARK R.
2011-11-17T19:00:00
This is the camera when I want something pocketable that works easy and still gives me control.I wished the lens had a bit more range at times when I try for grab shots.
PETER W.
2011-11-06T19:00:00
Easy to use right out of the box. Controls are instinctive and easy to use. Absolutely amazed at the ability of the camera to take quality pictures in low light conditions.
AZ P.
2011-10-30T20:00:00
We bought the Nikon for digiscoping birds. We found that we could get a Nikon fsb-8 adaptor which would fit our Leica spotting scope, which it does, after addition of some electrical tape around the eye-piece. The Nikon P300 seems to work quite well at digiscoping, and seems a perfectly reasonable little point-and-shoot as well. If we could afford it we'd have gotten a Leica camera and spotting scope mount, but the big bucks haven't trickled down here yet.
Klaque
2011-10-28T20:00:00
This is my first Nikon for quite a while. I have an old Coolpix 3200 from about 10 years ago (still have it - great for taking eBay pics). The P300 meets my personal requirements for a P&S, (i.e. wider angle of view, fast lens, some manual control), as my typical use of a P&S is for indoor shots. Sure I wished it had a longer zoom (which I had in my previous camera) but you can't have it all. The reason for the 4 stars (instead of 5), the overall build quality and ergonomic design is inferior to my previous P&S (a Panasonic TZ5). The P300 feels cheap and fragile compared to the TZ5, although I like that it is very light and compact. The overall feel of the controls, the hand grip, the battery door, etc. are just not first rate and a little disappointing. Overall its picture taking capabilities are quite impressive for a P&S and a great camera for what it's designed to do.
jas32
2011-10-16T20:00:00
I wanted a small digital instead of always using a large format camera. While i am very impressed with its big-camera capability in such a small package, the sharp 1.8 lense, easy control buttons/scrolls, and the numerous settings to accomodate all lighting situations, particularly low-light, night-time shots, I am unimpressed with the short battery life. I bought an extra battery and a charger (that did not need to be plugged into camera- bad idea), and still found that i needed to charge battery after maybe 100-150 shots....long before I ever would have expected to! The battery icon in top right corner does not show when battery is getting low - it just dies! For Nikon to give this camera such praise, I would expect top notch operations across the board...starting with a much better longer-life battery and an accurate low battery (warning) icon! I used 2 F3's for years, one I still have (from 1985) and would never part with, a Nikon Action-Touch, and a small Leica point-shoot (all film). My large format digital is a Canon and even though I have 2 extra batteries, I never worry about when I need to replace it - the low-life battery icon is very specific. Also, all cameras should be accompanied by the REAL manual, not this abreviated version! WHY? If I have purchased the camera, I should not have to purchase the REAL manual! But yes, I do like this camera.
critty
2011-10-10T20:00:00
Really appreciate the cameras ability to take good pictures in low-light situations, the reason why i bought it. Dont mind that it is lacking RAW but manual focus should be an option, hence the missing star.
Uhrskov
2011-10-09T20:00:00
Needed a smaller camera to go along with my D7000. The P300 fits the bill. Easy to use small but excellent lens and easy to use.
Gkozme
2011-10-03T20:00:00
I've reviewed customers' comments for many different p& s cameras online, and finally I purchased Coolpix P300 from Amazon with significant promotional discount. The quality of picture is excellent and it is easy to use right out of box. It also has manuel mood beside its provision of many preset scenes and preference. I'm very pleased with my choice.
newcust
2011-09-23T20:00:00
This is absolutely the most stunning and creative small point and shoot camera ever made. It literally can shoot in the dark with excellent results. Within the settings menus I can create results that equal or surpass my pro Nikon DSLR's. With an F1.8 lens and high ISO ability that show no pixilating you can get highly creative with available low light. In normal light I can tweak the saturation and color levels to get very artistic photos that look like film. It does not have long zoom capacity but that never works in a small camera anyway because that's when you need a DSLR and a serious pro long lens like a 70-200 or 200-400. This small P300 can replace my large pro DSLR's and bag of lenses in most practical day to night shooting. You do have to have the eye and the chops of a pro photographer to get the most out of this great camera so I hesitate to even call it a point and shoot model.
razor
2011-09-18T20:00:00
This is by far the best point and shoot camera I've bought. What I liked: 1) Slow motion video (120fps) although it's only 640x480. 2) fast and accurate focus 3) easy to use and very simple control 4) size and weight 5) solid construct 6) quality of image What I think it can do even better 1) small lag in 1080p video 2) small lag after a shot is taken Overall, I would highly recommand this camera.
LeGrand
2011-09-15T20:00:00
Looking for a new P&S to complement my D40 (and hopefully a D7000 in the future) and provide more features than my somewhat long-in-the-tooth Canon A700, decided on the P300. Took it on trips to Seattle (including Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier), Germany, and a beach vacation; I've been more than pleased with the results. Screen is easily viewed even in bright sun (my first camera without a viewfinder). Relatively wide angle lens is a joy. Great picture quality (at higher resolutions); some "crunching" noticeable if cropped really tight. Manual settings take a little time to get used to but no more "annoying" than my D40--in fact, some are quicker and easier to set. The wide variety of scene selections are great for when I don't have time (or patience) to do everything manual. Low light performance is a huge improvement over what I had--I've now taken some great low light shots that have received compliments from fellow photo enthusiasts. My kids love the slow-mo video--constantly ask me to film them doing stuff. Easily pocketable (at least in cargo shorts)--I've found myself taking this camera along when I never would have taken my other cameras. A few negatives. Slightly higher zoom would be nice but I can live with it as is (I just have to get into position to get the shot). Longer time-frame "continuous" option would be useful; the 8 shot/second burst mode (that only lasts for one second) just doesn't cover enough time (for a kid running down a field or body surfing). Even just 2 shots/second until shutter is released (or till buffer is full or whatever) would allow capture of that sort of action. Would be nice if lens retracted when you switched to view picture mode--more than once my kids (and even I) have stuck our fingers right on the lens when looking at photos. Would have given it 5 stars if not for above. Overall, very pleased with this. Great pictures, lots of options, manual settings, and pocketable, all for a reasonable price.
photauk
2011-08-25T20:00:00
I never do reviews. I don't see the point because it's tough to take a strangers review with any seriousness because you don't know if they even know what they have and how to use it properly. With that said I've mostly been a Canon guy and got this because it was in my price range and I wanted something a little nicer than a P&S. I got it right before I took a trip to Kenya so I could have a nice, durable travel camera. It's a good camera but very touchy and sensitive, had some outright stalls and the camera would just turn off for no reason. Honestly, if I had more money I'd spring for a Canon S95 because I want the RAW, clearer photos and more durable body as well as more aspect ratios that the P300 lacks. But I have this and am writing a review because Nikon sent me an email asking me to.
Hwoodpix
2011-08-24T20:00:00
I took delivery of a P300 last week, and so far I am very pleased. I was the 'first on the block' in 2002 with a Coolpix 5700---the first 5Mp camera. I have taken some wonderful images with the 5700, but the low resolution is something I couldn't live with any more. The P300 is a terrific update, and it fits in my pocket. It interfaces with my HDTV so well that I'm going to finally sell my Kodak Carousel projector and trays...no more film. Well done, Nikon.
Nikon4Next5Years
2011-08-21T20:00:00
Everything about this camera is top notch. The menus are the easiest to navigate of any camera I've owned before. The picture quality is great. Ease of use is exceptional. The only negative I have is the lack of a paper user manual. Everything is online. What do you do if you don't have a computer?
teb299
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Browse our FAQ
Compact Digital Camera
12.2 million
CMOS
1/2.3 in
12.75 million (approx.)
4.2x optical Zoom, NIKKOR glass lens
4.3-17.9mm (angle of view equivalent to that of 24-100mm lens in 35mm [135] format)
f/1.8-4.9
7 elements in 6 groups
4.2x
Up to 2x (angle of view equivalent to that of approx. 200mm lens in 35mm [135] format)
Lens-shift VR
Contrast-detect AF
Auto (9-area automatic selection)
Center
Face priority
Face priority tracking
Manual with 99 focus areas
Subject tracking
[W]: Approx. 1 ft. (30 cm.) to infinity
[T]: Approx. 2 ft. (60 cm.) to infinity
Macro close-up mode: [W]: Approx. 1.2 in. (3 cm.) to infinity
Yes
9
3.0 in. diagonal
TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
921,000-dots
100% horizontal (Approx.)
100% vertical (Approx.)
100% horizontal (Approx.)
SD memory card
SDHC memory card
SDXC memory card
Approx. 90MB
DCF
EXIF 2.3
DPOF compliant
Still pictures: JPEG
Sound files (Voice Memo): WAV
Audio file format: AAC stereo
Movie file format: MPEG-4 AVC H.264
Yes
4000 x 3000 (12M)
ISO 160-3200
Auto (auto gain ISO 160-1600)
Fixed range auto (ISO 160-400, 160-800)
160
3200
224-segment matrix, center-weighted
Programmed auto exposure with flexible program
Aperture-priority auto
Exposure bracketing
Exposure compensation (-2.0 to +2.0 EV in steps of 1/3 EV)
Manual
Motion detection
Shutter priority auto
Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
Manual (M)
Programmed Auto (P)
Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
Yes
Back Light
Beach
Black and White Copy
Close Up
Dusk/Dawn
Fireworks Show
Food
Landscape
Museum
Night Landscape
Night Portrait
Panorama
Party/Indoor
Pet Portrait
Portrait
Scene Auto Selector
Snow
Special Effects
Sports
Sunset
Crop
D-Lighting
Filter Effects
Quick retouch
Skin softening
Small Pic
+/- 2 EV in steps of 1/3
Yes
Yes
Auto, Manual
Mechanical and CMOS electronic shutter
1/2000-8 sec. (M mode)
Up to 7 shots at approx. 8 frames per second (at full resolution)
Continuous
Continuous H 60
Continuous H 120
Can be selected from 10 and 2 seconds duration
[W]: 0.5 to 6.5m (1 ft. 8in. to 21ft.)
[T]: 0.5 to 2.5m (1ft. 8in. to 8ft. 2in.) (ISO sensitivity: Auto)
TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes
Yes
Hi-speed USB
MTP
PTP
NTSC
PAL
480p
720p
1080i
Audio/video (A/V) output
Digital I/O (USB)
HDMI Mini Connector (HDMI output)
Arabic
Czech
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
Danish
Dutch
English
Finnish
French
German
Greek
Hungarian
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 (supplied)
4 hours (when using Charging AC Adapter EH-69P) (Approx.)
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12
Nikon Rechargeable: 240 shots (CIPA)
1/4 (ISO 1222)
2.3 x 4.1 x 1.3in / 58.3 x 103 x 32mm (excluding projections)
6.7 oz. (189g) (with battery and SD memory card)
By Jwills
The only thing missing from this camera is the RAW format. If it had that, it would be the perfect P&S camera
Convert to Nikon
By Proteus
I am a senior citizen who fell in love with photography in high school. Over the years I have owned many cameras and witnessed spectacuar advancements in technology. I am still putting my new Nikon P300 through some tests, but already I have decided it is the best camera in which I have ever invested my money. I bought it primarily for its F:1.8 lens, (I hate to use flash), high-def movies and compact size. But I was amazed at the amount of technology that is packed into this little guy. I am...
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