Quick Look: NIKON P1000
Everyone looks for something different in a camera. Personally, I like short, fast zooms, and a bigger sensor. But, technology keeps on getting better and better, and smaller sensors continue to deliver higher and higher quality. So, now if you need a MASSIVE zoom, but can’t afford to carry a heavy DSLR and lenses around, Nikon’s P1000 might be the travel camera for you!
Look at this beast — ONE-HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE-X >optical zoom<!! This camera gives you a 35mm zoom equivalent of 24mm (little-better-than-average-wide) to 3000mm (WHUT-THE-HECK?-telephoto). The trick here is that it IS a point-and-shoot size sensor. That’s why they’re able to make such a massive optical zoom on the camera — the sensor is relatively tiny. In fact, it’s the same size as what’s in the pictured Olympus TG-5 here. The Olympus has a 25–100mm equiv zoom (but can go underwater, handle the cold, and can be dropped and survive abuse).
As mentioned at the start of this post, smaller sensors have improved a LOT over the years. So, if you need a “cover everything” zoom, and don’t mind a bit slower aperture (you’re mainly shooting outside during the day, or using a tripod in lower light situations), this camera may be what you need!
Look at these two pairs of photos — each made from a single standing point, and then zooming out/in. The range of this camera is nuts!
For such a zoom range, the camera has a pretty decent close-up ability, too! It does take some playing with to get used to, but is pretty slick!
So, be impressed again, by looking at this size comparison…here is a Canon 80D with Tamron 18–400mm lens (29mm-640mm equiv), the Nikon Coolpix P1000 with its 24–3000mm equiv lens, and the Olympus with its 25–100mm equiv zoom.
Now, keep in mind, the TG-5 and P1000 have the same size sensor (6.17x4.55mm) (1.2/3"), and the 80D has a sensor much larger (22.2x14.8mm) (APS-C Canon).
So, if a BIIIIIIIGGGGGGGG zoom is what you need, come in and check out the P1000. It IS a ground-breaking camera and pretty darn nice. :)
