The Nikon Coolpix P5000 is a compact digital camera with a good variety of features. This is a clear step up on a typical point and shoot, compact model. Over the past couple of years digital cameras have moved on and it is quite rare to find this type of camera with such a range of controls in a smaller body. Nikon have squeezed ten megapixels onto the sensor, so there is plenty of scope for larger prints.
A 3.5x optical zoom lens has been built into the camera. Another area where the Coolpix P5000 differs from other similar cameras is that there are both wide angle and telephoto lens converters available. A wide angle converter allows you to increase the wide angle capacity of lens, so that you can squeeze more width into a photo. Likewise a telephoto converter increases the zoom capacity of the lens.
The camera also has image stabilisation. Although it is unlikely to make a massive difference to a lens of this length every little helps, especially when you are using longer shutter speeds.
Another addition to the Coolpix P5000 is a hotshoe. The hotshoe allows you to boost the power of the built in flash unit by letting you add an external speedlite. This is rare for a compact digital camera.
With the extra features and taking into account the camera's size I would suggest the Coolpix P5000 is likely to appeal to someone who is serious about photography. It would be a good choice for someone who is just starting out with photography as a hobby and is looking to learn. It is also worth considering as a second, more compact camera for someone who owns a Digital SLR.
In terms of weight the Coolpix P5000 weighs in at 240g. So it is quite heavy compared to other compact models. It is 41mm, so it is too large to fit into a pocket. Even so it is still compact for such an advanced camera. There is a raised, grip area on the front of the camera. This helps you to hold the camera a little steadier when taking a shot. It is always worth picking up a case to offer a bit of extra protection. These are not supplied with the camera, but you should be able to find one at a local camera shop.
Power is supplied by a lithium ion battery. These are rechargeable. Both a battery and a charger are supplied as standard. Spare batteries do add to the overall cost of the camera, so you will need to think carefully about whether or not you really need one.
Nikon have built 26mb of memory into the Coolpix P5000. With a ten megapixel camera it does not take too long to fill up that amount of memory. Therefore you will also need to budget for a memory card. The camera is compatible with SD and SDHC cards.
The Coolpix has a viewfinder as well as a 2.5" LCD screen. When I was out and about testing the camera it was noticeable just how good the screen is. It handles sun glare as well as any other camera I have tested and reviewed.
