Nikon Coolpix P300

Review based on a production Nikon P300, firmware v1.0

After years of relative stagnation, Nikon's P-series is back. The Coolpix P7000, released late last year, now has a little brother - the P300. Both in terms of specification and styling, the P7000 was designed to rival Canon's Powershot G-series, but the P300 is pitched a little lower.


Although at first glance it looks a lot like the Canon Powershot S95 and Olympus XZ-1, the P300 is a significantly different camera in a couple of important ways. It offers higher resolution, at 12MP rather than the 10MP common in that class. It also offers Full HD video (1080p as opposed to 720p), but its true colors are betrayed by a lower price-point, a smaller sensor (1/2.3" as opposed to 1/1.6" or 1/1.7"), and the inability to record RAW files.

And so, despite obviously being designed to appeal to the same audience as the Panasonic LX5 and Canon S95, the Coolpix P300 is actually a lot closer in specification terms to a camera like the Canon SD 4000 IS/IXUS 300 HS. Like the SD 4000 IS, the P300 offers excellent build quality and manual control in a genuinely compact body, for less cash than the larger sensor, RAW-enabled Powershot S95, or its 'big brother' the Coolpix P7000. The P300's lens is optically stabilized, covers a useful 24-100mm (equivalent) range, and is impressively fast at wideangle, if unspectacular at the long end (f/1.8-4.9). The rear 3in LCD screen is bright and contrasty with 921k dots - the same specifications as the screens in Nikon's mid-range and top-end DSLRs.

Key features

• 12 megapixel BSI (back side illuminated) CMOS sensor (1/2.3in)
• ISO 160-3200 at full 12MP resolution
• 1080p High Definition video mode
• 24-100mm (equivalent) f/1.8-4.9 lens with optical stabilization
• PASM modes
• Twin control dials - one top, one rear
• Built-in stereo microphone

The 'big' new feature introduced in the Coolpix P300 is 1080p, 'Full HD' video. Full HD is still relatively rare in compact cameras, and it is something that none of the P300's 'high-end' peers currently offer. In most other respects, the P300's specification sheet is comparable to our expectations of the latest compact cameras. At the equivalent of 24mm, its lens is wider than either the Canon S95's or Olympus XZ-1's 28mm equivalent, but is slightly shorter than both at the tele end. It is worth noting that although it boasts a very fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, this gets a lot smaller as the lens is zoomed in. In fact, f/1.8 is only available with the lens set to its very widest focal length.

Beside two of its most obvious competitors (in control terms) the similarities between the P300 and Canon S95 are obvious. The two cameras are almost exactly the same size, and offer similar control layouts. The Olympus XZ-1 is slightly larger in all dimensions, mainly as a result of the larger lens required to offer its wider-aperture and larger imaging circle to light its larger sensor.
From behind, the main difference between the P300 and S95 is the direct movie shooting button of the former. As you can see from looking at all three cameras in this view, the rear control layout has become almost 'standard'.

A fast lens usually means greater control over depth of field, but here too, all is not what it seems. Because, all other things being equal, a smaller sensor means less control over depth of field, the P300 doesn't match up to its high-end competitors despite seeming to offer a similar maximum aperture range. Also, for good depth of field control the lens really needs to be fast at the telephoto end, and the P300's isn't. So don't expect to be able to get the same sort of blurred backgrounds with the P300 as you can with the Olympus XZ-1, for example.

Nikon Coolpix P300 Specifications

Price (body)	• US: $329.95 MSRP • UK: £299.99
Sensor	• 1/2.3" Type Back Side Illuminated CMOS • 12.2 million effective (12.75 million total pixels)
Lens	• 24-100mm (35mm equiv) • f = 4.3 - 17.9 mm • 4.2x optical zoom Nikkor • F1.8-4.9 • 7 elements in 6 groups
Digital zoom	• Up to 2x
Image stabilization	Yes (Lens-Shift)
Image processor	EXPEED C2
Image sizes	• 4000 x 3000 (4:3) • 3968 x 2232 (16:9) • 3264 x 2448 • 2592 x 1944 • 2048 x 1536 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480 • 1024 x 768
Aspect ratios	• 4:3 • 16:9
File formats (Stills)	JPEG ( DCF, Exif 2.3, and DPOF compliant )
Movie	• 1920 x 1080p @ 30fps (HD 1080*) • 1920 x 1080 @ 30fps (HD 1080) • 1280 X 720 @ 30fps • 640 X 480 @ 30fps • 640 X 480 @ 120fps (HS 120fps) • 1280 x 720 @ 60fps (HS 60fps) • 1920 X 1080 @ 15fps (HS 15fps)
File format (Movie)	MOV [H.264 + Linear PCM (stereo)]
Auto focus	• Face priority • Auto • Manual • Center • Subject tracking • Face priority tracking
Focus modes	• Auto focus :TTL - Multi-point Auto/Manual selection AF - 1-point AF • Subject tracking • Face tracking priority • Face detection
Focus Range	• Approx. 30cm (1 ft.) - infinity (W); 60cm / 2ft.- infinity (T) • Macro close-up mode: 3cm (1.2in.[wide angle zoom position]) - infinity
AF assist lamp	Yes
Sensitivity	• Auto • Fixed Range Auto (ISO 160-200, ISO 160-400) • ISO 160 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200
Metering system	224 - segment matrix, center-weighted
Metering modes	• Matrix • Center-weighted average
AE Lock	Yes (half-press of the shutter button)
AE Bracketing	Yes ( +/- 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 for 3 shots)
Exposure compen.	+/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Shutter speed	• 4 - 1/2000 sec (wider in auto)
White balance	• Auto • Preset Manual • Daylight • Incandescent • Fluorescent • Cloudy • Flash
Drive modes	• Single • Continuous • BSS (Best Shot Selector) • Multi-shot 16 • Continuous H: 120 fps • Continuous H: 60 fps
Continuous	• Continuous (8 fps up to 7 frames) • Multi-shot 16 (30 fps for 16 frames) 2560 x 1920 only • Continuous H: 120 fps (120 fps for 60 frames) 1280 x 960 only • Continuous H: 60 fps (60 fps for 60 frames) 1280 x 960 only
Self-timer	• 2/10 seconds • Smile Self Timer
Flash	• Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction, Flash off, Night portrait flash • Flash exposure compensation +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Orientation sensor	No
Monitor	• 3.0 inch LCD • 921,000 dots • Approx. 100% horizontal and vertical coverage
Storage	SD, SDHC, SDXC
Internal memory	Approx 90 MB
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • HDMI mini connector • AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Power	• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 • Still Pictures (approx. 240 shots) • Movies (approx. 1h 5min (HD 1080p)
Dimensions	103 x 58 x 32 mm (4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 in)
Weight (inc batt)	189g (6.6 oz.) approx
Box contents	• Coolpix P300 • Strap • Rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL12 • Charging AC adapter EH-69P • USB cable • Audio video cable • Software CD-ROM • Quick Start guide • Users Manual (CD-ROM) • Warranty and registration card Body and Design Nikon has clearly been peering over Canon's shoulder in recent months because just as the P7000 looked suspiciously like the Powershot G12, the P300 bears more than a passing resemblance to the Powershot S95. This is no bad thing - we love both cameras' compact, metal bodies, and although it is slightly squarer than the S95, the P300 looks great, and feels nice to use. It is just the right size, too, to fit inside a shirt pocket. Build quality is very high, and the same standard of construction applies to the main control points. The exposure mode dial has a positive movement with just enough friction at the detents to prevent accidental rotation, and the same goes for the top and rear control dials. The P300's flash is mechanically raised, by a switch on the side of the camera, and the zoom control is positioned on a collar around the shutter button. In your hand The P300 feels great in the hand. Unlike the Canon Powershot S95 it actually has a grip of sorts, in the form of a thin rubber strip on the front of the camera. Whilst far from 'substantial' it is better than nothing, and makes the P300 easier to use single-handed without the risk of your fingers slipping down the front of the camera. A small area of rubber on the rear of the P300 acts as a thumb grip, which also helps to make the camera more stable when used single-handed. Overall handling comments The P300 is a small camera, but very comfortable to use. Although we generally prefer front-mounted control dials (such as those found on the Ricoh GR Digital III and Canon Powershot G12) to rear or top-mounted, the control dials of the P300 are conveniently placed, and big enough to be useful for manual control. It is all too easy to mash the 4-way controller on the rear of the camera inadvertently when rotating the control dial, but the P300 is no worse in this respect than many of its competitors (and noticeably better than some, like the Canon Powershot G12). The control wheels themselves have clear detents, and move between them with enough friction to reduce the risk of accidental operation. Handling is about more than just physical ergonomics though, and we're very pleased to report that the P300 is almost entirely free of the various glitches which afflict its stablemate the P7000. Whereas the P7000's on-screen interface is laggy and often responds unpredictably to control inputs, the P300 is in general pleasantly responsive. We're disappointed though that it lacks a quick menu of any sort. Apart from the dedicated controls on the 4-way controller, there is no way to configure the P300 for quick access to shooting settings. If you want to set ISO or white balance, for example, the only option is to head into the main menu system. In our opinion a filleted 'quick menu' of some sort, accessed via the 'OK' button would greatly improve the P300's general handling. The control logic is somewhat different to that used on Nikon SLRs. The rear dial controls aperture in the A and M modes, while the top dial controls the shutter speed in M and S modes, and program shift in P. So far so good, but when you press the '+/-' button, things change unexpectedly. The top dial now controls exposure compensation by default (except in manual, when it's not available), but the rear dial is used to change its function, cycling through 'Hue', 'Vividness', 'ExposureComp', 'Exit' and 'Reset'. This means the behaviour of the dials is very consistent between exposure modes, but it isn't quite as simple and direct as the likes of the S95 or XZ-1. Also, to be perfectly honest, we really don't know why you would want to change Hue and Vividness on a shot-to-shot basis anyway (as opposed to, say, ISO or white balance). Body elements The P300 has a built-in flash which is recessed into the top plate, and pops up when required, using a manual switch on the rear of the camera. The P300 has two control dials. This one, on the rear of the camera, also operates as a four-way controller. Direct access to flash mode, exposure compensation, AF mode and drive modes is provided at its four cardinal points. The 'OK' button at its centre serves to confirm menu choices. The P300's other control dial is on the top of the camera, just behind and to the right of the shutter release. Like the rear dial, this can be used to adjust shooting parameters, as well as to scroll through menu options and images in playback mode. The Coolpix P300 features a full HD (1080p) movie recording option, and movie footage is initiated using a dedicated button on the rear of the camera. A stereo microphone is built into the P300, but there is no option to add an external mic. Like the P7000, the P300 supports optical zoom during movie recording. The P300 uses a slim 1050mAh lithium ion battery, which shares a compartment with an SD card slot, underneath a lockable door on the base of the camera. According to Nikon, a single charge of the P300's battery should be good for 240 shots. Operation and controls If you want it to be, the P300 can be an effective, and very compact point and shoot camera. However, as well as several fully automatic modes, the P300 also offers the standard PASM modes which are common on DSLRs. Significantly, unlike many of its peers, the P300 boasts two control dials - one on the top, and one on the rear of the camera to control exposure settings in 1/3EV steps - a 'hands on' touch that more advanced photographers will no doubt appreciate. Some commonly-accessed shooting settings, such as flash mode and exposure compensation have physical buttons, whilst others, including ISO and white balance, can only be accessed through the menu system. Top of camera controls On the top of the Nikon P300 you will find the power button, mode dial, command dial and shutter / zoom control. Choosing SCENE on the mode dial gives you access to the automatically adjusted scene modes - Landscape, Sports, Beach and Panorama, etc. The green camera icon designates full auto mode, and PASM modes are also on hand for those photographers that want to take full advantage of the P300's manual exposure controls. The command dial is used to shift exposure values in Program mode and shutter speed in either Shutter priority or Manual mode. Exposure values can be nudged in 1/3EV steps in either direction while keeping the exposure constant. The other two options on the mode dial are for quick access to 'Night Landscape' and 'Backlighting' scene modes. In Night Landscape mode two modes are available - Hand-held and Tripod. In hand-held mode a single press of the shutter release triggers several exposures which are then combined to create one sharp image, whereas in tripod mode, a single, longer exposure is captured. Backlighting mode is designed to balance exposure in scenes where the principal light source is behind the subject (such as a portrait, where your subject is silhouetted in front of a sunset). There are two methods available in backlighting mode - the standard (default) which uses the flash to provide illumination, and HDR which combines several exposures to create a balanced result. Rear of camera controls The controls on the back of the P300 are laid out in a fairly standard arrangement, including a four-way controller and combined control dial with an 'OK' select button in the center. At upper right is a rubber pad that acts as a thumb rest. The 5 small holes in the thumb rest are the camera's inbuilt speaker. To its left is the movie record button. Movie capture can be initated at any time using this button, in any of the shooting modes. Beneath the four-way controller are the menu and delete buttons. Because the control dial forms the four-way controller we've found that it can be all to easy to accidentally press down when it is rotated, and thereby to activate the options around its periphery when you only want to rotate the dial. On-screen controls and menus The P300's on-screen controls are minimal, but very simple to use and understand. Anyone coming to the P300 from the P700 will feel immediately at home, since the displays of both cameras are very closely related, but even the uninititated will appreciate the clean, unclutted layout. Exposure values are indicated clearly at the bottom of the screen, and ISO is shown at the lower left, except when Auto ISO is set. Oddly, in auto ISO mode, the currently active ISO setting is not displayed. When shooting in Manual mode the P300 gives you easy access to shutter speed and aperture settings via the camera's two physical control dials. When exposure values are changed using the dials, the P300 shows this slightly disorientating, scrolling display. Pressing the exposure compensation button on the rear of the camera brings up the on-screen controls for Hue, Vividness and Brightness (Exposure compensation). While in Exp. Comp. mode a live histogram is displayed but disappointingly this is not available when shooting in full manual mode. Menus The P300 has a very simple menu system that provides easy access to all of the major features you would expect on a camera of this class. Image mode, white balance, metering and ISO are right at the top of the list for quick access, but it's a shame that you have to enter the menu system to change them. Other, arguably less useful settings such as macro mode get their own dedicated buttons on the rear of the camera. The menu is divded into three tabs - shooting, video and the setup menu where lesser used functions can be found (and, confusingly, Vibration Reduction). Review, Edit and Playback In playback mode it's easy to review and edit the pictures you've taken. You can zoom out and find an image in thumbnail mode as well as find a shot by date on the calandar. There are also many image editing options available after you've taken your shot. D-Lighting provides a greater tonal range in scenes containing areas of different brightness by adjusting the tone curve of captured images. Filter effects provide four creative editing options: Cross screen, Fisheye, Miniature effect and Painting. The 'Miniature effect' is meant to simulate a tilt-shift lens but in our experience of shooting in this mode the effect is subtle. [See examples on the Photographic tests page] Pushing out on the zoom rocker allows you to zoom out into smaller and smaller thumbnails. At the very end you can access the calander that oragnizes your shots by date. Pressing OK on the select wheel while in playback mode takes you to the file information and histogram view. There are filter effects that can be added to your images after you take them like this fisheye filter. In the Playback menu there are many options for editing and refining your image in the camera.