Nikon Coolpix P300

The Nikon COOLPIX P300 is a compact point-and-shoot that fits nicely in any pocket—but it’s not so small that it’s hard to use. It has a nice solid feel, and all the dials are intuitive and easy to operate.

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The easy-to-use Nikon CoolPix P300 was a top performer among high-end compact cameras

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.

Not everyone wants to carry a camera on their shoulder, something that Panasonic, Canon, and now Nikon have recognised with the release of the Coolpix P300. All three manufacturers offer a pocket compact with full manual controls, pro-level features and good image quality, with the Nikon P300 also adding full 1080p HD video, fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, high-resolution screen and 7fps burst shooting. Are these features enough to elevate the P300 above its main rivals? Read our Nikon Coolpix P300 Review to find out...

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.

As cameras get more mainstream, users demand more features but not everyone wants to go out and buy a DSLR for that purpose alone.

Struggling to find a powerful little compact? Nikon's Coolpix P300 with its impressive f1.8 lens and Full HD video recording, might just tickle your fancy.

Nikon P300 review, find out how the P300 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

Nikon's new compact boasts full manual control and a fast f/1.8 lens

Nikon Coolpix P300 (Black)

The Nikon Coolpix P300 is a 12.2MP point and shoot camera with a 4.2x zoom lens (24-100mm equivalent).  The P300 captures HD video and the bright, f/1.8 max aperture helps deliver in low-light scen…

Nikon Coolpix P300 Review: Features, Suitability and Capability

Nikon has made a good, but not stellar, compact camera that aims to be a pocket-sized SLR replacement.

“The P300 is a decent compact that provides a good number of manual shooting controls that place this camera a step above other point and shoots.” We’ve added another Nikon COOLPI…