Nikon COOLPIX P500 12.1 CMOS Digital Camera with 36x NIKKOR Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and Full HD 1080p Video (Black)

I must confess that I am not a professional photographer, nor a serious hobbyist. I just enjoy taking photos. I still use film camera, which I had long preferred and had used regularly until now. I like the convenience of being able to choose and pick photos from a digital camera, but I still think that real photographers use real film cameras. Digital photos can be manipulated; film photos are the result of a good photographer.My first digital camera was a basic no media card that cost $20.00. I next moved up to a 3.5mp camera, which was sufficient for a number of years.For awhile I had wanted to get a bigger and more powerful digital camera that had more options. I was thinking about getting a DSLR, but didn't want to spend so much money. I've been reading reviews about this line of cameras. Nikon Coolpix 500 received a number of positive reviews with a reasonable price. After considerable research, I decided on this camera and I must say that I am pleased with the purchase.It is easy to operate, almost idiot friendly, in fact, and has many options like smart portrait, night landscape, and manual. I love the telephoto lens that allows me to get close up shots of birds at my feeders or in the trees. The camera makes great use of ambient light, which look even better when I use the flash. Sunset photos with telephoto, flash and night landscape are vibrant.I like the fact that when you forget to take off the camera cap, the camera reminds you to shut if off and remove the cap. Also, the cap can't be put back on into place unless the camera is off. I'm still getting used to and finding my way around the camera, but all in all, I'm quite happy with it.In the box with it comes a hard copy of the Quick Start Guide, which is all you really need, two CD's that contain a User's Guide, editing and photo software, cord for use as USB cord or with the AC plug. It also comes with a battery, strap and camera cap. It is energy savings and shuts off after a few minutes of non-use.It is better than a basic point and shoot, but not a DSLR. Overall, it is a nice compromise.

I am by no means a professional photographer but love to take pictures while I travel. I got this camera because I needed something with zoom and that would take clear pictures in all kinds of daylight. I've always had the Nikon point and shoot Coolpix cameras so thought I would stick with the brand and am happy I did. The camera is lightweight, easy to use and takes beautiful pictures - the zoom is ridiculous (pictures are still crystal clear)! This is a great camera for architecture and landscape photos, as well as for taking pictures of friends/family. I got the Case Logic case to go with it and it fits nicely. So far I have a 2 MB memory card with it from my old camera but hope to upgrade soon. Don't feel like you need to jump into buying a huge memory card right away unless you're going to take a lot of videos.

We just bought this camera after spending a week or so reviewing all the different ones in this price range. Considered going for an entry level DSLR, but this camera can do so much more and the image quality is still really good. Here is what you have to realize though: only using the camera on its auto setting will leave you very disappointed. This camera can do so much more, but YOU HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO READ THE MANUAL and toy around with all the extra settings and features. Do that, and you will have an incredibly versatile digital camera.Want pictures of your kids? This camera can catch them in the midst of all their crazy antics, but not in the auto setting! Want pictures indoors at low light? It'll do that too, but not in the auto setting! Want action shots? Same thing! Seriously, before you get the camera and immediately think that it doesn't do any better than your old camera, spend a few hours with the manual. A little patience, and you'll be very happy with the quality.I'm barely even an amateur photographer, but once I dared to venture away from the "point and shoot" setting I have been extremely pleased and excited with the quality of the pictures I've been taking. Would they win awards? No, but now I can look at all those "memories" and not feel like my camera totally ruined them. In fact, I feel like it caught them as well as I could hope to!So don't be scared of all the reviews about image quality, no action shots, blurring, etc. Buy the camera, learn what it can do, experiment, and have fun!Honestly, my only con so far is that the manual is only on CD.