Review posted for the (WiFi-equipped) Nikon Coolpix P1
By
Dave Etchells
(Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 06:46 EST)
Will WiFi-connected cameras be the next big wave in the digital camera market? Perhaps... and perhaps not.
Regardless of whether they'll ever achieve dominance though, it's clear that we're going to see more of them cropping up over the next year or two. The Nikon Coolpix P1 is that company's first effort at a consumer-level WiFi camera, and it has a lot to offer.
Most importantly, beyond the snazzy WiFi capability, first and foremost it's a very capable camera. Nikon's Coolpix line of consumer digital cameras have always been well-received, appreciated for their image quality and ease of use, and the Nikon P1 continues that trend, upgrading the design with an 8.0-megapixel CCD and a very capable wireless image transfer mode. The Coolpix P1 has a rich feature set, easy enough for any beginner to use in its full-auto "green zone" mode, but with a surprising amount of control available for more sophisticated users through it's myriad menu options.
For novices willing to delve just slightly deeper than "just pushing the button," its extensive Scene modes greatly extend the camera's capabilities, making it easy to bring back good-looking shots of what might otherwise be difficult subjects. Image quality and resolution are both first-rate, making the Nikon P1 a good choice for anyone who wants an easy-to-use camera that delivers good-looking pictures with pleasing color and plenty of resolution.
Overall, a good choice for the point & shoot user looking for an easy to use, compact digital camera with a surprising range of capabilities. At the same time though, it's also an appealing option for the more advanced shooter looking for a "pocket" camera. The WiFi feature adds to the price and is still not as brainless/painless as it might be, but is reasonably easy to set up, has a high "cool factor," and the Shoot & Transfer mode could be a load of fun at parties.
A Dave's Pick for its image quality, good styling, and rich feature set. Read our Nikon P1 review for all the details - and a few tips that may save you some setup timing connecting the camera to your network!
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