Nikon Coolpix P530 Review

Nikon Coolpix P530 is advanced functional superzoom. It started producing in 2014, replaced the model Nikon Coolpix P520. The camera belongs to a series of «P» (Performance), which has the highest functionality compared with the other Nikon Coolpix cameras.

Nikon Coolpix P530 Key Specifications

Dimensions: 123x84x98 mm

Weight: 494 g

Sensor: CMOS, 1/2,3”, 16,8 Megapixels

Crop factor: 5.62

ISO range: 100—6400 (12800)

Photo maximal resolution: 4608х3456 px

Video maximal resolution: 1920×1080 px

Video format: MOV 30 fps, 60 fps

Optical zoom: 42х

Digitall zoom: 2х

Max Aperture: f/3-f/5.9

Focal lenght: 4-180mm (24-1008mm equiv)

Display: 3" (921 000 pixels)

Memory card: SD/SDHC/SDXC

Battery: Li-Ion 1100 mAh

Nikon Coolpix P530 Ergonomics and Functionality

The camera repeats the design of the previous model. The body is made of plastic, rubberized grip. 

Above the wheel is switching shooting modes, the shutter button with zoom lever around. As well as the power button and the button Fn. 

Behind the camera are the viewfinder and 3-inch LCD display. Unlike in comparison to the P520 model, it does not rotate. Plus it or minus depending on your requirements for the camera. To the right of the screen are buttons for image viewing and control parameters wheel. Rotate the thumb counter-clockwise; you can control the parameters of the shooting, exposure compensation. 

Also, at the top located the control dial. Another difference is not in favor of a new model; it is the absence of the zoom lever to the left on the lens. In the previous model, you can customize it for manual focus. Apparently, the designers felt that it was not particularly in demand.

The camera is equipped with a standard built-in flash.

Below are standard options for a superzoom, the battery, and the memory card compartment—Tripod mount.

Nikon Coolpix P530 Optics

The camera is equipped with a non-changeable 42-fold zoom lens NIKKOR 42x WIDE OPTICAL ZOOM ED VR 4.3-180mm 1:3-5.9. Lens the same as the model P520. 

View on the widest angle mode

View on the longest telephoto mode 42-x zoom is severe. With this range, you can shoot almost all the life scenes.

4,3mm 1/1250 ISO 100

An example of the widest angle. The red frame is marked fragment approach at the maximum optical zoom.

180mm 1/500 ISO 360

An example of a maximum optical zoom

720mm 1/500 ISO 250

Example 2-x digital zoom Digital zoom is available in the MASP modes. On the top of the display, next to the scale of the optical zoom range, appears a very brief digital zoom scale, as if continuing the first. In SCENE mode, digital zoom is not available. I note that the shooting handheld at maximum zooming, especially with digital zoom, is very difficult to catch the desired composition since the slightest handshake gives you a serious bias in the frame. In this case, an optical stabilizer, available in the lens, helps.

Nikon Coolpix P530 Sample Photos

180mm 1/160 ISO 400

The long end of the lens at maximum aperture can achieve a small bokeh effect.

18,7mm 1/320 ISO 100

And this is an example on the short end. To illuminate the face, use the internal flash.

62,4mm 1/200 ISO 280

15,2mm 1/200 ISO 100

As the camera passes the colors and shades, to check on the flowers.

180mm 1/500 ISO 100

It has a normal color render.

30,3mm 1/125 ISO 180

15.2mm 1/160 ISO 100

24.1mm 1/640 ISO 100

The day was sunny.

15.2mm 1/160 ISO 100

10.7mm 1/400 ISO 100

58mm 1/500 ISO 100

53.5mm 1/250 ISO 100

The main advantage of superzoom cameras before the DSLR cameras is their compactness. Superzoom can shoot street scenes from long distances and go unnoticed. While it's equal to a zoom lens on a DSLR camera would have much larger dimensions, and remain hidden is difficult.

17.8 1/640 ISO 100

19.7 1/400 ISO 100

Sometimes, when you can catch a strong backlight low contrast.

8.4mm 1/1250 ISO 100

Summary Nikon Coolpix P530 superzoom, having good functionality and ergonomics. Suitable for advanced amateur photographers. Yet, the previous model, P520, seemed to be more functional.

6,2mm 1/80 ISO 100