Nikon P900 Hands-On Review: It’s all about the zoom!

NIKON P900, f/6.3, 1/320, ISO-100, 68mm, efov 380mm
NIKON P900, f/6.3, 1/320, ISO-100, 68mm, efov 380mm

The electronic viewfinder on the Nikon P900 is reasonably bright and detailed and provides 100% coverage. This enables users to accurately frame and capture their images as in the sample above, thus avoiding the need to crop in post.

Let’s have a look at a few sample images. As mentioned earlier the P900 has a small 1/2.33″ 16 MP sensor so having realistic expectations regarding image quality is important. Here is an out-of-camera jpeg.

NIKON P900, f/7.1, 1/60, ISO-100, 0mm, efov 50mm
NIKON P900, f/7.1, 1/60, ISO-100, 9mm, efov 50mm

As you can see, colours are generally quite pleasing with a good amount of detail provided in the out-of-camera jpegs, especially if taken at the base ISO of 100. Owners who want to get the most out of the P900 would be well advised to buy a suitable tripod and do most of their shooting at ISO-100 whenever possible.

NIKON P900, f/7.1, 1/60, ISO-100. 9mm, efov 50mm
NIKON P900, f/7.1, 1/60, ISO-100. 9mm, efov 50mm

More discerning owners may want to enhance the quality of their jpegs by doing some simple adjustments in post as seen in the above image. I adjusted highlights and shadows in DxO OpticsPro 10, as well as adding some sharpness and micro contrast. These types of adjustments are quick and easy to do and even novice photographers should be able to make some basic adjustments to improve the image quality of their P900 jpegs.

Since the zoom lens capability of the P900 is its main feature and point of differentiation let’s have a look at some sample images that demonstrate this attribute.

NIKON P900, f/3.2, 1/1600, ISO-100, 4mm,
NIKON P900, f/3.2, 1/1600, ISO-100, 4mm, efov 24mm

The image above was taken at 4 mm or an equivalent field-of-view of 24 mm. Note the size and details of the ‘crow’s nests’ on the masts of the ship from this distance.

NIKON P900, f/4.5, 1/640, ISO-100, 43mm, efov 240mm
NIKON P900, f/4.5, 1/640, ISO-100, 43mm, efov 240mm

At a focal length of 43 mm (efov 240 mm) the P900 is able to capture good detail.

NIKON P900, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO-140, 116mm, efov 650mm
NIKON P900, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO-140, 116mm, efov 650mm

Zooming in further at a focal length of 116 mm (efov 650 mm) maintains good detail and image quality.

NIKON P900, f/6.5, 1/500, ISO-320, 357mm, efov 2000mm
NIKON P900, f/6.5, 1/500, ISO-320, 357mm, efov 2000mm

This final image in the series was taken with the zoom on the P900 fully extended to 357 mm (efov 2000 mm). The camera picked up focus on the steel cable in the foreground of the photograph. While this image isn’t quite as sharp as the other three photos in the series, it would still be considered to be a usable image by many folks. If you go back and compare it to the first image which was taken at 4 mm (efov 24 mm) you can see the incredible optical zoom capability of the Nikon P900.

NIKON P900, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO-100, 5mm, efov 28mm
NIKON P900, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO-100, 5mm, efov 28mm

Let’s look at another sample series of images. The shot above was taken at 5 mm or an equivalent field-of-view of 28 mm. Pay special attention to the anchor on the front of the ship.

NIKON P900, f/5, 1/250, ISO-110, 98mm, efov 550mm
NIKON P900, f/5, 1/250, ISO-110, 98mm, efov 550mm

The P900 was zoomed out to 98 mm (efov 550 mm) to take the above image. You can see that the image detail is quite good at this focal length. Let’s zoom in further.

NIKON P900, f/6.3, 1/320, ISO-400, 214mm, efov 1200mm
NIKON P900, f/6.3, 1/320, ISO-400, 214mm, efov 1200mm

The photo above was taken at 214 mm (efov 1200 mm). As in the previous samples, the details in the image are holding quite well. Let’s see what happens when we fully extend the P900 and add some digital zoom.

NIKON P900, f/6.5, 1/250, ISO-400, 428mm, efov 2000mm x 1.2 digital zoom
NIKON P900, f/6.5, 1/250, ISO-400, 428mm, efov 2000mm + 1.2 digital zoom

At 357 mm (efov 2000 mm) plus an additional 1.2X factor with the digital zoom we can get even closer in to our subject. Again, details are holding pretty well at this distance. Let’s look at a final example.

NIKON P900, f/4, 1/1250, ISO-100, 15mm, efov 85mm
NIKON P900, f/4, 1/1250, ISO-100, 15mm, efov 85mm

The image above was taken at 15 mm or an equivalent field-of-view of 85 mm.  Focus your attention on the yellow hook dangling from the crane. Now let’s look at that same hook shot at 357 mm (efov 2000 mm) in the next image.

NIKON P900, f/6.5, 1/500, ISO-100, 357mm, efov 2000mm
NIKON P900, f/6.5, 1/500, ISO-100, 357mm, efov 2000mm

While the image may not be tack sharp, the fact that we can actually read the inscription on the hook from this distance is simply a wonderful accomplishment for the P900

M2520
American
Hoist Derrick
St. Paul USA

 

15 thoughts on “Nikon P900 Hands-On Review: It’s all about the zoom!”

    1. Hi Frank,
      I haven’t used the P900 for quite a while, since I had a ‘review sample’ from Nikon Canada in order to write my review. If my memory serves (a challenge at times) I think if you keep ‘extending the zoom’ with the power control the camera will automatically go into digital zoom at the end of the optical zoom range.
      Tom

  1. Hi Tom,
    I realise I am a little late commenting and discovering this haha, but I have just recently got into it photography properly and have found your review and pictures really really helpful! Lovely pictures also. I wondered whether you thought this camera would be appropriate for aviation photography? Particularly take off and landing. The zoom on this seems advantageous for capturing mid flight but heard mixed reviews about slow shutter speed, so just wondered what you thought 🙂

    Thank you, and again awesome job on the review really enjoyed it 😀

    Katie

    1. Hi Katie,
      Welcome to the website – always great to have another new reader! It has been quite a while since I reviewed the P900, and I sent the review sample of the camera back to Nikon Canada ages ago. The auto-focus performance on the P900 is not one of the strong points of the camera. I found there was some noticeable hesitation when attempting to photograph birds in flight, and this would not be a camera I would choose for that type of photography. I never attempted to photograph aircraft with the P900 so I have no first hand experience on which to draw. I suppose if you had a decent length of time to focus on your subject the P900 may do an acceptable job as long as it was large enough in the frame. I realize that is a tepid comment – but that’s the best I can offer based on my experience with the camera.
      Tom

  2. Excellent bird photos. In magic light half hour or one hour before sunset wold bring more details. a diffuser on a flash would be great. does it has a shoe that can mount a flash. Gary fong diffusers or a diy wolld aswsome

    1. Hi.I ‘m going to change the macro mode in manual focus to normal.(in my camera ,manual focus range is above 30 cm. Please guide me.

  3. Hi Guys,

    I’m seriously considering the P900.
    I currently have a few lenses for my current camera which is a Sony Nex 6, I just hate chopping and changing lenses, so have been looking for a good bridge camera. I would mostly shoot landscapes/family event type photos. I have my GoPro for my snowboarding.

    Would appreciate thoughts/advice

    1. Hi Stewart,

      I think the Nikon P900 is a decent camera for the money. It really depends on your needs, budget and image quality expectations. As I noted in my review the image quality of the P900 is ok given its tiny sensor. The camera doesn’t shoot in RAW so there’s little opportunity to get more from the files. The big differentiator for the P900 is its incredible zoom range. If you really need this then there isn’t much on the market that competes with it.

      If, on the other hand, you are looking for a good zoom range for most types of photography there are a lot of other cameras to put in the hopper. Panasonic makes some excellent bridge cameras for example. Nikon will likely be introducing at least one (maybe more) higher end bridge camera within the next couple of months. It will likely have either a 1″ or APS-C sensor in it so the image quality would be much better than what you’d get with the P900. If you can wait a few months it may be worthwhile to hold off…typically camera manufacturers launch a lot of new gear in February.

      Tom

  4. I enjoyed your review. I bought a P900 awhile back to take as a second camera on a trip to the Grand Canyon and other Southwest locations. When I accidentally dropped my D5300 while on the trip, it moved up to primary. There are certainly limitations. I find the EVF to be very dim in bright light, making composition more challenging. That may be just a problem with my copy.

    All in all, I was happy with the camera and got some shots that I wouldn’t have otherwise. The anti-shake works incredibly well, salvaging shots in spite of wind and moving vehicles. You can see some samples here: https://www.pbase.com/d_berry/southwest

    Thank you for posting such a comprehensive review.

    1. Hi Dave,
      I’m glad you found the review helpful! Thanks for sharing your images. You have some wonderful shots..they brought back many great memories!
      Tom

  5. Hi Tom,

    Great information here. I do think you need to edit the opening header as you have 24mm to 20000mm. Can’t wait for that camera to be built.

    The information you’ve provided here will help me recommend or not recommend this particular model to those who ask me for advice however from what I see of your images the camera seems to be quite capable for those who need a good bridge camera. Thanks for the review.

    1. Hi Mike,
      Thanks for catching that typo on the efov range…much appreciated. The P900 is an interesting bridge camera and for people specifically wanting a long equivalent focal length it would be a very good choice.
      Tom

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