The Nikon Coolpix P1000 has the widest zoom range of any superzoom camera, achieving an impressive 125x optical zoom that’s good enough to see craters on the moon.
The newer, cheaper Coolpix P950 brings an 83X zoom lens and stands alongside the P1000 as a budget option. With most of the same features, other differences between the P1000 and P950 can be hard to see — but there are a few things you need to be aware of.
On first sight:
Nikon P1000
- 125x zoom
- 24-3000 mm equivalent
- It weighs 49.9 ounces
Nikon P950
- 83x zoom
- 24-2000 mm equivalent
- It weighs 35.5 ounces
Sensor and image quality
Shot with Nikon P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Taken on a Nikon P1000 Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Despite the P950 being almost two years newer, both cameras use the same sensor. The 16-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch sensor is a common sensor you’ll find in any point-and-shoot. It’s a far cry from the larger APS-C or full-frame sensors in Nikon’s DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. It might seem odd to have such a small sensor in such a large camera, but that’s how these superzooms achieve their incredible optical reach.
It’s a compromise, but considering what the camera is made for – getting close – the sensor isn’t bad. Our real-world tests of both cameras produced good colors and detail was decent for the category and price range.
While the sensors between the two are the same, the P1000 has a slightly better flash that reaches a little further. The difference won’t be very obvious and will only come in handy on a few occasions, but it’s worth noting.
Lenses
Nikon P1000 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Nikon P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
This is where the P1000 thrives. It uses a 125x zoom lens, which is equivalent to a 24-3000mm lens on a full-frame DSLR. It allows you to photograph objects that are just dots in the distance with the naked eye.
To be clear, you can’t actually buy a 24-3000mm lens for a DSLR because it would have to be the size of a truck, but that’s the range packed into the P1000.
The lens of the P950 is a bit shorter, with “only” 83x or the equivalent of 24-2000mm. That’s still a ton of zoom, maybe not quite as close to the detail of craters on the moon, but still enough for most Earth-bound subjects.
Both lenses also start with a fairly impressive f/2.8 aperture (at the wide end of the zoom). That’s pretty good, although we should note that the maximum aperture decreases as you zoom, to f/8 on the P1000 (at 125X) and f/6.5 on the P950 (at 83X). This means the cameras will perform better in low light with the lens at its widest, but may need a tripod to shoot with all that zoom at dusk.
Although the P950 is slightly brighter at full zoom, it’s not really an advantage. The P1000 will also have a similar aperture at the 83x point in its zoom.
Speed up
Nikon P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Nikon P1000 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Neither camera is really designed for sports and action, but the newer P950 has a slight advantage. Both the P950 and P1000 can take photos at 7 fps, but the P950 can take 10 photos in a row before pausing, while the P1000 can only take 7. It’s a small difference, but it’s always annoying to wait for the camera to clear its buffer before you can continue record. The P950 is slightly smaller.
Autofocus
Taken on P1000 Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Recorded on P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Both the Nikon P950 and P1000 use contrast-detection autofocus, which works well when you have enough contrast, but isn’t as fast as modern phase-detection systems and won’t be able to keep up with sports photography.
Although similar, there are slight differences between the autofocus systems on the two cameras. The P950 has several other focus area modes, including center point, center normal, and center width. However, this is not a problem for the P1000 as the center focus point can easily be selected manually.
Both cameras also have a macro mode that allows autofocus on subjects that are 0.4 inches away from the lens. The P1000 has a wider standard focus range that allows it to shoot closer before enabling macro mode.
Video
Just like with an identical sensor, the two cameras are indistinguishable on video. Both can record 4K video at 30 fps or full HD at 60 fps. With any superzoom camera, you’ll need a tripod if you plan to shoot video while using that zoom.
To shape
P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
P1000 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
The Nikon P1000 looks very similar to the P950 in pictures, but in reality the two models appear to be quite different. With the longer lens, the P1000 is almost a pound heavier and slightly larger in every dimension.
In addition to the size, the P950 also has a new exposure compensation dial on the side of the lens barrel. This control is easy to use, even for beginners who do not understand manual modes, to quickly lighten or darken the image. And while both cameras have the same battery, the P950 does a little better at keeping it alive with a battery life of 290 shots compared to the P1000’s 250.
Although the size is quite different and the P950 has an extra wheel, the two cameras share a similar control scheme. The larger body shape is more DSLR-like than point-and-shoot, with a large, comfortable grip. Both also feature the same electronic viewfinder and tilting LCD screen.
Which one is right for you?
The main difference between Nikon’s top superzoom cameras is the longer lens, and associated extra bulk, of the P1000. The P950 doesn’t have quite as much zoom, but really, 83x zoom is still more than enough reach for most situations.
Another big difference is the price. The Nikon P1000 costs $996, while the P950 costs $796. Being an older camera, the P1000 is more likely to sell out, but the cameras will be close in price – so check current prices before deciding between the two.
The cheaper, lighter P950 is probably the one most people should buy, but get the P1000 if you really want the highest possible zoom in the camera.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn