In September 2010, Nikon announced the Coolpix P7000, a compact digital camera that attempted to push the boundaries of what a point-and-shoot could offer to advanced users and photography enthusiasts. The model was introduced during a time of intense competition in the compact camera market. Canon had already earned strong praise with its G-series, and Nikon’s goal with the P7000 was clear: challenge Canon’s dominance and win over both terrestrial and specialized underwater photographers.
The P7000 promised manual control, RAW shooting capability, and a hot shoe—all attributes aimed at semi-professionals or DSLR owners looking for a portable alternative. Nikon also tried to address feedback from previous Coolpix models, aiming to combine high-quality imaging with external controls and customization. In this section, we explore the general design philosophy of the camera, its purpose, and the expectations surrounding it at launch.
The Competitive Landscape in 2010
During the late 2000s and early 2010s, compact cameras had to evolve quickly to survive in a growing market segment influenced by emerging smartphones and increasingly affordable DSLRs. Canon’s G11 had already set a high bar for what photographers could expect from a high-end compact. The Canon S90 and S95 added to the pressure, delivering impressive low-light performance and wide-aperture lenses in a truly pocketable body.
In this environment, Nikon launched the P7000 as a direct answer to Canon’s G-series. Nikon wanted to signal to photographers that they could offer the same level of manual control and image quality in a similarly sized package. But the Nikon P7000 wasn’t just about matching the specs on paper. It also aimed to improve usability and performance, particularly in areas like autofocus speed, color rendition, and customizability—factors that matter greatly to enthusiasts.
Design and Build Quality
The Nikon Coolpix P7000 features a robust and professional-looking design, clearly built with serious photographers in mind. Its form factor resembles that of a compact rangefinder, with a solid metal body and a prominent grip that feels stable in hand. It sports external control dials that provide direct access to ISO, exposure compensation, and shooting modes. This kind of control layout appeals to photographers who want tactile access to key functions without digging through digital menus.
The camera includes a hot shoe for external flash units, a significant addition for those wanting advanced lighting control. It also includes a traditional optical viewfinder, which was becoming increasingly rare in compact cameras at that time. While the viewfinder itself is small and not particularly precise, its presence still appeals to purists or those working in bright sunlight where LCD visibility is reduced.
The rear LCD is impressive for a compact camera of this era. At 3 inches and 921,000 dots, it offers crisp, vibrant playback and makes image review and menu navigation pleasant. Battery life is generally reliable, with enough capacity to last through a full day of moderate shooting. The SD card slot is conveniently located next to the battery compartment, making card changes relatively quick and easy.
Sensor and Image Processing
The Nikon P7000 uses a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor with a resolution of 10 megapixels. While this resolution may seem modest compared to modern standards, it was in line with other premium compacts at the time and allowed for excellent low-light performance and dynamic range. Interestingly, Nikon chose not to push for higher megapixels, which turned out to be a smart decision. Fewer megapixels on a relatively small sensor help reduce noise, especially in high ISO scenarios.
The camera supports shooting in RAW mode, using the NRW format, Nikon’s proprietary RAW file type. This gives photographers more flexibility in post-processing, especially when dealing with challenging lighting conditions or color corrections. JPEG processing is also quite good, with pleasing color profiles and minimal compression artifacts in the highest-quality setting.
The P7000 was powered by Nikon’s EXPEED C2 image processor, which enabled efficient file handling and relatively quick shot-to-shot times. The processor also supported 720p HD video recording, which was another key selling point in a market that was beginning to value hybrid photo-video performance.
Lens and Zoom Range
Perhaps the most polarizing feature of the Nikon P7000 is its lens: a 28-200mm equivalent zoom with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 at the wide end. On paper, this seems like a strong advantage—offering a longer zoom range than many competitors while still starting at a fast aperture. However, for specialized applications like underwater photography, the extended zoom range presents some complications.
Longer zooms typically require larger lens ports on underwater housings. This additional distance from the camera lens to the outer housing port makes it more difficult to use wide-angle wet lenses effectively. Wet lenses are designed to be placed very close to the camera lens, and when that’s not possible, optical quality can suffer. As a result, the 28-200mm range becomes a double-edged sword: great for versatility on land, but limiting for those wanting sharp, wide-angle underwater shots.
For underwater macro photography, the long zoom might be beneficial if you can maintain clarity and light at telephoto lengths. However, that often depends on water conditions, strobe power, and housing compatibility—all factors that make this a less-than-ideal configuration for serious underwater work.
User Controls and Interface
Nikon’s efforts to appeal to experienced photographers are evident in the P7000’s user interface. Manual controls are extensive and intuitive, with a top-mounted command dial for changing shooting modes and an easily accessible exposure compensation dial. Nikon also included user-customizable buttons, which allow you to assign frequently used settings for faster access. This level of customization was uncommon in compact cameras at the time and added to the P7000’s appeal among enthusiasts.
Menu navigation is generally straightforward, though the camera’s performance can sometimes feel sluggish when switching modes or reviewing images. Button responsiveness is decent, and the LCD layout is logical, displaying useful exposure and shooting information without unnecessary clutter.
One notable feature is the inclusion of a Virtual Horizon tool, which helps ensure level shots—particularly useful for landscape photographers or when setting up underwater scenes where orientation matters. The inclusion of bracketing options and a full range of white balance presets also shows that Nikon paid attention to the needs of serious users.
Flash System and Connectivity
The Nikon P7000 supports Nikon’s i-TTL flash system, which allows for advanced flash metering when using compatible Nikon Speedlights. This is particularly useful for topside photography, where external lighting setups can greatly enhance portrait or event work. The hot shoe also allows for additional accessories like external microphones, further expanding the P7000’s versatility in video recording or multimedia applications.
For connectivity, the P7000 includes USB, HDMI-out, and AV ports. It also offers a dedicated GPS port for geotagging, though the actual GPS module must be purchased separately. While the camera lacks built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, such features were still uncommon in most compact cameras in 2010.
Video Capabilities
Although not a primary focus for most still photographers, the video capabilities of the Nikon P7000 are respectable. It records at 720p HD resolution with stereo sound, using the Motion JPEG format. This format is easy to edit but results in large file sizes. Autofocus during video is somewhat slow, and zooming while recording can be distracting due to lens noise, so it’s best suited for more static scenes or manual focus operation.
Video is limited in its customization—there are no manual exposure controls during recording, and rolling shutter can be noticeable during fast motion. However, for casual use or travel documentation, the video quality is acceptable and comparable to similar compacts of the era.
Limitations and Concerns
Despite its many features, the Nikon P7000 is not without flaws. The startup time and shot-to-shot speed are slower than desired, especially when shooting RAW. Autofocus performance, while improved from earlier Coolpix models, can be inconsistent in low light or high-contrast scenes. Additionally, some users may find the NRW RAW files to be less compatible with non-Nikon editing software, requiring conversion or plugin installations.
Battery life, while generally good, suffers when using power-hungry features like live view, video, or constant LCD playback. Also, as previously mentioned, the lens design complicates underwater usage, particularly for photographers relying on wide-angle wet lenses.
The Nikon P7000 represents a bold move by Nikon to re-enter the enthusiast compact camera market with a serious contender. Its solid construction, full manual controls, RAW capability, and long zoom range make it a versatile tool for many shooting scenarios. However, the design choices that favor land-based versatility may hinder its effectiveness for underwater photography, a niche where lens port compatibility and sensor behavior in low light are critical.
As we explore the next parts of this series, we will take a deeper dive into how the Nikon P7000 compares with its contemporaries, how it performs in real-world scenarios—including underwater conditions—and whether its compromises are worth accepting for photographers looking for a compact travel companion or a secondary camera to a DSLR system.
Underwater Photography Capabilities and Limitations of the Nikon P7000
The Nikon P7000 Coolpix camera was introduced with a strong set of specifications aimed at competing with premium compact cameras, particularly the Canon G11. However, when considering it for underwater photography, it's important to dive deeper into the technical details and understand how those features translate to real-world use beneath the surface. This part evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the Nikon P7000 from an underwater photography perspective and addresses why it may or may not be the right tool for such specialized photography needs.
Zoom Range and Its Effect on Underwater Imaging
One of the most advertised features of the Nikon P7000 is its 28-200mm zoom range. While this broad focal range may be useful for topside photography, it often becomes a liability underwater. Water absorbs and scatters light differently from air, which limits visibility and reduces contrast. In underwater environments, photographers benefit from wide-angle lenses that allow them to get close to the subject while still capturing the broader scene. This minimizes the amount of water between the lens and the subject, leading to clearer, more vibrant images.
A long zoom lens like the one on the P7000 means that the lens must be housed in a port that can accommodate its full extension. This requires a physically longer housing port, which in turn increases the distance between the camera lens and any external wet lenses attached to the housing. Wet lenses, including wide-angle and macro attachments, perform best when positioned as close to the built-in lens as possible. With the Nikon P7000’s long zoom, that critical proximity is compromised, often resulting in vignetting or reduced corner sharpness. In underwater photography, where image clarity and light handling are already challenged, this can make a significant difference in image quality.
RAW Image Support and Manual Controls
Despite its limitations in the lens department, the Nikon P7000 makes a compelling case with its support for RAW image capture and a full suite of manual controls. These two features are particularly important for underwater photography. Shooting in RAW allows photographers to recover details lost to poor white balance or insufficient exposure—both common issues underwater where lighting conditions vary dramatically.
Manual controls further expand the creative potential of underwater photographers. The ability to adjust aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance on the fly allows users to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Schools of fish, lighting angles, or backscatter caused by particles in the water can all be addressed more effectively when manual adjustments are available.
The Nikon P7000 includes physical dials and customizable buttons, making manual operation relatively intuitive. This tactile design is a bonus for underwater photography, where gloves or bulky housings can make navigating menu systems difficult. Quick access to settings such as ISO or exposure compensation allows divers to react to the underwater environment in real-time.
Optical Viewfinder and LCD Performance
The presence of an optical viewfinder on the Nikon P7000 is a somewhat rare feature in compact cameras, particularly in the digital era. However, the reality is that the optical viewfinder is of limited use underwater. Once housed, the viewfinder is often rendered unusable due to its placement and the thickness of the housing glass. Therefore, most underwater photographers rely solely on the LCD for composing shots.
Fortunately, the Nikon P7000 features a high-resolution LCD screen with 921,000 dots and a 3-inch display. This resolution provides a clearer and more accurate preview of the scene, which is essential for focusing and framing underwater subjects. However, underwater housings can diminish the brightness and clarity of LCD screens. It is important to evaluate how the display performs under housing and in the often low-light conditions of underwater environments. Reflections and glare caused by sunlight filtering through the water can also affect screen visibility, so brightness adjustments and anti-reflective coatings on the housing port are worth considering.
Battery Life and Its Importance During Dives
Underwater photography sessions are often constrained by dive time, air supply, and battery life. While dive time and air supply are out of a photographer’s control, battery life is something that can be planned for. The Nikon P7000 offers decent battery performance, with enough capacity to last through multiple dives on a single charge if used efficiently. Features like limiting LCD use, disabling the flash when not needed, and reducing image review time can help conserve battery life.
It's also important to note that many underwater photographers prefer to leave the camera on throughout the dive to avoid missing spontaneous moments. This constant readiness can quickly drain battery power. Carrying spare batteries and knowing how to quickly access the battery compartment when the camera is out of its housing can significantly enhance preparedness during multi-dive excursions. The P7000’s relatively easy battery compartment access is a benefit here, though frequent opening and closing of the housing between dives can increase wear on seals and risk leaks.
Flash Capabilities and External Lighting Options
The built-in flash on the Nikon P7000 is adequate for topside fill-light situations, but underwater photography typically demands more powerful and directed light sources. Water absorbs light rapidly, and color loss begins at surprisingly shallow depths. Reds and oranges disappear quickly, making strobes and external lighting essential tools for restoring color and providing even illumination.
The P7000's built-in flash can be used to trigger external strobes using fiber-optic cables, and it supports Nikon’s iTTL flash protocol, which is a smart feature for topside shooters but less commonly applied underwater. Many underwater photographers use manual strobes for consistent and predictable results. It’s essential that the housing for the P7000 allows the built-in flash to fire inside the housing, as this is often how external strobes are triggered. Not all housings support this function equally, so selecting a compatible housing becomes a vital decision.
Housing Options and Third-Party Compatibility
The effectiveness of the Nikon P7000 underwater ultimately depends on the quality and design of available underwater housings. Major housing manufacturers may produce cases that allow access to the camera's full suite of manual controls, permit attachment of wet lenses, and offer leak detection alarms. However, due to the camera’s long zoom and the unique lens mechanics, the housing design must accommodate these elements carefully.
Some housings may limit access to certain controls, restrict zoom functionality, or lack ergonomic button placements. Others might not support the use of wide-angle or macro wet lenses at all. For underwater photographers, the compatibility and design of the housing can be the difference between frustration and success. Price is another consideration, as well-made housings often cost as much or more than the camera itself.
Beyond physical compatibility, the support network and accessories offered by the housing manufacturer should also be evaluated. Dome ports, trays, arms for strobes, and fiber optic connectors all contribute to building a full underwater photography rig. The P7000 may not be the first choice for these setups, given the availability of other cameras with shorter zoom lenses or more tailored designs.
Video Mode and Underwater Videography Potential
The Nikon P7000 supports 720p HD video capture, which, at the time of its release, was competitive among compact cameras. Underwater video, however, presents its unique challenges. Motion stability, consistent lighting, and the need for color correction make shooting underwater video more demanding than still photography. The lack of full 1080p support may be limiting for users interested in producing high-resolution underwater video content.
Additionally, the camera does not offer full manual video controls. The ability to lock exposure, adjust white balance manually, and control audio input is highly beneficial for video shooting, especially underwater, where automatic settings often fail to adapt correctly to lighting changes and color shifts. The P7000’s video capabilities are suitable for casual underwater video recording, but serious videographers may find the feature set lacking.
Macro Photography with the P7000
Macro photography underwater requires a camera that can focus very closely and support proper lighting. While the P7000 does offer a macro mode, the true macro performance is heavily dependent on the camera’s ability to maintain sharp focus at close distances and the compatibility of the housing with external macro wet lenses.
The extended zoom of the P7000 means that in macro mode, the camera often needs to be further from the subject than is ideal. This increases the water column between the lens and the subject, which can decrease clarity and contrast. Macro wet lenses help mitigate this, but again, their effectiveness is reduced by the physical limitations introduced by the long zoom and housing port dimensions.
In short, the P7000 is not optimized for macro photography underwater, though it can still produce acceptable results with careful setup and ideal lighting conditions. Users seeking to specialize in macro work may benefit from cameras designed with shorter fixed focal lengths or macro-optimized optics.
User Experience and Interface Design
One area where the Nikon P7000 receives praise is in its user interface and ergonomic design. The camera offers dedicated dials for exposure compensation and ISO, as well as customizable function buttons. This tactile interface is valuable in underwater environments where menu navigation is more cumbersome.
Photographers using underwater housings will appreciate that many of the camera’s critical controls are accessible without needing to dig through multiple menus. However, the effectiveness of these physical controls also depends on the housing design. Poorly aligned buttons or stiff controls can nullify the advantages offered by the camera’s physical layout.
Beyond controls, the menu system of the Nikon P7000 is relatively intuitive, offering clear icons and logical organization. Underwater photographers often need to change white balance presets, ISO levels, or focus modes quickly, and a responsive interface helps streamline these tasks.
Overall Suitability for Underwater Photography
Taking all factors into account, the Nikon P7000 can be used for underwater photography, but it is far from ideal. Its long zoom lens, while attractive for topside versatility, introduces limitations that are difficult to overcome underwater. Wet lens compatibility, port design, and strobe placement all suffer due to the zoom mechanism.
However, the inclusion of RAW image support, manual controls, a high-quality LCD, and decent battery life means that it still holds value for users who already own the camera or are on a budget. For casual divers or those not ready to invest in a high-end system, the P7000 represents an entry point into underwater photography with some compromises.
Photographers looking to specialize in underwater work—particularly in wide-angle or macro photography—may find better results with cameras featuring shorter zooms, larger sensors, or interchangeable lens systems. Nevertheless, the P7000 remains an interesting option for enthusiasts and hobbyists who want to explore underwater photography without immediately investing in a more complex and expensive setup.
Underwater Photography Limitations of the Nikon P7000
The Nikon P7000, although a solid performer in general photography, faces several limitations when it comes to underwater use. These shortcomings primarily stem from its zoom lens design and its compatibility—or lack thereof—with external accessories essential for underwater photography.
The 28-200mm zoom range sounds versatile for land photography, but it becomes a hindrance underwater. Longer zoom lenses demand larger ports on underwater housings, which in turn increase the distance between the lens and any attached wet lenses. This extra distance often leads to significant image degradation or limits the type of wet lens you can use. Macro and wide-angle photography underwater require specific lens setups to achieve sharp results and close focusing, which are compromised by this extended zoom range.
Moreover, underwater photographers typically prefer cameras with shorter zoom ranges, as these are easier to pair with wide-angle wet lenses or macro diopters. Cameras like the Canon G11 and S95 were better received by underwater photographers due to their shorter, brighter lenses, more favorable port configurations, and overall ease of use with wet optics. The P7000, although featuring an f/2.8 aperture at its widest, cannot match the low-light capabilities or background blur of an f/2.0 lens, especially in challenging underwater lighting conditions.
Another issue is the availability and compatibility of underwater housings. While dedicated housings may eventually be released for the P7000, early adopters found limited support. This made it difficult to use the camera safely underwater, even if it had the necessary manual controls and RAW shooting capabilities.
In essence, while the Nikon P7000 offers many professional-level features for land photography, its design and limitations make it less than ideal for underwater photography. Users who prioritize underwater imaging might prefer cameras with shorter zoom ranges and better compatibility with existing housing systems.
Further Constraints in Underwater Use
Beyond just the lens limitations, there are several nuanced concerns that surface when evaluating the Nikon P7000 for underwater shooting—particularly from the perspective of experienced divers and photographers who rely on fast, adaptable gear in unpredictable environments.
The autofocus performance, although respectable topside, struggles in low-contrast, low-light conditions that are common underwater. When shooting at deeper depths or in shadowy reef crevices, the P7000 often hunts for focus, especially when trying to capture fast-moving marine life. This delay can cause photographers to miss fleeting moments or create images that are noticeably soft or out of focus.
Another critical aspect is shutter lag and shot-to-shot delay. In high-speed underwater environments where fish dart unpredictably or lighting conditions shift rapidly, a slow response time can be the difference between a memorable shot and a missed opportunity. The P7000 suffers slightly in this regard compared to competitors like the Canon G-series or the Panasonic LX line, which generally deliver snappier performance.
Battery life also presents a limitation during extended dives. The P7000’s power consumption is fairly high when using the LCD screen constantly, which is almost a necessity underwater. Add RAW shooting, flash usage, and image reviews, and divers may find themselves limited to fewer shots per battery, risking power loss before their final dive of the day. Although spare batteries are a workaround, they can be cumbersome and risky to swap mid-day during liveaboards or remote shore dives.
Also noteworthy is the camera’s ergonomics. While it’s built like a classic rangefinder with solid dials and buttons, underwater housings sometimes restrict access to key controls. For instance, fine-tuning exposure or switching quickly between aperture and shutter priority may become frustrating when using gloves or operating in strong currents.
Lack of Optical Accessories Compatibility
Unlike DSLR systems that accommodate interchangeable lenses, compact cameras rely heavily on add-on wet lenses to expand their capabilities underwater. These wet lenses must be mounted to the front of the housing port and aligned with the camera’s primary lens. For best results, the camera’s lens should sit close to the port glass and have a small physical extension when zoomed out. Unfortunately, the P7000's lens extends considerably when zoomed, increasing the distance to the port and reducing compatibility with wide-angle or macro wet lenses. Even when alignment is managed, image quality suffers near the edges due to distortion and softness, especially with budget-friendly housings that lack dome ports.
This significantly limits the kind of shots underwater photographers can take. Reefscapes, close-focus wide-angle compositions, and even tiny macro lifeforms like nudibranchs or shrimp become more challenging to shoot well. The P7000 lacks the kind of ecosystem that supports rapid accessory switching underwater, unlike more dive-friendly compacts that offer bayonet mounting systems or 67mm thread compatibility for instant lens changes.
Video Performance Underwater
One area where the P7000 shows improvement over earlier Nikon compacts is video capability. It can shoot 720p HD video with stereo sound. However, even this comes with a set of underwater caveats. For example, once video recording starts, manual control is often locked or limited, meaning you can't change exposure settings on the fly. White balance—a critical adjustment underwater—is not easily tweakable mid-shot, forcing divers to rely on post-processing for color correction, which doesn't always yield natural results.
The camera’s inability to record in full 1080p places it behind some competitors, and without a proper external microphone jack or custom underwater white balance modes, serious underwater videographers may find it lacking. Additionally, using built-in microphones in underwater housings generally results in muffled or unusable audio.
The Housing Dilemma
A key reason many underwater photographers bypass the P7000 lies in the limited availability and versatility of its housing options. Major housing manufacturers like Ikelite, Nauticam, and Recsea often prioritize models that have proven popular in the diving community. At the time of the P7000’s release, there was uncertainty about how many accessories would support it. This often left users with fewer choices and more compromises.
Early housings for the P7000 were also bulkier due to the camera's design, increasing drag and reducing maneuverability underwater. Many housings lacked fiber-optic ports for strobe triggering or required awkward adapters. The placement of controls within the housing also didn’t always align with intuitive use—especially for custom settings or manual white balance.
Underwater Performance
Despite its top-tier features for surface photography—such as RAW shooting, manual exposure modes, a sharp LCD, and good build quality—the Nikon P7000 simply doesn’t deliver a seamless experience underwater. From its challenging lens design to limited accessory and housing support, it feels more like a surface-oriented compact than a serious underwater tool.
Photographers hoping to shoot vibrant coral reefs, schooling fish, or tiny macro subjects in detail will find the P7000 cumbersome, especially compared to more underwater-optimized compacts. For casual snorkelers or divers content with ambient light and wide reef shots, it can serve as a decent backup or entry-level choice. But for serious enthusiasts or professionals, alternatives like the Canon G-series or compact mirrorless systems offer far greater flexibility and better results beneath the waves.
Real-World Performance of the Nikon P7000
When discussing the Nikon P7000, theory and specifications only tell part of the story. Real-world usage determines how well this compact camera stands up to expectations, particularly in areas like image quality, speed, user interface, and performance across lighting conditions. Users and reviewers quickly noticed that the P7000 delivers a blend of solid build quality and performance that is tailored for the serious enthusiast who prefers portability without giving up manual control.
In practical use, the camera shows its strengths in bright daylight. The dynamic range is respectable for a compact camera, capturing a wide range of tonal details, especially in high-contrast scenes. Highlights are retained well, and the shadows are not crushed into muddy blacks. The noise levels at lower ISOs are minimal, providing clean images with sharp edges and natural color reproduction.
The RAW format supports giving photographers control over post-processing and ensures no data is lost. JPEG processing in-camera is also improved compared to Nikon’s earlier compact models. Users who avoid post-processing can still expect decent images straight out of the camera.
Zooming from 28mm to 200mm, the lens is versatile for many applications, including travel, landscape, portrait, and casual wildlife photography. However, this range comes with trade-offs in terms of aperture limitations and lens distortion at the telephoto end. The F2.8 aperture at the wide end is helpful in low light, but it narrows to F5.6 at full zoom, limiting creative control and performance in dimmer settings.
In terms of autofocus, the P7000 features face detection and subject tracking, which work well in most scenarios. However, autofocus speed, especially in low light or at the telephoto end, is not the fastest. This is one area where the camera feels more like a compact and less like a DSLR. Similarly, the shot-to-shot performance can feel sluggish when shooting in RAW, as the write times to the card are not instantaneous.
Low-light performance is mixed. At ISO 100 to 400, images remain clean. At ISO 800 and above, noise becomes more visible, but still manageable with careful exposure and post-processing. The noise pattern is more film-like, which some photographers might find preferable to chroma noise.
Battery life is another strong point of the P7000. With a CIPA rating of over 300 shots per charge, and even more under conservative use, this camera performs well on long shoots or trips. This makes it suitable for travel photography, especially in places where charging frequently might not be possible.
The hot shoe is a standout feature for a compact camera. It allows the use of external flashes, including Nikon’s iTTL speedlights. This adds tremendous value for those doing studio work or needing better control over lighting for product or portrait photography. The inclusion of an optical viewfinder is another welcome feature, though it offers only about 80% frame coverage. While not perfectly accurate, it serves as a helpful backup when shooting in bright conditions where the LCD might be hard to see.
One of the few downsides users have pointed out is the start-up and shot-to-shot lag, especially when shooting in RAW. These performance hiccups make the P7000 feel a step slower than its competitors in high-action or fast-paced environments.
Video Capabilities and Limitations
The Nikon P7000 supports 720p HD video recording at 24 frames per second. For a 2010 compact, this was a competitive feature, although by modern standards, it’s modest. The video is captured in .MOV format using H.264 compression, which is efficient and maintains decent file sizes without major quality sacrifices.
Video quality is acceptable for casual recording, with decent sharpness, color accuracy, and minimal rolling shutter effects. The built-in microphone records in mono, which might be limiting for those seeking higher audio fidelity. However, Nikon included a 3.5mm external microphone jack, a rare addition for compact cameras of its era. This feature caters to vloggers, interviewers, and those wanting clearer sound for their video recordings.
Manual control over video is limited. While exposure can be adjusted before recording, settings cannot be changed on-the-fly during filming. There is also no full manual video mode, which will be a dealbreaker for advanced video shooters. Autofocus during video is slower and tends to hunt when subjects move or lighting changes rapidly. Users often prefer pre-focusing or using manual focus if consistent sharpness is crucial.
Despite these limitations, the P7000's video function is respectable when viewed as a supplement to its photography strengths. It allows users to capture decent clips without needing a separate camcorder, and for those who primarily shoot stills, it's a good backup option for occasional video needs.
Underwater Use and Housing Availability
For underwater photography, compact cameras are popular due to their portability and affordability compared to DSLRs. However, not all compacts are created equal in this environment. The Nikon P7000 presents a mixed case.
Its 28-200mm lens is impressive for land use, but underwater, this becomes problematic. Most compact underwater housings are designed around shorter zoom ranges (up to 100mm equivalent), as this allows wet lenses and macro attachments to sit close to the port. With longer zooms like the P7000's, the port has to be larger, distancing the wet lens and causing optical distortion or reduced magnification effectiveness.
This makes the P7000 a less ideal candidate for underwater macro or wide-angle photography with wet lenses. Additionally, there are fewer third-party housing options for the P7000 compared to more widely adopted cameras like the Canon G series. At the time of its release, major housing brands like Ikelite and Fantasea were slow to support it, possibly due to the long zoom range and unpredictable demand.
If a user does find housing, they can expect some challenges. The lens port may create vignetting or reduced image quality when using wide-angle wet lenses. Focus performance underwater may also degrade slightly, especially in low-light or low-contrast scenes. That said, for snorkelers or divers not heavily focused on wide or macro shooting, the P7000 can still function as a capable point-and-shoot in shallow, well-lit waters.
Users should research housing availability and compatibility thoroughly before purchasing the P7000, specifically for underwater work. Given the camera’s physical controls and menus, it’s important to ensure that the housing offers external access to key buttons, dials, and manual settings. Without this, shooting underwater becomes far more frustrating than rewarding.
The Nikon P7000 vs. Its Competitors
At its launch, the Nikon P7000 entered a competitive market, going head-to-head with cameras like the Canon G11, Panasonic LX5, and Canon S95. Each of these models had strengths, and Nikon’s goal was clearly to target serious photographers who wanted manual controls in a compact form.
The P7000 matches or exceeds the Canon G11 in terms of sensor size, build quality, and zoom range. Where it falls short is in interface speed and autofocus responsiveness. The Canon models had faster operational speeds, and their UI felt more refined. Canon’s color science and in-camera JPEG processing also received broader praise from professionals.
Compared to the Panasonic LX5, the P7000 has a longer zoom, hot shoe, and optical viewfinder—features the LX5 lacked. However, the LX5 offered a brighter f/2.0 lens and a smaller body, making it more pocket-friendly and better in low-light conditions.
The Canon S95 was another strong competitor, offering a brighter lens (f/2.0 at wide end), a slimmer profile, and a refined interface. While it lacked an optical viewfinder and had a shorter zoom range, its performance in low-light conditions and its RAW capabilities made it a top choice for enthusiasts.
What distinguished the P7000 was Nikon’s clear attempt to blend advanced features into a DSLR-style compact. The control dial layout, optical viewfinder, hot shoe, and extensive menu system made it feel closer to Nikon’s DSLRs, especially for those already within the Nikon ecosystem.
Still, many users cited slow performance and firmware bugs in early models, which Nikon addressed in later firmware updates. After these updates, the P7000’s usability improved significantly, bringing it closer to what users had hoped for at launch.
Conclusion
The Nikon P7000 Coolpix camera represents a thoughtful step by Nikon toward creating a high-end compact for photographers who demand manual controls, RAW shooting, and DSLR-style functionality without the bulk of a full-sized body. Its feature set—including a 10-megapixel sensor, 28-200mm zoom, hot shoe, RAW support, and an external mic input—was ambitious for its time and placed it directly in competition with leading compact models from Canon and Panasonic.
Its real-world performance, especially in bright conditions and with careful settings, is solid. Images are sharp, color-accurate, and detailed at lower ISOs. Video capability, while basic, is serviceable for casual users, and the external mic jack is a notable bonus. Build quality is high, and battery life supports extended use.
That said, the camera is not without flaws. The long zoom range, while versatile on land, limits its compatibility with wet lenses and underwater housings. Autofocus speed and shot-to-shot delays—especially when shooting in RAW—can frustrate action shooters. The slow performance compared to some of its rivals may also deter those seeking a snappier experience.
Underwater photographers should carefully evaluate housing availability and their specific needs before choosing the P7000. It is not the best choice for macro or wide-angle work unless a suitable housing system is found. Above water, however, the P7000 is a strong performer for landscapes, portraits, travel, and street photography.
In summary, the Nikon P7000 delivers most of what advanced users expect from a compact. While not a perfect camera, it bridges the gap between point-and-shoot simplicity and DSLR-level control. For many photographers, especially those in the Nikon system, the P7000 offered a flexible and capable tool in a conveniently compact package.