---
product_id: 2239117
title: "Nikon COOLPIX P300 12.2 CMOS Digital Camera with 4.2x f/1.8 NIKKOR Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and Full HD 1080p Video (Black)"
brand: "nikon"
price: "$1068"
currency: NZD
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 3
category: "Nikon"
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/2239117-nikon-coolpix-p300-12-2-cmos-digital-camera-with-4
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# Full HD 1080p video 12.2MP CMOS sensor 4.2x f/1.8 NIKKOR wide-angle zoom Nikon COOLPIX P300 12.2 CMOS Digital Camera with 4.2x f/1.8 NIKKOR Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and Full HD 1080p Video (Black)

**Brand:** nikon
**Price:** $1068
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Summary

> 🚀 Capture brilliance anytime, anywhere — your low-light, wide-angle powerhouse!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Nikon COOLPIX P300 12.2 CMOS Digital Camera with 4.2x f/1.8 NIKKOR Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and Full HD 1080p Video (Black) by nikon
- **How much does it cost?** $1068 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/2239117-nikon-coolpix-p300-12-2-cmos-digital-camera-with-4)

## Best For

- nikon enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted nikon brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Low-Light Mastery:** Fast f/1.8 aperture lens captures stunning shots even in dim environments—no flash needed.
- • **Pro-Level Control:** Manual exposure, ISO up to 3200, and quick-access dials empower your creative vision beyond auto modes.
- • **Seamless Full HD Movies:** Shoot cinematic 1080p videos with stereo sound and instant one-touch recording for social-ready content.
- • **Steady Shots Every Time:** 4-way VR image stabilization eliminates blur for crisp handheld photos and smooth videos.
- • **Precision Zoom & Clarity:** 4.2x optical zoom with premium NIKKOR glass ensures razor-sharp wide-angle to telephoto shots.

## Overview

The Nikon COOLPIX P300 is a compact yet powerful digital camera featuring a 12.2MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a fast 4.2x f/1.8 NIKKOR wide-angle optical zoom lens. Designed for professionals and enthusiasts alike, it offers advanced 4-way vibration reduction, manual controls, and Full HD 1080p video recording. Its 3-inch ultra-high resolution LCD and intuitive scene modes make it ideal for capturing sharp, vibrant images and smooth videos in diverse lighting conditions, especially low light. Perfect for those who demand quality, speed, and creative flexibility in a portable form.

## Description

From the Manufacturer Create in any light.The fastest lens ever in a Nikon COOLPIX.The COOLPIX P300 camera does justice to your photographic talents with a 4.2x wide angle, f/1.8 maximum aperture NIKKOR glass lens. This is the fastest lens Nikon has ever designed into a COOLPIX camera—it offers a 24-100mm optical zoom range and impressive telephoto performance for razor-sharp images. Plus, its maximum aperture of f/1.8 assures exceptional low-light results and minimum depth of field. This outstanding lens will showcase your skills whether you're shooting portraits, panoramas, weddings, real estate, products, publicity stills or any other challenging compositions—and will do so with still images or Full HD (1080p) movies. Simply put, this high-performance lens catches detailed images while displaying Nikon's proud tradition of producing precision camera optics.Advanced features for challenging conditions.Its 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor provides superb image quality, high speed operation and exceptional low-light performance. The back-illuminated CMOS lets you shoot true-to-life pictures with remarkable detail and color clarity. The COOLPIX P300's four-way VR Image Stabilization is also a boon for handheld shooting. Custom optimized for this COOLPIX P300 model, Nikon's exclusive EXPEED C2 processing engine enhances professional quality images.You'll also love Motion Detection's ability to identify moving objects in frame, adjust shutter speed and ISO, and freeze the subject to create stunningly sharp photos. When activated, Best Shot Selector automatically records up to ten shots with a single press of the shutter and then selects and saves only the best image. The camera's high ISO speed of up to 3200 with advanced noise reduction assures brilliant still images of dimly lit and fast moving photo subjects.Manual control for the serious photographer.The COOLPIX P300 allows photographers to stretch their creative limits with an impressive range of manual control. There's a Mode Dial for quick and convenient control over select settings, including shutter/aperture/programmed and manual exposure. Exposure Bracketing automatically brackets exposure for three shots. And the ISO can be set as high as 3200 at full resolution to control image quality in low-light conditions or when shooting fast moving subjects. High-Contrast Monochrome The COOLPIX P300 also features several new in-camera special effects, including High-Contrast Monochrome for sophisticated black and white shots. Nostalgic Sepia adds character and mood or creates shots with an antiqued look. In-camera editing functions such as active D-Lighting restore details and contrast. This camera comes with several filter effects like Painting, Fisheye, Miniature, and Cross Screen. You can also control images with a creative slider that adjusts brightness, intensity and hue. Full HD movie recording at 1080pHD movies have become the standard for web posting, website design enhancement, publicity clips and real estate property tours—or simply for capturing action that delivers so much more impact in high quality video. With the COOLPIX P300, you can shoot Full HD (1080p) movies while recording full stereo sound. The One-Touch recording button allows instant moviemaking, while the optical zoom control creates a variety of cinematic effects. Slow and fast motion HD movie options for 15, 60 and 120 fps*. Viewing and sharing your movies is simple too, with an HDMI-CEC output that allows in-camera playback or convenient hookup to an HDTV or computer.* reduced resolutionThe COOLPIX P300 takes the guesswork out. Advanced Night Landscape mode Every shooting environment comes with its own unique characteristics, and the COOLPIX P300 has intuitive features to help you master each one. It optimizes settings for up to 20 common scenes so you simply point and shoot. Turn on the Scene Auto Selector and the camera automatically recognizes the scene you're in and selects the best one from among seven choices. With Nikon's ingenious Easy Panorama Scene Mode, just pan in any direction and it will automatically detect the movement, then combine and assemble the various shots into one seamless 180-or 360-degree panoramic image.Nikon knows that night and low-light shooting present tricky challenges. Advanced Night Landscape and the related Advanced Night Portrait are invaluable tools that eliminate the guesswork by shooting consecutive shots at fast shutter speed and composing them into sharp depictions of night scenes.Convenient featuresPhoto ops often arrive without warning, but your COOLPIX P300 is always ready with invaluable features like ultra fast start-up and autofocus—plus automatic High Speed Shooting that can capture up to seven shots in a second at full resolution. You can compose your shot using the large, three-inch LCD Clear Color Display. This precision, 921,000-dot, ultra-high resolution screen produces rich detail and excellent contrast, and includes anti-glare coating for easy viewing of photos and HD movies. 921,000-dot, ultra-high resolution screen Nikon's Smart Portrait System offers useful tools that refine every shot. Smile Timer automatically releases the shutter when your subject smiles, while Face-Priority AF detects and focuses up to 12 faces at once. When activated, Blink Warning alerts you when a subject may have blinked and suggests a retake. The innovative in-camera Red-Eye Fix‡ addresses the problem by correcting for red-eye while the camera is shooting. Uneven or ruddy complexions can also be corrected with Skin Softening, which smoothes skin tones at three different levels and can be applied while shooting or during playback. Your close up shots will also be enhanced by the COOLPIX P300's Macro Shooting capabilities, taking clear, sharp pictures as close as 1.2 inches. And feel free to click away, as this COOLPIX has a 240-still shot capacity and comes with an EN-EL12 Li-ion rechargeable battery.Nikon knows that night and low-light shooting present tricky challenges. Advanced Night Landscape and the related Advanced Night Portrait are invaluable tools that eliminate the guesswork by shooting consecutive shots at fast shutter speed and composing them into sharp depictions of night scenes.What's in the boxCOOLPIX P300 Digital CameraAN-CP19 StrapUC-E6 USB CableEG-CP16 Audio/Video CableEN-EL12 Rechargeable Li-ion BatteryEH-69P AC Adapter/ChargerNikon View NX 2 CD-Rom

Review: Fast Low Light Wide with good Panorama - I have used this camera about 8 months ~ 2300 pics. Semi Auto Only 'auto scene' with 'auto select' is fully automatic. This is your point and shoot setting. No other dial settings are automatic. You will have to turn on the macro for close ups and set the shutter speed and aperature when the camera tells you it needs you to change something in order to get a good picture. It does this by flashing a red box if the camera cannot focus. At first I wanted fully automatic point and shoot until I tried to focus a Panasonic S3 (which has very good reviews) on a nearby object. The S3 would not lock onto the nearby object but always selected a far away object. After that I considered keeping the P300. Lens/Low Light/Wide angle One of the main reasons to buy this camera. Low light pics inside dont require a flash unless really dark! Take a shot in an almost dark room and this camera will see it all without a flash! 'Night scene - tripod' without a tripod, was not good until I set it for 'night scene' 'hand held' the results are very good night shots.(Hand held setting turns on anti shake and best shot functions) The resulting night shot lets you read a street sign about 75 feet away using only 3M pixels and street lighting only. I have used the flash a few times out of hundreds of pics. Wide angle lens captures a lot of area, nice! Quality/Cost You pay more but get more. Feels like quality in your hands, body, knobs, dials, buttons are all metal. Solid build not much plastic.The dials make everything fast. This camera is designed to get the aperature and shutter settings out of the menus and onto the dials so you have quick access to them. Features This camera has many useful features. Menus change for dial settings revealing more options. Fireworks setting is no good w/out tripod. smeared firework photos. Auto settings are not as automatic as other brands. Ex. Macro only comes on after turning it on, and only turns off after turning it off. Even if the camera is turned off it stays in macro mode until you turn it off. I like this as you can continue your macro shooting without having to reactivate the macro evertime. But other brands (Canon and others) automatically set the macro just by getting close to a subject. At first I did not like this but now I like it. Size Not a super compact camera and not a large camera. Fits easily into a mans shirt pocket with room to spare but not a very small camera either. The right size to hold in your hands with well positioned rubber grips. Camera is light weight. Misc Fast start up and shutter. Beautiful hi res display, Battery charges inside camera. Good if you dont want to remove batteries not so good if you want to have two batteries for quick changing. (you would have to buy an external charger) Compression may be a little high - sharp photos but could it be sharper? The 'scene' setting with auto select is better than 'auto' mode most of the time. Battery life is 200-300 pics but battery meter goes from full to dead in only 15 minutes. 'Special' USB charge/download cord, it is propietory, Not good as the cord takes more room than a short USB cord. Cord on bottom of camera, so camera rests on its face or back while charging or downloading. Zoom is 4.2X which is all I need. Wide angle and low light is more useful to me than a big zoom. Color saturation could be more, you can add more manually. Panorama Much better than other cameras. You can panorama horizontal AND vertical, cooool. Vertical panoramas are great for city shots of tall buildings, etc. Not enough time for 180 sweep, 120 deg. is most you can do with 180 deg setting. 360 deg sweep is too long for 180 deg. Manual panorama assist is difficult. Though not perfect I use panorama frequently. Summary This camera is for anyone who wants a Quality LOW LIGHT portable FAST camera with WIDE angle and full control. Not for someone who wants just a point and shoot (although it can be a point and shoot in 'auto scene' ) I was going to return it for the high cost until I experimented and discovered it is worth the money. Would have given four and a half stars because of special cord and not enough time for panorama. Low cost point and shoot cameras feel cheap. I like quality things because they last...I hope it does last a long time.
Review: A tiny little deal breaker..... - Let me just say, that at first, I thought this was a fantastic little camera. The picture quality was outstanding, loved the ease of use and menu systems, however, my awe ended abruptly when I downloaded my first batch of photos. UGH! For a camera as fantastic as this, Nikon has neglected to add a simple auto-rotate feature. This means you will have to manually rotate any and all photos you take in portrait position. The software disk included with the camera has an import program which allows you to do a batch rotate, but you will still have to manually sort and click every single photo you want to rotate. It's shameful that Nikon can't put this basic feature on such a nice camera. For me, it was a deal breaker. I don't care how nice the camera was, if I have to manually mess with every single photo I take, it's not worth it. I returned it. In addition, and in case you care.....Nikon customer support is not very friendly, helpful or even useful. They did respond quickly, but I received different answers each of the three times I asked about the exact auto-rotate feature. The camera was also a little on the bulky side and felt a bit.....cheap......when held in the hand.

## Features

- 12.2 -megapixel CMOS sensor for high speed operation and exceptional low-light performance.
- 4.2x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens
- 4-way VR Image Stabilization System
- EXPEED C2 with enhanced image quality and processing speed
- 3-inch Ultra-High Resolution (921,000-dot) Clear Color Display

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B004M8SVGG |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Are Batteries Included | No |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Auto Focus Technology | Center, Contrast Detection, Face Detection, Live View, Multi-area, Tracking |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Autofocus Points | 1 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #179,835 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #1,578 in Digital Point & Shoot Cameras |
| Bit Depth | 12 Bit |
| Brand | Nikon |
| Built-In Media | Battery, USB Cable |
| Camera Flash | Built-In |
| Camera Lens | 100 Mm |
| Color | Black |
| Compatible Devices | Nikon 1 |
| Compatible Mountings | Nikon F |
| Connectivity Technology | HDMI, USB |
| Continuous Shooting | 7 |
| Crop Mode | 16:9 |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (195) |
| Digital Scene Transition | zoom |
| Digital Zoom | 2 |
| Digital-Still | Yes |
| Display Fixture Type | Fixed |
| Display Resolution Maximum | 921,600 |
| Display Type | LCD |
| Dots Per Screen | 921,000 |
| Effective Still Resolution | 12.2 |
| Expanded ISO Minimum | 160 |
| Exposure Control | Programmed Auto Exposure with flexible program, Aperture-priority auto, Manual, Shutter priority auto |
| File Format | JPEG, RAW |
| Flash Memory Bus Interface Type | SD |
| Flash Memory Installed Size | 90 |
| Flash Memory Speed Class | Class 2, 4, 6, or 10 |
| Flash Memory Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Flash Memory Video Speed Class | V30 |
| Flash Modes | Automatic |
| Focal Length Description | 4.3-17.9mm millimeters |
| Focus Features | Contrast Detection |
| Focus Mode | Single-Servo AF (AF-S) |
| Focus Type | Auto Focus |
| Form Factor | Compact |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00018208262465 |
| HDMI Type | Built-in |
| Hardware Interface | HDMI, USB |
| Has Color Screen | Yes |
| Has Self-Timer | Yes |
| ISO Range | Auto, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000, 3200 |
| Image Capture Type | Stills & Video |
| Image stabilization | Optical |
| Item Weight | 6.72 ounces |
| JPEG Quality Level | Fine |
| Lens Construction | 7 elements in 6 groups |
| Lens Type | Wide Angle, Zoom |
| Light Sensitivity | ISO 160 - 3200 |
| Manufacturer | Nikon |
| Maximum Aperture | 4.9 Millimeters |
| Maximum Focal Length | 100 Millimeters |
| Maximum Image Size | 3 Inches |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/2000 Seconds |
| Memory Slots Available | 1 |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 90 MB |
| Metering Methods | Multi, Center-weighted |
| Minimum Focal Length | 24 Millimeters |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 8 seconds |
| Model Name | Nikon COOLPIX P300 |
| Model Number | P300 Black |
| Model Series | COOLPIX |
| Movie Mode | Yes |
| Night vision | Yes |
| Number of Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Optical Zoom | 4.2 x |
| Photo Sensor Resolution | 12.2 MP |
| Photo Sensor Size | 1/2.3-inch |
| Real Angle Of View | 61.66 Degrees |
| Recording Capacity | 30 Minutes |
| Remote Included | No |
| Screen Size | 3 Inches |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Series Number | 300 |
| Shooting Modes | Automatic, Landscape, Night Portrait |
| Skill Level | Professional |
| Special Feature | Image Stabilization |
| Supported Image Format | JPEG |
| Supported Media Type | Image, Video |
| Total Still Resolution | 12.2 MP |
| Total USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Total USB Ports | 1 |
| Total Video Out Ports | 1 |
| UPC | 018208262465 |
| Video Output | HDMI |
| Video Resolution | FHD 1080p |
| Viewfinder | Electronic |
| White Balance Settings | Auto |
| Wireless Technology | Yes |
| Write Speed | 8 fps |
| Zoom | Optical Zoom |

## Product Details

- **Aspect Ratio:** 16:9
- **Compatible Mountings:** Nikon F
- **Expanded ISO Minimum:** 160
- **Image Stabilization:** Optical
- **Maximum Aperture:** 4.9 Millimeters
- **Maximum Focal Length:** 100 Millimeters
- **Metering Description:** Multi, Center-weighted
- **Optical Zoom:** 4.2 x
- **Photo Sensor Technology:** CMOS
- **Supported File Format:** JPEG, RAW

## Images

![Nikon COOLPIX P300 12.2 CMOS Digital Camera with 4.2x f/1.8 NIKKOR Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and Full HD 1080p Video (Black) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71vSG5Jt14L.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: How fast is the auto focus? I have a canon and it is taking too long to focus and take the shots of my baby. I'm missing too many good picture because**
A: I've never found auto focus to be an issue, however I bought the camera for the 1.8 lens so low light  shots were my priority

**Q: How fast is the auto focus? I have a canon and it is taking too long to focus and take the shots of my baby. I'm missing too many good picture because**
A: There are several things you can do to minimize this delay - which arises from the camera having to automatically do the light metering and focusing when you press the shutter button. Sometimes my P300 has a longer than usual delay - usually when I am using a flash - like one to two seconds. It seems to be that the battery is low and it takes more time to charge the capacitor for the flash. Ordinarily there is a delay of like 1/2 second which I agree is a problem when trying to capture a fast changing scene. I once looked up the manufactures specs on this and I think it was like 1/3 of a second. All the other small cameras like this seem to have this delay. It is only when you get to the much more expensive ones ( i.e, better electronics and mechanics) that this shutter delay is shorter.  Part of the delay is the electronics figuring out the light settings and the mechanical focusing. THERE IS A WAY HOWEVER TO MINIMIZE THIS DELAY. When going to take a picture of my grand kids, I usually push the release half way to get the focus and exposure set and then hit it fully when I want the shot. This way  one eliminates the focusing and aperature setting delay. If you do this with a high contrast object and move the field of view around, you will notice  the picture on the display darken or lighten as it changes the aperture according to the different light it sense in the scene. Holding the shutter button down half way will continue to hold the aperture and focusing in that setting. So in pushing further to take the picture, the camera need not readjust the aperature or focus the lens. That procedure minimizes the delay times.

**Q: Does your Nikon p300 (used) include battery and charger, plus USB cord?**
A: Yes, my Nikon includes battery and charger, plus USB cord, but I have bought it new, not used

**Q: Does this camera have a timelapse option?**
A: If there is one, I have never used it.  I rather doubt it.  I still lone my Coolpix.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fast Low Light Wide with good Panorama
*by M***N on January 21, 2012*

I have used this camera about 8 months ~ 2300 pics. Semi Auto Only 'auto scene' with 'auto select' is fully automatic. This is your point and shoot setting. No other dial settings are automatic. You will have to turn on the macro for close ups and set the shutter speed and aperature when the camera tells you it needs you to change something in order to get a good picture. It does this by flashing a red box if the camera cannot focus. At first I wanted fully automatic point and shoot until I tried to focus a Panasonic S3 (which has very good reviews) on a nearby object. The S3 would not lock onto the nearby object but always selected a far away object. After that I considered keeping the P300. Lens/Low Light/Wide angle One of the main reasons to buy this camera. Low light pics inside dont require a flash unless really dark! Take a shot in an almost dark room and this camera will see it all without a flash! 'Night scene - tripod' without a tripod, was not good until I set it for 'night scene' 'hand held' the results are very good night shots.(Hand held setting turns on anti shake and best shot functions) The resulting night shot lets you read a street sign about 75 feet away using only 3M pixels and street lighting only. I have used the flash a few times out of hundreds of pics. Wide angle lens captures a lot of area, nice! Quality/Cost You pay more but get more. Feels like quality in your hands, body, knobs, dials, buttons are all metal. Solid build not much plastic.The dials make everything fast. This camera is designed to get the aperature and shutter settings out of the menus and onto the dials so you have quick access to them. Features This camera has many useful features. Menus change for dial settings revealing more options. Fireworks setting is no good w/out tripod. smeared firework photos. Auto settings are not as automatic as other brands. Ex. Macro only comes on after turning it on, and only turns off after turning it off. Even if the camera is turned off it stays in macro mode until you turn it off. I like this as you can continue your macro shooting without having to reactivate the macro evertime. But other brands (Canon and others) automatically set the macro just by getting close to a subject. At first I did not like this but now I like it. Size Not a super compact camera and not a large camera. Fits easily into a mans shirt pocket with room to spare but not a very small camera either. The right size to hold in your hands with well positioned rubber grips. Camera is light weight. Misc Fast start up and shutter. Beautiful hi res display, Battery charges inside camera. Good if you dont want to remove batteries not so good if you want to have two batteries for quick changing. (you would have to buy an external charger) Compression may be a little high - sharp photos but could it be sharper? The 'scene' setting with auto select is better than 'auto' mode most of the time. Battery life is 200-300 pics but battery meter goes from full to dead in only 15 minutes. 'Special' USB charge/download cord, it is propietory, Not good as the cord takes more room than a short USB cord. Cord on bottom of camera, so camera rests on its face or back while charging or downloading. Zoom is 4.2X which is all I need. Wide angle and low light is more useful to me than a big zoom. Color saturation could be more, you can add more manually. Panorama Much better than other cameras. You can panorama horizontal AND vertical, cooool. Vertical panoramas are great for city shots of tall buildings, etc. Not enough time for 180 sweep, 120 deg. is most you can do with 180 deg setting. 360 deg sweep is too long for 180 deg. Manual panorama assist is difficult. Though not perfect I use panorama frequently. Summary This camera is for anyone who wants a Quality LOW LIGHT portable FAST camera with WIDE angle and full control. Not for someone who wants just a point and shoot (although it can be a point and shoot in 'auto scene' ) I was going to return it for the high cost until I experimented and discovered it is worth the money. Would have given four and a half stars because of special cord and not enough time for panorama. Low cost point and shoot cameras feel cheap. I like quality things because they last...I hope it does last a long time.

### ⭐⭐⭐ A tiny little deal breaker.....
*by O***3 on September 7, 2011*

Let me just say, that at first, I thought this was a fantastic little camera. The picture quality was outstanding, loved the ease of use and menu systems, however, my awe ended abruptly when I downloaded my first batch of photos. UGH! For a camera as fantastic as this, Nikon has neglected to add a simple auto-rotate feature. This means you will have to manually rotate any and all photos you take in portrait position. The software disk included with the camera has an import program which allows you to do a batch rotate, but you will still have to manually sort and click every single photo you want to rotate. It's shameful that Nikon can't put this basic feature on such a nice camera. For me, it was a deal breaker. I don't care how nice the camera was, if I have to manually mess with every single photo I take, it's not worth it. I returned it. In addition, and in case you care.....Nikon customer support is not very friendly, helpful or even useful. They did respond quickly, but I received different answers each of the three times I asked about the exact auto-rotate feature. The camera was also a little on the bulky side and felt a bit.....cheap......when held in the hand.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review from father of young children who also owns a DSLR
*by P***C on October 4, 2011*

Chances are that if you're even considering this camera you've already read tons of reviews that reiterate the camera's features and specs. Here's a practical review that I hope you find helpful if you're in the same situation I am. I own a Nikon D90 DSLR camera. I started photography as a hobby before my oldest child was born 4 years ago. I'm by no means a photography expert (that takes YEARS), but I've gotten very familiar with common photography techniques and controlling manual settings, i.e. aperture, ISO, shutter speed, white balance, etc. My kids are currently 3 and 1. My primary goal in getting this camera was to replace an aging Canon SD500 point and shoot. I wanted something fast and light that I could take with me on day trips (and possibly traveling) instead of my DSLR, as well as something that wouldn't be too intimidating for my wife to use. I also considered the Olympus XZ-1 and the Sony HX9V (I know, they're all in different classes). What attracted me to the Olympus was the fact that it has the largest sensor, widest aperture across its entire zoom range, and hot shoe for attachments. What attracted me to the Sony was the fact that it had the best video and longest zoom range. I settled on the Nikon P300 because it appeared to offer a balance between the other two and it happened to be the cheapest of the bunch (at the time I bought it the price dropped to a REALLY low price so I just pounced on it). What I like =========================== For a point a shoot, this camera is pretty fast, i.e. the time to take a pic after you turn it on and the time between shots. This is crucial with kids. You can also turn on continuous shooting which does something like 7 or 8 shots per second at full resolution, almost twice as fast as my D90 DSLR! Great for kids! Get every facial muscle twitch as they slide down that slide! Woohoo! Ergonomics are great. Love the rubber bumper on front. I love that it has a dedicated video button. I thought I would miss having a longer zoom range, but in practice I find that I don't really use it much anyway. With kids you're usually right there by them. Unless you're a bad parent, then boo on you. The large aperture is great for getting quick shots in low light. However, it's not magic. You can only do so much, even with a wide aperture. I still get blurry shots every so often, probably need to jack up the ISO. It appears that the auto settings max out the ISO to 800 (anything higher causes a lot of noise in the image), so to get higher ISO you have to be in one of the manual settings and set it manually. With kids, you tend to leave it on full auto because, really, you don't have time to fiddle with settings. Photos come out crisp and clear as long as you don't pixel peep (zoom in 100% to look for imperfections). Color reproduction is amazing, colors really pop without being unnatural and overly saturated. Metering is usually spot on, meaning it knows how to balance the contrast with different amounts of light in the frame. Love that it has a physical pop up flash so that you can control for a certainty whether the flash fires or not. Also like that it's a mechanical spring loaded mechanism rather than a motorized flash, one less thing to break. I love the boxy retro look and feel. Even though it's bigger than my old Canon SD500, it feels lighter. It fits great in my pockets, regular or cargo. I can use the same pouch from my Canon if I want, too. Screen is HUGE and BRIGHT and CRISP. No problems whatsoever seeing it outdoors with sunglasses on (except when turning it sideways if you wear polarized glasses, then you can't see it at all, blah). I like that it takes video in H.264 .mov file format. It seems to be more universal and can play on more devices without having to convert it or install a special codec. The Sony takes video in AVCHD format. The Olympus I didn't even bother to check because after seeing video samples, I didn't really care to even bother. I love that there's a dedicated exposure lock while taking video, but I wish I could set it before I start recording. Maybe there's a way, I just need to look it up. What I don't like =========================== Yes, it takes 1080p HD video at 30 frames per second with stereo sound, woohoo! Buzz words galore! The videos come out crisp, the colors are great, BUT, the image stabilization SUCKS compared to the Sony, and the mics suck up wind noise like Charlie Sheen sucks up blow. Also if you pan too fast it gets choppy. Maybe I need a faster SD card, but I'd think that if the SD card had issues keeping up with the camera it would just stop recording altogether rather than skip frames. Who knows, I'll give it a shot. The autofocus doesn't always work right when recording video. I have it set to continuous autofocus, but it seems to have a hard time deciding what to focus on. In fact, even if you leave it pointing at a non-moving subject, you can sometimes see the focus going in and out on its own. If you're following your kids around and they go close to far to close, and you try to zoom in and out, the focus takes a while to catch up. Also, when you're recording video in a relatively quiet environment and you zoom in or out, you can hear the zoom motor in the video recording. zzzzzzz. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. zzzzzzz. That's what it sounds like. The camera can be quirky. Sometimes it doesn't turn on, or it turns on then off then on. Once, it locked up on me and I had to take out the battery. The battery door can be easy to open if you hit the release just right. It does not come with an external battery charger, you have to charge the battery in the camera. The connector is proprietary, not mini or micro USB. The battery lasts an OK amount of time, but I'd get a spare and an external charger if you can. The battery life indicator doesn't give much warning as to when it will die, it goes from full to low then off quickly. Other notes: =========================== So the photos aren't as good as a DSLR or probably the Olympus. The video isn't as good as the Sony. But for the price, you really can't go wrong with this camera. It isn't perfect, but I think so far I'm impressed, and it's been a great camera to carry around and follow the kids with.

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