- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Nikon Coolpix P510
- 15.9 MP
- 41.7x f/3.0
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 3" LCD
Released February, 2012
Rated 75% by by DPReview (Jul, 2012)Video quality is pretty good for casual viewing and auto white balance and auto exposure worked quite well outdoors in sunlight and shadow.
Conclusion Check out the Nikon Coolpix P510
First reviewed February, 2012
Features Key features of the Nikon Coolpix P510
15.9 MP
1/2.5"
Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Mar, 2012)It also offers SLR-like handling, manual exposure and focus, an eye-level viewfinder, an articulated and high-resolution LCD screen, built-in GPS and full HD movies with stereo sound, full-time AF and optical zoom as well.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 12 MP    | 20 MP |
Coolpix P510 by GSFixit--GSFixit (Jul, 2012)With the 16 megapixel capability, you still get great pictures even when you have to crop heavily.
Coolpix P510 by Photography Blog (Mar, 2012)All of the sample images in this Review were taken using the 16 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 5.5Mb.
sensor size
Coolpix P510 by Crosswire--Crosswire (May, 2012)I knew that a super zoom would have a small sensor, it had to, because of the size of the lens.
Coolpix P510 by Photography Blog (Mar, 2012)The Nikon Coolpix P510 may not produce the best photos at higher ISO speeds or focus quickly enough for fast-moving subjects, but it's a lot more portable and convenient than an SLR with a bag full of lenses and also doubles up as an effective video camera thanks to its excellent movie mode, making it worthy of our Highly Recommended award.
wide angle lens
Coolpix P510 by pugged (May, 2012)A DSLR would provide more options for wide angle shots, but this camera is perfect for me.
aperture size
Coolpix P510 by Photography Blog (Mar, 2012)For its size, the P510's lens is also respectably fast, with maximum apertures of f/3 at 24mm and f/5.9 at 1000mm.
Coolpix P510 by DB (Nov, 2012)I highly recommend this to all of you that like taking pictures but not up for the apertures openings, shutter speed, calculations of setting the professional cameras up to snap a picture.
zoom range
| 0x | 24x  | 50x |
Coolpix P510 by Vishui got this cam recently, no doubt it has amazing zoom capacity and can take great pictures HANDHELD at full zoom.
Coolpix P510 by M.-L-Rogers--miklrog2 (Oct, 2012)The camera is great for outdoor non zoom to moderate zoom work.
body size
120 x 83 x 102 mm
119 x 73 x 51 mm
104 x 70 x 80 mm
Coolpix P510 by c|net (Mar, 2012)And the lens is really the bulk of the weight, which makes the rest of the body feel lightweight and cheaply constructed.
Coolpix P510 by Tay (Mar, 2012)My DSLR took fantastic pictures but was too heavy to carry around for everyday use and my basic point and shoot was the perfect pocket size, but took less than decent pictures.
Performance Real world tests of Nikon Coolpix P510
shutter lag
Coolpix P510 by Jeffrey-L.-Foster--kidphotoShutter lag, lack of a rapid fire sports quick setting, and a few other settings have been a disappointment.
Coolpix P510 by ohitsyoubob (Sep, 2012)I was particularly intrigued with the 24 to 1000mm lens on a COOLPIX, and what the response time would be when one pressed the shutter release to when the photo would actually be taken, especially after my previous experience with a Nikon COOLPIX S4, though that is a different camera altogether.
battery life
200 photos
550 photos
540 photos
Coolpix P510 by Edward (Mar, 2012)Overall, this camera is very fun to use, and it's weakest points are bareable and are most regarding to battery life.
Coolpix P510 by AER (Aug, 2012)The battery life is great- I don't use my camera on a daily basis, so perhaps it would take more charges if you did, but for recreational use, it has a great battery life!
max continuous shooting
Coolpix P510 by DPReview (Jul, 2012)The P510's maximum framerate of 7 frames per second is unlikely to get much use, but it's nice to have, although the maximum 5 frames per burst greatly limits its usefulness.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
41.7x -
Contrast detection focusing system -
HD video -
921 k dots -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
Great for recording movies -
Records the location of your photos automatically -
HD video -
Create 3D photos to view on a 3D TV -
7.77 s -
Create slow motion video -
Combines multiple photos together to capture both bright and dark areas -
Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view -
1/4000 s
cons
-
3,200 ISO -
200 -
Feb, 2012 -
102 mm -
555 g -
8 s -
120 x 83 x 102 mm
Reviews Word on the street
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 | Rated by 266 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by SG (Jul, 2012) Rated 100% by by Steven-J.-Streitfeld--SJS (May, 2012) Rated 80% by by Arkansas-Traveler (Apr, 2012) |
Lens
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by pugged (May, 2012)I bought it for the super zoom, and the zoom is great.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Narsi (Dec, 2012)I liked the quality of pictures which are taken at 40X zoom.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Emma (Mar, 2013)The zoom is fantastic...all in all I am happy with this camera and can't wait to learn how to use all the features!
Zoom
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Ken-in-Texas (May, 2012)I was amazed at how powerful the 42:1 optical zoom is and is great on those far away shots.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Makune-John (Apr, 2013)the zoom is just amazing, i zoomed a colleagues ID number and details from 40feet away....incredible.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by AER (Aug, 2012)On most cameras I've owned the farther zoom means poorer quality photos, but this camera is perfect for taking long range pictures and having them look flawless!
Photography
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Melanie-Wingo (Apr, 2013)It is also great just to take everyday pictures of children and family.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Camera-Shy (Sep, 2012)It was great for taking pictures of the wildlife we could bring them in so close with this camera and could still keep our distance from the animals.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by ohitsyoubob (Sep, 2012)I liked her camera so much, that I bought a black one for myself so I could travel a lot lighter and not have to haul around my 13 lb camera bag with my D80, three lenses, charger, spare batteries and flash.
Battery
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 80% by by Jacqui (Oct, 2012)On the whole I have ended up using the Nikon all the time,and have packed away the SLR, as for the battery for the Nikon I picked up a spare battery, from a company who only makes battery's and its been great it has a long staying power, but the one that came with the camera runs out much quicker.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Steven-J.-Streitfeld--SJS (May, 2012)Ebay has higher rated batteries and wall chargers that also charge your batteries using a ciagarette lighter in your car, a handy accessory if you're down to your last spare battery while on a road trip.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Shawn (Aug, 2012)While the supplied OEM Nikon battery lasts long after is has been depleted and fully charged a few times but buy an extended battery if you get clicker-happy.
Video
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Debra-Murphy (Jan, 2013)You can also edit your movie in the camera and make a still picture from a shot in the movie.
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by Kelly-L.-Chase (Sep, 2012)This camera has AMAZING color quality, faster shutter speed, captured photos way faster speeds, a viewfinder, and captures 1080p movies (and yes, like other reviews have stated, you CAN hear the zoom on video playback, but I can overlook that for all its other features) this was a wonderful option for me and I highly recommend it!
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Rated 100% by by teacher (May, 2012)I am enjoying the ease of using this camera and I am very pleased with the clarity of the pictures and videos.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 2-way tie: More contrast-detection focus points Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 vs Nikon Coolpix P510 |
 | 2 | Nikon D3100 Largest sensor D3100 vs Coolpix P510 |
 | 3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 Most detailed video recording mode Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 vs Nikon Coolpix P510 |
 | 4 | Canon Powershot SX40 2-way tie: Best macro lens Canon Powershot SX40 vs Nikon Coolpix P510 |
 | 6 | Nikon Coolpix P7700 Fastest lens Coolpix P7700 vs Coolpix P510 |
 | 7 | Nikon Coolpix P520 Largest screen Coolpix P520 vs Coolpix P510 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
May 6, 2012
Going to South Africa on safari, plus Victoria Falls and Cape Town
I am not a beginner but by no means an expert. I have a passion for taking photos but have never taken lessons and no very little about manual settings. I try to find interesting ways to frame...
Visitor
13
Answers April 24, 2012
Landscapes, macro, portraits, indoor, wildlife, sports
Hello! I need the help of the 'elders' :). I am a beginner in the Photo area, but I would like to purchase a camera and I don't know which will be the best for what I intend to photograph and I I...
Visitor
9
Answers May 10, 2012
A great all around camera that allows me to shoot great pictures
My last camera was an Olympus SP 560 UZ. It has been lost and I miss having a camera with a good zoom. I never fully understood all that my Olympus could do. Going to Ireland in a few weeks...
Visitor
8
Answers Latest Questions
April 21, 2012
All sorts of scenes: portraits, up-close macro, landscape. For personal use.
I'm going to join the Navy, and I want a good camera that will take beautiful pictures of landscapes and all the different places that I will be visiting, also on board the ships and submarines....
Visitor
2
Answers 
December 4, 2012
Nikon Coolpix P510 v.s. Nikon 1 J1
Okay so I've been Looking for a new camera to buy for a couple of months now and I've narrowed it down to the Nikon Coolpix v.s. the Nikon 1 J1. Now I like the Nikon 1 J1 do to the fact that it I...
Visitor
1
Answers Unanswered Questions
- 89 discussions
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January 18, 2013
What canon or Nikon camera would be best for Taking portraits of kids
Im looking for a camera that will take great professional looking photos of kids like a dslr but isnt a dslr dont want all the lens changes and such big camera. also want a camera take good of my...
Visitor
0
Answers January 18, 2013
Family photos , vactaions photos, general photography
I want to know the major differences between aforesaid model of camera as my usage is normaly to take pics on family vacation or general photography and outdoor events so what would you prefer
Visitor
0
Answers January 15, 2013
Image Quality and speed of shots
I'm looking for a camera that has a high shooting velodad, not late in focus and the picture quality is good. I think the Nikin P510 has better final image quality but is too slow to focus and...
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0
Answers Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Nikon Coolpix P510
40
people have recommended the
Nikon Coolpix P510Top Nikon Coolpix P510 experts at Sortable
Canon Powershot SX40
- 12 MP
- 35x f/2.7
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 2.7" LCD
5 more Sortable users recommended the Nikon Coolpix P510 over the Canon Powershot SX40.
View all discussions | View comparison 
Beginner I
5
votes Out of these 2 cameras I would recommend The Nikon. I have used different cameras on safari in Kenya and while picture quality is a major consideration, you will use all the zoom you can get. you...
- 1 comment
- May 6, 2012
- Reply to: Going to South Africa on safari, plus Victoria Falls and Cape Town
Expert III
0
votes We have this cool feature that shows you the best camera based on your criteria. Check out this list of cameras that meet your . P510 is on top....
- 0 comments
- July 5, 2012
- Reply to: Which one is the best?
Intermediate I
0
votes The min shutter speed of the nikon p510 is 2 seconds .
- 0 comments
- December 26, 2012
- Reply to: What is the minimum shutter speed of Coolpix P510?
Nikon D5100
- 16.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
3 more Sortable users recommended the D5100 over the Coolpix P510.
View all discussions | View comparison 
Beginner I
4
votes I had the P500 since December, 2011 and, as an amateur like you with all the same interests you mentioned, I am quite satisfied with it especially on long or zoom shots like my birdwatching which...
- 0 comments
- May 15, 2012
- Reply to: Landscapes, macro, portraits, indoor, wildlife, sports
Expert I
0
votes I guess p510 should satisfy ur needs knowing the basic rules of photography - comparing P S with a dslr is a wrong subject here considering the requirements.
- 0 comments
- May 11, 2013
- Reply to: Vacations & ease of carrying, high quality photo & video
Beginner I
0
votes For going in the Navy I'd say neither of these cameras, at least for now. For now get an inexpensive, small, point-n-shoot so you don't miss 'awkard' pictures when you first go in. Then, read...
- 0 comments
- January 10, 2013
- Reply to: All sorts of scenes: portraits, up-close macro, landscape. For personal use.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
- 12 MP
- 24x f/2.8
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 3" LCD
4 more Sortable users recommended the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 over the Nikon Coolpix P510.
View all discussions | View comparison Expert III
0
votes We have this cool feature that shows you the best camera based on your criteria. Check out this list of cameras that meet your . P510 is on top....
- 0 comments
- July 5, 2012
- Reply to: Which one is the best?
