Style:
The P300 is classically edgy, comes in a mix of materials. UPDATE: The front part and the lens ring is made of metal, top plate and the back part are made of plastic but with high quality.
Haptics / Handling:
The matt and metallic surface, the camera feels very good and very valuable. The slightly increased weight does the rest to provide quality. The controls are where I expect them.
The grip means on the front under the Nikon logo is seen haptic helpful, would for my taste but can be even more apparent. What may not be seen clearly: There is a rubber in the handle holder installed, the rest on the back for the thumb.
All switches have a clean pressure point, the top two rotary wheels go a little hard, but raced clean - good quality impression.
Service:
The controls for the basic functions are designed simply and clearly. The main dial on the top helps a lot to not to often to have the menu. I am one of those who quite frequently switch between program, time and shutter priority. To play the already-made images, the camera must not be fully turned on. But this is, at least for Nikon standard today. On top of the right side there is a second dial simply with the function then used within the sent and regulated especially grippy other necessary features included. Simple example: When shutter priority (S) or manual mode (M) is now set via this wheel exposure time.
On the back there is also a knurled wheel (ring). So you can also forward and backward (depending on function: up and down), very convenient.
In aperture priority mode (A) or manual exposure (M) will be regulated by this wheel aperture. Incidentally, aperture and time scales of values are displayed when turning the wheels in the display - very clear.
Nice that the rear thumbwheel and thus incorporating function finally penetrated even in cheaper cameras.
Flash (update):
Do you need the flash, you have to it manually (!) Show. The camera has a very polite out, but what to do only when the flash setting for example is set to automatic. If one wants to not have flashes of lightning are folded, fold the flash setting to "off" and after that you have to flash again before you can make the picture without flash. How "Martin" indicating the first comment, it's clever: The flash setting to "off". Want or you have now flash, simply manually extend the flash and it is flashing, re-fold, and it just does not bltzt. So around it is more pleasant for me after I am rarely a friend of extraneous light.
The flash of the P300 can be adjusted in its power to +/- 2 stops and reaches for distances up to 6-7 meters from well - after all! An advantage of the high-aperture objective. A hot shoe for external flash units one seeks in vain unfortunately (then to grab P7000).
Display:
large, bright, kontratreich and fine resolution - it is a LCD (no AMOLED) but still - more is not rauszuholen with this technique today.
Much better than any 230-thousands of display! The Display Glass is even tempered, the violet shimmer is the reference for it. Disadvantage: The Fingertapser be even more visible if they are sometimes on it.
Very good: it can be shown Guides to the horizon "einzupegeln" or align architectural shots clean.
Menu:
The first major controversial issue is the menu. I as a Nikon fan think it's great. For me it is simple and clear - very similar example to Nikon S8000. Everything can be adjusted important, more is definitely need for such a camera.
Image qualities:
12 MP - camera means: Maximum 4000x3000 pixels can be set, no RAW format possible but at the highest possible setting a bit compressed JPEG. Video in Full HD mode possible also having to compress with a little adjustment to.
Optical performance:
An initial aperture of 1.8 is an announcement, especially for the prize. But what it helps if the imaging performance is so bad at Offner aperture that you will be forced to stop down? Do not worry - it works - with good to very good results. The fast lens brings the expected of me in this price range performance - clearly at aperture 1.8 you must also expect miracles.
Who is not familiar so good: High luminous efficiency also means more disadvantages, the lenses may tend to be weak, the contrast is poor with an open aperture. The geometry of the lens assembly inside the lens, and in particular the centering of the lenses becomes more difficult. And - such lenses tend to blooming.
Overall I am very satisfied with the image quality, since I've seen much worse.
Sharpness / contrasting photos:
The lens features of this class good to very good with sharp nor high contrast throughout the zoom range, but it has an unusual characteristic.
Details:
At 24 mm the center of the picture is slightly less sharp than 100 mm. The picture looks a bit "flat".
In the corners, the effect is just the opposite, it means, at 24mm, the corners are already a significant bit sharper than 100 mm.
Basically, the sharpness at the long end is always something worse, so the contrast. The contrast is here but relatively constant over the entire zoom range.
The sharpness is actually surprisingly well in the macro range (see my images set).
Colours:
Nikon typical colors, some "light", not "crisp" as with other manufacturers - not oversaturated this are the colors. So no "Vivid Colour" or "Velvia" effect, neutral I would say, for example, without the famous pop-blue postcard sky. The camera does not interfere even in the color scheme. The white balance works amazingly reliably in automatic mode (see picture in gallery).
Distortion:
Distortion is low (see image example 24 mm) and visually correct. An example of image 100 mmm focal length I have none uploaded. The reason is as simple as simple: At the end of a long recorded the lens does not, at least I see nothing :-) Prima!
Centralization:
The lens of my camera is very well centered. All corners are each in the same meaningful picture of all focal lengths roughly equally sharp. The differences are marginal in the practice.
About Radiation:
Although the lens outshines, halos at high-contrast digits are visible. But as a counterexample I call the Nikon S8000. Here the halos are much more visible even in daylight, especially when shooting at night. Going short with the P300 even just a tad bit better but still far from the KO.
Noise:
... Is yet to designate at ISO 800 as moderate but visible - the small image sensor makes itself felt but unfortunately on the other hand I have also been significantly worse seen. See photos in the gallery (incl. Comparison ISO 200, 800, 3200). Overall, satisfactory to good.
Autofocus and Aulösegeschwindigkeit:
Wow - this is really good. That's it right quickly, there's my old Samsung NV11 'ne sleeping pill it. The AF illuminator operates in really low light even in 5m distance still very reliable (4 out of 5 times successfully represented)
Aperture values:
unfortunately only aperture values to aperture 8 are possible. Pity, diaphragm 16 would have 'ne force.
manual corrections (during shooting):
Exposure +/- 2 f-stops, flash output +/- 2 f-stops, color saturation, color temperature (red> blue)
Video mode:
Not tried yet.
Accessories:
USB Power Adapter is present, none charger. All the usual cables are there detailed manual and Nikon Picture Viewer Software on CD there. Bag - unfortunately, with such a noble part: None.
Others:
Tripod socket on board - made of metal - centrally located. Battery compartment cover locks shut (if that is going to easily's really annoying).
The micro USB connector on the camera bottom is hidden behind a rubber cover moose and is thus protected from dust.
Conclusion:
I can not and will not complain. For the camera concept
- Small, handy camera
- Small image sensor and therefore compact design
- Fast lens
- Little push
- Low price
The camera is more than successful. You can always complain about - we all know that, but would be unfair in this case.
Why is simple: I find not even a really significant weakness.
So, whom a 4x zoom ranges and who knows how to appreciate the 24mm wide angle, which also little (24mm) recorded or not at (100mm), must take this camera with fast lens thoroughly considered (!) - no question about it. Not quite as noble as the top precious Minis - but damn close.
Tip: This bag fits perfectly: Lowepro Rezo >>> 30 camera bag black
Greeting, Rounder6
