Nikon P900 Review Test #1

April 2015 Locarno Beach Vancouver,  Boundary Bay and Hope Airport

The skimpy starter guide that comes with P900 suggests the camera should be used with a monopod or tripod. Despite that, all these shots were taken handheld using proper holding technique. By proper holding technique I mean holding the camera tightly, tucking the elbows into the rib cage and holding your breath when depressing the shutter. Don't expect sharp images if the camera is held away from the body, just the action of depressing the shutter will cause enough movement to compromise a shot especially when zoomed out beyond 1000mm. One of the features I like most is the electronic viewfinder, is quite usable and makes photographing birds way easier than other bridge cameras I have used. More importantly the VR or vibration control on this camera also works very well.
Below is a rare (for BC) Loggerhead Shrike taken handheld in dullish lighting conditions. I am very happy how it turned out.
For birders who want to document their precious discoveries I believe that with a little practice this camera will fit their needs, especially those who already have a scope to lug around.
For more Loggerhead Shrike pictures see previous blog.

Loggerhead Shrike

The P900 is fun to use. I have already used it successfully to document scenics, wildlife and I didn't have to change lens, carry a heavy tripod or worry about neck or shoulder fatigue.
This is not a camera for those shooting stock or for those want to make large prints. However if your purpose is to have a handy tool to identify birds or post on a blog or ©Flickr then I can say this might just be the answer.
The shots below was taken at the camera's 357mm zoom position which when translated to 35mm equivalent equals an amazing 2000mm. When the camera is turned on it opens at 24mm F2.8 but when zoomed out to 2000mm the lens is F6.5, about the same as the Tamron 150mm-600mm. That's way longer than any of the lenses you see many bird photographers carrying around. Granted the chip is way smaller and the light gathering capabilities will fall way short at the beginning and end of the day. However the times when there is decent light the camera works admirably.

All these images except the Pied Grebe were taken with the optical zoom. The grebe shot was taken with the digital zoom which I have turned off for most situations.

Moon.

I took the above picture with the camera resting on a bean bag. The camera may have focused at the bottom of the moon which is as you can see is tack sharp. I also sharpened the file in post processing.
Afterwards I realized the autofocus was set to face detect mode. I have now changed it to single focus  area mode so I can decide where the camera focuses.

Clouds Patterns Boundary Bay.

This is shot at 24mm with the exposure taken off the left hand side of the frame. This is done on the P900 by depressing the shutter button halfway down re-composing and then shooting. This rendered the dramatic scene as exactly as I had seen it.

Palm Warbler

For those of you who photographed the Kits Palm Warbler you'll know how flighty it was, rarely staying still for a moment. I shot two bursts in the Birding Photography mode. It allows up to ten frames a second. 

Note: If the subject doesn't move then you will get ten identical shots so it is best used for moving subjects like s bird flying. As you can see the camera doesn't handle highlights that well so a little exposure tinkering may have to be done. This can be quickly done with + and - buttons on the back of the camera. To be fair it was getting toward late morning and the light was getting a little harsh.

Mountain Bluebird

The Mountain Bluebird at Locarno Beach was a little different from the Palm Warbler. It was quite approachable and tended to come to predictable perches. This shot is again quite usable for blog or forposting on websites. I think an 8x10 print would be just fine. For a $700 camera that can't be bad.

English Bay Ship.

I had to zoom out to get this ship in the picture. I shot a small plane flying overhead and could see the pilot in the cockpit.

Using the lens at 24mm made this image a snap. 

Again handheld, I could have used the macro function but I wanted to include the sky for colour contrast so I used the 24mm wide angle. 

Shapes and Patterns

The P900 dealt with this backlit scene very easily. I didn't need to add any exposure and shot this from about ten feet away and zoomed into 2000mm to frame the shot.

Pied Grebe photographed with digital zoom mode. 

This low resolution picture here demonstrates not so much the photographic potential of the camera but it as a great tool for identification purposes.

This pied Grebe was so far away binoculars were needed to ID the bird. Beyond the 2000mm optical reach is an extended digital zoom. I am not too sure how long that is but someone out there might let me know.




If you are looking for a camera to take birding I hope this helps you make up your mind. I believe the P900 will with a little practice make your birdwatching an even better experience. Digital photography has changed the way we bird, the P900 is one such advancement.

Note: Apart from being a *Nikon NPS member I have no affiliation with Nikon.

*NPS Nikon Professional Services

"It's never too late to start birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

BC Canada