The Nikon Coolpix P1000 boasts essentially the most zoom vary of any superzoom digital camera, hitting a formidable 125x optical zoom that’s adequate to see the craters on the moon.
The newer, cheaper Coolpix P950 brings an 83X zoom lens and stands alongside the P1000 because the budget-friendly choice. Sporting a lot of the identical options, the opposite variations between the P1000 and P950 will be exhausting to identify — however there are some things to concentrate on.
At a look:
Nikon P1000
125x zoom
24-3000mm equal
Weighs 49.9 ounces
Nikon P950
83x zoom
24-2000mm equal
Weighs 35.5 ounces
Sensor and picture high quality
Shot on the Nikon P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Shot on the Nikon P1000
Despite the P950 being virtually two years newer, each cameras use the identical sensor. The 16-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch sensor is a run-of-the-mill sensor you can discover in any point-and-shoot. It’s a far cry from the bigger APS-C or full-frame sensors in Nikon’s DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. It may appear odd to have such a small sensor in such a bigger digital camera, however that’s how these superzooms obtain their unbelievable optical attain.
It’s a compromise, however given what the digital camera is made for — getting up shut — the sensor isn’t dangerous. Our real-world exams of each cameras produced good colours, and element was respectable contemplating the class and value vary.
While the sensors between the 2 are the identical, the P1000 has a barely higher flash that reaches a bit farther. The distinction gained’t be very apparent and can solely turn out to be useful on a number of events, nevertheless it’s price noting.
Lens
Nikon P1000 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Nikon P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
This is the place the P1000 surges forward. It makes use of a 125x zoom lens, which is equal to a 24-3,000mm lens on a full-frame DSLR. It means that you can {photograph} topics that, to the bare eye, are simply dots within the distance.
To be clear, you possibly can’t really purchase a 24-3000mm lens for a DSLR as a result of it might have to be the scale of a truck, however that’s the vary that’s packed into the P1000.
The P950’s lens is a bit shorter, at “just” 83x, or 24-2,000mm equal. That’s nonetheless a ton of zoom, maybe not getting fairly as near craters-on-the-moon element, however nonetheless a lot for many Earth-bound topics.
Both lenses additionally begin at fairly spectacular f/2.8 apertures (on the vast finish of the zoom). That’s fairly good, though we should always observe that the utmost aperture decreases as you zoom in, to f/8 on the P1000 (at 125X) and f/6.5 on the P950 (at 83X). That implies that the cameras will carry out higher in low gentle with the lens within the widest place, however might have a tripod to shoot with all that zoom at nightfall.
While the P950 is barely brighter at full zoom, it’s not likely a bonus. The P1000 may have an analogous aperture on the 83x level in its zoom, too.
Speed
Nikon P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Nikon P1000 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Neither digital camera is absolutely designed for sports activities and motion, however the newer P950 has a slight benefit. Both the P950 and P1000 can take images at 7 fps, however the P950 can take 10 images in a row earlier than pausing whereas the P1000 can solely take 7. That’s a minor distinction, nevertheless it’s all the time annoying to have to attend for a digital camera to clear its buffer earlier than you possibly can proceed capturing. The P950 is barely much less so.
Autofocus
Shot on the P1000
Shot on the P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Both the Nikon P950 and P1000 use contrast-detection autofocus, which works nicely when you will have sufficient distinction, nevertheless it’s not as quick as fashionable phase-detection programs and gained’t sustain for sports activities pictures.
While related, there are slight variations between the autofocus programs on the 2 cameras. The P950 has a number of extra focus space modes, together with middle spot, middle regular, and middle vast. That’s not a deal-breaker for the P1000, although, since a middle focus level can merely be chosen manually.
Both cameras even have a macro mode that allows autofocusing on topics which are 0.4 inches from the lens. The P1000 has a wider commonplace focusing vary that enables it to shoot nearer earlier than enabling macro mode.
Video
Just like with the similar sensor, the 2 cameras don’t differ on video. Both can shoot 4K video at 30 fps, or full HD at 60 fps. With any superzoom digital camera, you’ll desire a tripod when you plan to shoot video whereas utilizing that zoom.
Design
P950 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
P1000 Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
The Nikon P1000 appears to be like similar to the P950 in footage, however the two really really feel fairly a bit completely different. With the longer lens, the P1000 is sort of a pound heavier and a bit bigger in each dimension.
Besides dimension, the P950 additionally has a brand new publicity compensation dial on the facet of the lens barrel. This management is simple to make use of, even for novices that don’t perceive guide modes, to shortly lighten or darken an image. And whereas each cameras home the identical battery, the P950 is barely higher at conserving it with a 290 shot battery life in comparison with 250 on the P1000.
While the scale is kind of completely different and the P950 has a further dial, the 2 cameras share an analogous management scheme. The bigger physique model feels extra like a DSLR than a point-and-shoot, with an enormous, snug grip. Both additionally home the identical digital viewfinder and the identical tilting LCD display.
Which is best for you?
The main distinction between Nikon’s high superzoom cameras is the longer lens, and related additional bulk, of the P1000. The P950 doesn’t have fairly as a lot zoom, however actually, 83x zoom remains to be greater than sufficient attain for many conditions.
The different main distinction is value. The Nikon P1000 lists for $996 whereas the P950 is $796. As an older digital camera, the P1000 could also be extra more likely to see gross sales, nonetheless, driving the cameras nearer in value — so verify present costs earlier than deciding between the 2.
The cheaper, lighter P950 might be the one most individuals should purchase, however go along with the P1000 when you actually need essentially the most zoom you possibly can potential get in a digital camera.
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