Tools of the Trade: Nikon Coolpix P80 Camera
Yes, I have found true love in a camera. Being a faithful Nikon user since 2002, I just purchased the Nikon Coolpix P80 and it’s everything I could have hoped for.
For the last five years, I have used the Coolpix 8700 and it held up amazingly well through 7 New York visits, a cross country tour, an accidental drop in the aisle of a grocery store and getting thrown into my purse nearly every day without a camera case. Recently, it began to literally fall apart and have focus issues, so I knew that it was finally time to upgrade.
Since I was twelve, I’ve carried a camera everywhere with me. I’ve never taken any photography-related classes and I’m very much a point-and-shoot girl. Camera-wise, I needed something that was nearly as powerful as an SLR but compact and light enough to throw into my purse for everyday use.
I finally decided on this model
Needless to say, the zoom is amazing and the clarity for close-up shots is unparalleled. The biggest improvement I’ve noticed in comparison to my older Nikon is the image stabilization. Before, if I didn’t use a tripod when I had my flash turned off, the pictures would turn out slightly blurry. With my new camera, I just point and shoot, no tripod necessary and everything turns out crisp and in focus!
Another small tweak in the newer design is also notable: The lens cover keeps the lens from fully opening until you remove it, even when you turn the camera on. My old camera didn’t have this feature and if the on switch accidentally got bumped in my bag, the lens would expand completely and risk getting damaged.
Finally, I love having the ability to record TV-quality movies with sound with no time limit! The duration is only limited by the space available on your memory card. This will definitely come in handy during my Summer jaunts to NYC and Arizona!
Enough gushing. All I can say is that I’m really happy with the quality and efficiency of this model.
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14 People have left comments on this post
Mmm, lovely camera! I’m a Nikon user myself, but I’m thinking of getting the Canon 450d (or Rebel something as it’s called in the US!). I can’t wait. I love getting new cameras! I find I get bursts of inspiration & creativity.
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Aimee Marie: My brother has the Rebel and totally swears by it! He’s done a bunch of shoots of us with it and I’m always blown away by the image quality. It’s a bit heavy and large for me, but I’m also a weakling!
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Looks beautiful! I hope you have fun using it.
I have a fuji finepix myself. It’s pretty good, but I think I preferred my previous canon camera.
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Leah: I’ve heard great things about the Fujis. Everyone I know prefers Canons, I’m the lone Nikon holdout.
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Very nice looking (and sounding) camera. I’m rather jealous.
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Jami: Haha, no need to be jealous. I wouldn’t have bought it if my old camera was still functioning. I’m hoping to get a solid 5 year run out of this one, too!
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yay for new camera! i’m a Nikon fan too; i bought a D80 a couple months back and so far it has been fantastic.
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Nikon all the way! what great cameras they offer . . .
What I’m really dying to know is what you’re wearing on your eyes. I’m in such a neutral phase right now, and the subtleness of your eyeshadow is enticing. Might you share some of your beauty secrets?
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Haley: Good to hear that you’re a Nikon fan also! I use a few different MAC eyeshadows pretty lightly for day wear….
http://nubbytwiglet.com/blog/?p=300
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Thank you for sharing about such a great camera – I’ve been looking for something of such quality that was compact enough to fit in a purse nicely. This sounds excellent!
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San: You’re welcome. It’s such a dream to use and unbelievably light for the amount of power it has!
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I was just wondering if you’re still loving the P80! I’m getting one for christmas i believe and I’m just interested to hear if you still like it in the long run
thanks
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stan: Yes, it’s super AWESOME!!! I’m a diehard Nikon fan, though. It does everything that you’d need a lighter weight version of an SLR to do.
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