Real World Review – Nikon P6000: It Knows Where You’ve Been

Not in a creepy way, but in a geotagging way.
[photopress:REG_1301_1.jpg,full,centered]
Yep, the new Nikon P6000[photopress:P6000_left_gps.jpg,full,alignright] has built in GPS, so your photos will have the Longitude, and Latitude, embedded in the EXIF file of your photo.
Basically if you open your work in Lightroom, or soon in iPhoto, you will see a line for the GPS info.
Click it and it takes you straight to Google Maps. Like in this photo:
[photopress:nikonp6000.jpg,full,centered]
Very cool.
But that’s just one of the features on this camera. And honestly, it takes awhile to lock into a GPS signal (almost 5 mins in an open area for the initial, then much faster)

What you are looking at here, is Nikon’s answer to the Canon G10.

How does it stack up??

We took each camera on a little trip to Paris, and had them both ready to go whenever we left the apartment.
On the immediate touch, the Nikon is a smaller, lighter, camera. Big plus, since a point and shoot is used when you don’t want to bring the big DSLR.
The Nikon glass was in a perfect range, 28mm -122 (equivalent) The ability to shoot RAW and JPG, simultaneously is a plus for us. Even though the RAW is a Nikon proprietary format, the main photo software programs have already posted updates to handle this in Mac and Windows.
VR (vibration reduction) stabilization is a sweet addition, especially in a small camera. Better chance of a sharp photo.
Yes, it can go to 6400 ISO, but you will pay for that with a bit of noise.
However, I’d rather get the shot and process in post, than not to get the shot at all.

And with an adjustable on-board Flash output, you can fill the scene as you need.

[photopress:EH_66.jpg,full,alignright]Now there are a few issues we had: Battery life – once we turned off the GPS, it improved, but still you should carry an extra batt. We always do anyway.
You see the GPS wants to update every 5 mins. so you are ready to geotag at will. There was a coupla times that as I reached for the camera, the battery was done. My bad.
The other part of that battery equation was the lack of a self contained charger in the box. Yes, you can get one, for an additional cost.
The only way to charge the battery is to plug in the camera with battery inserted, and the wired charger/ac device.
Not sure why that happened.

[photopress:P6000_back34r.jpg,full,centered]

Now remember, this is a point and shoot. NOT A DSLR, which you can pick up now, in a similar price point from Nikon.
And it does a fantastic job with the photographs. Excellent color, easy to maneuver controls, face detection, good manual controls, and very intuitive.
Barely had to crack the manual. Yep, just like you’ll probably do. Or not do (did that come out right?)

[photopress:REG_1298.jpg,full,centered]

You can add a full up speedlight and use the remote commander to make your flash work with it wirelessly.
But why? Use the camera, as it should be used, simply, and you’ll be a happy camper.

One of our favorite things about a high end point and shoot is the ability to turn off all sound. A little more stealth for your street work And this one has a nice long throw on the lens.
Here’s the straight deal: should you get the Nikon P6000 or the Canon G10?
Yes.
Not being flip, but really;
Each camera will give you excellent photographic results, depending on the operator.
Each camera will give you a RAW file, in each manufacturers proprietary format.
Each one will record a movie when asked.
Get a fast SD card to make sure your humongous file writes before you miss the next shot for each one.

[photopress:REG_1300.jpg,full,centered] actual LCD screen shot.

We dig this camera because it does what we expect, in a nice compact, light package.
Yep, lighter, so it had a better chance of being taken on a night out.
And right now, it’s a bit cheaper by about $20.00 USD, as the Canon has dropped to $409. and the Nikon to $389.00 at Amazon.

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: There is no connected account for the user 17841400329220025.

Upcoming Events

  • AIPAD
  • April 25 – 28, 2024
  • 643 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065
    Park Avenue Armory, New York City

Is there an event we should know about?
Let us know on twitter.

Current Exhibitions

  • Museum of Modern Art
  • An-My LêcBetween Two Rivers/Giữa hai giòng sông/Entre deux rivières
  • Through March 16th
  • 11 West 53 Street
  • New York,NY 10001
  • Tel:212-708-9400
  • Howard Greenberg Gallery
  • Sarah Moon
  • Feb 17th-April 8th
  • 41 East 57th Street, Suite 801
  • New York,NY 10022
  • Tel: 212-334-0100

Is there an exhibition we’re missing? Let us know on twitter.

Like what we’re posting?
Join us on Flickr.