A Well-Balanced Mirrorless Camera

Canon EOS R is a high-quality camera that brings a combination of excellent performance and multiple features that result in one of the best mirrorless cameras available. With this device, you are getting a high-quality sensor, great AF, and more importantly, excellent image quality in both still images and 4K and Full HD video footage. In other words, you get a complete product that does a serious job.

Specifications:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and USB3.1
Sensor type: 30.3 MP Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor
Image Processor: DIGIC 8
ISO: 100 – 40000
AF points: 5,655 Dual Pixel AF positions
Burst shooting: 8fps
Screen type: 801 mm Clear View LCD II
View mode: EVF with 3.69 million dots
Battery type: LP-E6N
Battery life: 370 shots
Weight: 580 grams
Dimensions: Width 136 mm, Depth 84 mm, Height 98 mm

Features

When talking about the Canon EOS R features, it should be noted that this is no play toy, but a highly capable camera that brings a long list of functions, options, and extras that make it a highly competitive product.

To begin with, there is the 30.3 MP Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor, with 5655 manually selectable AF points, and the DIGIC 8 image processor that positions the Canon EOS R at the same level as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. Then, there is the built-in low-pass filter, 30fps 4K video footage (unfortunately cropped), 8fps burst shooting, as well as the great connectivity that includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, and USB3.1 connection.

In addition, Canon EOS R is compatible with both Windows and Mac Operating Systems; it supports ISO from 100 to 40000 and offers plenty of movie modes, picture styles, and others allowing you to find the perfect setup without a huge effort.

Also, Canon EOS R is fitted with a solid LP-E6N battery that should allow you for around 370 shots, has a 3.69 million dots EVF and offers multiple handy options, such as Face Detection and Tracking, HDR, Multiple exposures, RAW image processing, etc. These features do make the difference and allow this device to fight the best digital cameras out there.

Usage

The usage of the Canon EOS R is straightforward and provides a similar experience as the other Canon DSLR or EOS M cameras. There is a decent level of customization, while the interface itself is pretty intuitive and easy to use.

One of the 38 functions can be assigned to the majority of the buttons, while the existence of the multi-function bar provides additional functionality and presents one of the most distinctive Canon EOS R features; however, it may not be the best fit for many.

Although the front dial positioning is pretty similar to the Canon DSLRs setup, the dial itself may be hard to reach for many, while the ergonomics of the other buttons, as well as the rear dial, are thankfully much better, allowing smooth use.

Captured images provide a good dynamic range, with accurate colors, while the low-light performance is on par with the best cameras of the class.

Design

The overall build quality of the Canon EOS R is pretty good, and it incorporates both dust and drip resistance, while the body itself presents a combination of alloy body, and polycarbonate and fiberglass parts that are the key reason for this camera’s premium looks.

As mentioned earlier, Canon EOS R offers a similar button setup as the recent Canon DSLRs, with the addition of the M-Fn Bar on the rear end of the camera, and has a weight of only 580 grams, which makes it highly portable and suits its smaller build perfectly.

Canon EOS R is also fitted with a USB C socket for battery charging and has one SD memory card slot that supports the UHS-II protocol. On its back, there is also an 801 mm Clear View LCD II touch screen, while above it, there are the 3.69 million dots EVF, with 0.71x magnification, allowing for easy eye-level viewing.

Good

Canon EOS R has so much to offer. It offers a decent level of customization; it is fitted with an excellent 30MP sensor and it provides the impressive 5655 focus positions. Both images and captured videos are of the finest quality, while the excellent connectivity provides additional options and makes this camera a highly versatile one.

In addition, Canon EOS R is also equipped with a high-quality viewfinder and an interesting M-Fn Bar. Also, there is the DIGIC 8 processor that guarantees premium performance and allows for the C-RAW compressed Raw format, while the interface is pretty smooth and intuitive, offering ease of use.

Canon EOS R offers a comfortable grip; it has a very precise AF and provides great flexibility that rightfully positions it neck and neck with the best cameras available.

Bad

Unfortunately, all this praise doesn’t mean that the Canon EOS R has no flaws. In the first place, there is no in-body stabilization and its 4K videos are cropped, which certainly isn’t the perfect option. Additionally, there is only a single SD card slot, while the dynamic range and noise performance, although good, are still a bit behind the competition.

In addition, Canon EOS R battery life requires improvements, along with the burst shooting, while the Dual Pixel AF shows signs of unreliability during video capturing. In other words, there is still room for improvement.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Canon EOS R is a mirrorless camera that has a lot to offer, among others, a reasonable price that positions it perfectly between the cheaper Canon EOS RP and the more refined Canon EOS R5, which is simply a supreme device.

In other words, if you are after one of the best mirrorless cameras out there that will give you an excellent level of performance, yet won’t go too deep into your pocket, Canon EOS R is the perfect device and the camera that will fulfill your every expectation, and much more.

Hence, the D610 is basically the D600 as it should have been in the beginning. Mind you, the D600 had a life span of just 13 months before the D610 appeared and stole its glory, and this usually happens with consumer-level (entry-level) DLSRs. In this particular case though, it was the negative reviews and negative press that did it.

So, the D610 was revealed to the general public on October 8, 2013, and yes, it was a real upgrade worth the money back in the day, which means today it makes for the deal of the century with inflation, depreciation and all that.

What it Is

Nikon did a couple of upgrades to the original D600, but take a load of this: back in the day, in 2013 that is, the D610’s MSRP price was $1999. That’s 100 bucks less than what was asked for the D610, as Nikon tried to stay competitive (cough, Canon EOS 6D), but what’s even more important, that’s almost 3x the price (sans inflation) of what a D610 retails for nowadays (new).

So, basically, the D610 is a huge bargain if you can find one in stock, and here are the differences between D600 and this baby: first, you get a new shutter mechanism, which was the main issue on the D600.

Nikon replaced it with a completely different shutter, which is also better in terms of frame rate (faster). This brings us to upgrade number two: the D610 has a faster frame rate of 6 FPS. Then, there’s a new and improved automatic white balance via firmware most probably, and finally, you get a new feature: quiet continuous shooting mode that works at 3 frames per second.

Other than that, the D610 shares basically the same exact components as the D600 (reviewed previously if memory serves), and that includes the 24.3 megapixels sensor, with a native ISO range of 100-6400. This brings us to the next cool thing: tech specs!

Main Specs

• Sensor: 24.3 MP FX
• Sensor Size: 35.9 x 24mm
• Resolution: 6016 x 4016
• DX Resolution: 3936 x 2624
• Native ISO Sensitivity: 100-6,400
• Boost Low ISO Sensitivity: 50
• Boost High ISO Sensitivity: 12,800-25,600
• Processor: EXPEED 3
• Metering System: 3D Color Matrix Meter II with face recognition
• Dust Reduction: Yes
• Weather Sealing/Protection: Yes
• Body Build: Magnesium Alloy
• White Balance: Updated White Balance System
• Shutter: Up to 1/4000 and 30 sec exposure
• Shutter Durability: 150,000 cycles
• Storage: 2x SD slots
• Viewfinder Coverage: 100%
• Speed: 6 FPS
• Exposure Meter: 2016 pixel RGB sensor
• Built-in Flash: Yes, with Commander Mode, full CLS compatibility
• Autofocus System: MultiCAM 4800FX AF with 39 focus points and 9 cross-type sensors
• LCD Screen: 3.2 inch diagonal with 921,000 dots
• Movie Modes: Full 1080p HD @ 30 fps max
• Movie Exposure Control: Full
• Movie Recording Limit: 20 minutes @ 30p, 30 minutes @ 24p
• Movie Output: MOV, Compressed and Uncompressed
• In-Camera HDR Capability: Yes
• Battery Life: 900 shots
• USB Standard: 2.0
• Weight: 760g (body only), 850g (with battery and memory card)

For full details, click here. By the way, if you want to get the most out of your DSLR, check out this article about the best monopods.

Features

As we already told you, the D610 harbors the exact same 24.3 million pixel FX format CMOS sensor you will find in the D600, paired with the EXPEED 3 processing engine, which is the main “culprit” behind the continuous shooting speed of 6fps ( drops to 3 FPS when Continuous Quiet mode is ON).

We know, this is not impressive tech in 2021, but back in 2013, it made all photo-shoot chicks wet as Niagara. On top of that, you can set the sensitivity in the native range with expansion settings taking this to ISO 50-25600 (from ISO 100-6400).

You’ll also get the same 2,016 RGB sensor, working delivers intel to the Automatic Scene Recognition system, which is further used by the Metering and White balance systems to help get correct color and exposure, plus the exact same Multi-CAM 4800 autofocus module with 39-points (9 cross-type) as is in the D600.

The autofocus system has 39 AF points (pretty advanced back then) and can operate at effective maximum apertures slower than f/5.6 and faster than f/8; moreover, the center 7 are capable of operating at f/8, which means using telephoto and teleconverter combos will produce an effective maximum aperture of f/8.

You also get 4 live view AF area modes: Wide-area AF, Face-priority AF, Subject-Tracking AF and Normal-area AF. As expected, you have in-camera HDR (high dynamic range) mode (JPEG-only option), and full HD video capability, at 25 or 24p and at 1280×720 at 60, 50, 30 or 25p.

Build and Handling

The Nikon D610 doesn’t feature the high-end monocoque construction of the D5300, but it still has a part-magnesium alloy body (on the top and the rear of the camera), which makes it feel and look great (and solid). Besides being tough as nails, the D610 is weather-sealed, i.e. it can survive humid and dusty environments without sustaining damage. In a $2000 piece of equipment back then, this was maybe the coolest feature to have.

The camera also comes with a rubber-coated chunky finger-grip on the front, and the familiar thumb-ridge on the back, for a secure and comfortable hold. The camera body is relatively small in size and compact, hence you’ll definitely have a good time together, regardless of the size of your hands. I mean grip, don’t think dirty!

Handling-wise, the Nikon D610 is excellent, and the control layout on the back is pretty similar to the D7100, as in you’ll find 5 buttons on the left of the LCD, the same Live View and Info buttons, plus a smaller multi-selector button with a lock. There are also 2 memory card slots configurable in Overflow, Backup and RAW/JPEG.

Performance

Just like its D600 sibling, the D610 works great (even if it’s not the best Nikon camera), with well-controlled noise, well-exposed images and good colors. At ISO 3200, there’s almost zero speckling visible if you look at the pics on a computer screen, and even at ISO 25600 sensitivity setting, the chroma noise is not excessive, nor the luminance noise intrusive. Detail is maintained pretty well across the specter, and there’s no smearing to hide noise.

Nikon also says that the D610 performs better in artificial light due to its revamped automatic white balance system, while the AF system works quietly and accurately in a wide range of conditions, even in low light conditions, which may trouble lesser cameras.

Tracking moving objects and the 3D-tracking mode are also well implemented and work great in real life scenarios, and the Matrix metering system is very good.

Verdict

The highlights of the D610 include dual slots for 2 memory cards, 24mp full-frame FX sensor ( you could blow these pics up to billboard size ), 100% viewfinder coverage optical viewfinder, lightweight for a well-built/weather-sealed semi-pro camera, a nice 3.2″LCD, great video capability1080/30p or 24p as well as 720/60,50&30p for slow-motion or HD mpeg 4 av ch, 6 frames per second continuous, and Nikon’s great high ISO performance ISO 100 to 25,600.

Basically, the D610 is an old high-end DSLR that now retails at peanut prices, so it would make for an awesome addition to your photo paraphernalia as the first step into full-frame photography for Nikon lovers.

So, to begin with, this is old-tech by any other definition, yet it still makes for a great everyday DSLR for beginners and casual photographers. As in, if you’re looking for an affordable, high quality general purpose DSLR, the D5300 offers a lot of bang for the proverbial buck asked, things like relatively fast performance, excellent photo quality and impressive features for peanuts money, even if it’s pretty far from being the best Nikon camera out there.

Key features:

• 24MP DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter
• 39-point AF system with 3D tracking and 3D matrix metering II
• 5 frames per second continuous shooting
• ISO 100 – 12800 (Expandable to 25600)
• 3.2 Vari-angle LCD with 1,037,000 dots
• 1080 (60p, 30p, 24p) and 720 (60p, 50p) HD video (H.264/MPEG-4)
• Built-in Wi-Fi (for sharing and remote camera control) and GPS
• Raw and Raw+ JPG shooting
• SD/SDHC/SDXC memory

Quick Specs:

• Type: Compact SLR
• Weight: 480 g
• Resolution: 24 MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 12800 (25600 with boost)
• LCD Screen: Fully articulated
• Touchscreen: None
• Weather sealed: No

What is it?

The Nikon D5300 makes for an “old-school” (literally) 24 Megapixels vari-angle screen Wi-Fi equipped DSLR. This is definitely not the best DSLR camera out there, as it was designed as an entry-level from its inception, though you still get Wi-Fi connectivity for facile file transfers, and a pretty good 39-point Auto Focus system.

This affordable DSLR is proof of concept that you can still “teach old dogs new tricks”, as in if you’re shopping for an affordable no-nonsense camera with a simple control layout in order to take your photography more seriously, this is it, cut and dried.

Features

Even if the D5300 is not the best digital camera money can buy, it delivers impressive stills for a DSLR in its class. Fast performance, excellent photo quality and a more than decent feature set are its main attributes.

The D5300 uses a sensor sans OLPF (optical low-pass filter, before you ask, or anti-aliasing filter), and features an improved body design, with a tad bigger viewfinder, as well as a large, higher-res LCD display compared to its predecessor, though that doesn’t mean much in terms of 2014 LCD technology.

Moreover, the DSLR has GPS/Wi-Fi capabilities, and comes with a built-in stereo microphone; on top of that, you get Nikon’s proprietary Expeed 4 image processor, and that translates into better battery life, 1080/60p video, a couple of cool camera effects, HDR painting, toy camera and an extra stop of ISO sensitivity.

Let’s talk a little shop for tech geeks with an interest in ancient DLSRs: the D5300 comes with a 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, a 3.2-inch vari-angle screen, 1,037,000 dots (not impressive, we know), 1080p video capture, 9 Creative Effects modes, 16 scene modes, and the usual collection of Picture Control options.

The good news is that you can use the Picture Control modes whether you’re shooting JPEG or RAW images, and you have access to the usual stuff: Standard, Neutral Vivia, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape. You can obviously adjust sharpening, contrast, saturation, brightness and hue of the color options to match one’s particular taste.

The Wi-Fi module allows you to transfer images wirelessly to a tablet or smartphone via a free app, Nikon’s free Wireless Mobile Utility respectively. From there, you can upload your “work” on Facebook, Instagram, what have you, and the same app can also trigger the shutter remotely.

The GPS module can be used for tagging images with the longitude, latitude and altitude of the shooting location, and, on top of that, you can even create travel maps via Nikon’s ViewNX 2 software, and display the respective maps on Nikon Image Space, or any other social media platform that supports GPS (Flickr comes to mind).

The D5300 also sports a new battery, the EN-EL14a respectively, rated at 600-shot life under CIPA testing conditions. The D-Lighting mode has been expanded, and comes with a new option in Retouch mode – Portrait Subject mode, and it brightens skin tones in portrait image.

Build and handling

The D5300 looks and feels as tough as coffin nails, boasting a full polycarbonate construction, and weighing 480 grams. Truth be told, this is the first DSRL in Nikon’s line up to feature a monocoque construction, just like F1 cars, which means the camera is made from a single piece of polycarbonate.

The camera is particularly tough due to this peculiar design, as well as due to Nikon’s choice of using Teijin’s Sereebo CFRTP (carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic) for its construction. The navigation control is well implemented, and everything feels solid enough and well made in your hand, no complaints here. Design-wise, the D5300 looks very much alike as the D5200, though is quieter in operation and has a more positive feel in the control dial.

Most adjustments are made via on-screen controls, as the camera has relatively few buttons, but that translates into slower settings adjustments for beginners. Speaking of adjustment, there are 14 features available, and most of them are fairly intuitive, i.e. stuff that you may want to access on a daily basis, like focus mode, picture control, metering mode, AF-area mode etc.

Autofocus

• 39-point AF, 9 cross-type AF points
• 39 or 11 AF points can be selected
• 3D-tracking AF

To make a long story short, this is a dated AF system, but nonetheless, it’s fast and accurate in daylight conditions. Things will change in lower light conditions, as the AF will slow down noticeably and you will encounter moments of indecision. If you want to speed things up, you can switch to a larger maximum aperture/better quality lens.

Performance

• 5fps burst shooting
• Clear and bright display
• 600 shot battery life

For its class (and for the money asked we may add), the D5300 does a great job in most regards, including image quality, which is excellent. The DSLR produces sharp photos with good color reproduction, and more than decent JPEG images in low light.

Due to the fact that the D5300’s sensor doesn’t have an antialiasing filter, the stills retain excellent sharpness, and JPEG’s look nice and clean up through ISO 800, and they’re still very good at ISO 1600, which is great news for amateur photographers. You will notice a bit of detail degradation at ISO 3200, yet even ISO 6400 shots are quite workable so to speak, even if you print them on 13×19.

Image quality

ISO100-12,800, expandable to 100-25,600
Creative Effect modes
No low-pass filter

The camera’s default settings are quite good in terms of balancing accuracy and pop, and video recording is sufficient for personal use. The automatic white balance works good in a range of lighting conditions, and even delivers natural looking, atmospheric images in artificial light.

The vari-angle screen makes the camera highly enjoyable on Live View mode, and the 3.2-inch 1,037,000-dot screen is particularly useful when using the enlarged view to focus manually.

Bottom line, the Nikon D5300 will give you a good run for the money, and it will not disappoint you a bit as long as you’re not shooting fast action, or looking for 4K videos.

A quick word of advice for our readers: if you’re not sure about which is the best Canon camera for your money, just go and check out our comprehensive article on the issue. Now, getting back to our topic, the Rebel T7 is known as the EOS 1500D in Australia and the EOS 2000D in the UK, and it makes for Canon’s triumphal march into the highly competitive entry-level DSLR niche.

As we already told you if you were paying attention, the T7 replaces the Rebel T6, and offers an interesting mélange of decent features and build quality at a reasonable price. Currently, this modest DSLR retails for under $500 and has an incredible ratio of 5-star reviews, hence today’s Canon Eos Rebel T7 review.

What it is

The Rebel T7 is a low-priced entry-level DSLR, which is significantly cheaper than most bridge cameras and compacts. Basically, the T7 is a great choice if this is your first DSLR and you’re not sure if it’s worth spending thousands of dollars on professional gear.

As in, this is the type of camera that traditionally introduces new users to a certain brand, in this case Canon, and the respective brand hopes that it will be the one the user sticks with as they grow as photographers and expand their knowledge.

In this regard, the T7 has a lot to prove to first-time users, and tries to win the hearts and minds of conscious buyers that try to find the sweet spot between affordability and features.

Features

To begin with, we must congratulate Canon for finally slapping a modern 24 megapixels image sensor on its most affordable DSLR. Even if megapixels are not everything, this is good news, especially since the T7 has only seen minor improvements over the previous generation.

Truth be told, the only significant upgrade over the T6 is the sensor, yet this is not even the latest-gen image sensor, but an older variant. Hence the low price ladies and gents.

Speaking of old technology, the T7 also comes loaded with the DIGIC 4+ image processor, even if Canon is now at its 8th iteration of the DIGIC image processor, the company’s proprietary technology. Needless to say, the DIGIC 4+ was looking pretty dated back in 2018, when the Rebel T7 was first introduced, not to mention the current year.

The T7 arrives with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens (don’t forget to read our article about how to clean camera lens) and features ISO100-6,400 (native sensitivity), expandable up to 12,800. With regard to the autofocus system, there are no great news here either: you won’t get Canon’s excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF system for Live View focusing, as you’ll have to live with the relatively modest 9-point AF thing, and a “medieval” 3.0-inch display that features 920k-dot pixel count and lacks touchscreen capabilities.

The Rebel T7 also comes with a 95 percent-coverage optical viewfinder, which is “business as usual” with entry-level cameras; as in, not great, not terrible. Connectivity-wise, this cheap Canon stands pretty featuring both Wi-Fi and NFC, yet, surprisingly enough, the camera lacks a Bluetooth Low Energy module.

Another omission on Canon’s part is 4K video capture; however, the T7 offers Full HD 1080p video recording with 30, 25 and 24fps frame rates available, which is not bad for an entry-level DSLR.

Build and handling

We already explained how the internal changes in the T7 are minimal, and here’s the bummer: the same goes for the “shell”, as in there’s not much to report on the outside either. As expected from an entry-level DLSR, the Rebel T7 has a solid yet plasticky overall feel, logical button placement and an ergonomic design.

The bad news is that you won’t get Canon’s new graphical interface. Speaking of minimal outside changes, except from the badges, the T7 looks exactly the same as the older T6, including finishes and button placement.

You will definitely recognize (and appreciate if you are honest) the chunky front grip and rear thumb rest, as well as the textured coating. Even if the camera doesn’t have that premium vibe as its more expensive siblings, everything is easy to understand/navigate, and the logical button placement allows you to quickly access and adjust commonly used settings, even if this is your first serious toy.

Autofocus

We already told you that the Rebel T7 is a low-tech entry-level DSLR built for low-budget consumers, hence the dated 9-point autofocus system, that feels (and is) dated. The AF points are clustered in the center of the frame, hence you must expect to re-frame your subjects when off-center.

Performance-wise, the camera does a solid job if you’re not expecting miracles, as in the single cross-type sensor located at the center of the diamond pattern is more than enough for day-to-day shooting. However, we must tell you that the AF system struggles a bit in low lighting conditions. Also, due to its dated AF system, focusing speeds in LiveView mode are painfully slow.

Overall performance

The T7 is, unfortunately, one of the slowest DSLRs out there, even if burst shooting has never been a superpower of entry-level DSLRS. Even so, the Rebel T7’s 3fps continuous shooting is, let’s say, sub-par, hence if you’re a shoot action hero, move along, this is not the droid you are looking for.

Also, the rear screen in the T7 has 4:3 aspect ratio, while the sensor has 3:2 format, which means that when using the camera’s Live View mode or reviewing images you can’t take advantage of all the screen real estate.

Canon’s old-school 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor with Evaluative, Partial, Centre-weighted and Spot metering options does a solid job in most cases, and the same goes for the white system balance. Battery life is also solid, though not the best in class, standing at 500-shot CIPA rating and 240 shots when using Live View.

Image quality

Here is some good news, finally: detail rendition in the T7 is vastly improved over the older T6 due to the upgraded 24.1 MP sensor, which is a huge improvement over the older-gen. The T7 delivers solid noise handling performance with good levels of image detail, with the DSLR producing adequate ISO performance.

Dynamic range is good, although not class-leading. Keep in mind that if you shoot in Raw, the T7 produces crisp images without too much grain through ISO 3200, but at ISO 6400, detail holds up well, but the grain is stronger.

Video quality is pretty good too, but then again, nobody is going to use the T7 and expect to get pro results; while we’re at it, we must mention that the AF system does not function when the camera is rolling, but you can set focus before you start recording a clip. As in, if you want to record video, there are much better options out there.

Bottom line: if you’re a novice, the Canon Rebel T7 is decent starter camera for an entry-level DSLR.

Main Features

• 16MP – 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
• ISO 80 – 3200
• 23-900 mm F3.0-6.5 Zoom Lens
• Optical Image Stabilization
• 3″ Tilting Screen
• 7.4 fps continuous shooting
• Full HD – 1920 x 1080 video
• Built-in Wireless
• 541g. 114 x 78 x 95 mm

Overview

So, even if this camera was first introduced back in February 2016, which means is 5 years old, it still makes for a great asset if you’re an amateur photographer looking for affordable yet competent gear. Speaking of competent gear, the Nikon Coolpix B500 makes for a 16 megapixel small- sensor Superzoom camera with a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor, built-in OIS (optical image stabilization), a tilting display and, most importantly, 23-900 mm F3.0-6.5 lens (don’t forget to keep your lens clean, alright kids?).

If you’re not sure about “science”, go read this article about the importance of megapixels in a camera and thank us later. Moving along with the Nikon Coolpix B500 review, this is a bridge camera, featuring a 16 MP sensor paired with 40x optical zoom, plus digital zoom of up to 80x.

There are plenty of shooting modes, but since we’re talking about “amateur-territory”, the B500 cannot shoot in raw format, and there’s no manual control. As in, everything’s automatic, just point, shoot and you’ll do just fine.

However, since the intended target audience of the B500 is beginners, this is hardly a “deal-breaker” in our view. So, if you’re an enthusiast shopping for your first camera, or just a travel/backup one, this is as good as it gets, and it will not cost a fortune.

Even if this is not the best Nikon camera, it features the company’s proprietary SnapBridge technology, which means that the B500 stays connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth at all times, and can “live-stream” (so to speak) pictures across to social media in real-time.

Other features worth mentioning include the 3.0’’ tilting display with 921k-dot resolution, full HD 1080p video recording (it’s a 2016 model, okay?), and Wi-Fi connectivity built-in.

Ease of use

To begin with the obvious, the B500 is a mid-sized snapper, not too small or too large, weighing 541 g (1.19 lb / 19.08 oz) and measuring 114 x 78 x 95 mm (4.49 x 3.07 x 3.74″). What’s really important is the chunky grip that protrudes relatively far from the camera’s relatively compact body, and needless to say, it makes the B500 feel secure in the hand and easy to “manipulate”, even at awkward angles. Speaking of angles, you will definitely appreciate the tilting screen which goes both up and down.

The grip has a nice texture which makes it feel high-quality, while the rest of the camera is, let’s say plain. Given the fact that the B500 is relatively lightweight, you can use it with one hand even if you’re a girl, and the mode dial that switches between shooting modes ads to ergonomics in a big way.

Even if there’s no manual mode, you have a ton of scene/ shooting options, including some specifically designed to make the most of its long zoom. We must mention something rather unusual about the B500: it uses 4 AA batteries, unlike others with proprietary rechargeable batteries, and that’s pretty good in our view, especially if you travel a lot and finding a power outlet may be difficult.

The zoom has 2 rocker switches, and the top of the camera harbors a dial for switching between the various shooting modes, which include fully automatic, scene, creative, movie mode and more.

The zoom rocker switches from wide-angle to telephoto, and on the side of the lens you’ll find another switch for zooming in and out. The rear panel control layout is pretty much “business as usual”, with the 4-way controller that is used to jump through the menus and for 1 touch access to flash, macro mode, exposure compensation and self-timer.

As we already told you, the double-hinged screen is well designed, as in it can be flipped up or down; the display is one of the best we’ve seen in this price range on a superzoom, and it’s also perfectly legible in sunlight, which is a big plus for nature aficionados.

On the right side of the B500 you’ll find a soft flap that protects the HDMI/AV/USB ports, and there’s also a DC socket that can be used to power the camera from the mains via an AC adapter.

Autonomy

The 4 AA alkaline batteries included in the retail box will give you 600 shots autonomy, but you can upgrade to rechargeable batteries of larger capacity for extended use. High-quality rechargeable NiMH batteries will provide 750 shots, while Lithium AA batteries (more expensive) are good for up to 1240 shots.

The main advantage of AA batteries is that they’re easy to replace, you can get spares while on the road, and they are cheap compared to proprietary Li-Ion batteries. However, they add to the weight of the camera, so yeah, there’s always a caveat.

Lens and Stabilization

As we already told you, the Nikon COOLPIX B500 offers 40x optical zoom range, that extends from super wide 22.5mm (in 35mm terms) to 900mm at the telephoto end. That’s pretty good for an under $400 camera, and makes the B500 an extremely versatile tool that allows you to pick the optimal focal length in virtually any scenario, ranging from group photos/interiors to wildlife and sports.

Truth be told, in the current year there are many superzoom cameras available that offer longer ranges, but that’s another story. The lens’ maximum aperture is f3 at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, and close to f6.5 when fully ranged, and again, that’s pretty good specs all things considered (especially price).

Another good metric is the ISO sensitivity range, which extends to 6400 ISO, plus the optical stabilization, which means the lens elements are shifted to compensate for camera movement. The technology is called Photo VR and you can enable optical stabilization from the Setup menu (it’s an on/off thing).

Movie Modes

The B500’s bet movie mode is 1080 / 25p / 30p HD mode, followed by 1080 / 50i / 60i, then 720 / 25p / 30p and finally 480 / 25p / 30p. Exposure control for movies is limited, or, to be more precise, there isn’t any except from exposure compensation.

Speed

This budget Nikon is quick enough for most people at shooting and switching on, and focus speeds are okay too when not using too much zoom and/or shooting towards the wide-angle end of the lens. If you go for full optical zoom, the B500 will take longer to focus. We must tell you that continuous shooting is quite impressive, as the B500 can shoot at 9 frames per second for 7 shots.

Shooting Experience and Conclusion

It’s very probable that you’ll use the B500 in Auto-mode at all times, hence shooting experience will always be buttery smooth. However, as we already told you, there are quite a few “manual” modes that are guaranteed to improve your experience, that provided you’re ready to tinker with the settings a little bit.

Bottom line, the B500 is great if you’re looking for a basic camera to get the job done. There are no advanced modes, and you cannot alter shutter speed, aperture or shoot in RAW format. Moreover, the B500 offers a lot of fun modes, the likes of Short Movie show and Creative mode, so you’ll definitely not become bored if you’re attending a party or whatever.

For best image quality, you should use the camera in bright light.