Compact digital cameras are popularly used for casual photography. The Nikon B500 is one of the best compact cameras in its price range. It is designed to offer better functionality than the average smartphone. The camera has been on the market for some time now, and this Nikon B500 review aims at giving you a full description of the device with reference to the experiences of users.
We will also offer you useful recommendations on the device. Being a simply designed camera, it is ideal for amateur photographers and people who simply need a device to supplement their main cameras.
General Specifications
The Nikon B500 camera is small in size. It has rounded edges and is of average thickness. These are some of the reasons why many photographers have purchased the product. Here are the general specifications of the camera:
Type: Compact digital camera
Resolution: 16 megapixels
ISO: 80-3200
Shutter Speed: 1/4000 sec
Continuous Shooting Rate: 7.4 frames per second
Size: 4.49 x 3.07 x 3.74 inches
Weight: 1.19 lb/ 541 grams (inclusive of batteries)
Media Storage: 20 MB, external storage is supported (SD/ SDHC/ SDXC)
Pricing Options:
Your purchase will include four AA alkaline batteries, a USB cable, a strap and a lens cap. You can also install the Snapbridge app on your smartphone or tablet in order to remotely control your camera.
Key Features
The Nikon B500 device is a mid-range camera. It combines many interesting features to deliver incredible images. The camera uses a 16-megapixel sensor and uses 40X optical zoom lenses. Videos taken are also very clear and high in quality. The maximum video resolution is 1920 by 1080. The camera is not very light, but you can comfortably take pictures with a single hand.
It also uses a Vibration Reduction feature to improve clarity. The electronic VR is also available when the camera is used to take videos. The camera has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, both of which help in the transfer of pictures to your phone or desktop device. The camera’s Bluetooth is always on, and this makes it easier to transfer pictures without worrying about its battery level. Its battery can actually allow you to take 600 shots.
Although the camera does not have a touch screen, it can be controlled remotely with your smartphone.
Image Quality and Performance
With its high resolution, the camera is capable of taking quality images. You can even zoom the images to a factor of 40 and still get exceptional clarity. The camera is able to deliver good pictures with such high magnification because of the Vibration Reduction feature. The same feature enables users to take clear images in poorly lit environments. The Nikon B500 is actually one of the best cameras to use in dim places.
To gain control of necessary settings, you will need to choose the modes wisely. The different options will offer you different levels of control over the settings. Its autofocus capability is commendable, especially in well-lit places. With macro focusing, you may need to try more than once before you get it right.
The Nikon 500 camera is definitely one of the best small sized devices for taking pictures and videos. However, it does not compare favorably with the Kodak Astro Zoom AZ651. This camera leads the small sized cameras with its high 21-megapixel sensor.
Design and Controls
The Niko 500 falls in the class of compact cameras, and its weight is average for these devices. Together with its battery, the gadget weighs 541 grams. It has a thickness of 95 mm, which is also average for small-sized cameras.
When taking pictures, you will find it more comfortable to hold the camera in both hands. If necessary, you can still use a single hand to take pictures. All the buttons used to operate the device are positioned on the right hand side of the camera. That makes it much easier to take pictures with your right hand. The camera also has a handgrip that makes it feel natural in the hand.
The camera does not have manual modes. You can, however, choose from a number of options available. These include fully automatic and movie and creative modes. If you are taking pictures in dark places, you will need to raise the flash. This is done by pressing a button on the camera. You have to do this since the flash does not automatically come up. When you don’t need it, you can press the same button to return it.
As noted in this Nikon B500 review, this product is among the best compact cameras. Before making your purchase, it is important to consider the disadvantages of the device. The Nikon B500 is a well-made product, but it still has a few flaws that should help you make an informed decision on whether or not you should buy it. Here are the notable pros and cons of the camera:
Pros
- It is small, making it portable. It is also not heavy.
- It is among the most affordable digital cameras on the market.
- It has great battery life. You can use it to take 600 photos.
- It has incredible zooming capacity.
- It has a high resolution for both photos and videos.
- It offers wide coverage, given that it uses lenses with 23 mm focal lengths.
- It has fast autofocus.
- It is ideal for taking pictures in poorly lit scenes.
- It uses Vibration Reduction technology to increase the sharpness of images.
- It has a tilting 3 inch LCD screen.
Cons
- It does not have a manual mode.
- It does not have a viewfinder.
- The product does not have a touch screen. It can, however, be controlled remotely using your smartphone.
- The maximum ISO is only 3,200.
- Compared to its size, the camera is quite heavy.
- It lacks a self-timer.
- The user manual is poorly written. Certain important details have been left out.
Recommendations
Compact digital cameras have been facing great competition from smartphones. Many people will, however, enjoy the great functionality offered by this camera. We would strongly recommend it to people who occasionally need to zoom images to very high factors. Smartphones are unable to zoom images to a factor of 40.
The camera can be used for casual photography. It would not work as well for professional photography. In general, this camera would be an ideal addition to your main camera as it has exceptional performance, especially in dark places. Novice photographers will enjoy using this product as it has a simple design.
Verdict
The Nikon B500 has it strong and weak points. However, the pros heavily outweigh the cons. In any case, the device is cheaply priced to increase the value obtained by buyers of the camera. The device is classified as a compact camera, although it weighs slightly more than you would expect for its size. Its biggest advantages are its small size, high resolution, and great zooming capability. Also, it is capable of far better photography than a typical smartphone.
We would appreciate your input on this camera. If you have any thoughts or experiences with the device, feel free to leave it in the comment section below.
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