Review posted for Nikon Coolpix P2
By
Dave Etchells
(Monday, February 6, 2006 - 17:10 EST)
Will WiFi-connected cameras be the next big wave in the digital camera market? Maybe... and maybe not.
Regardless of whether they'll ever achieve dominance, it's clear that we're going to see more of them appearing over the next year or two. The Nikon Coolpix P2 is part of that company's first effort at a consumer-level WiFi camera (along with its 8-megapixel twin, the Coolpix P1), and it has a lot to offer. Most importantly, beyond the snazzy WiFi capability, first and foremost it's a very capable camera.
Nikon's Coolpix line of consumer digital cameras have always been well-received, appreciated for their image quality and ease of use, and the Nikon P2 continues that trend, combining an 5.1-megapixel CCD with a very capable wireless image transfer mode. The Coolpix P2 has a rich feature set, easy enough for any beginner to use in its full-auto "green zone" mode, but with a surprising amount of control available for more sophisticated users.
For novices willing to delve just slightly deeper than "just pushing the button," its extensive Scene modes greatly extend the camera's capabilities, making it easy to bring back good-looking shots of what might otherwise be difficult subjects. Image quality and resolution are both first-rate, making the Coolpix P2 a good choice for anyone who wants an easy-to-use camera that delivers good-looking pictures with pleasing color and plenty of resolution.
The WiFi feature adds to the price and is still not as brainless / painless as it might be, but is reasonably easy to set up, has a high "cool factor," and the Shoot & Transfer mode could be a load of fun at parties. Come read the full Nikon Coolpix P2 review for more.
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