Nikon Coolpix P500 puts the mega in megazoom

By Shane McGlaun/Feb. 9, 2011 5:09 am EST

Zoom on a camera is like download speed for your internet connection, you can always use more. I want to be able to zoom in on my kid from the back of the auditorium and get good image quality. Nikon has a new point and shoot that will let you zoom in from a long way away from your subject called the P500.

The P500 has a massive 36x zoom lens, which is the equivalent of an 810mm lens on a 35mm camera. The lens is also wide angle with 22.5mm. Naturally, with so much zoom you need blur reduction tech and Nikon includes 5-way vibration reduction coupled with fast shutter speeds.

The camera has 12.1MP resolution and uses the EXPEED C2 image processor. It has 19 different scene modes, can record video at 1080p resolution with the touch of a button, and has an integrated stereo microphone. The camera also sports HDMI output and has 19 different automatic scene modes and lots more. Images are stored to SD/HC/XC card ISO is up to 3200. The P500 will land in March for $399.95.