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Nikon has managed to provide easy access to camera settings by using the mode dial to change ISO, white balance, etc. Keeping them on the mode dial prevents the camera from getting too "buttony" and losing the ease of use for people who want to have simple operation."

...While it's easy enough for a beginner to capture great images, the real attraction of the Nikon Coolpix P3 is you can go a bit beyond its automatic control; creating rather than merely capturing images. Nikon's Feature System helps the novice use the Coolpix P3, but tools like Vibration Reduction and fast shot-to-shot options make more choices available to anyone who turns them on. And with Wireless G transfers and printing, the Nikon Coolpix P3 is convenient and fun, too...."

The Coolpix P3 is infinitely more powerful than my old swivel-body 900 was. It's also smaller, lighter and costs a lot less. However, it looks just like an ordinary camera now, a squat little box. No more elegant, complex swivel-body. Maybe that is because as digital cameras got ever smaller, it no longer made sense to use that somewhat complex design.

Overall, the Nikon Coolpix P3 is a competent compact that takes excellent pictures. It is an unobtrusive camera that is easy to use and like. It doesn't look fancy like some of today's ultra-slims or prior "swivel-body" Nikons. Instead, the P3 counts on Nikon quality and some interesting technology to impress."

There’s something definitely likeable about these two new Coolpix models. While the sleek, rounded metal construction definitely owes something to Canon’s latest top-of-the-line ELPH models, because these Coolpixes are cast from aluminum they feel lighter and more resistant to scratching. The 8 MPs in both cameras is impressive and features like VR are great ideas, but we’d like to fully put these models through their paces to see how effective the vibration reduction is in a variety of settings and circumstances. Also, while the P3features WiFi for an extra $50, the jury is still out on what the real practical applications this affords the user. Plus, it would be nice to see Nikon throw in their Wireless Print Adaptor for free."

The P3 is a compact (but not tiny) metal camera with a 3.5X optical zoom lens and a 2.5" LCD display. The camera is well put together for the most part, though the plastic door over the memory card and battery compartment is especially flimsy. While having a little extra zoom is nice, the big story here is Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) system, which reduces the effects of camera shake, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds than you could otherwise. As you saw earlier in the review, the VR system is effective for both still and movie recording. The camera's LCD is big, bright, and sharp - and visible in low light conditions. Nikon unfortunately left out an optical viewfinder on the P3."

Overall, the Nikon Coolpix P3 is a competent compact that takes excellent pictures. It is an unobtrusive camera that is easy to use and like. It doesn't look fancy like some of today's ultra-slims or prior "swivel-body" Nikons. Instead, the P3 counts on Nikon quality and some interesting technology to impress..."

On the positive side, in pure photo quality terms the P3 is up with the best, and may well be a good choice for the experienced photographer who likes to take a little more control at the shooting stage and - critically - likes a clean image for post-processing. Macro performance is excellent, the Vibration Reduction system useful, and the Wi-Fi capabilities (though limited) will have appeal to some users."

The IEEE 802.11g (and b) Wi-Fi set up is a neat addition to the camera and when properly set up (which can be a bit of a challenge, I found it less than straight forward) allows direct wireless printing via compatible printers and connecting the camera to a PC for offloading images directly to a hard disc without the need of a cable.

Overall, image quality is superb, some frame filling shots of colourful rugs are so detailed and sharp that even stray carpet fibers are clearly defined in the photos."