Nikon Coolpix B500: The Perfect Point-and-Shoot Camera for Beginners

Are you a newbie in the world of photography and looking for a camera that is easy to use and offers stunning image quality? Look no further than the Nikon Coolpix B500. This compact and user-friendly point-and-shoot camera is ideal for shooting on the go, making it perfect for travel and everyday use. In this blog, we'll dive into the features and benefits of the Nikon Coolpix B500, and why it's a great choice for beginners.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Coolpix B500 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 23 2016

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1/2.3"
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight541g
MSRP$299USD

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Overview of the Coolpix B500

Photography is an art form that deserves to be explored by one and all. However, the vast array of cameras available in the market can make it difficult for beginners to choose the right one. This is where the Nikon Coolpix B500 comes in. With features like a 40x optical zoom, 16-megapixel sensor, and easy-to-use controls, this camera is perfect for anyone who wants to capture beautiful moments with ease. In this blog, we'll explore why the Nikon Coolpix B500 is the ideal choice for beginners who want to take their photography to the next level.

Nikon Coolpix B500 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Coolpix B500 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

40x optical zoom
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Easy-to-use interface
Vibration Reduction technology
Large LCD screen
Affordable price point
Shoots in RAW format
Good battery life

Cons

No touchscreen function
Limited manual control
No 4K video recording
No viewfinder
Slow autofocus in low-light conditions
Image quality suffers at high ISO levels
No external microphone input
Bulkier and heavier than some competitors.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Coolpix B500

Weather sealed
Dimensions114 x 78 x 95mm
Weight541g
Thickness95mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Coolpix B500 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution921k dots
Body typeSLR-like (bridge)

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Nikon Coolpix B500 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Nikon Coolpix B500 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Coolpix B500 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon Coolpix B500 has a 16MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Nikon Coolpix B500 has a native ISO range of 80 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Feb 23 2016

Announced

80 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3"
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4608 x 3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon Coolpix B500 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Coolpix B500 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3"

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life600 shots
Battery Model4 x AA
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Coolpix B500 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon Coolpix B500 uses the 4 x AA model of aa. This is rated for 600 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon Coolpix B500 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Nikon Coolpix B500 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon Coolpix B500 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon Coolpix B500?

The Nikon Coolpix B500 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon Coolpix B500 weather sealed?

No the Coolpix B500 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Coolpix B500 announced?

The Nikon Coolpix B500 was announced on Feb 23 2016

Does the Nikon Coolpix B500 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Coolpix B500 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon Coolpix B500?

The Coolpix B500 has a native ISO range of 80-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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