Capture Breathtaking Photos with the Nikon Coolpix P510

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the Nikon Coolpix P510 camera and explore its capabilities in capturing stunning photos. We will cover its features such as the impressive 42x zoom lens, the advanced CMOS sensor, and the intuitive controls that will allow you to take your photography skills to the next level.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Coolpix P510 article cover photo

Key Features

Jul 05 2012

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight555g
MSRP$429USD

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Overview of the Coolpix P510

Are you looking for a versatile camera that can capture stunning photos in any situation? Look no further than the Nikon Coolpix P510. This camera is ideal for amateur and professional photographers alike, with a variety of features that will help you take your photography to the next level. With a powerful 42x zoom lens, the Nikon Coolpix P510 lets you capture incredible detail from far away. Thanks to its advanced CMOS sensor, you can snap clear and sharp photos even in low-light conditions. And with its intuitive controls and easy-to-use interface, you'll be taking breathtaking photos in no time. Whether you're capturing nature scenes, sports events, or family portraits, the Nikon Coolpix P510 is the perfect camera for any situation. So why wait? Invest in this top-of-the-line camera today and start capturing beautiful photos that you'll treasure forever.

Nikon Coolpix P510 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Coolpix P510 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

High zoom range (42x optical zoom)
Image stabilization
Great image quality
Manual control options
Easy to use interface
Fast autofocus
HD video quality
Good low-light performance
Built-in GPS
Lightweight and compact

Cons

Expensive compared to other point-and-shoot cameras
Slow shot-to-shot time
No RAW file support
Limited manual focus options
No external flash support
Battery life could be better
Low resolution electronic viewfinder
No touch screen
Limited customizable function buttons
Limited focus range at full zoom.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Coolpix P510

Weather sealed
Dimensions120 x 83 x 102mm
Weight555g
Thickness102mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Coolpix P510 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 FinderElectronic
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 P510 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

Coolpix P510 includes a electronic viewfinder with n/a of resolution with a coverage of n/a and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon Coolpix P510 has a 16MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Nikon Coolpix P510 has a native ISO range of 100 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jul 05 2012

Announced

100 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
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 P510 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 P510 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-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life200 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL5
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Coolpix P510 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 P510 uses the EN-EL5 model of battery pack. This is rated for 200 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 P510 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 P510 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, 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 P510 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 P510?

The Nikon Coolpix P510 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon Coolpix P510 weather sealed?

No the Coolpix P510 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Coolpix P510 announced?

The Nikon Coolpix P510 was announced on Jul 05 2012

Does the Nikon Coolpix P510 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Coolpix P510 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 P510?

The Coolpix P510 has a native ISO range of 100-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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