Nikon Coolpix P530 Review: The Ultimate Zoom Camera for Photography Enthusiasts

Looking for a powerful zoom camera? Look no further than the Nikon Coolpix P530. With 42x zoom and a 16-megapixel sensor, this camera is perfect for photography enthusiasts who want to capture the details of any subject. Read on for a full review of its features, pros, and cons.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Coolpix P530 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 07 2014

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight494g
MSRP$449USD

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Overview of the Coolpix P530

The Nikon Coolpix P530 is a top-of-the-line digital camera that's perfect for photographers who love to shoot from a distance. With a powerful 42x zoom lens, this camera can capture even the tiniest details from afar. Whether you're photographing wildlife in the great outdoors or capturing the best moments at a wedding, the Coolpix P530 has you covered. In this blog post, we'll dive deeper into the features that make this camera a top choice for photography enthusiasts. So, let's get started and discover what makes the Nikon Coolpix P530 a perfect option for your photographic needs!

Nikon Coolpix P530 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Coolpix P530 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

42x optical zoom
16 megapixel sensor
Full HD video recording
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
Vari-angle LCD display

Cons

No touchscreen functionality
No external microphone port
Lacks advanced manual controls
Slow autofocus speed
Below average low-light performance

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Coolpix P530

Weather sealed
Dimensions123 x 84 x 98mm
Weight494g
Thickness98mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Coolpix P530 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 TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution921k dots
Body typeSLR-like (bridge)

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Nikon Coolpix P530 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 P530 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 P530 has a 16MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Nikon Coolpix P530 has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - 12800.

Key Features

Feb 07 2014

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - 12800
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 P530 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 P530 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 Life240 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL5
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Coolpix P530 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 P530 uses the EN-EL5 model of battery pack. This is rated for 240 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 P530 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 P530 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 P530 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 9 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 P530?

The Nikon Coolpix P530 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon Coolpix P530 weather sealed?

No the Coolpix P530 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Coolpix P530 announced?

The Nikon Coolpix P530 was announced on Feb 07 2014

Does the Nikon Coolpix P530 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Coolpix P530 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 P530?

The Coolpix P530 has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-12800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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