Since the Coolpix 8800 (September 2004), Nikon decided to no longer produce veritable bridges and instead more preferred to favor its entry level reflex line; the D50, D40, and D40x.  However, given that the bridge market isn’t moribund, Nikon decided to come back to the segment with the P80 which is equipped with an 18x zoom and optical stabilization.  So, how does it fare compared to its rivals?

Handling

The Nikon Coolpix P80 is most likely the most compact 18x bridge on the current market.  In this way, it is thinner than the Olympus SP570 UZ, Fujifilm S8100fd and Panasonic FZ18.  However, this wasn’t to the detriment of handling and the well proportioned grip allows a solid hold.  Controls are well placed and easily accessible.  Only the startup button is undersized and the lack of shortcuts is unfortunate because it can make more ‘’advanced’’ use a bit tricky (for example, no ISO or exposure mode buttons).  We also weren’t thrilled that certain functions (macro, fast burst, etc.) were only accessible via scene modes.  The 2.7 inch LCD is comfortable and offers a nice fluid image (even in poor lighting) while viewing angles are rather large.  In full sun it is relatively usable otherwise you can fall back on the electronic viewfinder which, although it isn’t perfect (the image loses contrast), is still a rather decent alternative.

Stopwatch readings weren’t overly flattering for the Coolpix P80.  Plan on more than 2 seconds for startup, 2 seconds between two photos (the flash can make this even longer) while the autofocus is much too hesitant in both wide angle and tele.  It’s a generalized slowness that can really take away the pleasure of photography.  The burst mode laboriously attains 1 i/s in standard mode and then 13 i/s in reduced definition (2048x1536 pixels).

In the small disappointments department, we could also put the threadscrew not being aligned with the lens and the absence of an exposure bar.


Image quality

The photographer could maybe settle for this unpleasant lack of reactivity if image quality was excellent.  Sadly, we have to say that the P80 is a bit disappointing in this area, although the lens produces good results with good sharpness throughout the entire focal range as well as being homogenous on the surface of the image.  Chromatic aberrations are very discreet and vignetting is slightly visible in tele.   Purple fringes are well controlled and only occasionally visible in macro on well contrasted subjects.  Rather it’s noise control that is dramatic.  Billowing is perceptible at 100 ISO (on the screen at 100%, not on A4 prints) and smoothing is significant as it already affects details at 200, 400 and then 800 ISO. At 1600 ISO the Nikon P80 produces similar images with most other compacts.  On an A4 print, it’s difficult to see a real difference as 10 Mpix definition partly compensates for the loss of detail noted above.

As usual, white balance is good outdoors but becomes very cold indoors (as on our still-life test scene).  On the other hand, exposure is often perfect.   Finally, video isn't too extraordinary and it tends to be overexposed in scenes.


So, between Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic and Nikon, which one to choose?

With the arrival of the Nikon P80, the question naturally comes up.  The four choices (Fujifilm S8100fd, Olympus SP570 UZ, Panasonic FZ18 and Nikon P80) all have fine construction.  While the P80 is the most compact, the other bridges equally offer very pleasant handling.  In terms of image quality, all are rather close (while noise control is rather mediocre) with some specificities; the Fujifilm S8100fd offers better noise control and neutral colors, the Olympus SP570 UZ has nice colors and excellent quality at 64 ISO, while the Panasonic (despite "its older age") is entirely competitive and is especially very reactive compared to its rivals (notably, this latest Nikon).