The Nikon Coolpix P2 turns in a below average performance, unlike its 8 megapixel sibling the Nikon Coolpix P1. With its soft images, noticeable barrel distortion and distinct color-cast, pictures from the P2 are quite average for a camera in its class. The wireless feature may add to its value, but picture quality is more important. On the outside, there aren't many differences with the P1 but it seems that the color tones of the P2 are distinctly more subdued and its metering is not as accurate. Additionally, the different sensor of the P2 produces overly soft images. Another weakness of the P2 is its poorly visible LCD combined with the lack of an optical viewfinder. This digital camera is slow for spur-of-the-moment shots, due to its very slow startup of over 3s and quite slow shot-to-shoot speeds.

Beware of the Nikon P2s price though, since you can get a superior camera without the wireless feature for a similar price. The Canon Powershot A610 and Fuji Finepix E550 are both very good full-featured digital cameras which demonstrate this. Photographically these cameras are considerably superior to the P2, thus posing an interesting dilemma for those wanting wireless capability from their digital camera.

Note: the Nikon P2 shares the same wireless capabilities as the P1. The text below is identical to the one in the P1 review, except for the model number.

The wireless feature of the Nikon Coolpix P2 is implemented as a distinct shooting mode, similar to a scene mode. In this mode, this camera is completely point-and-shoot, just like in Auto mode. Wireless transfers can be done only to computers running Nikon Picture Project software, so checking the hardware and operating system requirements published by Nikon is a must. Its too bad, that Nikon (and Kodak too) has not used an open standards such as FTP or NFS to transfer files. This would have allowed the wireless camera to communicate with most computers and even some network appliances. Nikon sells an optional adapter for wireless printing to expand the P1's wireless abilities. Again, check for printer requirements with Nikon.

Contrarily to the Kodak Easyshare One, the Nikon P2 can use 802.11g protocol which is faster than the 802.11b. While this prevents the P2 from slowing down an existing 802.11g network, it does not help with the speed of wireless image transfers since the P1 transmits at rates far lower than even the 802.11b protocol allows. Finally, the P2 does not support WPA security which means that a security downgrade may be required for using this camera.