Take a very wide-angle stabilized 24X optical zoom lens and ad full-manual controls, that is the Nikon Coolpix P90. It is freedom to compose and expose to your liking, from close or far.

 

This is a fun camera but it is not without limitations. Image quality, particularly noise-levels and details suffer, as does exposure. So much, that the P90 cannot be treated as a point-and-shoot. Well, it has an Auto mode, but one needs to adjust exposure so often that extra attention is required. The EVF and LCD both have poor coverage and battery-life is as low as it gets, unfortunately.

 

The good side includes its speed of operation, which for this is class, is quite good. Even continuous shooting is sustainable for several seconds. Colors can be good, with the right white-balance, and so is focus when the light is there. Ergonomics and usability - aside from a few quirks - are simple and comfortable as well.

 

The bottom line is that the flexibility and package of the Nikon Coolpix P90 comes at a cost. When portability trumps image quality and there is time to adjust WB and exposure right, this digital camera can be quite fun.

 

Read the full P90 review.