Looking for Answers about Nikon Inc. COOLPIX P500?

Just download the new update. It will work then....Finally a solution to the problem.

I experienced the same issue. After trying several different options (including changing the charging settings and using different batteries) I returned my camera to the store 3 weeks ago and obtained a replacement. This new unit has been perfect (even with the standard factory settings and the original batteries). My experience has confirmed (at least in my mind) that the problem is real and requires something more definite from Nikon to resolve.

After a few days I can now confirm that turning the "Charge by Computer" option OFF indeed fixes the battery issues. I've left my P500 unplugged for several days, and it still shows 100% battery charge.

If I turn the option to "auto" (default), it won't last a single day.

So, Nikon... how can this be user's fault?

In the DPreview forums, some users suggested this problem could be "fixed" by disabling the USB charging function (set it from AUTO to OFF). If this is the case, then it definitely proves its a firmware issue, and Nikon should acknowledge it.

I've just disabled it, and will see how it behaves in the next couple of days.

Also having the exact same problem. I've upgrade from the P100 to the P500, and battery life is abysmal. If I happen to leave the P500 not plugged to the power, even after a single day the battery is completely dead! (And the camera was off the entire time)

How can this be acceptable?

I just hope this is a firmware issue, something not properly entering a power-save mode or sleep when we turn the camera off, that can be fixed via firmware update - but it really is unacceptable for such a brand like Nikon.

I sincerely hope this can be fixed ASAP!

Just got the camera last week and I encountered the exact same problem a week later with the battery 60% depleted. It would not turn on until I remove battery and reinsert. By the way, the shot count I get seems to be way less than the 220 claimed by Nikon. When camera is in certain scene mode with macro AF, a continual clicking noise (focusing?) can be heard even after subject is in focus. I suspect this might be hurting battery life. This is my first Nikon superzoom point&shoot and I'm very disappointment in this purchase so far.

I am just back from my first vacation with my new P500 and have had what seems to be the same problem several times. What happens is that I turn off the camera the usual way, with a fully or almost fully charged battery, Then the next time I try to turn it on, there is no reaciton whatsoever. Only once did I mange to solve the problem by removing the battery and reinserting it. 4-5 times (in just 1 week!) the only solution was to recharge the battery, which appeared to be flat. If this appearance is true, then the camera must have discharged the battery for some reason.

I guess the problem must either be in the firmware (wrong read of battery status), or in the hardware.

Tomas, you're right. We figured it out a couple days after this post. Then it got to the point where putting the battery back in didn't work and we couldn't get it to charge at all (either with the wall charger or on the computer). So we took the whole thing back to where we bought it and got another one. This one is behaving properly so far...don't know if it's a battery or battery casing issue, but it's obvious we aren't the only ones having issues!

Hi,
It might be same type of problem that I am experiencing, posted a question here today, I will quote my question bellow.
But in short just remove and reinsert battery and see if it does not work again.

A bit interested to see if you have the same problem as I do, I will check back for your answer later.

Regards,
Tomas

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My question here entered today:

P500 with firmware v1.0.
Works like a charm but twice now it have not reacted on the power button when in off state.
The only way to get it working is to remove the battery and reinsert it and it will then power up nicely.
Battery is fully charged.
Is this a known problem that will be fixed in future firmware update? or send it in for repair?

No problems otherwise with this nice product.

Regards,
Tomas

You probably need to download the firmware update that allows support for that memory card, found here: http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17414. You might need a memory card that the camera can read in order to install the firmware though.

I think the answer is in the footnotes of this document :
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17202
"SDXC-I or SDHC-I Compliant Memory is a relatively new speed class and is not listed as supported at this time."
I think that SDHC-I means UHS-I
Bad news!

I have exactly the same issue: a brand new Sandisk SDHC UHS-I 8GB class10 200x card (which is in the approved Nikon P500 approved cards list) refuses to work after one power cycle. The card works fine in an other camera and the P500 works fine with other cards. The contacts are clean, I reformat it with a computer and the P500: same issue. There is a severe incompatibilty with this card.

I have tried 2 different (new) Scandisk 16gb extreme cards in four different p500 bodies and each body eventually gave the error "This card cannot be used". I also tried an Scandisck 8GB Extreme card and was able to shoot about 250 photos (including a few videos) before it gave this error. I replaced it with an Scandisk 8GB Ultra card (sorry I don't know the classes on these. I think the Extreme is class 10 and the Ultra is obviously lower). So far the Ultra has worked fine for 250+ photos. This is obviously a firmware issue. Nikon should stop repeating the instructions in the manual and start working on a firmware update.

Note: I used the same 16GB cards in my D40 body with no problems whatsoever. It's not the cards that are the problem it is the p500.

I have had the camera 1 hour "Card cannot be read" randomly, I have tried a few cards.
This camera is going back.

Most likely 1080i is your TV's capability.

1080p and 1080i have the same resolution and quality given a quality connection from your camera to tv... Example 1080p will run smoother video over say a wireless connection, like antenna.. while 1080i pushed into low bandwidth situations will show a jumpy jaggy picture..
Bottom line is a standard hdmi connection will be fine.. and 1080i verse 1080p would look the same through a normal hdmi cable..

use an external viewer. the HDMI port on this model and the D7000 too seems to be crippled and cannot output 1080p.

The new cameras are available at the dealers after 30 or 45 days of the release date.

As of today, 3/5, Best Buy is showing an availability date of 3/27.

use the little "wheel" on the top of the camera. move it so its on SCENE. then press MENU and find panorama!

There are 2 options for taking panoramas:
One helps you takes pictures next to each other, so with a software (panorama maker is provided with the camera) you can stich these pictures and make your panorama.
The other option, very nice by the way, allows you to point to one point, take the picture, and move the camera to the right and left, and it will take the whole panorama in one picture directly, you have the option of capturing 180 or 360 degrees with this mode. I tried today and it works fine.

The reply by the Nikon staff did not really answer my question. The P500 has a vari-angle LCD but what I meant was why the LCD that swivels 180 degrees to the left of the camera (like in the old 8800) was discontinued. The newer versions won't let you mount the camera in the tripod & be able to look at the LCD while standing in front of the camera at the same time.

I was able to purchase an adapter on Amazon for really reasonable price that attaches to the lense of my P500. It has threads on the end and I am now able to use any type of filter I want.

I think the answer is in the footnotes of this document :
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17202
"SDXC-I or SDHC-I Compliant Memory is a relatively new speed class and is not listed as supported at this time."
I think that SDHC-I means UHS-I
Bad news!

Mine did the same thing, don't know why but if it happens again I will take the camera back as this usually points to trouble on down the road.

The picture is taken very fast and also has a mode called "pre shutter" so it records the previous pictures when you have pressed the button to the half to focus, I think this one is very good for what you're looking for, but I cannot tell you so much because I haven't compared with other models, just can tell you by my own experience is a good choice.

I believe you use the software that came with the P500 to stitch more than one pic together.

Try removing, then re-seating the battery.
This is the same a re-booting your computer.

call support, did you buy it used?

To ease your mind, I suggest dropping by a camera shop and letting a knowledgeable person actually listen to what you are hearing.

Simplest answer is zoom is a range of focal lengths starting with the smallest. The P100 starts at 26mm whereas the P500 starts at 22.5mm. So at 26x on both cameras the P100 still has the longer telephoto length. But the P500 goes on to a longer length at 36x. Zoom lens are rated by their multiple whereas telephotos are always by their length.

So we look at the other end and compare 678mm to 810mm for the P100 and P500 respectively. It is not quite right but you can think of it as looking through tubes of those lengths and comparing the field of view. You want the smallest field of view to cover your sensor. Percentagewise that is about 20% longer so the effect will not be as dramatic as the the difference between 26 and 36 suggest.

If you think about looking through a tube that is modestly long to start with, it would have to double in length to get half the field of view. But the P500 also gives you 20% more pixels so the resultant image can be "enlarged" more to get the same quality image.

So what should you see? It should be more in proportion to the maximum focal length ratio which is on the order of 20% larger on the LCD and about 40% larger on the computer screen as it is in pixels per inch and you have more pixels. So "enlargement" is automatic there. For prints you can crop out more background and get an equivalently larger image.

For better assistance, please click on the link below in order for you to send some sample images:
Answer Title: How to ask or update a Technical Support question
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Spec wise then yes it is, there is more to it than megapixels, for a start the P500 has manual, shutter and aperture modes, L120 doesn't. One of the main things is the battery, the P500 uses the EN-EL5 rechargeable whereas the L120 uses AA's, this alone would be a reason for many to go for the P500 as you will not have to have countless sets of batteries hanging around.
Video is better, if you are wanting that sort of thing, as its 1080 in P500 compared to 720 in L120. Also the p500 has a tilting screen which could be useful. Having said that the L120 does have some features that better the P500 for example the ISO range is better and the max shutter speed of the L120 at 1/4000th is better than the P500. Both have their pros and cons and at the end of the day its what you are hoping to get out of it that will decide your choice of camera.

30 minutes continously (then stop and start another clip). 4GB for one clip.

Also, please visit our website for information on Digital Photography Techniques:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-E...

Shoot in A mode on the upper dial, and select the lowest f number. Set ISO to600 or higher if not printing large sizes.