large lens housing to avoid creating
shadows. For more creative lighting, the
P1000 also features a hotshoe mount that
will accept external flashguns or a radio trigger
to set off studio lighting. Last on the negative
front, the P1000 is not weather-sealed, so
if it starts raining, photographers will have to
make do shooting from the comfort of the
photography hide, rather than being out in
the wet stuff.
Although I do have a couple of issues with
some button placements, Nikon did get the
positioning absolutely right with the dedicated
Snap Back button, which is located on the side
of the lens next to the zoom switch. Pressing
this button quickly zooms out the lens and then
back in, affording photographers a moment
to locate their subject again before the focal
length quite literally snaps back to whatever
it was set to previously. This trick is especially
useful when you are shooting beyond
2,000mm equivalent and handholding the
P1000, as it can be easy for the subject to fall
out of the frame even by moving the camera
fractionally. The P1000 also offers a feature
that allows the user to select a predetermined
focal length at start-up – meaning that instead
of starting up at the default 24mm, the cameracan start up at various other increments (for
instance, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 85mm,
105mm or 135mm).
Also well placed is the wide control ring that
surrounds the lens. This can be programmed
to change variables such as exposure
compensation, ISO and white balance so that
you can simply twist the ring and adjust the
settings at lightning pace. Those who wish to
capture video to accompany stills can shoot in
4K at 30p or Full HD at 60p; shooting at this
rate will enable photographers to use the
footage at half speed for a slow-motion effect.
At the other extreme, the P1000 also includes
both a ‘Superlapse’ feature that enables users
to create a fast-motion continuous sequence
and time-lapse for more creative footage.An attractive proposition
With an ISO range of 100-6400, the P1000
will force photographers to up the sensitivity in
low-light conditions. With a maximum aperture
of f/8 at 3000mm, slow shutter speeds will
increase the risk of camera shake – so zooming
out a little to select a faster aperture while at
the same time increasing the ISO is the way to
speed up the exposure. From my test images,
I discovered that images taken at ISO 1600
were decent enough, with image quality being
compromised at ISO 3200. Even the burst
rate of 7fps isn’t bad, and although it can’t
compete with DSLRs like the Nikon D500
(10fps), it will enable photographers to capture
action sequences, maximising their chances of
bagging that perfect wildlife moment.At 3000mm,
the barrel
of the lens
extends a long
way, which
can make it a
little bulky to
carry aroundA Macro mode enables
photographers to
capture close-ups too
Nikon P1000 at 50mm,
1/1600sec at f/4.5, ISO 200For a superzoom camera,
the P1000 achieves a high
level of detail and
sharpness within the frame
Nikon P1000 at 1000mm,
1/125sec at f/7.1 , ISO 200Testbench