I bought it as a carry around Substitute for my Nikon D 200. The picture quality rivals my SLR at 8.5X 11 enlargements. it's certainly not as fast as my N 200 but it's far more potable. jpegs reuire less photoshop work than D200. Metering is great under every condition I've exposed it to.

Jim

After 3 SLR's and 10 digital camera's, this to me is the best combination yet of quality, features and full manual control in a relatively small body. After confirming excellent image quality, what drove me to select the P5000 was its active (not software) vibration reduction, finally acceptable images at high ISO, and a menu/function button layout that is easy to use. This is also the first point-and-shoot I've seen with a real hot shoe (albeit for Nikon external flash units). This camera provides immediate access to +/- exposure compensation, one of its buttons can be programmed to your favorite control, and this unit still includes a viewfinder. Shutter speeds range from 1/2000 to 8 seconds and the VR works well enough to enable hand-helds at 1/4 second. The auto ISO range goes up to 800 with 3200 the upper manual limit. It also has more than 2 f-stops (10 choices from 2.7 to 7.6 in wide angle!). It also has a sound-only mode that I find handy for taking notes (or even lectures). I do miss a manual focus capability, but the auto focus works quite well, so it is a small compromise. Finally, this little gem with its rubberized front and rear grip provides a look and feel that are a joy to use.

Right out of the box, I like the fit and finish. The manual isn't that difficult to understand, the icons are the same for other nikon products, so the controls are easy to figure out. Image quality is D200 good. I'm told it's the same sensor. I believe it. The zoom is a bit limiting, but manual control, aperture and shutter priority exposure controls, a viewfinder, and a large, clear 2.5 inch LCD screen make the camera a ball to use. I don't have a clue how well it will hold up, but my coolpix l-4 has taken a great amount of abuse and still ticks. Battery life has been an issue with Nikon point and shoots. This one has a re chargable battery, a good thing. I'm hoping for a long and happy life with the P5000.

This is the camera I carry when I don't have my D-SLR. The image quality is very good and the detail this camera can record is impressive. It does not have manuel focus but I find it's auto focus is fast and very accurate. The VR works, I've done shots in low light, VR on at 1/15 of a second and they are sharp. I like the Black and White mode and that you can electronica ly add different filters, Red, Yellow, Green. The high ASA work, I have done 5 X 7 at ASA 1600 and they looked very good. This camera takes a little getting used to but once mastered is a lot of fun and fast. I use the wide angle adapter lens much of the time and love it. I have ordered the telephoto adapter lens. This camera doesn't do eveything, I don't think there is one point and shoot that does, but it does enough for me.

I am picky, I would have given it back, my husband is the pro, and I miss a little the big zoom, as I am an interior architect. I can't wait to try it with the wide angle. So far I made pictures of our son: playing outside, inside and I made picture of our house and of the street. The alternative for me was anything with an image stabilization, viewfinder or +-wideangle...
The G7 doesn't have a nice feel. the 640 doesn't have the tabulation, the Canon 570 is too limited, the panasonic P&S, didn't have the viewfinder, and multifunction....and yes of course I like image quality but the F 30 is just too dull to be true- its part of the image- 21 st century...????
the P5000 is stylish, great and with the toolset IS the camera.
Enjoy...-