The D900 is my ‘family/vacation/tourist camera. It’s when I leave my Canon 5dMk III and IV home and have used the Nikon D900 for four weeks in China (7,000 photos), a Belize diving trip (2k shots), a Bahamas sailing trip (1250k) and Florida 3 week diving/touristing trip. the ufALL shots were VERY well done and easily documented the fun of our vacations. Of course it’s not aDSLR and comparisons to my pro rigs are plain stupid and mis-focused. Who needs RAW when the average viewing time of a vacation shot is about 3.5 seconds and no big blowup or post-production work is expected? Get over yourselves folks and compare apples to apples. The stupidly name “prosumers” cameras have a place in the real world and should ONLY be compared to their intended use.
Thomas F Moffatt
April 4, 2020 11:59 am
Five years after the camera was reviewed in this column, I must say that some have made this camera “sing”. In the Canadian province where I live, one wild bird photographer has taken absolutely amazing and sharp “portraits” of species, especially forest songbirds and shorebirds. They really are incredible, like bird portraits if they were taken by Karsh. Timing may be nearly everything in this case, but the P900 certainly held up its end of the equation. I have been totally blown away with her images. (I use a Nikon D7200 with 300 pf lens and 1.4x nikon extender. She does much better than I do).
James Duquesnel
December 28, 2017 9:22 am
“Bird watchers… not looking forward to spending a ton… on big and heavy gear will be delighted,” but a “poor choice for wildlife?” So… only pet canaries & budgies? Excellent review (& P900 does look like fun) but wondering what compromise you might recommend to birders not wanting to disturb their subject.
Joegolf
September 25, 2017 9:44 pm
I’ve been researching high optical bridge cameras for several weeks. I’ve read many reviews. Some reviews were good, yours was excellent. Thank you. On a side note, any political commentary is guaranteed to tick off at least 40% of the country. Unfortunately America’s tribalism is at pre civil war levels and the media is cheering as ratings increase. Just a thought on what was probably a surprise backlash from what was intended to be a lighthearted commented you made. Again, thanks for the excellent review. I’m pretty sure I’ll own a P900 soon. Joe
I agree, Joegolf. I like Sarah, and the comment was a mild put-off. Things are a lot worse in late 2020. It seems artists and conservatives rarely mix well.
gfmucci
December 1, 2020 4:56 pm
Have you looked at the newer 950? It added RAW and improved the viewer resolution. But have they speeded up the focus and cache issues you mentioned? Are the improvements worth the extra $200 -$300?
Moirangthem Somorendro
December 27, 2019 7:02 pm
I have the camera. One thing you professionally narrates and which leaves me envious of your know how is picture taken at so and so “mm”. By any chance can you share how it’s done. Thanks.
The focal length used should be stored in the jpg file – you just need software to read it. The free Irfanview photo viewer/editor will do this, as will many other programs.
Richard Angeloni
June 11, 2019 3:53 pm
I just picked up the P900 since it was on sale and it looks like a fun camera to use (I enjoy bird photography and zoom photography in general). One thing I noticed when using it on a tripod is the difficulty keeping it steady, which is certainly expected at 2000mm since the camera’s zoom telescopes so much. I think Nikon messed up by placing the hole for the tripod off a bit on the side (not in the center) on a weaker part of the camera. To compensate, I bought a lens tripod collar mount ring to hopefully add some stability and keep the tripod under the center of the camera. Still it’s a fun camera to use, and I think anyone who knows how to use a camera can get good results.
Joe
May 11, 2018 9:49 am
Great review. While researching the P900 I came across rumors for a P1000 with X125 zoom, 4K video and to shoot in raw. Anyone else have info on this?
Roger Forsman
April 11, 2018 11:13 pm
Great review, I think I learned more from this review than from the Nikon Manual….not a pro photographer just want to pretend I am and this camera is just about perfect for my needs. Like you I found I accidentally hit the rec. button too easily and it’s a little difficult changing settings but I can live with it,
Dave
January 21, 2018 12:49 pm
Great review. Any chance you could do a like review of the Canon SX60 HS. I have the SX40HS. I have been informed by many photography shops in the UK to stick with a bridge camera for the telephoto zoom, as the money I would need to spend to get the same focal length would not be worth it as I’ m not a professional and not using on a daily basis. Even thou picture quality would be better with a full DSLR.
The D900 is my ‘family/vacation/tourist camera. It’s when I leave my Canon 5dMk III and IV home and have used the Nikon D900 for four weeks in China (7,000 photos), a Belize diving trip (2k shots), a Bahamas sailing trip (1250k) and Florida 3 week diving/touristing trip. the ufALL shots were VERY well done and easily documented the fun of our vacations. Of course it’s not aDSLR and comparisons to my pro rigs are plain stupid and mis-focused. Who needs RAW when the average viewing time of a vacation shot is about 3.5 seconds and no big blowup or post-production work is expected? Get over yourselves folks and compare apples to apples. The stupidly name “prosumers” cameras have a place in the real world and should ONLY be compared to their intended use.
Five years after the camera was reviewed in this column, I must say that some have made this camera “sing”. In the Canadian province where I live, one wild bird photographer has taken absolutely amazing and sharp “portraits” of species, especially forest songbirds and shorebirds. They really are incredible, like bird portraits if they were taken by Karsh. Timing may be nearly everything in this case, but the P900 certainly held up its end of the equation. I have been totally blown away with her images. (I use a Nikon D7200 with 300 pf lens and 1.4x nikon extender. She does much better than I do).
“Bird watchers… not looking forward to spending a ton… on big and heavy gear will be delighted,” but a “poor choice for wildlife?” So… only pet canaries & budgies? Excellent review (& P900 does look like fun) but wondering what compromise you might recommend to birders not wanting to disturb their subject.
I’ve been researching high optical bridge cameras for several weeks. I’ve read many reviews. Some reviews were good, yours was excellent. Thank you.
On a side note, any political commentary is guaranteed to tick off at least 40% of the country. Unfortunately America’s tribalism is at pre civil war levels and the media is cheering as ratings increase. Just a thought on what was probably a surprise backlash from what was intended to be a lighthearted commented you made.
Again, thanks for the excellent review. I’m pretty sure I’ll own a P900 soon.
Joe
I agree, Joegolf. I like Sarah, and the comment was a mild put-off. Things are a lot worse in late 2020. It seems artists and conservatives rarely mix well.
Have you looked at the newer 950? It added RAW and improved the viewer resolution. But have they speeded up the focus and cache issues you mentioned? Are the improvements worth the extra $200 -$300?
I have the camera. One thing you professionally narrates and which leaves me envious of your know how is picture taken at so and so “mm”. By any chance can you share how it’s done. Thanks.
The focal length used should be stored in the jpg file – you just need software to read it. The free Irfanview photo viewer/editor will do this, as will many other programs.
I just picked up the P900 since it was on sale and it looks like a fun camera to use (I enjoy bird photography and zoom photography in general). One thing I noticed when using it on a tripod is the difficulty keeping it steady, which is certainly expected at 2000mm since the camera’s zoom telescopes so much. I think Nikon messed up by placing the hole for the tripod off a bit on the side (not in the center) on a weaker part of the camera. To compensate, I bought a lens tripod collar mount ring to hopefully add some stability and keep the tripod under the center of the camera. Still it’s a fun camera to use, and I think anyone who knows how to use a camera can get good results.
Great review. While researching the P900 I came across rumors for a P1000 with X125 zoom, 4K video and to shoot in raw. Anyone else have info on this?
Great review, I think I learned more from this review than from the Nikon Manual….not a pro photographer just want to pretend I am and this camera is just about perfect for my needs. Like you I found I accidentally hit the rec. button too easily and it’s a little difficult changing settings but I can live with it,
Great review. Any chance you could do a like review of the Canon SX60 HS. I have the SX40HS. I have been informed by many photography shops in the UK to stick with a bridge camera for the telephoto zoom, as the money I would need to spend to get the same focal length would not be worth it as I’ m not a professional and not using on a daily basis. Even thou picture quality would be better with a full DSLR.