Background and Identification

The Nikon COOLPIX B500 is a mid-tier superzoom point and shoot camera. It is sold in black, purple, and red body colors. The camera includes a NIKKOR glass lens and a flip-up LCD (liquid-crystal display). Nikon is a Japanese corporation specializing in optics and imaging products.

The Nikon COOLPIX B500 features a 16-megapixel low-light sensor, Lens-Shift Vibration Reduction (VR), menus and controls, creative effects, and automatic operation. The camera can be connected to a compatible smartphone through Bluetooth for instant photo sharing and remote camera control. Nikon’s SnapBridge application on smartphones and tablets allows each photo or video to automatically transfer to the user’s device for sharing, editing, or uploading media. It features 40-times optical zoom, Dynamic Fine Zoom, and an enhanced digital zoom which doubles the effective zoom. Lens Shift Vibration Reduction (VR) is designed to keep photos and videos steady at long distances. The camera’s Easy Auto Mode automatically optimizes the camera settings for each photo or video.

The Nikon COOLPIX B500 can take up to 600 photos on four regular AA alkaline batteries. The camera includes the name “Nikon” in white font at the top of the camera’s front face. The words “NIKKOR 40X Wide Optical Zoom ED VR” in all capital letters at the top of the camera’s lens.

Technical Specifications

Type: Compact Digital Camera

Image Sensor:

  • Effective Pixels (Megapixels): 16.0 million
  • Image Sensor: CMOS
  • Sensor Size: 1/ 2.3 in.
  • Total Pixels: 16.76 million (approx.)
  • Image Size (pixels): 4608 x 3456 (16M)

Lens:

  • Lens: 40x optical Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens
  • Lens Focal Length: 4.0-160mm (angle of view equivalent to that of 22.5–900 mm lens in 35mm [135] format)
  • Lens f/-number: f/3-6.5
  • Lens Construction: 12 elements in 9 groups (3 ED lens elements)
  • Lens Zoom: 40x
  • Digital Zoom: Up to 4x (angle of view equivalent to that of approx. 3,600mm lens in 35mm [135] format)
  • Vibration Reduction:
    • Lens shift VR (still pictures)
    • Lens-shift and Electronic VR (movies)
  • Aperture: Electronically controlled ND filter (-2.0 AV) insertion

Autofocus:

  • Autofocus (AF): Contrast-detect AF
  • Autofocus (AF) Focus-area Selection
    • Center
    • Face-priority
    • Manual with 99 focus areas
    • Subject tracking
    • Target Finding AF
  • Focus Range
    • Approx. 1 ft. (30 cm.) to infinity
    • [T]: Approx. 11 ft. (3.5 m) to infinity
    • Macro mode: Approx. 0.4 in. (1 cm.) to infinity (wide-angle position) (All distances measured from the center of the front surface of lens)

Monitor:

  • Monitor Size: 3.0 in. diagonal
  • Monitor Type:
    • TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
    • 5-level brightness adjustment
    • Tilting TFT LCD
  • Monitor Resolution: 921,000-dots
  • Monitor Frame Coverage (shooting mode):
    • 98% horizontal (Approx.)
    • 98% vertical (Approx.) (compared to actual picture)
  • Monitor Frame Coverage (playback mode):
    • 100% horizontal (Approx.)
    • 100% vertical (Approx.) (compared to actual picture)

File System:

  • Storage Media:
    • SD memory card
    • SDHC memory card
    • SDXC memory card
  • Storage File System
    • DCF
    • EXIF 2.3 compliant
  • Storage File Formats:
    • Still pictures: JPEG
    • Movies: MP4 (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, Audio: AAC stereo)

Sensitivity:

  • ISO Sensitivity: ISO 125 - 1600
    • ISO 3200, 6400 (available when using P, S, A or M mode)

Shutter:

  • Shutter: Mechanical and CMOS electronic shutter
  • Shutter Speed
    • 1/1500-1 sec.
    • 1/4000 sec. (maximum speed during high-speed continuous shooting)
    • 25 sec. (Star trails in Multiple Exposure Lighten Scene Mode)
  • Top Continuous Shooting Speed at Full Resolution
    • Up to 7 shots at approx. 7.4 frames per second
  • Self-Timer: Can be selected from 10, 2 and 5 seconds duration (self-portrait timer)

Flash:

  • Built-in flash Range (approx.) (ISO sensitivity: Auto):
    • [W]: 0.5 to 6.9m (1 ft. 8 in. to 22 ft.)
    • [T]: 3.5m (11 ft.)
  • Built-in Flash Control: TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes
  • Built-in Flash: Yes

Interface:

  • Interface: Hi-speed USB
  • HDMI Output: HDMI micro connector (Type D)
  • Wi-Fi Functionality: Yes
  • Smart Device App Connectivity: SnapBridge
  • Bluetooth: Yes

Power:

  • Power Sources:
    • Four EN-MH2 rechargeable Ni-MH batteries (available separately)
    • Four FR6/L91 (AA-size) lithium batteries
    • Four LR6/L40 (AA-size) alkaline batteries
    • AC Adapter EH-67 (available separately)
  • Battery / Batteries: AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Oxyride or Lithium)
  • Battery Life (shots per charge):
    • AA Alkaline:  600 shots
    • AA Lithium:  1,240 shots
    • EN-MH2:  750 shots

Miscellaneous:

  • Tripod Socket: ¼ in. (ISO 1222)
  • Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 4.5 in.  (113.5 mm) x  3.1 in.  (78.3 mm) x  3.8 in. (94.9 mm)
  • Approx. Weight: 19.1 oz. (542 g) with battery and memory card
  • Operating Environment:
    • Humidity: Less than 85% (no condensation)
    • Temperature: 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F)

Additional Information