Key Features

The 83x optical zoom of the COOLPIX P950 covers an incredible focal-length range, from wide-angle 24mm1 to super-telephoto 2,000mm1 and everything in between. With a zoom this powerful, you can capture distant subjects far beyond the reach of an ordinary camera—from birds and other animals in the wild, to distant landscapes, aircraft and even planets. Dynamic Fine Zoom2, an enhanced digital zoom that effectively doubles the reach to a 4,000mm1, allowing for even greater zoom potential. At the other end of the spectrum, macro photography can be captured as close as approx. 1 cm/0.4 in.3. From macro close-ups to extreme telephoto superzoom , the COOLPIX P950 delivers sharp, clear and beautiful images, all in a compact, highly portable body.

135mm format equivalent.
2At the maximum image size. The maximum zoom ratio varies by image size. Dynamic Fine Zoom magnification is calculated from the maximum wide-angle position of the optical zoom.
3Distance from the center of the front surface of the lens.

The COOLPIX P950 puts the incredible power of a 2,000mm zoom lens into a compact body that weighs just 2 lb. 3.5 oz. This combination of portability and super-telephoto performance is incredible, giving photographers the freedom to take their creativity to exciting new places.

Image blur can be a major issue, especially with distant subjects and super-telephoto shooting. Thanks to its Dual Detect Optical VR (Vibration Reduction), the COOLPIX P950 effectively reduces image blur caused by camera shake for sharp images of distant subjects even when shooting handheld. In NORMAL mode, images are stabilized with an equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed 5.5 stops faster1, the maximum in the history of Nikon compact digital cameras2.

1Based on CIPA Standards, measured at approx. 350mm (35mm format equivalent).
2As of January, 2020.

The COOLPIX P950’s advanced optical system features a Super ED glass element used in Nikon’s heralded DSLR lenses, which provides higher image-forming capability and effectively reduces chromatic aberration, dynamically achieving superior image quality with super-telephoto shooting. The backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor, with 16.0 effective megapixels and sensitivity up to 6400 ISO, enables the capture of clear, sharp images even in dark shooting situations.

With the COOLPIX P950, you don’t have to wait for image data to write to the memory card before your next shot. Thanks to an increased buffer capacity, you can fire two consecutive bursts in Continuous H mode (up to 10 frames* at approx. 7 fps). Combined with faster AF performance at the telephoto end, it’s easier than ever to nail decisive moments and once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities when shooting elusive wildlife or fast action.

*16 megapixels in NORMAL mode. After two periods of continuous shooting, the next burst of continuous shooting can be started faster than with the P900 even though the number of frames is decreased.

The COOLPIX P950 can record high-quality 4K UHD/30p movies across its entire zoom range, from 24mm all the way up to 2000mm. In Movie manual mode, you can completely control exposure and aperture settings for footage that looks just how you intended. AE can also be locked, even when ambient brightness changes significantly during movie recording. You can even choose the zoom speed during video recording by selecting one of three options with the side zoom control.

With RAW (NRW) file format support, full-resolution still images can be saved that contain all the setting information from the time of the shot, allowing post-capture image editing of white balance, exposure and COOLPIX Picture Controls without affecting the original.

Dynamic time-lapse movies of landscapes and more can be automatically created from a series of still images captured in interval timer shooting. Just select one of five scene mode options and the most appropriate interval is automatically set.

Bulb and Time settings have been added to the COOLPIX P950’s shutter speed options to further customize the look of long exposure images, handy for taking pictures of fireworks, night landscapes, stars, or car light trails. The maximum exposure time for both the Bulb and Time settings is 60 seconds, with ISO sensitivity available up to 1600.

The COOLPIX P950 is equipped with a brilliant dual viewing system, featuring a super high resolution, 2359K-dot eye level electronic viewfinder (EVF), plus a large, bright, 3" 921K-dot Vari-angle LCD display with approximately 99% frame coverage. Flip out the Vari-angle LCD to creatively compose photos and videos from unique perspectives—overhead, down low or just comfortably in front of you. Bring the COOLPIX P950 up to your eye and the display automatically switches to the EVF for a beautiful and accurate high-resolution view.

The Focus-mode selector makes switching between MF and AF easy. In addition to the Snap-back zoom and Side zoom controls, the Side dial is conveniently located to control shooting settings. In MF mode, the dial is used to focus manually. When set to AF, it can be assigned to control exposure compensation, white balance or ISO sensitivity. For advanced shooters, a PSAM mode dial is available right on top of the camera, much like a DSLR. Select the COOLPIX P950's aperture and shutter speed to control your shots exactly as you want them. But you don't have to understand exposure controls to get great results—the COOLPIX P950 can do all that work for you.

An accessory terminal and accessory shoe let you expand the camera’s functionality with optional accessories like the DF-M1 Dot Sight, which helps keep track of small, distant subjects like birds and aircraft during super-telephoto shooting. Additionally, various accessories like flashes, microphones and more can be used to extend the capabilities of the COOLPIX P950 even further.

Bird-watching mode and Moon mode are independent of Scene Modes, and can be selected right from the Mode Dial. When taking shots of wild birds or the moon, these modes help you get great results without any complicated setting changes.

Images taken with the COOLPIX P950’s super-telephoto zoom look so amazing, you’ll probably want to share them right away. SnapBridge lets you do just that. Images are seamlessly transferred to your compatible smart device as you take them—ready to impress your followers on social media.

• VR ACTIVE mode effectively combats vibration in situations where the camera is prone to excessive shaking.
• Zoom Memory returns the camera to a pre-determined focal length when powered on.
• Manual (Spot) in AF area mode enables finer focus adjustment with the best AF area.
• Target finding AF instantly predicts the focal point of the scene as shots are composed.
• Active D-Lighting optimizes high-contrast images to restore shadow and highlight detail.
• 19 Scene modes automatically select the most appropriate camera settings according to the scene or subject.
• Creative mode and COOLPIX Picture Controls enable custom creative image expression.
• Micro-USB charging with the EH-73P Charging AC Adapter and UC-E21 USB Cable.

SnapBridge

± Wi-Fi Compatibility

This camera’s built-in Wi-Fi® capability can only be used with a compatible iPhone®, iPad®, and/or iPod touch® or smart devices running on the Android operating system. The Nikon SnapBridge application must be installed on the device before it can be used with this camera.

Using the SnapBridge App
System Requirements
Android 6.0, 6.0.1 or later, 7.0 or later, 8.0 or later, 9.0 or later, 10
iOS 11, iOS 11.4, iOS 12.4
A device with Bluetooth® 4.0 or later (i.e., a device that supports Bluetooth Smart Ready/Low Energy) is required.

Updating to Version 2.8
Images downloaded to the smart device with version 1.x will no longer be displayed in the Gallery after you upgrade to version 2, but can be viewed in the “Photos” app provided with the smart device.

Make sure your camera's firmware is updated to the current version.
Compatible cameras:
Z 9, Z 7II, Z 7, Z 6II, Z 6, Z 5, Z fc, Z 50, Z 30
D6, D850, D780, D500, D7500, D5600, D3500, D3400
COOLPIX W150, A1000, A900, A300, B700, B600, B500, P950, P1000, W100, W300
KeyMission 80

As of Version 2.9, Android users of SnapBridge will also have compatibility with these cameras: D750, D7200, D7100, D5500, D5300, D3300, Df, J5, P900, AW130, S7000 and S3700.

Compatible devices are those capable of acquiring location information and those that support BLE (iPhone® 5S and later, iPad® 5th Generation and later, iPhone X or later).
There is no guarantee this app will run on all devices.

For compatibility and to download the application, please visit:

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google LLC.

Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance®.

The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

All Nikon trademarks are trademarks of Nikon Corporation.

Dynamic Fine Zoom magnification is calculated from the full-wide end of optical zoom.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Nikon Corporation and its Affiliates is under license.

LCD, Video and Photo Gallery images are for illustrative purposes only.