I already have a Coolpix P900 and thought it to be an amazing camera. I am a birdwatcher and the zoom blows your mind away. The quality is less at high zoom. I bought the P1000 hoping they would improve on that. I tested it day after day, and was not happy. I returned it.

It's hard to place the Nikon Coolpix P1000 into a single box. Its focal range is unmatched, making it ideal for wildlife and lunar photography (or spying on your neighbors, we suppose).

Capturing the moon and still wildlife from incredible distances

High image quality for most situations; focusing on moving subjects; a long day of shooting

These alternatives are better fits for most photographers. But not everyone falls into the bucket of most. If the P1000's lens speaks to you, and you understand the camera's limitations and quirks, it could serve you very well.

Incredible 125x (24-3,000mm) zoom range; 7fps burst; Vari-angle LCD; EVF; Raw support; 4K video; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Image quality suffers at maximum zoom; Unresponsive after bursts; No weather protection; Pricey; Bulky; Screen omits touch support

OMG. What a camera. Took awesome handheld pictures zoomed in on the moon one night that were phenomenal. Like a telescope more than a camera. It is very heavy but no more than a DSLR with same focal length lens. Don't understand why they can't make the lens cap with a small hole to attach a strap.

Superzoom cameras, like Nikon's Coolpix P1000 ($999.99) are popular because, let's face it, people who buy entry level DSLR's rarely, if ever, take the kit lenses off their cameras.

It's hard not to be gobsmacked by the P1000's 3,000mm-equivalent lens, especially in light of its (just about) three-figure price. It's an amazing technical achievement.

Stunning zoom capabilities; Reasonable price; Impressive photo and video performance in good light

Image quality suffers badly in low light; No touchscreen; Laggy viewfinder

very happy with the P1000 yes its heavy but you do get used to it . for me it performs best on a tripod due to size some times a little slow to focus but other than that it is awesome with how close you can get to a bird or animal far away best zoom i have used

Easy to use; Battery life; Screen size

Bulky

Achieving a high level of optical zoom on DSLRs and full-frame cameras typically requires using a large and heavy lens, like the ones you've probably seen being used at sporting events or for wildlife photography.

Impressive zoom range; Very good lens stabilisation; Fully articulating display; RAW and 4K support

Heavy and bulky; Average quality JPEGs; Battery life could be better; Autofocus can be sluggish

Even with its impressive focal range of 24mm to 3,000mm (35mm equivalent), this camera is a lot for the average photographer to handle. But, with patience, practice and a very steady hand, you may be able to capture unique pictures of wildlife - and even the craters on the moon.

125x 24-3,000mm (equivalent) lens; Excellent image stabilization; Fully articulating LCD; 4K UHD video; RAW capabilities

Bulky; Variable image quality; No touch screen; Short battery life

The Nikon P1000 is a bridge camera, sitting in the zone between compact point-and-shoots and interchangeable lens cameras – but it's far from your average bridge camera. Less a superzoom than a megazoom, its standout feature is its 125x optical zoom lens, which offers a focal length range equivalent...

Incredible zoom range; Effective optical stabilisation; Large; clear OLED viewfinder

Bulky for a bridge camera; Not strong in low light