Nikon P950 PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Nikon Coolpix P950? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Nikon makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the P950 offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Nikon Coolpix P950 below.

In any case, the P950 is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This fixed lens compact camera was announced on January 7th, 2020, which means that, as of today, the camera is 1357 days old (young?). Given that the P950 is a relatively recent model, it forms part of the current Nikon product line-up.
Nikon's reference manual for the P950
The camera's reference manual is 308 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the P950 is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Nikon Coolpix P950 manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Nikon's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Nikon P950 manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Video tutorial for the Nikon Coolpix P950
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your P950 by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.
Once again, the Nikon P950 is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.
amazon.com
Nikon P950 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the P950.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Nikon P950?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon P950?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400.
Does the Nikon P950 have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the P950 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Nikon P950?
No, the Nikon Coolpix P950 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Nikon P950?
The P950 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
Does the Nikon P950 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
Which battery does the Nikon P950 use?
The camera gets its power from the EN-EL20a (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Where can I find the best deals for the Nikon P950?
Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Nikon.
Further reading
How does the P950 stack up against available alternatives? In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 5DS vs Sony A9 II
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- Fujifilm GFX 50R vs Nikon P950
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- Nikon D850 vs Nikon P950
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- Nikon P950 vs Sony A77 II
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- Nikon P950 vs Sony HX95
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Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Nikon Coolpix P950.
Camera Model | Nikon P950 | |
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
Camera Lens | 24-2000mm f/2.8-6.5 | |
Launch Date | January 2020 | |
Launch Price | USD 799 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
---|---|---|
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | |
Sensor Area | 28 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | |
Crop Factor | 5.6x | |
Sensor Resolution | 15.9 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 4 608 x 3 456 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 1.33 μm | |
Pixel Density | 56.73 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 6 400 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 100 - 12 800 ISO | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 90% | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.2 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 921k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | Front-flip possible | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 7 shutter flaps/s | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | EN-EL20a power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 290 shots per charge | |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | |
Body Dimensions |
140 x 110 x 150 mm (5.5 x 4.3 x 5.9 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 1 005 g (35.5 oz) |
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