Nikon COOLPIX P520 - User Manual

Questions and Answers

L
Lee KingAug 19, 2025
Why does my Nikon COOLPIX P520 Digital Camera turn off without warning?
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  Kevin JenkinsAug 19, 2025
  Your Nikon Digital Camera might turn off unexpectedly due to several reasons. The battery may be exhausted, or the camera's auto-off feature may be activated to save power if no operations are performed for a while. The camera also turns off if the Charging AC Adapter is connected while the camera is on, or if the USB cable connecting the camera to a computer or printer is disconnected. Reconnect the USB cable. Additionally, the camera may turn off if its internal temperature becomes too high; in this case, leave the camera off until it cools down. Low temperatures can also cause the camera and battery to malfunction.
K
Katelyn MorenoAug 21, 2025
Why my Nikon COOLPIX P520 Digital Camera cannot be turned on?
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  jonathan23Aug 21, 2025
  Your Nikon Digital Camera might not turn on if the battery is exhausted. Note that the camera does not turn on while the Charging AC Adapter is connected, even when you press the power switch. You can also try pressing and holding the c (playback) button to turn on the camera in playback mode.
S
sarahwashingtonAug 25, 2025
Why can't I charge my Nikon Digital Camera battery by connecting to a computer?
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  Erin TorresAug 25, 2025
  If you cannot charge your Nikon Digital Camera battery by connecting it to a computer, it may be due to several reasons. First, check if 'Charge by computer' is set to 'Off' in the setup menu. Also, battery charging stops when the camera is turned off, when the computer is suspended (sleeping), or depending upon computer specifications, settings, and status, charging may not be possible via computer connection.
J
Jonathan GallagherAug 26, 2025
How to correct the date and time on my Nikon COOLPIX P520?
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  dcoxAug 26, 2025
  If the date and time of recording are incorrect on your Nikon Digital Camera, it may be because the camera clock has not been set, which is indicated by a flashing “Date not set” during shooting. In this case, still pictures will have a time stamp of “00/00/0000 00:00”, and movies will be dated “01/01/2013 00:00.” To fix this, set the correct date and time using the Time zone and date settings in the setup menu. Also, the camera clock is not as accurate as a normal clock, so check and reset it regularly against a more accurate timepiece.
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Kayla SchaeferAug 28, 2025
What to do if the monitor or viewfinder is blank on my Nikon COOLPIX P520?
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  Madison TuckerAug 28, 2025
  If the monitor or viewfinder on your Nikon Digital Camera is blank, here are a few things to check: Ensure the camera is powered on and that the battery isn't exhausted. If the camera is in standby mode to save power, press the power switch, shutter-release button, c button or b (e movie-record) button, or rotate the mode dial. Also, the monitor or viewfinder will be blank if the camera is connected to a computer via USB cable or to a TV via audio/video or HDMI cable. Lastly, a blank screen is normal if interval timer shooting is in progress.
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James WilliamsAug 30, 2025
What to do if my Nikon COOLPIX P520 Digital Camera is on but does not respond?
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  Deborah KiddAug 30, 2025
  If your Nikon Digital Camera is on but not responding, first wait for any recording to end. If the problem continues, try turning the camera off. If the camera still does not turn off, remove and reinsert the battery or batteries. If you're using an AC adapter, disconnect and then reconnect it.
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Pamela SimsSep 1, 2025
How to improve monitor screen visibility on my Nikon COOLPIX P520?
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  Megan GentrySep 1, 2025
  If the monitor screen on your Nikon Digital Camera is hard to see, try the following: If the ambient lighting is too bright, move to a darker location or use the viewfinder. You can also adjust the monitor screen brightness. Lastly, if the monitor is dirty, clean the screen.
W
wilsonandreaSep 2, 2025
Why reset file numbering cannot be done on my Nikon Digital Camera?
- A
  anne56Sep 2, 2025
  Resetting file numbering on your Nikon Digital Camera cannot be applied when the folder number reaches 999 and there are images in the folder. To resolve this, change the memory card, or format the internal memory/memory card.
J
Jonathan BrooksSep 5, 2025
How to adjust the viewfinder on my Nikon COOLPIX P520?
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  zmitchellSep 5, 2025
  If the viewfinder is hard to see on your Nikon Digital Camera, adjust the diopter adjustment control.
D
davidpetersonSep 6, 2025
Why is the date not appearing on my Nikon Digital Camera pictures even when Print date is enabled?
- A
  alyssawallsSep 6, 2025
  The date might not appear on your Nikon Digital Camera pictures even when Print date is enabled because a shooting mode that does not support print date is selected. Alternatively, another function that is currently set may be restricting the print date. Also, the date cannot be imprinted onto a movie.

Summary

For Your Safety

WARNINGS

General warnings and precautions to prevent possible injury.

Parts of the Camera and Main Functions

The Camera Body

Basic Menu Operations

The Basics of Shooting and Playback

Preparation 1 Insert the Battery

Step-by-step guide on how to insert the camera battery correctly.

Step 1 Turn the Camera On

Instructions for turning the camera on for the first time.

Step 2 Select a Shooting Mode

Guide to selecting the appropriate shooting mode for your photos.

Step 4 Focus and Shoot

Instructions on how to focus and take a picture with the camera.

Step 5 Play Back Images

How to view images previously captured by the camera.

Shooting Features

A (Auto) Mode

j, k, l, m Modes (Setting the Exposure for Shooting)

Features That Can Be Set Using the Multi Selector

Using the Flash (Flash Modes)

Recording and Playing Back Movies

Recording Movies

Step-by-step instructions for recording movies with the camera.

Using GPS

Starting GPS Data Recording

Instructions for initiating and enabling GPS functions.

General Camera Setup

The Setup Menu

Vibration reduction

Auto off

Error Messages

Technical Notes and Index

Caring for the Products

Troubleshooting

Power, Display, Settings Issues

Solutions for common problems related to power, display, and settings.

Shooting Issues

Solutions for common problems encountered during shooting.

Playback Issues

Solutions for common problems encountered during playback.

GPS

Nikon COOLPIX P520 Specifications

General

Megapixel	18.1 MP
Camera type	Compact camera
Sensor type	CMOS
Image stabilizer	Yes
Total megapixels	18.91 MP
Image sensor size	1/2.3 \
Maximum image resolution	4896 x 3672 pixels
Still image resolution(s)	-
Optical zoom	42 x
Focal length range	4.3 - 180 mm
Lens structure (elements/groups)	14/10
Maximum focal length (35mm film equiv)	1000 mm
Minimum focal length (35mm film equiv)	24 mm
Focus	TTL
Focus adjustment	Auto
Auto focusing (AF) modes	Centre weighted Auto Focus, Contrast Detection Auto Focus, Tracking Auto Focus
Light metering	Centre-weighted, Spot
ISO sensitivity	80, 400, 800, 3200
Light exposure modes	Aperture priority AE, Manual, Shutter priority AE
ISO sensitivity (max)	3200
ISO sensitivity (min)	80
Light exposure control	Program AE
Light exposure correction	± 2EV (1/3EV step)
Camera shutter type	Electronic, Mechanical
Fastest camera shutter speed	1/4000 s
Slowest camera shutter speed	8 s
Power source type	Battery
Video resolutions	640 x 480, 1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Motion JPEG frame rate	30 fps
Maximum video resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Memory slots	1
Internal memory	15 MB
Compatible memory cards	SD, SDHC, SDXC
Field of view	100 %
Display diagonal	3.2 \
Display resolution (numeric)	921000 pixels
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder screen size	0.2 \
USB version	2.0
HDMI connector type	Mini
Scene modes	Backlight, Beach, Close-up (macro), Cuisine, Dawn, Dusk, Fireworks, Museum, Night landscape, Night portrait, Panorama, Party (indoor), Pet, Portrait, Snow, Sports, Sunset
Image editing	Crop, Rotating
White balance	Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Manual
Self-timer delay	2, 10 s
Languages support	ARA, CHI (SIMPL), CHI (TR), CZE, DAN, DEU, DUT, ENG, ESP, FRE, GRE, HUN, ITA, JPN, KOR, NOR, POR, RUM, RUS, SWE, THA, TUR, UKR
Camera file system	DCF, DPOF, Exif 2.3, MPF
Image quality adjustment	Brightness
Battery life (CIPA standard)	200 shots
Product color	Black
Operating temperature (T-T)	0 - 40 °C
Operating relative humidity (H-H)	0 - 85 %