[Tweeters] Coolpix P1000

[jimbetz at jimbetz.com]

Hi,
   Anyone have any direct or indirect experience with the Nikon
Coolpix P1000 camera?  I just learned of it yesterday.  It's a
"bridge camera" (no mirror and larger sensor and no interchangeable
lenses).
   It has a "Bird Mode"!  Plus an insane amount of optical zoom.
The sensor is smaller than the Lumix I'm using now but the Lumix
is only a 25-400 zoom.

   I'd appreciate anyone's experiences with it - especially for
birding which is over 80% of the pictures I take.  Questions
such as do you have to have or want a tripod?  Good clear images?
Does it have a full manual mode for aperture, shutter speed and
ISO?  How heavy is it (comparison to something you know is fine)?
                                                          - Jim