Nikon CoolPix 5700

	*	5.0 (effective) megapixel CCD delivers images up to 2,560 x 1,920 pixels.
	*	New Nikkor lens provides 8x, 35-280mm equivalent zoom range.
	*	"Articulated" LCD tilts/swivels 270 degrees.
	*	White balance bracketing and noise reduction modes extend capability.
	*	New electronic viewfinder for better framing accuracy with long zoom lens.

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Manufacturer Overview

As I say before each of my Nikon reviews, Nikon is one of the names that literally needs no introduction in the world of photography. Long a leader in the film world, they offer cameras for both the serious amateur and working professional. Their professional line contains cameras like the legendary F3, continuously produced for over 20 years now, and new "legends in the making" like the F5 and F100, renowned for their toughness and advanced features. In the digital world, Nikon has developed a commanding presence in the "prosumer" market with their Coolpix series. They broke new ground for usability and features with their Coolpix 900 several years back, building on that success with the 2 megapixel 950, followed by the 3 megapixel 990, which has now been upgraded to the 995 with a 4x zoom lens and improved flash configuration, and the five-megapixel Coolpix 5000. At the same time, they've broadened their line to include more purely consumer-oriented cameras like the Coolpix 775 and 885, and the new internal-swivel Coolpix 2500. In the pro arena, they rocked the photo world with their original D1 pro SLR, followed last year with the D1X and D1H, and this year followed up with the aggressively priced D100 model. The "Nikon Total Imaging System" also includes the hugely successful Super Coolscan 4000ED, 8000ED, and Coolscan IV film scanners, which I've reviewed elsewhere.

The big Nikon news in the consumer arena last year was their Coolpix 5000, a 5 megapixel design that quickly developed a loyal following. This year, they've upped the ante once more, keeping the same 5 megapixel sensor, but now adding the first really long-ratio zoom lens on a Nikon digicam. The new Coolpix 5700 sports an 8x zoom lens, with an equivalent focal length range of 35 - 280mm, but has the same range of features and operating controls that have been so successful on the previous Coolpix models. Read on below for all the details!

High Points

• 5.0-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as high as 2,560 x 1,920 pixels.
• 8x, 8.9-71.2mm Nikkor ED lens with 35-280mm zoom equivalent focal length range.
• Electronic viewfinder with information display.
• As high as 4x digital zoom.
• 1.8-inch color LCD monitor with swivel design.
• Automatic and manual focus control, with adjustable focus area.
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8-4.2 depending on zoom setting.
• Available shutter speeds from 1/4,000-second to eight seconds, five minutes in Bulb mode.
• Program AE, Flexible Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure modes.
• 256-segment Matrix, Center-Weighted, Spot, and AF Spot metering modes.
• Seven White Balance modes with a White Balance Bracketing mode.
• Auto sensitivity or ISO equivalents of 100, 200, 400, and 800.
• Image Adjustment menu, Sharpness, Saturation, and Noise Reduction controls.
• Continuous, High Speed Continuous, Ultra High Speed Continuous, Multi-Shot 16, Best Shot Selector, and Movie (with sound) shooting modes.
• "Clear Image Mode" for reduced noise in low-resolution images.
• Built-in self-timer.
• Built-in, pop-up flash with five settings.
• External flash hot shoe.
• Images and movies stored to CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards.
• Uncompressed TIFF, NEF (RAW data), JPEG, and Motion JPEG file formats.
• USB cable and interface for quick connection to a PC or Macintosh.
• Power supplied by rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack (included) or optional AC adapter.
• NTSC or PAL video outputs with appropriate cable included.
• Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compatibility.