Nikon Coolpix 8700Nikon moves into 8 megapixel territory with a long zoom, and a new body, but the same legendary Nikon feature set!<<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & InterfaceReview First Posted: 03/22/2004 |
The
Coolpix 8700 uses standard CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards, but no "starter"
card is included with the camera. Given the size of the camera's images, purchasers
should seriously consider getting at least a 256MB card. Captured images can be
individually write-protected through the Playback menu, but write protected files
are only immune to accidental deletion, not card reformatting. File formats include
several levels of compressed JPEG files as well as an uncompressed TIFF mode (Hi
quality setting) and NEF (RAW) mode. (Both TIFF and RAW settings are only available
at maximum resolution.) Available image sizes are 3,264 x 2448 (8MP), 3,264 x
2176 (max 3:2 ratio), 2,592 x 1,944 (5MP), 2,048 x 1,536 (3MP), 1,600 x 1,200
(2MP), 1,280 x 960 (SXGA or 1MP), 1,024 x 768 (XGA or PC), and 640 x 480 (VGA
or TV). The table below details the Coolpix 8700's approximate file sizes and
compression ratios in all its various image size/quality combinations, with file
capacities shown for the 256 MB card size that I recommend as a minimum for it.
| Resolution/Quality 256MB Memory Card |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Full Resolution 3264x2448 |
Images (Avg size) |
20 12.7 MB |
10 24.0 MB |
62 4.1 MB |
2.1 MB |
1.1 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
2:1 | 1:1 | 6:1 | |
|
|
| 5
MP Resolution 2592x1944 |
Images (Avg size) |
- | - | 97 2.62 MB |
1.35 MB |
0.71 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
- | - | 6:1 | |
|
|
| 3
MP Resolution 2048x1536 |
Images (Avg size) |
- | - | 155 1.65 MB |
0.84 MB |
0.44 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
- | - | 6:1 | |
|
|
| 2
MP Resolution 1600x1200 |
Images (Avg size) |
- | - | 245 1.04 MB |
0.54 MB |
0.30 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
- | - | 6:1 | |
|
|
| 1
MP Resolution 1280x960 |
Images (Avg size) |
|
|
0.67 MB |
0.37 MB |
0.20 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Resolution 1024x768 |
Images (Avg size) |
|
|
0.44 MB |
0.27 MB |
0.17 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Resolution 640x480 |
Images (Avg size) |
|
|
0.20 MB |
0.13 MB |
0.98 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Like most modern high-end digicams, the Coolpix 8700 supports the FAT 32 directory standard, and so can make full use of memory cards larger than 2 GB. (I tested this explicitly with a Lexar 4GB card I had on hand. The camera formatted the card properly, and wrote to and read from it without difficulty.)
The Coolpix 8700 uses a USB interface to connect to a host computer for image
downloading. Like many higher-end cameras these days, it's a "storage
class" device, which means that Mac users on OS 8.6 or greater, or Windows
Me, 2000, or XP users can just plug the camera into their computers and have
it appear as a removable hard drive. Data transfer is pretty speedy, as I
clocked it at 753 KBytes/second on my Windows XP machine. This is faster
than any cameras using a USB v1.1 interface, but on the slow end of the range
for cameras using USB v2.0 (as the 8700 is obviously doing).
Lost Images? - Download this image-recovery program so you'll have it
when you need it...
Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good
time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost
photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there
are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards
can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune.
"Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost"
images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software
though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include
this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called
PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review
of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have
it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29,
with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue
for Windows or PhotoRescue
for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download
the PDF manual
and quickstart
guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you
need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when...
PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital
photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of
the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.)
OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...
Reader Comments! --> Visit our discussion forum for the Nikon Coolpix 8700!
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