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Nikon Coolpix 8700 Nikon moves into 8 megapixel territory with a long zoom, and a new body, but the same legendary Nikon feature set! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet 8700 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on 8700 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 03/22/2004

Optics

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The Coolpix 8700 features an 8x Nikkor 8.9-71.2mm ED lens, the equivalent of a 35-280mm lens on a 35mm camera. The maximum aperture varies from f/2.8 to f/4.2, depending on the lens zoom setting, with the largest aperture available when the lens is at its maximum wide angle focal length. Apertures are adjustable in 10 steps with one-third EV increments, and are created by a seven-blade iris diaphragm. (The seven-blade diaphragm is a nice but subtle touch - it will produce less distortion in sharp, specular highlights than apertures made by diaphragms with fewer blades in them, and hence more irregular shapes. The seven-blade iris also provides finer-grained aperture control than simpler designs.)

Focus on the Coolpix 8700 operates under automatic or manual control, and features Macro and Infinity focus modes as well. The Coolpix 8700's autofocus mechanism employs a contrast-detection method, which determines focus from a five-area multi-pattern or spot AF area. There are five possible focus zones (center, top, bottom, left, right), useful for achieving accurate focus on off-center subjects, although all are clustered rather closely about the center of the frame. (I'd really like to see them extend a bit further out toward the edges, perhaps a third of the distance from their current locations toward the edges of the frame.) The Focus option under the settings menu defaults to AF area selection under automatic control, or lets you explicitly set the location of the focus area. (This last is a nice feature that works well when combined with the spot metering mode, which can likewise be directed to determine exposure from the same five zones.) In the "Auto" option for focus area selection, the camera chooses the area corresponding to the object closest to the camera. When the area focus option is set to Off, the camera bases focus on the central area. (One Playback mode information screen displays a focus area overlay, and shows which focus area was chosen for each image, by highlighting the appropriate set of marks in green.)

Two AF modes are also available: Continuous AF and Single AF. Continuous AF mode means that the camera constantly adjusts the focus, good for moving subjects. In Single AF mode, focus is only determined when the Shutter button is halfway pressed.

The manual focus option is accessed by pressing the Focus Mode button and turning the Command dial. A distance scale in the LCD monitor reports current focusing distance in a very general sense, showing a bar that extends from a macro symbol on one side to an infinity symbol on the other. The minimum focusing range depends strongly on the lens zoom setting, so the focus-distance display turns red if you try to manually focus closer than the lens can support at its current focal length. I have to say that I dislike the 8700's distance readout because it makes it difficult or impossible to know the actual focusing distance you've selected. I've often had occasion to set an approximate manual focus distance in advance of a shot, based on my estimate of the subject's distance. (After-dark candid and wildlife photography are two situations where I've frequently needed to do this.) I would think Nikon could use the combination of lens focal length and focus-motor position to derive the actual focusing distance. - Certainly, I've seen numeric distance readouts on cameras from a variety of other manufacturers, so it's technically possible.

For those situations when you can actually point at your subject long enough to set the focus visually, a "Focus Confirmation" option (available as a menu selection in Record mode) applies a strong "sharpening" operator to the LCD display. The result is that the LCD image very clearly "snaps" into focus when proper focus is achieved, making the LCD display much more useful than it ordinarily would be for manual focusing. Focus Confirmation can be set to be on all the time, off all the time, or only on when the camera is being manually focused. - This is another Nikon trick that I'd like to see more camera manufacturers adopt.

The Coolpix 8700's digital telephoto feature is enabled through the Zoom option under the Setup menu, and enlarges images as much as 4x. An indicator on the LCD monitor displays the current level of digital zoom at each step (from 1.1x to 4.0x). Keep in mind though that digital telephoto only enlarges the center of the image, reducing resolution in direct proportion to the amount of digital zoom used. The 8700 appears to automatically switch to center-weighted metering and a center autofocus target when digital zoom is active. Also under the Zoom menu option, you can set the zoom speed and activate the Fixed Aperture function, which keeps the aperture fixed as the lens zooms. (This last being a very handy option when working with studio strobes or other strobes with fixed output levels and no exposure feedback from the camera.)

There's a set of body threads around the base of the lens barrel for attaching an adaptor barrel for accessory lenses. The 8700 can accept wide, telephoto, and fisheye lenses with the use of an optional adapter.

Autofocus performance under low light on the 8700 seems similar to that on prior Coolpix models, but there is now an AF-assist light nestled next to the flash for better results. In my informal testing, the AF system could focus on sharply-defined, high-contrast objects in total darkness out to about 6 feet or so, but it did considerably better with at least some ambient light, and the focus performance was also very dependent on the contrast level of the subject involved. In incandescent room light where other cameras perform reasonably well, the 8700 can take over 10 seconds, focus right past what is clearly in focus, and settle on a very out of focus setting. You really have to pick your contrasty areas; and even when you do, it can be hit and miss. This seems like an area where the 8700 could use a little more engineering effort.