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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 <<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User Interface Review First Posted: 03/22/2004

Operation and User Interface

I found the Coolpix 8700's user interface to be a little difficult to grasp at first. By default it's locked into Program mode only, and it's not at all obvious that you have to switch to one of the custom settings to do something simple like cancel the auto flash. The LCD menu system is available for novices, and for less commonly used controls, and it's good that it's there. Over time, experienced users will find they can make virtually all of the necessary adjustments for routine shooting without resorting to the LCD screen, provided they are in one of the two custom modes. Once you learn where the functions are, you can do most of what you need using the external controls on the camera. I have found the interface for switching resolution and compression modes to be a little slow on the uptake, often taking seconds to register my desire to make a choice. After clicking the dial several times, it zips through settings to catch up, taking me far from what I intended. This doesn't happen every time, but often enough to be worth mentioning.

The inclusion of a programmable Function key adds flexibility, letting you customize the camera to your specific shooting needs by assigning frequently-used settings to the top-panel Function button. Exposure compensation, exposure mode, ISO value, image quality and size, as well as focus controls (manual focus setting, macro, and infinity focus) and flash mode can all be adjusted without the LCD. The top-panel monochrome status display provides clear feedback for all these settings as well. When you do have to delve into the LCD menu system, navigation via the Four-Way arrow rocker button is intuitive and quick. In Record mode, the menu system is split into three pages of options, with a tabbed interface, by which you can jump between pages with only a few clicks of the rocker button (rather than scrolling through every option on each screen). In normal operation, most of the camera's functions are controlled by a combination of hitting a button and turning the Command dial, which usually makes it fast and efficient to change settings. Control layout is also logical, allowing one-handed operation for commonly changed functions, requiring a two-handed approach only for manual focus setting, ISO, flash mode, and size/quality adjustment. These buttons would be better on the back of the unit, but there's no room there; once the user is accustomed to their presence on the lens body, it should be easy to use.

Reading the manual is essential to understanding many of the functions of the Coolpix 8700. Its feature set is rich and deep, and the reward for the extra research is a thorough understanding of a very capable camera.

Control Enumeration

Shutter Button: Located on top of the camera (slightly sloping down in front) and encircled by the Power switch, this button sets focus and exposure when halfway pressed and fires the shutter when fully pressed.

Power Switch: Surrounding the Shutter button on the camera's top panel, this dial turns the camera on or off.

Mode Button: Just behind the Power switch on the top panel, this button selects the exposure mode (Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, or Manual) when held down while turning the Command dial. In Manual exposure mode (meaning manual control over both aperture and shutter speed settings), a quick press of this button alternates between the aperture or shutter speed settings, letting you change either by turning the Command dial. A second press selects the other exposure parameter for Command dial control.

Exposure Compensation/Voice Memo Button: Directly to the right of the Mode button, this button adjusts the amount of exposure compensation (from -2 to +2 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third step increments) when held down while turning the Command dial. When in full-frame Playback mode, voice memos can be added to photos up to 20 seconds long. Hold the button down while recording. A music note icon appears onscreen when a voice memo is attached to a photo, and pressing the Voice Memo button plays the note. The zoom controls change the volume up and down.

Function Button: Just behind the Exposure Compensation button, this button switches between any of four preprogrammed camera setups. You can set up the camera for three completely different shooting scenarios (or leave it in "auto" mode), and then switch quickly between them by pressing this button and rotating the Command dial. Menu items programmable via the user setups include white balance, metering pattern, continuous-shooting modes, Best Shot Selector, image adjustment (brightness/contrast), color saturation control, and adapter lens setting. Also memorized within each user mode are non-menu items such as exposure mode settings, flash mode settings, and exposure compensation adjustments. NOTE: As I mentioned earlier, none of the advanced features of the 8700 are available until you take the camera out of Auto mode via this button (or the menu system). The function controlled by the Func. button can be changed by a LCD menu option, to include user mode, focus setting, flash mode, white balance, or metering pattern.

Illuminate Button: To the left of the Function button, this button activates a green backlight behind the status display panel, so you can read the display in dark conditions.

Command Dial: Located at the rear, righthand corner of the top of the camera, this rotary control is used in conjunction with many of the other buttons on the camera to change camera settings. Pressing the appropriate button and rotating the dial one way or the other steps through the options available for the setting in question. In programmed exposure mode, rotating the dial at any time (e.g., with no button pressed) varies the exposure program, biasing it toward larger or smaller aperture settings. (A very handy way to control depth of field in your photos, without having to bother with the aperture priority exposure mode.)

Diopter Adjustment Dial: Hidden on the left side of the viewfinder eyepiece, this small, black dial adjusts the viewfinder to accommodate eyeglass wearers.

Monitor Select Button: On the right side of the viewfinder eyepiece, this button toggles the viewfinder display back and forth between the EVF and LCD monitor. Since there's no optical viewfinder, there's no "off" setting to disable the electronic viewfinders entirely.

Zoom Control: Located in the upper right corner of the back panel, this rocker control operates the optical zoom in all capture modes. Likewise, when digital telephoto is enabled, this button controls the amount of digital zoom (from 1.1x to 4.0x).

In single-image playback mode, pressing the "T" button repeatedly zooms in on the image, while pressing the "W" side of the control cancels zoomed playback. Pressing the "W" side again switches to four-image thumbnail view, and another press switches to nine-image thumbnail view. Pressing the "T" side of the control steps back through the sequence in the other direction. These buttons also control volume in Voice Memo playback mode.

Menu Button: Adjacent to the top right corner of the LCD monitor, this button brings up the settings menu in all capture modes as well as in Playback mode. Pressing it a second time cancels the menu display.

Quick Review Button: Beneath the Menu button, this button calls up a thumbnail sized display of the most recently captured image while in either record mode, appearing in the upper left-hand corner. The left and right arrow keys scroll through the remaining captured images on the memory card. Pressed a second time, it expands the thumbnail view to a full-screen display of the captured images on the card, complete with an image information overlay. The Quick Review mode is canceled by pressing the button a third time, or by pressing the Shutter button.

Erase Button: Just below the Quick Review button, this button calls up the Erase menu in Playback mode, which lets you delete the displayed image. There is an option to cancel. If the instant image review function is enabled, you can press this button to delete the captured image and cancel recording to the memory card.

Display Button: Directly below the Erase button, this button controls the information overlay in Playback and any record mode. Pressing it once turns off the information display, while a second press recalls it.

Play/Record Switch: Just under the Zoom Rocker control, this switch slides between Playback and Record modes. (You can also enter playback mode by hitting the Quick Review button twice.)

Four-Way Arrow Rocker: Situated on the far right of the rear panel, this control features four arrows that allow the user to navigate through the LCD menu system and make selections in Record and Playback modes. Different menu items are selected via the up/down arrows. Pressing the right arrow selects the item, generally taking you into a sub-menu. Pressing the left arrow takes you back out again. Once in a sub-menu, the up/down arrows again step between items, while a right-arrow selects. This process continues until you arrive at the final point of selection, upon which another right-arrow actuation makes that selection and returns you to the main menu.

In Playback mode, the left and right arrows scroll through captured images. If an image has been enlarged, all four arrows pan around within the view.

Flash / ISO: The first button in a series of four on the left side of the camera, this button controls both flash mode and the ISO setting. Pressing this button sequentially in Record mode steps you through the various flash modes available (Auto, Flash Cancel, Anytime Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow-Sync). Pressing and holding this button while rotating the Command dial selects the ISO from among the five available options (Auto, 50, 100, 200, and 400).

Quality/Size Button: Directly to the right of the Flash / ISO button, this button cycles between image quality options (Basic, Normal, Fine, Hi, and RAW) in all record modes. In any record mode, holding this button down while rotating the Command dial cycles through the image size settings. Choices 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).

AE / AF Lock Button: Below the Flash / ISO button, this button locks exposure and/or focus when pressed. A setting in the Record menu assigns either AE only, AF only, or both to the button.

Focus Mode Button: Directly below the Quality / Size button, this button controls the focus setting and accesses the self-timer. Pressed sequentially, the button cycles through Infinity focus, Macro focus, and Self-Timer modes. Pressed while holding down the Command dial, this accesses and adjusts manual focus.