DCRP Reviews The Nikon Coolpix 8700

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/coolpix8700-review/index.shtml' target='_blank'>http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/coolpix8700-review/index.shtml</a><br /><br /></div>"The Coolpix 8700 ($999) is the 8 Megapixel version of Nikon's very popular Coolpix 5700. Nikon didn't just drop in a larger CCD, though. There's also a larger LCD, AF-assist lamp, VGA movie mode, and support for PictBridge. And don't forget the carryover features from the 5700: an 8X zoom lens, hot shoe, swiveling LCD, and tons of manual controls."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/nikon_cp8700.gif" /><br /><br />This looks like an excellent review, detailed and clearly points out the pros and the cons of the camera.

[Jon Westfall]

I've been seriously considering using the next amount of "tech" money I have and buying a good digital camera. This one looks like one I'd love to own, but just can't justify needing 8 megapixels. Does anyone actually find they need the kind of quality 8 megapixels gives on a daily basis? If so, I'd love to hear what jobs they use the camera for.

[Suhit Gupta]

I tend to take a lot of outdoor and/or landscape shots and I find that the 6+ MP EOS 10D camera that I use to be very useful. My Powershot S300 (3MP) does not cut it in those cases. OTOH, I find that indoor shots, typically groups of people are just fine with the S300.

Suhit

[Jon Westfall]

I could see outdoor landscapes as really making good use of those megapixels, but to an average user like me, its just mystifying to think of that many pixels!

[Suhit Gupta]

Trust me, once you see the mind blowing clarity and the incredible detail, you will fall in love with the camera right away :). But I recommend that you go try it out at your neighborhood camera store and see if it would be something that you would use.

Suhit

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Well, I'd say the 8 megapixel cameras let you print up to about 16x20's quite easily. But it's not just about the print sizes though. For instance, the 8700 seems to have a much improved AF module compared to the 5700. So it's also a matter of you liking the camera itself.

[Suhit Gupta]

Well, I'd say the 8 megapixel cameras let you print up to about 16x20's quite easily. But it's not just about the print sizes though. For instance, the 8700 seems to have a much improved AF module compared to the 5700. So it's also a matter of you liking the camera itself.
But how often do you print 16x20's? :) And I think dadarkmcse's point was whether s/he should go for 8MP vs something lower in resolution, i.e. what the advantage of 8MP is...

Suhit

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Heh, that's something he has to decide. My personal take is that I don't care for the extra pixels, but I like the faster AF, the new EVF, and the new LCD screen. What I don't like is the price. =P

The 8mp chips are both an upgrade and a downgrade.. more pixels, but the quality isn't that great..