Nikon Coolpix 5700 Review

Click on the Coolpix 5700 to take a QuickTime VR tour

The Nikon Coolpix 5700 is the first 5.0 effective megapixel digital camera to incorporate an 8x optical zoom lens. The 9-72mm Zoom-Nikkor (equivalent to 35-280mm in 35mm photography) is an all glass optic that includes two glass-molded ED lens elements and Nikon Super Integrated Coating. The Coolpix 5700's advanced feature set combined with a solid, compact body made of durable Magnesium alloy and a fully articulating LCD screen, makes the Coolpix 5700 an excellent choice for the experienced photographer or for those that wish to be.

This is the first Coolpix to include an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), the ability to capture images in a RAW data recording mode for image control and manipulation after the picture is taken and Nikon's exclusive Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for superior image quality. The Coolpix 5700 also records up to one minute of full-motion video with sound, for a complete digital package.

The 5.0 effective megapixel CCD captures images with multiple image quality settings at a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,920 pixels, which is capable of producing 16 x 20- inch prints and larger with outstanding quality. The exclusive Best Shot Selector can automatically select the sharpest from a series of consecutive shots. The camera also has an overall improved response, with a 70-millisecond shutter release lag time. The camera features a Quick Review button to review images in one quarter or full screen, right after the shot is taken.

The Coolpix 5700 sports a full range of exposure options; Program AE, Flexible Program, Shutter speed priority, Aperture priority, Full Manual, AE Bracketing of both the exposure value and white balance and Best Shot Selector. Shutter speeds from 8 to 1/4000sec plus Bulb (max. 5 minutes) and aperture settings from F2.8 to F10.3. Drive modes include: Single, Continuous High Speed, Continuous Low Speed, Ultra High Speed Continuous, 16-Shot Multi and QVGA 320x240 Movie with audio. User selectable white balance with Auto, Fine, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent and Speedlight presets as well as a custom manual mode. The ISO sensitivity can be Auto or fixed at ISO 100, 200, 400 or 800. Metering options include 256-element matrix, center-weighted averaging, spot or spot AF that follows the exclusive 5-area Multi AF focusing system.

The Coolpix 5700 captures images in standard JPEG compressed, TIFF uncompressed and Nikon's proprietary NEW raw mode to provide greater creative control even after the picture is taken. The camera comes complete with NikonView 5, an image browser software that makes it simple to organize, retrieve and print images, create a slideshow and share images via email, the Web or PDAs. Using the included Nikon Editor software found in NikonView 5, RAW mode image settings can be manipulated at the photographer's leisure once the images have been uploaded into the computer with the included standard USB interface.

Coolpix 5700 Features:

• 5-Megapixel CCD for images up to 2560 x 1920 pixels
• Nikkor 8x zoom (35-280mm in 35mm equivalent) with ED glass
• Macro focus with AF as close as 1.2"
• Fully articulating 270°, 1.5" color LCD monitor
• Electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 180,000 pixels
• CompactFlash Type II card slot (Microdrive compatible)
• Record images in TIFF-RGB (uncompressed), JPEG or NEF raw
• EN-EL1 rechargeable battery and charger included
• Quick Review feature for instant playback
• Programmed Auto (with Shift), Shutter-Priority, Aperture-Priority and Full Manual
• Drive modes: Single, Continuous H, Continuous L, Ultra High Speed Continuous, 16-Shot Multi and QVGA 320x240 Movie with audio @ 15fps up to 60 secs
• Coolpix-exclusive Best Shot Selector exposure mode
• Shutter speeds from 1/4000 sec. to 8 secs (Bulb to 5 minutes!)
• Aperture settings from F2.8 to F10.3 in 10 steps
• 7-bladed lens diaphram for true depth of field control
• Control of color saturation intensity
• Five-area multifocus system, user-selectable and Spot-AF
• 256-segment Matrix Metering, Center-weighted or Spot
• Noise Reduction for long exposures
• Clear Image Mode for highly accurate color, low noise, smooth edged and wide dynamic range images at resolutions of 1280 x 960 and below
• ISO sensitivity of Auto, 100, 200, 400 or 800
• Matrix Auto White Balance plus Fine, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Speedlight and Custom Preset.
• AE Bracketing with white balance and exposure value
• Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow sync, and red-eye reduction.
• Hotshoe for external Nikon Speedlights
• Epson PRINT Image Matching Technology compatible
• USB 1.1 port for image download
• Compatible with Nikon MC-EU1 wired remote control

The Coolpix 5700 features a suite of software from ArcSoft® including PhotoStudio™ is an image manipulation package that allows users to edit, retouch or apply special effects to photos; VideoImpression™ which lets users edit and share QuickTime™ movies, Panorama Maker™, which lets users easily stitch together a number of images to automatically create beautiful panoramic photographs ready to print or email, and ArcSoft PhotoBase™ for viewing images on a PDA.

The camera is compatible with CompactFlash™ cards Type I and II as well as IBM 512MB & 1 GB Microdrives. It comes with a 32MB Nikon Starter Memory Card, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and charger that provides approximately 90 minutes of continuous operation when fully charged.

The Coolpix 5700 is available now for $1199.95.

Physical Views

Here's the new Coolpix's for Summer 2002
The Coolpix 5700, Coolpix 4500 and the Coolpix 2000.

A trio of super-zoom cameras, the 8x Coolpix 5700,
the 8x Olympus C-720UZ and the 6x Fuji S602 Zoom.

Coolpix 5700 Specifications