Controls on the rear: The SEL button switches between the EVF and the color LCD. Next to that is the zoom lens control, in playback mode it functions as the INDEX and ZOOM control.

The MENU button calls up the onscreen menu system. The lever next to that switches quickly between Record and Play modes. The QUICK (review) button displays the last image captured in 1/4-screen over the live preview.

The 4-way selector lets you navigate menus and make selections, it also lets you select images during playback. The trashcan button is for deleting images. The DISP button controls the amount of data that is overlayed on the EVF or LCD display screens.

Controls on side of the lens barrel: The Flash button cycles through the available modes (auto, fill, red-eye, slow-sync, off) and changes the ISO speed when held depressed while rotating the command dial. Next to that is the Resolution button (RAW, Hi, Fine, Normal, Basic), hold and rotate command dial to select the image size. The AE/AF LOCK button is used to hold the exposure and focus (the mode can be changed by a menu option for just AE or AF or both). The Focus button selects the desired mode (autofocus, infinity, macro self-timer) and when held enables Manual Focus by rotating the command dial.

Located on top is a large monochrome data LCD. You can see the most commonly changed camera parameters at a glance without turning on the color LCD. This display can be illuminated by pressing the "light bulb" button. The Power switch is built around the shutter release. The large dial is the Command Dial, it's used to select modes and change various parameters.

Press and hold the MODE button and rotate the Command Dial to select the desired recording mode (Program AE, Shutter speed priority, Aperture priority or Manual).

Press and hold the Exposure Compensation (+/-) button and rotate the Command Dial to select the desired exposure override value (-2 to +2EV). In playback this button lets you record audio memos that are attached to images.

The FUNC button lets you quickly select either the "A"utomatic mode of operation or one of the three user-configurable shooting modes.

Here are all the possible icons and displays for the data LCD.

The Coolpix 8700 is equipped with a CompactFlash Type II card slot that allows the use of any size Type I or II CF cards. It is also compatible with IBM / Hitachi Microdrives. Nikon does not include any memory card with the camera.

On the left side under a large rubber flap are the I/O ports: The A / V port carries the video and audio to a television. The video format is user selectable between NTSC and PAL. The camera has both a microphone and a speaker builtin. The USB 1.1 port is for data transfer and can also be used with the MC-EU1 wired remote control. The DC IN port is for connecting an optional AC power adapter.

The Coolpix 8700 comes with the Nikon EN-EL1 lithium rechargeable battery pack or it can be powered by a one-use 2CR5 6V lithium battery. This is the same battery pack used by many of the Coolpix cameras. It can power the camera for approx. 100 minutes using either the color LCD or EVF.

The EN-EL1 battery pack is charged outside of the camera with the supplied MH-53 charger. This is a small and compact (100-240 VAC) charger that can replenish a fully depleted pack in about 120 minutes.

(Note: The MB-E5700 is shown on the Coolpix 5700 camera)

The optional Nikon MB-E5700 external battery pack adds a portrait grip, vertical shutter release and secondary zoom control buttons. It also makes the camera much easier to hold steady by giving you "more" to grab ahold of.

Here's a closeup view of the secondary zoom controls and the vertical shutter release.

With the MB-E5700 attached the Coolpix 8700 is now powered by six AA type batteries (high- capacity NiMH recommended) for longer use between charges than the EN-EL1 battery.