Nikon Coolpix S9700 Review

By:

Review posted 06/23/2014

Quick Take
Pros
  • Extremely sharp images in most shooting conditions, even at full telephoto setting
  • Hybrid Vibration Reduction feature works very well
  • Versatile camera with plenty of useful features
  • 30x optical zoom lens is impressive in this thin of a camera
  • Shot-to-shot delays are minimal
  • Shutter lag is not noticeable
  • Continuous shot modes are impressive with varied options
  • OLED display screen offers extremely sharp images
  • Built-in GPS and Wi-Fi included
  • Good battery life when shooting still images
  • Ability to charge camera using USB cable while connected to computer
Cons
  • Image quality is good, but lags some other models in this price range
  • ISO 800 and higher photos will show noise
  • Chromatic aberration is noticeable in high contrast photos
  • No touch screen or articulated display screen
  • Those who won't use GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities won't receive as good of a value
  • Wi-Fi and GPS functions can be a little confusing to set up and use
  • Playback features are a bit odd
  • Camera's shooting interface could be better designed
  • Menu structure could use an updated design
Bottom Line
Having a 30x optical zoom lens in a camera that measures only 1.4 inches in thickness makes the Nikon Coolpix S9700 a model well worth considering, as few thin cameras can match such a large telephoto option. The S9700 also works extremely fast with minimal shutter lag and shot-to-shot delays. Throw in built-in GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities, and the S9700 is a great option for travel photography, as it's easy to carry, creates good photographs, and it has plenty of flexibility to meet almost any type of photography situation. The S9700 struggles a bit in low light photos, and a larger image sensor would allow this model to shoot photos that could be printed sharply at large sizes, but it's still a very nice camera that's good for shooting vacation photos. Read more in our Full Conclusion.
Nikon's new Coolpix S9700 has the makings of an affordable all-around point-and-shoot. While it doesn't have the ultra zoom lenses of the P600 (60x) and the P530 (42x), it still boasts a whopping 30x optical zoom inside its petite shell, good for a 35mm equivalent of 25-750mm. The S9700 also features at 16-megapixel BSI CMOS image sensor, 1080/60i HD video recording, built-in Wi-Fi, built-in GPS (not on either the P600 or P530), and a high resolution 3.0-inch OLED display.

Nikon Coolpix S9700 Features
  • 16-megapixel BSI CMOS Image Sensor
  • 30x Optical Zoom Lens
    • 60x Dynamic Fine Zoom (digital)
    • 25-750mm (35mm equivalent)
  • Lens Shift Vibration Reduction (VR)
  • 1080/60i HD Video Recording
  • Hybrid Vibration Reduction (VR)
  • 3.0-inch OLED Display (921K-dot)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • Li-ion battery (good for 300+ photos)
  • SD card slot


The Nikon S9700 is available in Black and Red with an MSRP of $349.95. See o ur buy box at the top right of this page to see the most current online pricing.

What's in the box?:
  • S9700 camera body
  • AN-CP19 strap
  • UC-E21 USB cable
  • EN-EL12 rechargeable battery
  • EH-71P charging AC adapter

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.