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Nikon are the second company to make an 8MP digicam. Sony were
the first with their DSC-F828, which for a while now has been to only member of
the 8MP digicam club! Now you have a choice. Both sell for around the same price
(a fraction under $1000). The Sony has a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 7X Zoom lens
(28 - 200mm), while the Nikon has a Nikon ED lens with 8x zoom (35-280), so the
Sony goes wider, but the Nikon goes longer. Of course there's more to performance
than the number of pixels and the range of the zoom, so we'll have to wait and
see how well the 8700 performs. Noise is always an issue when pixel size gets
smaller and it will be intersting to see how well Nikon have dealt with this
issue.
The following material is from the Nikon press release:
MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 28 -- Nikon has taken the lead in the popular and
powerful "prosumer" camera category with its new Coolpix 8700 digital camera
(http://www.nikoncoolpix.com). This remarkable new product combines
8.0-megapixel resolution with an 8x Optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens (35-280 mm, *35mm
equivalent) and legendary Nikon quality and design to bring experienced digital
photographers the most versatile and capable compact digital camera available
today. The Nikon Coolpix 8700's impressive performance and stunning images will
quickly establish it as the new flagship for high-end consumer compact digital
cameras.
"Today's high-end digital consumer is much more experienced, better informed
and starving for the best in design, quality and overall performance. The Nikon
Coolpix 8700 addresses consumers head-on with the combination of 8-megapixel
resolution and the most powerful optical zoom lens in the category," said Jerry
Grossman, vice president, Marketing, Consumer Digital Products ay Nikon Inc.
"With this important new product, Nikon has clearly assembled the most aggressive
display of cutting edge technology, extensive features and sheer photographic
power in the compact consumer market to date."
Nikon Coolpix 8700 - "The-Power-Of-8-ography" The Nikon Coolpix 8700 is the
perfect camera for serious photographers who demand the highest level of quality
and control from their compact digital camera. The camera incorporates an 8.0
effective megapixel CCD, which produces image sizes of up to 3,264 x 2,448-pixels
for prints larger than 20x30-inches. For those who print their images at home,
the Nikon Coolpix 8700 supports PictBridge(TM) technology to enable direct
printing to compatible photo printers, regardless of brand. The camera also
employs an 8x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens, with Nikon's own Extra-low Dispersion
(ED) glass, designed to get the photographer close to the subject without
sacrificing image quality, color representation or sharpness. Serious digital
photographers demand a great deal from their equipment. The Nikon Coolpix 8700 is
well prepared to withstand the wear and tear that comes with frequent use. The
camera is constructed with a compact, lightweight magnesium (Mg) alloy body that
has been designed for durability and portability, with a secure, comfortable grip
for stability during shooting. Nikon has employed the highest resolution (238,000
pixel) electronic viewfinder (EVF) for extremely sharp, through-the-lens viewing.
In addition, users can use the large 1.8" vari-angle LCD panel as well to review
shots on the go.
The Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera incorporates four exposure modes to give
the photographer ultimate creative control over their image capture. These modes
include Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto
[A] and Manual [M]. The camera also offers an automatic mode, which makes the
Coolpix 8700 an ideal tool in situations where operation needs to be
'point-and-shoot simple.' For added convenience, the camera now incorporates 12
preset Scene Modes taken from the existing line of award-winning Coolpix digital
cameras. Scene Modes allow for striking images in practically any shooting
situation. Simply select the mode appropriate to the lighting conditions, and the
camera will automatically adjust focus, flash, contrast, sensitivity and white
balance. The camera has ability to capture images in RAW recording mode (NEF
format) for maximum image control and manipulation after the picture is taken
using Nikon Capture software.
Legendary Nikkor Optics - The Lens Matters
No matter the type or size of a camera, great pictures begin with great
lenses. More professionals choose Nikkor lenses than all other brands combined.
That very same quality is built into the Nikkor lens of every Nikon Coolpix
digital camera, including the Nikon Coolpix 8700. The Nikon Coolpix 8700 has a
zoom range of 35-280 mm (35mm equivalent). The lens incorporates two ED lens
elements to produce clear, sharp, colorful images. In addition, an Optical
Low-Pass Filter is optimized, which helps the new high-definition CCD image
sensor to make the most out of the camera's already outstanding optical
performance. The result is remarkably clear, natural images with superior detail
and contrast. The Nikon Coolpix 8700 supports a complete series of affordable
accessory lenses, which expand the camera's zoom range from 7mm-420mm. The
Coolpix 8700 is compatible with Coolpix accessory lenses including the 1.5x ED
glass teleconverter (TC-E15ED)(420mm), the 0.8x Wide Angle Adapter (WC-E80)(28mm)
and the new Fisheye converter lens (FC-E9)(7mm). That translates to a whopping
55x optical zoom capability...a figure that is unparalleled throughout the rest
of the photo industry.
Nikon Coolpix 8700 Key Features:
8.0 effective megapixels (3,264 x 2,448-pixels)
8x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens with a zoom ratio of 35-280 mm (equivalent to
35mm-280mm in 35mm [135] format).
238,000-pixel high resolution through-the-lens EVF (Electronic Viewfinder),
enhances user experience with backlight illumination
Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A]
and Manual [M] exposure control modes
RAW data image mode -- NEF
Quick response -- instant startup, reduced shutter release time lag and fast
image processing
12 preset Scene Modes, including the new Panorama Assist Mode
Continuous shooting of up to 5 full-size images at 2.5 frames per second
(fps)
Macro shooting capability as close as 1.2-inches supported by Best Shot
Selector (BSS) function
AE-BSS (Auto Exposure-BSS) for automatic selection of the best relative
exposure - highlight, shadow or histogram
Nikon's exclusive 256-segment Matrix Metering, complemented by
Center-Weighted, Spot and Spot AF area metering
Fast, accurate Five-Area Multi Autofocus with the new AF-assist illuminator
that assures sharp focusing in difficult compositions and low light
Noise Reduction Mode for timed exposures
In-camera color control -- Saturation control (5 steps and B&W)
Movie - TV movie (640 x 480 pixels; 30 fps) with audio, Small movie (320 x
240 pixels; 15 fps) with audio, or Sepia movie (320 x 240 pixels; 5 fps) with
audio, or Time-lapse movie (640 x 480 pixels; 30 fps) without audio
Large vari-angle highly transmissible advanced TFT-LCD monitor for greater
visibility -- even in bright sunlight
Hot shoe for external Nikon SB-series Speedlights and accessories
Software and Accessories - Value Matters
Nikon Coolpix digital cameras incorporate the powerful NikonView 6 photo
management software to transfer, browse, edit, save and print photos. NikonView
offers the exclusive One-Touch Red-Eye Fix(TM) software, extensive one-button
emailing options and an option to create online photo portfolio templates using
HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language), which can easily be added to any personal Web
site or page.
Nikon also includes a software suite from ArcSoft(R) including
VideoImpression(TM) to edit and share QuickTime(TM) movies taken with the camera
and Panorama Maker(TM), which takes advantage of the Coolpix 8700's Panorama
Assist Mode and seamlessly stitches together multiple horizontal or vertical
images to create beautiful panoramic photos.
The Nikon Coolpix 8700 provides users with all the equipment they need to
begin shooting, which includes NikonView 6 image management software, USB cable,
video cable, neck strap, EN-EL1 rechargeable battery and quick charger. Optional
accessories include the HN-CP11 Hood for using 77mm filters, as well as the
MB-E5700 power and vertical release grip for expanded shooting capability.
The Nikon Coolpix 8700 will be available at retail in March 2004 at an MSRP of
$999.95.
