Thread: Nikon P7700 announced and previewed

Still a 1/1.7" type sensor (BSI CMOS this time), but with a 28-200mm f/2 - f/4 lens, a fully articulated screen and 3 dials, an exposure compensation dial, an exposure mode dial and a quick menu dial, this looks like an incredibly versatile "compact" (it's 51mm deep which is quite a lot). It does lose the viewfinder though!
Nikon Coolpix P7700 Hands-on Preview: Digital Photography Review

I know the OVFs in the Nikon P7000/7100 and Canon G series have been criticized by the photo media but they were still very useful - particularly in bright sunlight. Other than the omission of the viewfinder, this P7700 seems like a great camera. But unless the rear LCD is clearly visible in direct sunlight, I still question the decision. Also, given that cameras like this and Canon's G series are not the lightest compact cameras around, using an OVF while bracing the camera body against one's face is a viable photo technique, particularly at longer focal lengths.

Wow, I love the size and ergonomics of the camera. A dedicated exposure compensation dial and dial in front for the index finger to make changes. Flip screen too. f2-f4 is also outstanding, as long as the lens is reasonably sharp. I might need to check one of these out.

My brother has a P7100 and just loves it. That and his D7000. If I were in the market for that kind of camera right know, I'd definitely consider the either the P7100 or the P7700.

$#@&! 28mm... I want 24mm!

I tried a P7100 for a while. I liked the flip up rear screen - I guess the 7000 had a fully articulating screen and so does this new 7700 so I guess the flip up screen wasn't anyone's favorite - other than mine! But I didn't like the camera. I think 28-200mm is just too large a range to do well in a camera like this. It seemed like whether I was using auto focus or zone focus, I had a REALLY hard time getting sharp shots out of this camera, even in really bright light. I'm sure there are some good parts of the range of the lens, but I tend to shoot wide and occasionally long but don't spend a lot of time in between, so I was probably missing the lens's sweet spot. Its a great form factor, size, good controls, pretty pleasurable in use. But I'm probably the least likely to pixel-peep among those of us on this forum, and I just couldn't get quality I liked out of it. Maybe I just got a dud???

Something like the form factor and size of the 7100 and these other models seem to me to be where a really good compact with an RX100 type sensor and a fast 24-90-ish lens could really work. Nearly m43 image quality in a single fairly compact camera easy enough to travel very light with. So I stay interested in these cameras, if only from a distance...

-Ray

Hi all.

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post.
I'm looking for a serious digital compact camera and was near to buy some Canon superzoom stuff (well not very high end) because I need a good zoom range.
Then I saw the announcement of this camera and I'm waiting for reviews because it may be just what I need to complement my Nikon D90.

hi elandel, welcome!
of the camers with larger-than-usual sensors, the Nikon P7*00 series have by far the greatest zoom ranges, so if you don't need the ultimate tele of a real superzoom, it might be a good alternative with higher image quality and probably more/easier manual control. it won't be cheap though!

Originally Posted by bartjeej

hi elandel, welcome!
of the camers with larger-than-usual sensors, the Nikon P7*00 series have by far the greatest zoom ranges, so if you don't need the ultimate tele of a real superzoom, it might be a good alternative with higher image quality and probably more/easier manual control. it won't be cheap though!

You got it. I really need some zoom, and 28-200 is a good range, in a good quality package. I think this should be just right for my needs. I was about to buy a Canon SX260 but was not convinced with IQ so looked further and saw this one. It will be a bit expensive I know, but here in Italy, the Canon is not at a bargain price point, so I'm waiting to see it's pricing here.

Now, this is not a particularly small camera so I can only ask the question: has the G1X and even more so the RX100 caught the others seriously off guard in terms of what you can fit in a fixed-lens compact camera?