Nikon Nikon P7700 announced and previewed

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.
 
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!
 
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?
 
Well the P7700 is a bit smaller than the G1X, with a bigger zoom range, and faster lens. It has a much smaller sensor, sure, but one can't have everything.

It really should have an EVF though.
 
I think the GX1 was no huge surprise after the Panasonic X kit lens, which is made for a similar sized sensor and with roughly similar specs. the RX100... yeah I think very few people saw that coming. I'm sure Sony's competitors will come up with something similarly-sensored ASAP, but unless they'd started similar projects before the RX100 announcements, it's gonna take them another year or so.
 
yes, I know, but the Canon G1X has a similar sized sensor to m43, and since Panasonic had already made a very compact electronic zoom lens for m43, I think it wasn't a huge shock to see the Canon's sensor/camera size combination, whereas something similar to the RX100's sensor/camera size combo had never been done.
 
Ah yes, that's a good point. And yes the RX100 is the biggest surprise of the year IMHO.

Yeah, some of us have been saying that we'd like to wait and see Ricoh, et al use this size sensor in their next generation, but Sony may have blind-sided them with the RX100. It might not be until the generation after that when we start to see the 1" sensor compact become more common.
 
Well the P7700 is a bit smaller than the G1X, with a bigger zoom range, and faster lens. It has a much smaller sensor, sure, but one can't have everything.

It really should have an EVF though.

For that matter, the Canon G1X really should have had an EVF. The OVF really is quite awful, and does add to the height of the camera.
 
I think Sony cought everyone on surprise showing what can be dome with a compact body but, and its a big but, what is a deal breaker for someone like me is the zoom length.
I can somewhat compromise a little with IQ but not with zoom length so maybe Nikon has made the wright compromise between quality/zoom/size for those that will not get the Sony, which is a great camera by the way.
I think the other competitors must catch up. How long this will take, who knows?
 
I think I'll buy a P7100 because it is beeing discounted so i think, in this momento, it's a bargain buy.
For the P7700 I'll wait some months and then give the 7100 to my daughter and take the 7700 as soon as prices become more normal.
Do you think its the right think to do?
 
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