The Coolpix 3700 uses a 3.34
million pixel CCD of which 3.2 million are used to yield an
image size of 2048 x 1536 pixels. The CCD has sensitivity
ratings starting at 50 ISO, increasing to a maximum of 200
ISO. CCD sensitivity is automatically controlled by the Coolpix
3700, and when the camera increases sensitivity to reduce the
likelihood of camera shake interfering with the sharpness of
the image, ISO is shown on the screen to indicate that
the image may contain some noise.
The Coolpix 3700 increases the sensitivity very gradually, and any setting
over 50 ISO is indicated by ISO on the monitor.
The 3X zoom Nikkor lens has
a focal length of 5.4 to 16.2mm which captures a field of
view equivalent of
a 35 to 105mm lens in the 35mm film format. The lens is composed
of 7 elements in 6 groups and has a starting aperture of
f2.8 at the wide angle end and f4.9 at the telephoto end.
A shutter speed range of 1/3000 second to 4 seconds is available to the
Coolpix 3700, which means that some low light photography is possible,
but as the maximum sensitivity of the CCD is equivalent to 200 ISO, the
subject should be something as bright as a night time cityscape.
The Coolpix 3700 also provides a digital
zoom which gets engaged if the zoom control is held in for more than
2 seconds. The digital zoom (4X) captures a progressively smaller central
area of the frame as it is used, and saves the cropped area at the selected
image size, interpolating it
as required.
The Coolpix 3700 is able
to capture photos at 4 image sizes, all images are saved
in JPEG format, and only the largest image size provides
a choice for the amount of compression applied to the image:
2048 x 1536 — High (1:4)
2048 x 1536 — Normal (1:8)
1600 x 1200 — Normal (1:8)
1024 x 768 — Normal (1:8)
640 x 480 — Normal (1:8)
The Coolpix 3700 is equipped with a variety
of shooting modes, including 15 Scene modes, a full Auto mode
and a Manual mode.
However, it is only in the Manual mode,
and some Scene modes, that the focusing system of the
Coolpix 3700 can be controlled. By default, the camera uses
a 5-point AF system which is fully automatic. But, if
the option is selected in the Manual mode's menu, the focus
can be manually set to any one of the five points in the frame
using the Multi-selector. Or, alternatively, can be forced
to the centre of the frame exclusively. Moreover, exposure
metering — a 256-segment
matrix system — is linked to the focus point, and
a focus assist light ensures that low-light shots turn out
sharp.
Of all the recording modes, the Manual mode provides the greatest
amount of control over the camera, and its menu contains the most options:
Image Mode: used to select the image quality and
size, as outlined above.
White balance: Auto; Preset (white balance is
determined on the spot according to a grey surface or object);
Sun; Incandescent; Fluorescent; Cloudy; Flash.
Continuous:Single; Continuous H captures
3 photos at 2.5 frames per seconds; Continuous L captures
5 photos at 1.5 frames per second; Multi-shot 16,
the camera takes 16 consecutive shots each 512 x 384 pixels
and combines them into a single 2048 x 1536 pixel frame; Interval
timer shooting takes up to 1,800 shots at a specified
interval.
Best-Shot Selector: (On, Off). The system records
up to 10 photos, compares them and saves the sharpest one.
Sharpening: provides 5 sharpening options. Auto,
lets the camera automatically enhances edge contrast depending
on the image; High, enhances edge sharpness; Normal,
applies the same standard sharpening to all images; Low applies
a level of sharpening less than the Normal setting; Off applies
no sharpening.
AF Area mode: provides control over the focus
point, or sets the focus to the centre of the frame, as
outlined above.
As mentioned, besides the Auto and Manual shooting modes,
the Coolpix 3700 also offers 15 Scene modes, and an
access to decide the image quality and size to use for the
selected scene mode:
Portrait: Automatically
selects a wide aperture and sets the flash to Auto
with red-eye reduction. (Other flash modes remain
available); the focus point can be manually selected.
Party/Indoor: The
flash is set to Auto with red-eye reduction, but
can be changed.
Night Portrait: slow
shutter speed to capture the background and flash
to illuminate the foreground. The flash mode is
fixed at Auto with red-eye reduction; noise reduction
is used, and the AF point is selectable.
Beach/Snow: Enhances
colours and sets the flash mode to Auto.
Landscape: Selects
a small aperture and forces the flash to off. Outlines,
colours and contrasts are enhanced. Focus is set
to infinity.
Sunset: The
flash is forced off and the colours associated
with sunsets and sunrises are enhanced. Centre
focus is used.
Night Landscape: A
slow shutter speed is used to capture the image
and the focus is set to infinity while the flash
is forced off.
Museum: Forces
the flash to Off, Best Shot Selector is turned
on.
Fireworks Show: Slow
shutter speed is used and the flash is forced off.
Focus set to infinity. Self-timer and exposure
compensation are not available.
Close-up: Sets
the camera to macro mode, and sets the zoom to
the best focal length. Continuous focus is used,
and the focus point can be manually selected.
Copy: to capture
images of text or drawings. Records a grey-scale
image to provide sharper contrast. The flash is
set to Off, but the setting can be changed, and
macro mode remains accessible.
Back Light: For
use when the light is behind the subject. The flash
is forced On to provide fill-in light, and the
focus point is automatically selected.
Panorama assist: is
designed to capture a series of images which be
assembled into a panorama later. White balance
and the flash mode cannot be changed after the
first shot. The Multi-selector serves to determine
the direction (up, down, right, or left) for the
sequence of images.
Sports: Uses
a high shutter speed to freeze action. Continuous
mode is selected and focus, white balance and exposure
are determined at the first frame.
Dusk/Dawn: Focus
is set to infinity and noise reduction is used
at low shutter speeds.
In Playback, the Coolpix 3700 offers a menu with 8 options:
Print Set: is to select photos for printing. Photos
can be highlighted from the thumbnail display, and the
number of prints of each can be set. The date can be stamped
on each image, if desired. The Coolpix 3700 is compatible
with both PictBridge standards, and Epson's USB Direct.
Slide show: starts an automatic slide show of
the photos on the memory card.
Delete: used to delete all, or selected images.
Protect: makes the photos read-only, protecting
them from an accidental erasure.
Auto Transfer: allows marking all or none of the
images contained on the memory card for automatic transfer
using Nikon View, the software bundled with the camera.
When the camera is connected to the computer, pressing the button
will automatically transfer images.
Pic enhance menu: creates a black and white, sepia,
or enhanced copy of a picture currently displayed on the
screen. The enhanced function uses a halo filter
which leaves the centre of the image sharp while softening
the outer parts.
Small Pic: Creates a small copy of the current
image. Images can be saved at 3 different sizes, 640 x
480, 320 x 240, or 160 x 120.
Movie trim menu: serves to cut and edit movies.
Additional functions are available in Playback. While an
image is displayed on the screen, pressing the Multi-controller
in allows rotating the image 90° and then 180°. And,
with a photo magnified on the screen, pressing the shutter
release allows recording up to 20 seconds of sound, which
will be attached to the image. If needed, the delete button
can then be used to delete the sound track and not the image,
making it possible to record a different sound or annotation.
With the Coolpix 3700, Nikon includes a 16MB SD card with the
Coolpix 3700 — a marked departure from the usual CompactFlash memory
card used in earlier Nikon cameras.
The card slot is located on
the right side of the camera, and is covered by a rigid door.
The chart below shows the number of images that can be stored with the
16MB SD card include with the Cool[pix 3700, and a 256MB SD card:
Resolution
Memory
Card
16
MB
256
MB
2048 x 1536 High
9
160
2048 x 1536 Normal
17
312
1600 x 1200 Normal
28
503
1024 x 768 Normal
63
1114
640 x 480 Normal
127
2229
The USB (1.1) and A/V out share
the same connection, and are in near the card slot. To avoid
having to open the card compartment door, a small door can
be opened within the card door so as to connect the Coolpix
3700 with either its A/V cable or the USB cables.
Also located in that same compartment
is the Lithium Ion battery pack (EN-EL5) that powers the camera.
The battery is held in place with an orange clip, preventing
it from sliding out when the card is removed.
A wired charger for the battery is included in the camera kit (MH-61) which
can run off 100-240 V and 50/60Hz. Fully recharging a battery takes approximately
2 hours.
Nikon offers an optional AC
adapter (EH-61A) for the Coolpix 3700. The adapter replaces
the battery, sliding into the battery compartment while its
wire can be pushed through a small soft rubber flap at the
bottom of the compartment's door, allowing the door to be closed.
Compare Prices for Nikon EG-CP14, Audio / Video Interface Cable for many Nikon Coolpix Cameras.
Characteristics
button
will automatically transfer images.
