If
the D100 isn't a comfortable fit into the budget, the Nikon Coolpix
5700 might be. Nikon's newest high-end consumer camera could well
be their best to date.
The Coolpix 5700 also retains the 5000's rotating LCD screen design. The
screen opens out to the left, and can be rotated on its hinge so as to
be placed back flush on the back of the camera.
If the design of the LCD screen remains similar to that of the 5000, its
size isn't. The Coolpix 5700 has a smaller 1.5 inch screen compared to
the 5000's 1.8 inch screen.
What
it offers though, is an LCD viewfinder, the first time Nikon has used
the system with one of its digital cameras.
The viewfinder provides the same number of pixels as the one used on the
Fujifilm FinePix S602, 180,000
pixels, and has an easily accessed diopter correction to its left.
The electronic viewfinder (EVF), not only shows the image being received
by the CCD, but can be used to display and modify settings within the
menu, an ability that lessens the workload of the LCD screen.
When
EVFs are used in combination with a rotating LCD screen, it becomes possible
to use the camera with all subjects, as one viewfinder or another can
be used. This allows overhead shots, close-ups of subjects near the ground
using the LCD screen, and standard shots with the EVF.
The
rubberized grip of the Coolpix 5700 — well-designed apart from an
exceedingly misplaced strap post — provides an On/Off switch and
shutter release near the front, and 4 small buttons between the release
and the Command Dial at the back.
Three of the buttons (Mode, Exposure Compensation and Function) are used
in combination with the Command Dial. The light button is used to illuminate
the small but useful display.
The
Mode button is used when the camera is set to one of its 3 "User
Set Modes" which give access to the full functionality of the Coolpix
5700, and is ineffective in the A (Auto) mode. With any of the User
Sets it allows the selection of one of the Program Modes:
Program
[P] provides Full Auto, or Flexible Program [P*],
which lets the user select combinations of shutter speeds and apertures.
Shutter
Priority [S], makes it possible to select a shutter speed
while the camera finds a corresponding aperture.
Aperture
Priority [A] lets the user select an aperture, thereby
controlling the depth of field, while the camera selects the necessary
shutter speed.
Manual
Mode [M] provides complete control over the camera for
both the shutter speed and the aperture, while the camera displays
an exposure scale. The Command Dial is used to set the parameters,
and switching from shutter speed to aperture is done by pressing the
Mode button by itself.
The
Exposure Compensation button, adjacent to the Mode button, provides
for increasing or decreasing the brightness of the metered exposure
over a range of ±2EV in 1/3EV steps.
The Function button serves to quickly recall any of 3 possible
User Sets — combinations of settings and preferences stored in
the camera — without having to access the camera menu.
The
left side of the camera supports 4 additional buttons grouped on the
lens barrel. Three of the buttons play dual roles, one when pressed
by themselves, the other when held down while the Command Dial is turned.
Starting at the top left, the first button is for:
Flash
Modes: Auto, Forced Off, Auto with Red-eye Reduction, Fill-flash,
and Slow Sync. Used with the Command Dial, the button controls ISO
(sensitivity) settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800 ISO.
Resolution/Size
selects the image quality when used by itself (Basic, Normal, Fine,
TIFF, RAW), or image size (2560, 1600, 1280, 1024, 640) when used
with the Command Dial.
The
Focus Mode button cycles through Infinity (focus is set to
infinity and the built-in flash is disabled); Macro (lets the camera
focus at a distance of 3 cm [1.17 inch]); and Macro with Self-timer
(3 or 10 second delay) when used by itself. When used with the Command
Dial, the button serves to reach the Manual Focus mode.
Last is the Focus and Exposure Lock, which can be set in the camera menu to lock either exposure, or focus, or both.
The
remaining external controls of the Coolpix 5700 are organized on the
right side of the camera's back.
Closest to the viewfinder is the SEL button, used to switch between
the EVF and the LCD screen. The switch can only be used if the LCD is
opened, or folded back in a visible position on the camera's back.
Right of the SEL button is the Zoom Control, which also serves
to show thumbnails of captured photos, or magnify a given image (6X).
Next
comes the Mode Switch used to select either the Recording or Playback
modes. To its left, the Menu button calls up the extensive menu
system of the Coolpix 5700.
The Quick Review button is used to get an instant look at the last
captured image.
The Multi-Selector is the 4-direction control closest to the right
edge. As its name implies, it supports a number of functions, from menu
selections to image review and focus point selection.
The
Delete button allows single image deletion, after a selection is
made in a "Yes/No" dialogue.
Display, the lowest button on the camera's back, is used to clear
the information overlay on the screen, or call it up. In addition, the
button can be used to "wake-up" the camera after it has powered
down following a period of inactivity. The shutter release can also be
used to the same end.
The
Coolpix 5700 is equipped with a pop-up flash that can be set to be released
automatically, or manually. The flash has a range of 0.5 m to 4 m (1ft
10in to 13ft) when the lens is set to the wide angle position. Moreover,
a hotshoe is available, which is compatible with Nikon's Speedlights SB-80DX,
50Dx, 28DX, and SB series flash units 28, 26, 25, 24, 22s, and 22. It
should be noted however that the camera does support the power zoom of
any external Nikon speedlight.
To our
mind, the Coolpix 5700 is the best designed consumer digital camera Nikon
has produced to date. Although a complex and versatile camera, Nikon has
rationalized most of the controls and arranged them in a way that is easy
to learn and use. Only one detail remains impractical: the right side
neck strap post that is positioned directly in the palm of the user.
pixels, and has an easily accessed diopter correction to its left.
