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#1
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Nikon Coolpix
I am trying to decide between the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and 8700. I
don't really need 8 megapixels; 5 should be plenty. Is there any reason I should spend the extra $ to get the 8700? Thanks, Frank |
#2
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Nikon Coolpix
I just researched that area myself when looking for a new camera. Most of
the current rack of 8's have from poor (Sony 808) to marginal reviews for most of the rest. Even the ones that received fairly decent reviews do not seem to be woth the extra $ for simply getting 8 megapixels. I saw no need for 8 megapixels. I ended up with a Digital Rebel and am very happy. Greg "Frank Mazzola" wrote in message om... I am trying to decide between the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and 8700. I don't really need 8 megapixels; 5 should be plenty. Is there any reason I should spend the extra $ to get the 8700? Thanks, Frank |
#3
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Nikon Coolpix
"Frank Mazzola" wrote in message om... I am trying to decide between the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and 8700. I don't really need 8 megapixels; 5 should be plenty. Is there any reason I should spend the extra $ to get the 8700? Thanks, Frank Generally speaking, an 8MP camera will produce excellent 8.5x11 prints (and a little larger good prints). If your interest is mainly in smaller prints, say about 5x7 and smaller, with an occasional flair for a fairly decent 8x10 print, the 5MP camera should satisfy your expectant use of the camera. However, be aware that the number of pixels alone shouldn't be the deciding factor. There are many things other than just pixels that will affect the quality of an image. These 'other' things are generally considered functional improvements associated with newer cameras as the number of pixels increase. Until at some point you become absolutely satisfied with the performance of the camera you're using, it's then you probably will no longer care what new cameras and associated wizardry is being marketed. That's more likely to happen with the newer 8MP cameras than the 5MP cameras. I suggest when shopping for a camera, take a compact flash card with you. Ask to be allowed to take a series of random pictures of anything with the lens wide open and at its longest focal range, manually changing the ISO levels, say up to 400 (taking notes of what you have done). When at home, download the pictures and examine the images taken. The store will be satisfied with any purchase you make but you should be satisfied with what you have bought. My rule-of-thumb, as concerns my buying practice, is not to buy at the level of just what I need (at the present time) but buy a level close but above my present need. That way as I become more familiar with my equipment, my equipment will allow me to expand my learning curve utilizing the full potential of what I had bought; not to mention keeping the equipment longer thereby getting longer and better use for the expenditure. nick |
#4
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Nikon Coolpix
if i had to choose the best choice between these two cameras my answer would
be neither. despite the larger pixel count the 8700 is inferior to the 5700, but the 5700 lacks autofocus assist which means the slow lag time in good lighting becomes impossible in moderate/dim lighting. the camera can not be used indoors at a dining table without a large expensive external speedlight that happens to be compatible with this camera to allow it to fire the speedlights autofocus assist led. but if you have no intention to use it in low light and don't mind the lag time then you can capture quality images with the 5700. i recommend that you take a good hard look at the canon g series for much better values than either of these nikons. "Frank Mazzola" wrote in message om... I am trying to decide between the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and 8700. I don't really need 8 megapixels; 5 should be plenty. Is there any reason I should spend the extra $ to get the 8700? Thanks, Frank |
#5
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Nikon Coolpix
"Frank Mazzola" wrote in message
om... I am trying to decide between the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and 8700. I don't really need 8 megapixels; 5 should be plenty. Is there any reason I should spend the extra $ to get the 8700? Thanks, Frank The 8700 is more recent and has some more features in the camera firmware and an auto-focus assist light. However, unles you are desparate for the extra pixels, the 5700 is better value for money, and is a highly optimised package. Cheers, David |
#6
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Nikon Coolpix
"Christopher Muto" wrote in message
... if i had to choose the best choice between these two cameras my answer would be neither. despite the larger pixel count the 8700 is inferior to the 5700, but the 5700 lacks autofocus assist which means the slow lag time in good lighting becomes impossible in moderate/dim lighting. Just how is the 8700 inferior? I agree that the auto-focus assist is a useful feature, although I have not personally used the 8700. The 5700 is certainly not "impossible" in dim lighting - you can help the focus by choosing sharp edges or focussing on the brighter parts of the scene. the camera can not be used indoors at a dining table without a large expensive external speedlight that happens to be compatible with this camera to allow it to fire the speedlights autofocus assist led. I have taken many indoor shots with the 5700 at the dining table without problems. I have never needed an external speedlight. but if you have no intention to use it in low light and don't mind the lag time then you can capture quality images with the 5700. You can overcome the lag to some extent by a half-press of the shutter release, which sets focus and exposure, then a full press at the desired taking moment. I use single-shot focus, not continuous. i recommend that you take a good hard look at the canon g series for much better values than either of these nikons. Do any of them offer the same 280mm focal length? Cheers, David |
#7
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Nikon Coolpix
I own the Coolpix 5700 and will admit that sometimes autofocusing in dimmer
lighting can be a pain. One thing that helps a lot, though, is to turn off the manual selection of the AF points and turn it to "manual" which makes it focus on the center. For some weird reason, that makes it focus in much dimmer lighting than having manual selection of the AF points enabled with the center-point selected. Don't ask me why; someone else suggested it and they were right. The 8700 does have an AF assist light, although the built-in flash has to be popped up for it to activate itself. That would annoy me, because I have my 5700 flash set it to fire it I have it popped up, so that would be awkward if I wanted AF assist with the 8700 but didn't want to use flash at that time. I'll tell you my feelings in one other key way. I would lean towards the 5700 for one simple reason--just last year it cost $1000, and now with a little luck you can get one for $500 (hopefully that will continue when the rebate program ends). That's a HUGE drop. Plus, 5 megapixels honestly is PLENTY for doing 8x10s; you are NOT going to feel limited to the 5x7 range with this camera I can assure you. Moreover, getting back to the price thing--the 8700 sells for close to $1000. Notice you can get a Nikon D70 (body only) for that price. Unless one values compactness and all-in-oneness (and live LCD preview) to the hilt, given the choice between the 8700 and the D70 for the same price 98% of the people are going to get the D70. I know I would. No way would I spend that much money and be THAT close to a D70 only to "settle." At least the price difference between the 5700 and D70 is nearly 2-1 now, so you don't feel like you were that close to having a D70 yet "settled." LRH |
#8
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Nikon Coolpix
On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 05:15:22 GMT, "Christopher Muto"
wrote: 5700 lacks autofocus assist ... I own a 5700 and agree with the slow focus issue - it should have had the AF assist. No matter what camera I purchased I would ALWAYS add an external flash for properly lit flash. Every camera's built in flash is cute, but does not give enough light, or proper shadows. In fact if you plan to use the camera a lot with an external flash consider the lack of the 5700's compatibility with Nikon's flash features. The 8700 also has a larger LCD viewing panel wich is nicer. I purchased an external Vivitar 730AFNi and use it with Nikon's SC-28 (don't buy the SC-17) cable. The results are great. And a lot cheaper than Nikon's flashes. Check out... http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/ - excellent source of information http://www.nextphoto.net/5700.htm - if you get the Coolpix look at non-Nikon, third party accessories. Some are better designed than Nikoln's. (really) http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_...n8700_pg6.html - great source of reviews I would go with the 8700 if I had to choose between them. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + The News Guy(Mike) - Seinfeld Lists + (two mirrored sites) + http://membres.lycos.fr/tnguym + http://waveprohosting.com/tnguym + All things Seinfeld; scripts, trivia, lists, +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
#9
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Nikon Coolpix
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#10
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Nikon Coolpix
Thank you all for you thoughts and comments. So, does anyone know the
Canon series? What about Olympus? I always thought that Nikon had the best lenses, and they also have some nice lens attachments. Thanks, Frank |
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