Preview based on a production Coolpix 8800, Firmware v1.3
The Coolpix 8800 was announced along with the 8400 and 4800 on the 16th September in the run-up to Photokina 2004. It's the first ten times optical zoom eight megapixel digital camera and it's also Nikon's first consumer digital camera with Vibration Reduction technology. The 8800 takes the 8700's design and engine and builds on it, on top of the new lens and Vibration Reduction there are a whole raft of new features and improvements which are also shared by the Coolpix 8400 (the two cameras are virtually identical apart from their lens and body design).
 Nikon Coolpix 8800 |
 Nikon Coolpix 8700 |
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|---|---|---|
| Lens | • 10x optical zoom "Nikkor ED " VR • 35 - 350 mm equiv. • F2.6 - F4.9 |
• 8x optical zoom "Nikkor ED " • 35 - 280 mm equiv. • F2.8 - F4.2 |
| Image stabilization | Nikon VR (lens element) | No |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480, 30 fps, max 60 sec • 320 x 240, 15 fps, unlimited • With audio • Timelapse movie also available |
• 640 x 480, 30 fps, max 35 sec |
| Image formats | • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) - 4 levels • RAW • TIFF |
• JPEG (EXIF 2.2) - 3 levels • RAW • TIFF |
| Auto focus | • CCD TTL • 9 area manual • 5 area auto |
• CCD TTL • 5 area manual • 5 area auto |
| AF Assist | Lamp on camera body | Lamp on flash (must be up) |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 50 - 400 | ISO 50 - 800 |
| Exposure mode dial | Yes | No, exposure mode by button press |
| Play / Rec switch | No | Yes |
| Continuous | • High (2.3 fps; up to 5 frames) • Low (1.2 fps; up to 11 frames) |
• High (2.5 fps; up to 5 frames) • Low (1.2 fps; up to 12 frames) |
| Max shutter speed | 1/3000 sec | 1/4000 sec |
| Saturation levels | • Auto, +2 to -2, B&W | • +2 to -2, B&W |
| Flash range | • Wide: 0.5 - 6.0 m (Auto ISO) • Tele: 1.0 - 3.0 m (Auto ISO) |
• Wide: 0.5 - 4.1 m (Auto ISO) • Tele: 0.5 - 2.7 m (Auto ISO) |
| External flash | • Hot-shoe • Supports i-TTL and flash zoom |
• Hot-shoe • D-TTL, no flash zoom |
| Playback zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 6x |
| Power | • Lithium-Ion EN-EL7 rechargeable • 7.4 V, 1100 mAh (8.1 Wh) |
• Lithium-Ion EN-EL1 rechargeable • 7.4 V, 680 mAh (5.0 Wh) |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) | USB 1.1 |
| Remote control | Included Infrared | Optional wired |
| Dimensions | 116 x 85 x 121 mm (4.6 x 3.3 x 4.8 in) |
108 x 73 x 69 mm (4.3 x 2.9 x 2.7 in) |
| Weight (inc batt) | 680 g (1.5 lb) | 512 g (1.1 lb) |
After a brief look at the specs and a hands-on it was clear that the Coolpix 8400 and 8800 shared the same heart; CCD, processor, menus, image processing) battery, LCD monitor, EVF, a similar control layout as well as other features. As a buyer therefore you can choose simply between a smaller 3.5x wide-angle zoom or for $100 more a large 10x telephoto-zoom with VR. The differences between the two cameras are detailed below.
 Nikon Coolpix 8400 |
Nikon Coolpix 8800 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Price | US: $899 MSRP, $799 Street | US: $999 MSRP, $899 Street |
| Lens | • 3.5x optical zoom "Nikkor ED" • 24 - 85 mm equiv. • F2.6 - F4.9 |
• 10x optical zoom "Nikkor ED " VR • 35 - 350 mm equiv. • F2.6 - F4.9 |
| Auto Focus | Hybrid (external AF & CCD) | Contrast detect CCD |
| Image stabilization | No | Nikon VR (lens element) |
| Flash | • Pop-up (90 degree flip-up) • Electronic release • Range W: 0.5 - 6.0 m • Range T: 0.5 - 3.0 m |
• Pop-up (raises) • Electronic release • Range W: 0.5 - 6.0 m • Range T: 1.0 - 3.0 m |
| Dimensions | 113 x 82 x 75 mm (4.4 x 3.2 x 3.0 in) |
116 x 85 x 121 mm (4.6 x 3.3 x 4.8 in) |
| Weight (inc batt) | 470 g (16.6 oz) | 680 g (1.5 lb) |
| Review | Click here | Click here |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this review (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (normally 1024 x 768 or smaller if cropped) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2005 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.
Nikon Coolpix 8800 8MP Digital Camera with 10x Vibration Reduction Optical Zoom Lens | $1,375.00 |
Nikon Coolpix 8400 8MP Digital Camera with 3.5x Wide Angle Optical Zoom Lens | $111.56 |
Nikon Coolpix 8700 8MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Zoom | $400.00 |
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