The Nikon Coolpix P7700 features a new bright f/2.0 7.1x optical zoom lens, swivelling screen, manual controls and full HD video recording.
| Nikon COOLPIX P7700 in Compact Cameras
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Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Nikon Coolpix P7700 is this years update to the Nikon Coolpix P7100, gone is the optical viewfinder, but instead Nikon say this new model is smaller (slightly) than the P7100, but with a much larger, brighter lens, as this camera has an f/2.0 - f/4.0 7.1x optical zoom lens, compared to the previous f/2.8 - f/5.6 lens. The camera also features a swivelling screen on the back instead of the tilting screen of the P7100.
Instead of the 10 megapixel CCD sensor in the P7100, the P7700 features a new 12 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, this improves shooting speed, with 8fps continuous shooting, as well as adding Full HD video. Other improvements made to the P7700 include a new tilting screen, and the bright f/2.0 to f/4.0 7.1x optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-200mm in 35mm terms. The lens on the Nikon Coolpix P7x00 series has the most optical zoom out of all other serious compact cameras (see our table below), and it's now nearly as bright as the others with f/2.0 at the wide end, and f/4.0 at the telephoto end.
Handling - The Nikon Coolpix P7700 has an extremely solid metal body with a large rubber hand grip at the front. There is a small thumb grip at the back. The camera features a new swivelling and tilting screen with a high resolution of 921k dots. It also looks better than the previous model with a more modern look and styling, although some will find the removal of the optical viewfinder disappointing. On the side is a microphone socket, as well as a GPS socket that accepts the Nikon GP-1 adapter.
An exposure compensation dial is found on the top right, as well as a quick menu dial on the left. A front and rear command dial is used for setting aperture and shutter speed in manual mode or can be used in conjunction with the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons. There is a filter thread surrounding the lens, and the ring can be removed from the camera to add other adapters.
Menus – The menus are split into the usual Photo / Playback and Setup - they are clear and easy to read. Another set of menus are accessible through the Quick Menu Dial where you can set Quality, ISO, WB, Bracketing, My Menu and Colour. Colour options are: Standard, neutral, vivid and black and white with each of these customised so you can set sharpness, contrast and saturation. The black and white option lets you set a colour cast, such as sepia and cyanotype (blue), as well as set a filter effect (yellow, orange, red, green). The function buttons can be customised and you can set function 1 to MF, Metering, Continuous, Flash exp. compensation, Active D-Lighting and Manual flash level (when used in combination with a command dial) and function 2 to Virtual horizon, view/hide histograms, view/hide framing grid and built in ND filter.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 330 shots according to Nikon / CIPA test results, we took over this amount during testing and the battery was still showing as full.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
The Nikon Coolpix P7700 has quick shutter response, and reasonably quick focus at the wide end of the lens, but this slows quite noticeably at the telephoto end. Switch on time is quite good, and shot to shot is reasonable, although not as quick as some others. The camera can shoot at 8fps for 6 shots as JPEG or RAW images.
Sample Photos - The camera produces images with excellent colour and very good exposure. The portrait shot shows no signs of red-eye. With a bright-ish f/4.0 aperture at the telephoto end it's possible to create a slightly shallower depth of field than normal, and the photo of the water gargoyle shows a nice slightly softer background.
Lens Performance - Detail and resolution is good, even into the corners of the image. Purple fringing is a little higher than expected. Dynamic range can be expanded by using the D-lighting option or alternatively the backlighting mode. Macro performance is good, with the subject just 2 cm away from the front of the lens, however the macro performance isn't very good when zoomed in as the subject has to be much further away from the lens.
ISO Noise Performance - Noise is minimal at ISO80, 100, 200 and 400. At ISO800 noise creeps in. Noise increases at ISO1600 with detail being reduced. At ISO3200 noise reduction smudges detail further. Noise is at it's strongest at ISO6400 and this setting could be best avoided.
White Balance Performance - AWB (Auto White Balance) performs well under tungsten lighting with slightly warm results. Using the tungsten preset gives very similar results. There's also an auto (warm) white balance mode to keep more warmth in the image if required. The AWB performs extremely well under fluorescent lighting, with the fluorescent preset giving a magenta cast. There are three different fluorescent presets if you're not happy with the AWB results, although for the most part leaving it on auto should be fine.
Pano1 | 1/800 sec | f/2.0 | 6.5 mm | ISO 80
Panorama mode - There is a 180 degree panoramic mode, or a 360 degree mode, where you simply pan the camera around and it will automatically stitch the image as you pan. The camera also features panoramic assist, this lets you take full resolution photos and shows an overlay of part of the last shot to assist lining the photos up - this could be particularly useful if you wish to create high resolution panoramic photos, as the resolution of the automatic panoramics isn't particularly high.
Digital Filters - There are a large number of effects available including some not regularly found on other cameras, including zoom exposure and defocus during exposure. However, zoom exposure and defocus during exposure don't work if RAW is on, and there is no warning that it doesn't work, as it will still let you take the photo, and appear as if something is happening (hopefully this will be fixed with a firmware update).
Video - The Nikon Coolpix P7700 has updated video options, including manual controls, AF mode: single or full-time, wind noise reduction (off in this video), aperture, ND-filter. It's also possible to apply special effects to video: painting, cross process, soft, nostalgic sepia, high key, low key, or selective colour. Zoom speed can be set to Auto, Normal or Quiet.
You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
The Nikon Coolpix P7700 is certainly a good camera, a great camera in fact. But for not much more money you can get the Sony Cyber-shot RX100, with a large 1 inch sensor. Although if you want more zoom in your compact camera and still want the lens to be bright, then the Nikon Coolpix P7700 certainly ticks all the boxes. Particularly if you want to be able to use the P7700 as a more serious compact camera, with RAW shooting, flash hot shoe, and tilting swivelling screen the P7700 is about as serious as they get. Image quality is very good and images have great detail, however it is at the higher end of the price range.
Bright f/2.0 to f/4.0 lens
Most optical zoom in a serious compact
2 year warranty
Large strap included
3inch swivel screen
Easy panoramics
Low noise
Scroll wheels still just zoom in / out in playback mode (like predecessor)
Lacks optical viewfinder of predecessor
Doesn't remember self-timer setting
Can't be switched on with screen closed
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Nikon Coolpix P7700 is this years update to the Nikon Coolpix P7100, gone is the optical viewfinder, but instead Nikon say this new model is smaller (slightly) than the P7100, but with a much larger, brighter lens, as this camera has an f/2.0 - f/4.0 7.1x optical zoom lens, compared to the previous f/2.8 - f/5.6 lens. The camera also features a swivelling screen on the back instead of the tilting screen of the P7100.
Nikon Coolpix P7700 Features
Instead of the 10 megapixel CCD sensor in the P7100, the P7700 features a new 12 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, this improves shooting speed, with 8fps continuous shooting, as well as adding Full HD video. Other improvements made to the P7700 include a new tilting screen, and the bright f/2.0 to f/4.0 7.1x optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-200mm in 35mm terms. The lens on the Nikon Coolpix P7x00 series has the most optical zoom out of all other serious compact cameras (see our table below), and it's now nearly as bright as the others with f/2.0 at the wide end, and f/4.0 at the telephoto end.
Key Features
- 12megapixel backlit CMOS sensor 1/1.7inch
- 7.1x optical zoom lens, f/2.0-4.0, 28-200mm equivalent
- Optical image stabilisation
- 3inch swivelling screen, 921k dots
- Manual controls, RAW support
- Full HD video, stereo sound, mic socket
- Manual video mode
- ISO80 - 6400
- 2cm Macro
- HDR / Panoramic
- Electronic level, Digital Effects
Nikon Coolpix P7700 Handling
Handling - The Nikon Coolpix P7700 has an extremely solid metal body with a large rubber hand grip at the front. There is a small thumb grip at the back. The camera features a new swivelling and tilting screen with a high resolution of 921k dots. It also looks better than the previous model with a more modern look and styling, although some will find the removal of the optical viewfinder disappointing. On the side is a microphone socket, as well as a GPS socket that accepts the Nikon GP-1 adapter.
An exposure compensation dial is found on the top right, as well as a quick menu dial on the left. A front and rear command dial is used for setting aperture and shutter speed in manual mode or can be used in conjunction with the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons. There is a filter thread surrounding the lens, and the ring can be removed from the camera to add other adapters.
Menus – The menus are split into the usual Photo / Playback and Setup - they are clear and easy to read. Another set of menus are accessible through the Quick Menu Dial where you can set Quality, ISO, WB, Bracketing, My Menu and Colour. Colour options are: Standard, neutral, vivid and black and white with each of these customised so you can set sharpness, contrast and saturation. The black and white option lets you set a colour cast, such as sepia and cyanotype (blue), as well as set a filter effect (yellow, orange, red, green). The function buttons can be customised and you can set function 1 to MF, Metering, Continuous, Flash exp. compensation, Active D-Lighting and Manual flash level (when used in combination with a command dial) and function 2 to Virtual horizon, view/hide histograms, view/hide framing grid and built in ND filter.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 330 shots according to Nikon / CIPA test results, we took over this amount during testing and the battery was still showing as full.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
| Nikon Coolpix P7700 | Sony RX100 | |
| Shutter Response | 0.05 | 0.0 |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 1.7 | 2.2 |
| Shot to Shot without Flash | 1.6 | 0.9 |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 1.8 | 2.1 |
|
Continuous Shooting (shots before slow down) |
8fps (6 shots) | 7fps (speed priority mode, 15 shots) |
| Continuous Shooting - Flash | N/A | 1.6s |
| Continuous Shooting - RAW | 8fps (6 shots) | 4fps (13 shots) |
The Nikon Coolpix P7700 has quick shutter response, and reasonably quick focus at the wide end of the lens, but this slows quite noticeably at the telephoto end. Switch on time is quite good, and shot to shot is reasonable, although not as quick as some others. The camera can shoot at 8fps for 6 shots as JPEG or RAW images.
Nikon Coolpix P7700 Performance
Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.Nikon COOLPIX P7700 Sample Photos
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Sample Photos - The camera produces images with excellent colour and very good exposure. The portrait shot shows no signs of red-eye. With a bright-ish f/4.0 aperture at the telephoto end it's possible to create a slightly shallower depth of field than normal, and the photo of the water gargoyle shows a nice slightly softer background.
Nikon COOLPIX P7700 Lens test images
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Lens Performance - Detail and resolution is good, even into the corners of the image. Purple fringing is a little higher than expected. Dynamic range can be expanded by using the D-lighting option or alternatively the backlighting mode. Macro performance is good, with the subject just 2 cm away from the front of the lens, however the macro performance isn't very good when zoomed in as the subject has to be much further away from the lens.
Nikon COOLPIX P7700 ISO test images
Previous
Next
ISO Noise Performance - Noise is minimal at ISO80, 100, 200 and 400. At ISO800 noise creeps in. Noise increases at ISO1600 with detail being reduced. At ISO3200 noise reduction smudges detail further. Noise is at it's strongest at ISO6400 and this setting could be best avoided.
Nikon COOLPIX P7700 White-balance test images
Previous
Next
White Balance Performance - AWB (Auto White Balance) performs well under tungsten lighting with slightly warm results. Using the tungsten preset gives very similar results. There's also an auto (warm) white balance mode to keep more warmth in the image if required. The AWB performs extremely well under fluorescent lighting, with the fluorescent preset giving a magenta cast. There are three different fluorescent presets if you're not happy with the AWB results, although for the most part leaving it on auto should be fine.
Pano1 | 1/800 sec | f/2.0 | 6.5 mm | ISO 80
Panorama mode - There is a 180 degree panoramic mode, or a 360 degree mode, where you simply pan the camera around and it will automatically stitch the image as you pan. The camera also features panoramic assist, this lets you take full resolution photos and shows an overlay of part of the last shot to assist lining the photos up - this could be particularly useful if you wish to create high resolution panoramic photos, as the resolution of the automatic panoramics isn't particularly high.
Nikon COOLPIX P7700 Digital filters
Previous
Next
Digital Filters - There are a large number of effects available including some not regularly found on other cameras, including zoom exposure and defocus during exposure. However, zoom exposure and defocus during exposure don't work if RAW is on, and there is no warning that it doesn't work, as it will still let you take the photo, and appear as if something is happening (hopefully this will be fixed with a firmware update).
Video - The Nikon Coolpix P7700 has updated video options, including manual controls, AF mode: single or full-time, wind noise reduction (off in this video), aperture, ND-filter. It's also possible to apply special effects to video: painting, cross process, soft, nostalgic sepia, high key, low key, or selective colour. Zoom speed can be set to Auto, Normal or Quiet.
Value For Money
There are a number of serious compact cameras, however the Nikon Coolpix P7700 stands out as having the most optical zoom, details can be found below:| Camera | MP | Sensor Size | Lens | Price |
| Nikon Coolpix P310 (lacks RAW) | 16 | 1/2.33 inch | f/1.8 4.2x | £219 |
| Olympus XZ-1 | 10 | 1/1.63 inch | f/1.8 4x | £260 |
| Canon Powershot S100 | 12 | 1/1.7 inch | f/2.0 5x | £329 |
| Fujifilm FinePix X10 | 12 | 2/3 inch | f/2.0 4x | £338 |
| Nikon Coolpix P7100 (previous model) | 10 | 1/1.7 inch | f/2.8 7.1x | £349 |
| Samsung EX2F | 12.4 | 1/1.7 inch | f/1.4 3.3x | £429 |
| Panasonic Lumix LX7 | 10mp | 1/1.7 inch | f/1.4 3.8x | £449 |
| Ricoh GR Digital IV | 10 | 1/1.7 inch | f/1.9 28mm | £449 |
| Nikon Coolpix P7700 | 12 | 1/1.7 inch | f/2.0 7.1x | £450 |
| Olympus XZ-2 | 12 | 1/1.7 inch | f/1.8 4x | £479 |
| Canon Powershot G15 | 12 | 1/1.7 inch | f/1.8 5x | £529 |
| Large sensor compacts: | ||||
| Canon Powershot G1 X | 14.3 | 1.5 inch | f/2.8 4x | £449 |
| Sony Cyber-shot RX100 | 20.2 | 1 inch sensor | f/1.8 3.6x | £479 |
| Fujifilm X100 | 12 | APS-C sensor | f/2.0 28mm | £599 |
| Sigma DP1 Merrill | 15.3/46 | APS-C Foveon | f/2.8 28mm | £799 |
| Sigma DP2 Merrill | 15.3/46 | APS-C Foveon | f/2.8 45mm | £799 |
| Leica X2 | 16 | APS-C | f/2.8 35mm | £1499 |
You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Nikon Coolpix P7700 Verdict
The Nikon Coolpix P7700 offers the most optical zoom in a "serious compact" camera, and the new lens is brighter than the old lens at both the wide and telephoto end of the lens. This in combination with optical image stabilisation and a 12 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor gives this camera much better low light performance than the previous model. Other updates include quicker continuous shooting, automatic panoramic stitching and full HD video recording.The Nikon Coolpix P7700 is certainly a good camera, a great camera in fact. But for not much more money you can get the Sony Cyber-shot RX100, with a large 1 inch sensor. Although if you want more zoom in your compact camera and still want the lens to be bright, then the Nikon Coolpix P7700 certainly ticks all the boxes. Particularly if you want to be able to use the P7700 as a more serious compact camera, with RAW shooting, flash hot shoe, and tilting swivelling screen the P7700 is about as serious as they get. Image quality is very good and images have great detail, however it is at the higher end of the price range.
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| The Nikon Coolpix P7700 has a unique and bright f/2.0 7.1x optical zoom lens that delivers great images. |
Nikon Coolpix P7700 Pros
Bright f/2.0 to f/4.0 lensMost optical zoom in a serious compact2 year warrantyLarge strap included3inch swivel screenEasy panoramicsLow noiseNikon Coolpix P7700 Cons
Scroll wheels still just zoom in / out in playback mode (like predecessor)Lacks optical viewfinder of predecessorDoesn't remember self-timer settingCan't be switched on with screen closed| FEATURES |
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| HANDLING |
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| PERFORMANCE |
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| VALUE FOR MONEY |
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| VERDICT |
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Nikon COOLPIX P7700 Specifications
| Manufacturer | Nikon | |
| Lens | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2 - f/4 | |
| 35mm equivalent | 28mm - 200mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 7.1x | |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Pixels | 12.2Mp (Megapixels) | |
| Pixels (W) | 4000 | |
| Pixels (H) | 3000 | |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.7 inch | |
| Sensor Size (width) | No Data | |
| Sensor Size (height) | No Data | |
| Aspect Ratio |
| |
| LCD Monitor | ||
| LCD Monitor | 3in | |
| Screen resolution | 921,000 dots | |
| Touch Screen | No | |
| Focusing | ||
| Min Focus | 2cm | |
| Focusing modes |
| |
| Exposure Control | ||
| Shutter speeds shortest | 1/4000sec | |
| Shutter speeds longest | 60sec | |
| Bulb mode | No Data | |
| Exp modes |
| |
| Metering |
| |
| ISO sensitivity | 80 - 6400 | |
| White balance |
| |
| Exposure Comp | +/-3 | |
| Shooting Options | ||
| Continuous shooting | 8fps | |
| Video | ||
| Movie mode | Yes | |
| Video Resolution |
| |
| Video FPS | 30 | |
| Stereo Sound | Yes | |
| Optical Zoom with Video | Yes | |
| Other Features | ||
| Image Stabilisation | Yes | |
| Interface | ||
| HDMI | Yes | |
| USB | USB 2 | |
| Wi-Fi | No | |
| Storage | ||
| Card Type |
| |
| File Type |
| |
| Power Source | ||
| Battery Type | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14 | |
| Battery Life (CIPA rating) | 330shots | |
| Box Contents | ||
| Box Contents | Camera Strap, Lens Cap LC-CP26 (attached to the camera body), Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14 (with terminal cover), Battery Charger MH-24, USB Cable UC-E17, Audio Video Cable EG-CP16, ViewNX 2 CD, Reference Manual CD | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 392g | |
| Width | 118.5mm | |
| Height | 72.5mm | |
| Depth | 50.4mm | |
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Photographs taken using the Nikon COOLPIX P7700
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