Nikon's Cool 8X Zoom

Digital cameras with zoom lenses that go beyond 3X are rare, which makes Nikon's latest addition to its Coolpix line--the 5-megapixel, 8X-zoom Coolpix 5700--worthy of note.

Descended from Nikon's highly regarded Coolpix 5000, the 5700--priced at $1200--shares its predecessor's all-black, professional styling, but ups the zoom range from 3X to 8X. That's the film equivalent of a 35mm-to-280mm lens. I wish the 5700, like the 5000, started at 28mm or even wider, but I can't fault its lens quality. In our tests, the 5700 offered sharp and accurately exposed shots, and its overall quality was among the best we've recently seen.

Nikon endowed the 5700 with a through-the-lens electronic viewfinder--a standard feature with long-zoom digital cameras. This allows you to see your aperture and shutter speed during composition, but it's not as bright and sharp as a true optical viewfinder. Also new is a pop-up flash that's designed to reduce red eye, though it offered little improvement in our tests.

Like the 5000, the 5700 carries an extensive array of imaging controls, including three User Set modes. Unfortunately, the 5700 also continues the 5000's tradition of offering nonintuitive controls. Plus, the unit's autofocus seemed erratic.

With its 8X zoom, I might pick up the 5700 for sport or nature photography, and--for those who don't mind the hefty price--it does offer image quality superior to that of competitors such as Olympus's 8X C-720 Ultra Zoom and Minolta's 7X Dimage 7i. Overall, though, the product impressed me less than I'd hoped it would.

SUMMARY

Nikon Coolpix 5700 Powerful, flexible, complex, and expensive, the 5700 will best suit experienced photographers. Street: $1200