Nikon Coolpix 5700 Digital Camera (Nikon-25504)

Nikon Coolpix 5700 Review

by Tracey Capen

- WHAT'S HOT: The Coolpix 5700 has all of the controls and imaging muscle of the Coolpix 5000, but ups the zoom range from 28mm to 85mm (3X, 35mm equivalent) to a powerful 35mm to 280mm (8X). We would have preferred, though, that the 5700 start at a wider-angle 28mm like its predecessor. Nevertheless, we can't fault its image quality; in our test shots, the 5700 ranked among the best we've tested recently. Our mannequin's skin tones looked accurate, outdoor shots had good shadow detail, and almost no color artifacts or moire distortion appeared in our test-pattern images. The 5700's extensive controls include three User Set modes, with which you can save your most commonly used settings. The hinged LCD panel folds out from the body and rotates like a camcorder's: You can fold the display in, facing it into the back of the camera to protect it; view it with the camera lens pointing at you but with the lens rotated 180 degrees; or hold the camera over your head and compose your shot by turning the display so that it faces down.