Introduction
Nikon’s P series of compact cameras are the company’s answer to the ever popular Canon G series, such as the G12 and new Canon G15.
The latest in the lineup is the Nikon P7700. It features a large 1/1.7-inch 12 million pixel CMOS sensor, a 7.1x optical zoom lens and a fully articulating screen.
Though Nikon has chosen to keep a smaller sensor size than a couple of other premium compacts starting to enter the market (most notably the Canon G1 X and the Sony RX100), it’s important to remember that the sensor size is exactly the same as that found in the Canon G15, very newly announced at Photokina 2012.
The lens, which offers an equivalent of 28-200mm in 35mm terms, is capable of going down to f/2.0 at the widest angle of the lens, rising up to f/4.0 at the top end.
That doesn’t compare spectacularly well to other premium compacts currently on the market, with the Panasonic LX7 and Samsung EX1 both having f/1.4 optics, while the Sony RX100 and Fuji X-F1 can both reach f/1.8.
It’s worth pointing out, however, that the Nikon P7700 does have a longer zoom capability, so it offers more flexibility in that respect. The Canon G15 features an f/1.8-2.8 lens, but only boasts 5x optical zoom.
Other features of the Nikon P7700 include a 921k dot vari-angle LCD screen, a fast EXPEED 2 image processing system, and high sensitivity shooting up to ISO 6400.
As on most other premium compact models, the Nikon P7700 has the ability to shoot in raw format, while full manual control is also available, as well as semi-automatic modes.
Although not-built in, the Nikon P7700 is compatible with Eye-Fi cards, which enable you to directly transfer images over wireless networks. Other compatible accessories include a GPS unit, remote control and Speedlight flash units.
It’s clear that the Nikon P7700 is a direct rival to the Canon G15. The Nikon P7700 retails at £499.99/$499.95, compared with £549/$499.99 for the G15.
Build quality and handling
It’s clear that Nikon has put in a lot of thought to the design of the P7700, with lots of direct control dials and buttons that will surely appeal to the enthusiast photographer.
The camera also feels very solidly built, and like a real piece of quality kit in the hand. Despite the 7x optical zoom lens and the articulating screen, the overall size of the body is still relatively small. Although it’s not quite trouser pocketable, slipping the Nikon P7700 into a jacket pocket or a bag should be no trouble.
At the top of the camera is a mode dial, which enables you to choose between fully automatic, semi-automatic and fully manual modes. Nikon has also included the ability to save up to three groups of commonly used settings and access them directly from the mode dial. Extra touches such as this make the camera really quite appealing.
There’s also several Fn buttons that can be customised to quickly access a variety of different functions. For example, one that can be found at the top of the camera can be used to quickly switch on visual aids, such as the digital level gauge.
Also helpful for quick access is a second dial on the top-left of the camera. You spin this round to gain instant access to controls such as ISO, white balance and picture style. Once an option is selected on the dial, you can hit a button in the centre of it to immediately access that setting.
A scrolling dial at the top of the grip portion of the camera sits nicely under the finger when holding it and can be used to control parameters such as aperture and shutter, depending on the shooting mode.
The grip itself is also pretty chunky, giving good purchase, especially when holding the camera one-handed. A thumb grip at the back of the camera also helps with keeping a good hold on the camera.
Another scrolling dial can be reached easily from the thumb grip, and is used to set other functions. One handy thing here is that the Function buttons can combine with the scroll dial to give even more customised access to key functions.
It’s a shame that the Nikon P7700’s screen isn’t a touch device, since that would make accessing key functions and setting the autofocus point a lot quicker.
Autofocus points can be selected when shooting in the appropriate mode. To do this, the central button on the four-way pad needs to be pressed, then using either the scroll dial or directional keys, the desired point can be selected.
Performance and early verdict
It is of course difficult to fully comment on the performance of a camera when we are unable to review image samples, but initial indications of the Nikon P7700 are very promising.
Canon’s G series of cameras have been dominant in this sector of the market for quite some time, so it’s nice to see Nikon introducing something that seems a lot more capable of competing than previous iterations of the P series.
Autofocus acquisition seems to be pretty quick and accurate in the time we spent with the camera, and with extra modes available for macro and close-up focusing, this camera should have the edge over the larger sensored Canon G1 X if you like to do a lot of macro work, which isn’t capable of focusing at very close distances.
The screen, which is not only fully articulated, but also pretty high resolution at 921k dots, is great to use and seems to work well in mixed lighting conditions. We’ll be keen to see how it fares with bright sunshine blasting down on it, but viewing angles from a variety of positions are good.
Nikon has included a number of digital filter effects that can be implemented on shots. While it’s perhaps true that they won’t appeal to the vast majority of consumers that Nikon is aiming this camera at, the filters aren’t the best we’ve seen and are easily beaten by offerings from other manufacturers such as Sony. Still, it’s nice to have something to experiment with.
We’re looking forward to really putting the Nikon P7700 through its paces to see how it copes against the likes of the Panasonic LX7, which features the same size of sensor.
Early verdict
The premium compact camera segment of the market is fast becoming one of the most interesting to keep an eye on.
Recent developments from various manufacturers have meant that everybody has had to up their game in order to offer something a little bit special to appeal to the consumer.
Here, Nikon has gone for the all-out manual control loving customer, with direct controls, customisable buttons and lots of dials.
The design is simple, but it works, and extra benefits such as an articulating screen offer further incentive to take a look at the camera.
Canon has only just announced the G15, which is set to be the Nikon P7700’s main rival, so it’s difficult to know how the two will fully compare. However, it looks as if with its f/2.0 maximum aperture and 7.1x optical zoom lens, Nikon could just have the edge with versatility.
Watch this space for a full Nikon P7700 review.
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