In summary
Nikon’s Coolpix 8800 replaces the 8700 at the top of the Coolpix line-up and is the first Coolpix model with Vibration Reduction (VR). Apart from its 10x zoom lens, the 8800 is almost identical to the 8400, with the same sensor and image processor, the same resolution/compression settings and the same controls and shooting modes for both still and video capture. Their control layouts are also similar, although the MF/AF button on the 8800 is on the lens barrel instead of the camera body. . . [more]
Full review
Quality rating (out of 10)
Build: 9.0
Ease of use: 8.0
Image quality: 8.5
Storage capacity with supplied card: no card supplied
Value for money: 8.5
Bundled ‘goodies’: 8.5
Image transfer ease: 8.5
Nikon’s Coolpix 8800 replaces the 8700 at the top of the Coolpix line-up and is the first Coolpix model with Vibration Reduction (VR). Apart from its 10x zoom lens, the 8800 is almost identical to the 8400, with the same sensor and image processor, the same resolution/compression settings and the same controls and shooting modes for both still and video capture. Their control layouts are also similar, although the MF/AF button on the 8800 is on the lens barrel instead of the camera body.
Both models feature i-TTL flash support plus similar in-camera red-eye correction to the Coolpix 5200, and both include a handy D-Lighting function that creates a copy of a selected shot in which underexposed areas are brightened without altering the properly exposed areas. They also include an on-demand Rule-of-Thirds framing grid and decent-sized real-time histogram display. Neither camera is supplied with a memory card and we advise budgeting for at least 256MB, which will hold 20 RAW images, 10 TIFF files or 30 JPEG shots at the highest resolution/lowest compression setting.
Both models provide in-camera adjustments for contrast, saturation and sharpening, although the range of adjustments is limited and the functions are only accessible in the P, A, S and M shooting modes. Users can store frequently-used settings in two separate ‘banks’, which are selected via the User Setting menu. A customisable ‘My Menu’ function is also accessible in these shooting modes.
Ideal for serious photographers who want a longer zoom range, the Coolpix 8800 is larger and heavier than the 8400 but, unfortunately, Nikon has not taken advantage of the longer lens barrel to raise the flash higher above the lens and provide better coverage. On test, the flash was ineffective for close-ups as the lens got in the way. (Nikon does offer an accessory Coolpix macro flash unit.) However, the red-eye correction system worked well and the flash was powerful enough to cover an average-sized room at ISO 100.
In use, the VR system minimised out-of-focus shots at all lens settings and in a wide range of lighting conditions. It also delivered excellent results with the digital zoom, which produced shots with plenty of detail and above-average quality. While geometric distortion was noticeable at the wide lens position, edge-to-edge sharpness was excellent at all focal lengths and chromatic aberration was negligible.
Not unexpectedly, the 8800’s overall picture quality was almost identical to that of the 8400. High-resolution images were sharp and detailed and colours were accurately captured, although slightly too emphatic in some types of lighting. Exposure metering was accurate with most camera settings and the recorded dynamic range in bright outdoor shots was well above average. The default sharpening setting was moderate and produced few visible artefacts.
White balance performance was also good, although the auto setting failed to remove the red cast of incandescent lighting and the fluorescent pre-set needed adjustment to produce accurate colours with energy-saving fluorescent bulbs. This is provided via the menu, with +/- 3 steps for each pre-set. The custom measurement delivered excellent results with both lighting types and was very easy to use.
Not unexpectedly, setting the ISO at 200 or higher produced visible image noise, with the effect increasing as sensitivity is raised and exposures are lengthened. We would not recommend using this camera – or the Coolpix 8400 – at ISO 400 or higher if images are to be printed beyond A4 size.
The test camera took almost four seconds to power-up and shut down. We measured an average capture lag of 0.6 seconds when focusing was required and less than 0.1 second when the camera was pre-focused – but noted a delay of more than 1.5 seconds as shots are processed in single-frame mode. The high-speed burst mode captured five large/fine JPEG shots at 0.45 second intervals, while the low speed setting recorded images at 0.8 seconds intervals. The number of images recorded varies with resolution. After a full burst of large/fine JPEGs we had to wait for roughly 40 seconds for the buffer to clear. This processing time extended to just over 1.5 minutes with RAW files.
The test camera was comfortable to hold and the magnesium alloy body felt solid and durable. However, it will face tough price competition from similar-sized entry-level DSLRs with significantly larger sensors, especially among enthusiasts with existing 35mm lenses that can be used on the digital bodies – with the trade off that DSLRs can’t capture video. [21]
Specifications
Image formats: Stills ““ NEF-RAW, TIFF-RGB, JPEG; Movies ““ QuickTime/WAV
Shutter speed range: 8-1/3000sec plus Bulb/Time (max. 10 min.)
Focus system/range: Contrast detect TTL AF; range 50cm to infinity; macro to 3cm
Exposure metering/control: 256-segment Matrix metering; P, A, S and M modes plus program shift and 15 scene settings
White balance: TTL auto, daylight, incandescent, fluorescent, cloudy, Speedlight, shade plus Preset (manual) and white balance bracketing
Flash modes/range (ISO auto): Auto Flash, Flash Cancel, Red-Eye Reduction, Anytime Flash, Night Portrait (Slow Sync Flash), Rear Curtain Sync; range 0.5-6.0m
ISO range: ISO 50, 100, 200, 400 and Auto (auto gain to ISO 200 equivalent)
Sequence shooting: HS – 2.3fps for up to 5 frames, LS – 1.2fps; up to 11 frames plus Multi-shot 16 (16 consecutive frames at 1.6 fps) and Ultra HS (640 x 480 pixels; 30fps, up to 100 frames),
Storage Media: CompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; no card supplied
Viewfinder: 0.44-inch 235,000 dot polysilicon TFT colour LCD (97% coverage)
LCD monitor: 1.8-inch 134,000 dot High Transmissive Advanced TFT LDC with brightness and contrast adjustment
Power supply: EN-EL7 rechargeable lithium-ion battery or optional MB-CP11 battery pack for 6x AA batteries
Image sensor: 8.8 x 6.6mm CCD with 8,310,000 photosites (8.0 megapixels effective)
Lens: 8.9-89mm f2.8-5.2 Zoom-Nikkor ED lens (35-350mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 10x optical, up to 4x digital
Lens multiplier factor: 3.8x
Dimensions (wxhxd): 116 x 85 x 121mm
Weight: 600g (without battery and card)
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