Nikon COOLPIX P7700
Features
Although the P7700 loses the optical
viewfinder of its =>7100 predecessor, Nikon has increased the lens’s maximum
aperture, with a maximum f/2 at the 28mm end and f/4 at 200mm. It also sees the
inclusion of a Vibration Reduction system to help prevent image blur. The
sensor is a 12.1MP CMOS chip which captures images across a sensitivity range
of ISO 80-3200, with an extended setting equivalent to ISO 6400 also on hand.
The camera also records full HD videos with stereo sound, as well as images to
a choice of JPEG and Raw options. It’s the only model on test to sport a GPS
system, and the standard 8fps burst can be increased to up to 120fps at a
reduced resolution, while all composition and reviewing takes place through the
3in LCD on the rear, which can be pulled away and adjusted around a side pivot.
NIKON
COOLPIX P7700
Design
The P7700is designed very much with
immediate access to functions in mind, with three physical top-plate dials as
well as two command dials and a pair of dedicated “Fn” buttons. Yet, despite
its body being laden with controls, it’s still easy to hold the camera
comfortably. This is thanks in part to the generously proportioned grip which
is coated in rubber, a small piece of which is also found on the rear where the
thumb naturally falls. The grip is topped by one of the command dials, and,
just as with its counterpart on the rear, it manages to be not just
conveniently positioned but tactile and easy to turn. Thanks to the articulated
LCD, and presumably the bright lens which also boasts the widest focal range
here, the camera is the bulkiest on test but it still fits inside a coat
pocket.
The
P7700is designed very much with immediate access to functions in mind, with
three physical top-plate dials as well as two command dials and a pair of
dedicated “Fn” buttons.
Image Quality
The camera’s metering system is intuitive,
with just a slight tendency to overexpose on occasion (in this way. it behaves
very similarly to the G15 and XFI). The camera’s Auto White Balance system is
among the best here, with a sterling performance under natural light and
accuracy maintained well under artificial sources, although colors could do
with a slight push towards vibrancy. Sharpness is very good in JPEGs, with no
haloing or other artefacts present, and the drop in corner sharpness at wide
angle is only slight. The lens exhibits only a small amount of barrel
distortion at its widest focal length, while the absence of chromatic
aberration impresses.
The
camera’s metering system is intuitive, with just a slight tendency to
overexpose on occasion (in this way. it behaves very similarly to the G15 and
XFI).
Performance
The main performance-related bugbear with
the P7700 concerns its write times when shooting Raw images. It’s not a case of
it being slower than the others here, it’s that it’s considerably slower. The
LCD screen, however, is superb, displaying details clearly and its brightness
changing swiftly with the scene, although it does stagger in comparison with
the others in some instances. The zoon travels hastily through its focal range,
although this is somewhat understandable given the wide focal range. Autofocus
is reasonable in good light, but it’s a touch slower than the others, and much
slower in darker conditions.
Key Specs
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SENSOR: 12.1MP, 1/1.7in type CMOS sensor
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LENS: 28-200mm f/2-4
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DISPLAY: 3in TFT LCC. 921k dots (articulated)
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ISO: ISO 80-3200 (exp. to ISO 6400 equivalent)
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EXPOSURE MODES: Auto, scene, PASM
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MOVIE MODE: 1920x1080 30fps. 1280x720 30fps
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WEIGHT: Approx. 392g
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DIMENSIONS: 118.5 x 72.5 x 50.4mm
Olympus XZ-2
Features
Olympus’s XZ-2 is one of three models on
test to have a display which can be adjusted to a variety of positions,
although here it's over a hinge rather than the more flexible side pivot. It’s
the only model to boast touchscreen operation, although it retains a range of
physical controls for those not wishing to operate the camera in this way. Its
28-112mm lens offers a focal range that places it somewhere in the middle of
those here in terms of scope, although it’s welcome to see that its f/1.8
aperture at the widest focal length only drops down to f/2.5 once it reaches
the tee end. The combination of a 12MP backlit sensor and Olympus’s TruePic VI
engine offer the respectable sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,800, while full HD
video recording at 30fps is complemented with stereo sound recording. Raw
shooting also features, as does a 5fps burst mode.
Olympus
XZ-2
Design
It’s clear that the XZ-2 has taken design
cues from some of Olympus’s recent PEN models, with its dual-level top plate,
moulded grip and articulated display. The metal body has an excellent solidity
to it, with no give anywhere when pressured, while the control ring around the
lens is a nice touch too even if its shallowness does make it more difficult to
get ideal purchase. The second function button/ lever control on the front can
be accessed by the middle finger without the hand needing to be repositioned,
while the flash which hides inside the top plate glides up smoothly once its
catch is released. All the other controls either press, turn or click with
ease, although controls in general are a little bit on the small side,
particularly the menu pad dial which is one of the smallest ones of this group
of cameras.
The
control wheel around the lens acts in two ways, the first is to let you change
settings depending what mode you're in, and will click as it turns so that
you're aware of how much you've turned it.
Image Quality
he XZ-2’s images boast a number of positive
attributes, some of which are clearly down to its optic; corner and edge sharpness
are excellent when the lens is stopped down, and very good at wider apertures,
while distortion at the wide angle end is only visible with subjects containing
straight lines Detail is also well resolved, although the sharpening applied to
offset the smoothing effects of noise reduction in JPEGs can lead to natural
subjects appearing unnaturally defined. The metering system is fine until faced
with areas of highlights, where it underexposes easily, while the AWB leans
towards warmth in both naturally and artificially-lit scenes.
On
top is the flash hot-shoe, as well as the Olympus Accessory Port 2, which is
shared with the Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras so that you can add an
electronic viewfinder or other accessories if wanted.
Performance
The XZ-2's screen brightness and contrast
are both very good, while the camera’s shot-to-shot times are excellent. This
is mirrored by a swift autofocus system, although when set to its auto
all-points pattern it doesn’t always pick the most obvious elements in the
frame, often choosing peripheral details instead. The lens travels leisurely
through its range, which may well be preferred by some for accuracy. The camera
falls down with its menu system, however; options are not segregated in the
most obvious way, and icons and abbreviations often take the place of clear
labels, although common shooting options are easily brought up.
Key Specs
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SENSOR: 12HP. 1/1.7in type CMOS sensor
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LENS: 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5
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DISPLAY: 3in TFT LCD, 920k dots
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ISO: 100-12.800
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EXPOSURE MODES: iAuto, scene, PASM
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MOVIE MODE: 1920x1030 30fps, 1230x720 30fps
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WEIGHT: 346g
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DIMENSIONS:113x 65.4 x 48mm
