Digital Camera Reviews

Product Name: Nikon Coolpix 3700

Ultra-compact, lightweight, all-metal multimedia camera with enhanced movie capability.

Manufacturer: Nikon
URL: www.maxwell.com.au
Price: $549.00 as at Nov 2004

Ideal For: First timers who want a running start without being overwhelmed by surplus features

Pros:

  • Compact, robust construction
  • Voice-release shutter timer
  • Extended movie capabilities
  • Scene Mode quick settings
  • Improved low-light ability
  • 3x Optical zoom

Cons:

  • Lack of manual controls
  • Noisy movies if using C-AF mode
  • No exposure info display on review
  • Fiddly power switch
  • Slightly noisy images with ISO boost
  • No internal memory

Features:

Ease of Use: 1/2

Overall:

Verdict:

Trim, light, stylish and very portable, the 3700 has enough poke to be useful in most circumstances and will certainly satisfy novices with little patience for all the ‘bells and whistles'.

Notes:

Billed as a “compact multimedia all-rounder” thanks to its added movie-taking features, the 3700 is an impressive little package, although I’d caution buying any still camera for its video features. Just consider them a bonus.

It’s tiny, shiny, groovy and crammed with useful stuff even though many of the manual features you expect in modern digital cameras have been trimmed off. Nikon’s intelligent “Scene Mode” settings are definitely a plus for first-timers.

The compact size entails some compromises, but if your expectations aren’t too high you’ll find the minimalist controls easy to live with. The image quality is up there with cameras even slightly more expensive and the 3.2 megapixel CCD is capable of capturing images that will produce very pleasing prints.

Nikon’s clever on-board image processing delivers good results without being heavy handed on sharpening and contrast. This leaves scope for further fine-tuning when you download to your computer and use the supplied Nikon View software.

Complete with flash, albeit a modest little popper, it is assisted by an AF “pilot” light for low-light shooting – something missing from earlier entry-level Nikons.

Direct printing capable with PictBridge™ compatible printers and Epson USB Direct-Print.

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