In the race for first place in an ever-convertible ...

... Leaderboard camera manufacturer Nikon sent us over the last month its two models S9700 and S9600 to Germany. Both models differ mainly by the optical zoom and are aimed primarily at beginners and amateur photographers. However, if you prefer to self occasionally make some adjustments manually, which should definitely resort to S9700, as these against the smaller sister model, a scene program, Scene Auto Selector, Program AE, Aperture Priority and time, as well as a manual mode provides. The S9600 controls these behaviors. But enough of the comparisons and go for the first impression. A gleaming white surface on the front side houses the large 30x zoom lens achieves a focal length range of 25 to 750 and the microphone (stereo) and the self-timer lamp. Are located at the right side connections for HDMI, USB, up to expect the mode dial, the shutter button, zoom control, on / off button, the navigation antenna and lightning, at the bottom of the tripod socket, the speakers and the cover for the battery and memory card.

Handling & menu:
Pity is still that the S9700 Nikon from (almost) 100% Plastic consists. This has to be able to experience much better by other manufacturers. Of course, it evaluates the intrinsic values ​​in no way from - only in terms of handling and quality makes it just (as I see it) a clearly noticeable difference. But it remains to be seen. The built-in flash folding is meanwhile also such a thing. Less a sensible solution compared to the known designs, owed more than the optics. Big disadvantage even for experienced fingers: Most is right before shooting the left index finger directly on the lid of the folding flash - which can sometimes limit the feature permanently. Here there is significant potential for conflict between the device and human. Advantage: for space-saving thinkers can sometimes be a kaufargumentierende solution. Otherwise, the roughened surface is asking for the thumb proven and also the outstanding from the front housing sidebar provides improved grip.

If you then look at the menu in detail one sees a clear arrangement which navigate through the five upper points should all be easy and only what Nikon may still could attach, a short help for each choice would have been. It has Sony, but Samsung - ultimately it saves one often gaze into the thick manual that is not supplied with the unit and only online is available for retrieval. It is common practice and ecologically absolutely justifiable, but the manufacturers could consider whether it would not make sense to store this PDF document directly before delivery to the internal memory again. Incidentally, the internal memory is 330 MB. The fast image sharing is now considered almost as standard, providing the S9700 this feature on. They can be combined with another mobile device (prerequisite is the "Wireless Mobile Utility"), so as to control and save even there the recordings via smartphone.

However, this remote control are themselves no further functions. As has much more to offer the "Smart Remote Control" app from Sony. Ultimately, however, it remains gimmick and should probably represent for anyone a compelling reason to buy. If it does - then prefer the handle for Sony DSC-QX Smart Shot digital camera. For remote shooting an ideal and probably the best smartphone currently solution.

GPS:
The S9700 can receive signals from navigation satellites and calculates its own position, and the current time. For this, the position data function must be activated in the menu, at best, their own recordings to add so detailed location information. The practice, however, shows that a lot of weaknesses, due to numerous external factors such as the location of recording, permanent change of navigation satellites, weather conditions, signal reception, interference by other radio devices, etc. However, if all fail, then appears at the top of the Position Description (POI data) for building. However, these can then lie some 100 meters away.

After a few days of trial and error you can also see it only as a nice gimmick, as the camera's internal map, the one indicating the current position - subject to the prior current position data were recorded - which ends up being location / is ambient dependent. A successfully captured image can then be selected in Playback mode and call up the "world-button". It indicates the position, including a line of sight at the time of recording. Sony offers the HX60V similar for the end customer, as Panasonic Lumix TZ41 with.

Image Quality:
The S9700 uses a 1 / 2.3 inch small backside illumination CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels, a 5-axis hybrid image stabilization and electronic VR. Clearly noticeable is the the zoom range and made in the last few weeks at any time for blur-free images - even at full 30x optical zoom - and during filming. Bracketed shots will be saved by the S9700 at up to 6.9 frames per second for five in a row, up to 60 frames per second are possible when the resolution was veringert. Added to this comes a Smile-Shutter, a blink warning and a red-eye correction. In macro mode, the camera can be up to just approach one centimeter to the object.

Recordings are ultimately due to the rather small sensor up to ISO 400 useful, then it roars significantly. In the course of the light intensity is rather weak with F3.7 to f6,4 the S9700 and could possibly by a higher light sensitivity (ISO value) are compensated - at the latest since one goes round in circles. Who is tired of normal pictures, waiting for the effect filters. Included are, among others, a panorama mode, a facial beautification, a dynamic expansion and yet so much more.

Conclusion:
The Nikon S9700 offers good technique for beginners who appreciates comfort, even during a Full HD video recording would change various settings manually and a compact travel camera is looking, with simple operation, an extensive zoom and nice-intentioned toys like GPS and Wi-Fi A successful overall package rounds off gracefully.