Yet another step in the right direction

"Yet another step in the right direction," I have chosen as a heading. Why? Because the development is far from complete. Hoping I have a Nikon P7800 with the large sensor of the Nikon 1-series and the operating logic of the P7700. An electronic viewfinder to - and would finish the compact camera to not only I wait. We got the P7800 P7700 with an electronic mini-viewfinder. Otherwise, everything is almost remained the same.

On the plus side the P7800 are still clearly the excellent operability - all important parameters can be entered directly - and very, very good image quality. The choice of materials and processing are the price of the camera appropriately. The memory speed of raw files has been improved somewhat compared to the P7700, but still leaves a lot of room for improvement.

But first things first:

One year after publication of the Coolpix P7700 brings Nikon with the P7800 expected successor. Outwardly falls at first glance, the, on the left, by about 4 mm higher deck lid on. That may sound purely in terms of numbers by little, but in direct comparison, if one takes both cameras side by side, the P7700 but looks a bit more pleasing, elegant. Due to the higher structure is now integrated electronic viewfinder.

This viewfinder is also the main difference between the two cameras. Because that can be considered not only the subject without parallax, it also displays the most important technical information. Another advantage is that the camera is now ready for use immediately after switching on, even when geklapptem inwards display. Unfortunately, this viewfinder is pleased with me, with the P7700 highly appreciated, selector for ISO, WB, bracketing and personal configurations victim. This task is now a small button next to the viewfinder. The permits, in combination with the command dial, these settings. I'll get used to it (must). The electronic viewfinder itself is rather seen as a stopgap for my taste. The inlet opening is relatively small, so that the work to hard. Oh Well. He is better than the "peep-hole" of P7100 and if the lighting conditions make the work impossible with the screen, perfectly usable.

I have been very much like the P7700 used when I, for example, on a hike or at a trade show, which did not want to carry around D4 or D800. Although the 80-400 was fitted on the D4, I had the P7700 for shooting in the focal length range in the vest pocket. Often in practice, because it no objective change in the DSLR is needed and I was able to respond more quickly. And that was also the reason why I as WW-Body increasingly preferring the D5200 the P7700: is stored until a raw in the P7700, several seconds may pass.

In this point, the P7800 has caught up. It stores the large RAW files, although not as fast as a DSLR, but significantly faster than the P7700, making it in, for many applications, tolerable. If really fast image sequences are required, one can not help to do without raw. One must then, be satisfied with the jpegs but very good.

Nothing else has done. The sensor and the lens remained the same, which is why you should look forward to a very good picture quality still. Under ISO 400 and the noise performance is tolerable, at ISO 200 it is negligible. The AF is, for a compact camera, fast and accurate. Thanks to assist illuminator he fail even in complete darkness. The display is in all directions rotating and swiveling it can be folded when not in use with the back to the outside, is it protected useful. As mentioned earlier, you can take pictures with the EV-seekers nevertheless.

Even with the P7700 some customers have complained that the lens when not in use instead of the lamella shutter is protected (when P7100) with a fairly massive Snap lens cap. Because of this cap can be easily lost. Those who fear that pierced with a hot needle just a small hole in and tie him with a tear-resistant thread on camera belt. For the snap-lid has tangible benefits: First, it is much more stable, so the opportunity was created for the other to realize a filter thread. Anyone who wants to protect the lens with a UV filter which can do now. Also a lens hood can be screwed. The extent to which is useful for a zoom lens with this focal length range, is up to you.

The feel of the housing, made of magnesium (front, top cover, bottom) and high-quality plastic (rear), is still outstanding. The scroll wheel sit ergonomically exactly where one seeks intuitively. Those who appreciate the operation and functionality of a DSLR, is enthusiastic about the handling of Nikon from the P 7000 series. As the latest addition is no exception. Also, that already the Creative Lightning System of Nikon can be fully controlled with the built-in flash, a testament to the professionalism of the P7800.

Even with the P7100 I took pictures that were printed in full format in several magazines on full A4 page spreads. That was with the P7700 otherwise, from the P7800 I expect the same.