Touted by Nikon to be a compact, lightweight performer with superior image quality and ease of use, the CoolPix 5700 is positioned at the top of the Nikon CoolPix digital still camera lineup and targeted at the increasingly important "prosumer". Indeed, at S$1,888 (US$1,077), this new-and-improved offering should carve itself a good niche among advanced photography hobbyists and digital enthusiasts.

The CoolPix 5700's 5-megapixel capability also pits it against rival models such as the FinePix S602 Zoom, Minolta Dimage 7i, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-707, and other similar high-res performers.

Upgrade From CoolPix 5000
The CoolPix 5700 design is based almost entirely on the CoolPix 5000’s form factor and chassis--with two major differences. You'll find the addition of an Electronic Viewfinder (to accommodate the 8x optical zoom) and the newly developed 8x Zoom-Nikkor lens with an 8.9 to 71.2mm (equivalent to 35-280mm in 35mm format) focal range.

The lens contains two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements which help to maintain contrast and clarity with minimum distortion. The CoolPix 5700's flip out-and-twist LCD is of identical design to that of the CoolPix 4500. Sporting a good anti-reflective coating, the LCD display produces bright, clear images. The EVF provides exactly the same view as the rear LCD, thus you get the same information overlay and playback functions.

Compact, Lightweight Body
The framework is made of a light magnesium alloy that reputedly offers durability without compromising portability. Following the form factor of the CoolPix 5000, the camera also retains the ergonomic, easy-grip design for balanced handling and comfortable operation of the controls, some of which have been repositioned for better access. One notable point for users with large hands and SLR users is that they may find the 5700 a bit too small and light for a firm grip. However, those looking for a small, convenient camera with quality picture output they can slip easily into a handbag or knapsack will find this design a boon. In fact, at approximately 480g (without battery), the 5700 is one of the lightest prosumer cameras around in the market currently.

The 5700 incorporates an auto popup Speedlight flash, as well as an accessory shoe which enables the attachment of an external Speedlight when more lighting is necessary (although the much lauded D-TTL flash metering technology is conspicuously missing from the camera's features). A range of compatible accessories is also available for extended usage, such as the optional wide-angle converter and telephoto converter lenses and an optional battery pack which incorporates a second shutter button for portrait/vertical position shooting (which was not available at the time of this review).

Power Matters
Power is provided by Nikon's EN-EL1 Lithium rechargeable battery, which gives about 90 minutes of continuous operation time. While it’s a fact that operating an EVF consumes more power than a camera with an optical viewfinder, the 5700 surprisingly doesn’t guzzle an excessive amount of power. The CoolPix 5700 can also be powered by a “use and throw” 2CR5 Lithium battery which, while expensive, is recommended for traveling and backup purposes.

Nikon offers the optional (S$169.95; US$97) MB-E5700 battery pack/handgrip that uses six 1.5v (AA) batteries. In addition to supplying more power, this provides a portrait mode shutter release and grip which gives you more camera to hold onto. This is especially handy when using an external Speedlight or a large add-on lens. One only hopes that Nikon makes this accessory available quicker than it did with the CoolPix 5000. Finally, you can use the DC-in plug to connect an external battery pack like the Maha PowerBank, which provides a lightweight power source with two to three times the capacity of the EN-EL1.

Faithful Color Reproduction
The 5-megapixel CCD captures images with multiple image quality settings at a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,920 pixels, which is capable of producing large prints of 16 x 20 inches, at least. A unique Best Shot Selector function also automatically selects the sharpest from a series of consecutive shots, similar to the photographic practice of bracketing. The Clear Image Mode renders highly accurate color results, producing images of surprising low noise, and a wide dynamic range of images, especially at resolutions of 1280 x 960 and below.

Like its 5000 predecessor, the CoolPix 5700 offers a gamut of "motor drive" rapid-exposure modes for capturing quick sequences of images: Continuous L; Continuous H; Ultra High Speed Continuous; and Multi-Shot 16. This last mode is especially interesting as the processor sub-divides the image area into 16 sections and captures a "mini movie" of small images at 400 x 300-pixel resolution.) The 5700 also features a Movie mode that records moving images (with sound) of up to 60 seconds, at approximately 15 frames per second.

Pro Performance, Prosumer Price
The CoolPix 5700 holds much significance as the flagship product of Nikon's CoolPix digital camera lineup. With its high-resolution 5-megapixel CCD, compact and lightweight form factor and large-diameter 8x Zoom Nikkor lens, this camera will be a favorite for those whose budget cannot reach the price tag of the D100 digital SLR. The 5700 delivers excellent image performance and semi-professional handling, especially the ability to store images in proprietary NEF raw format like its professional D1 cousins.

In general, the CoolPix 5700 is a full-featured prosumer camera with a multitude of exposure options and ISO sensitivity settings that can be set to maximum 800 (at some cost of image noise, of course). As a successor to the CoolPix 5000, the 5700 carries forward all the features of the former, with some exceptional improvements and upgrades, particularly in the area of accurate, natural-looking colors.