-Using 1G fast 80x recording speed compactflash still it pauses about 4 seconds to record the pic. when taking 8M pixels pic. Taking pic. less than 8M don't have this problem.
-Flash is not powerful enough to take pic at night, need to get an external flash.

Overall:
Having this camera since 2003 and still taking great pictures. Note the bigger the len is, it allows more light into the camera, the better the pic. resolution. ________________________________________________________________

          
Good enough to buy twice, February 2, 2006
Reviewer: Ndihamba nawe
After much consideration and review of Nikon's new, lower-priced DSLRs, I am purchasing another 8700 to replace my stolen (alas) 8700. I have worked with Nikon's digital cameras for the last five years, consistently producing respectable photographs for use in lectures and as gifts for relatives.

If you are familiar with Nikon's digital cameras (for instance, you have an older Coolpix model), the menu set-ups will be fairly easy to adapt to. I do find the four side buttons on the camera to be a bit vexing--in moments of panic ("There is an elephant walking towards the car") one may forget exactly what has to be done with them.

My only complaints about this camera are its low ISO, which means you often have to use a flash for indoor shots; and its lack of a manual focus ring for very low-light shots.

The macro pictures are gorgeous, and the telephoto action shots I've gotten with it are clear, crisp, and blow up nicely to 16x20. I chose this camera over a digital SLR not so much for the $200 to $300 savings as for the size. It is small enough to fit in my handbag, which means that I can visit small villages in southern Africa without a big honking camera hanging off of my neck. The preceeding camera was nicked by a dishonest handyman--not stolen from me on the street. I know that some reviewers have mentioned durability problems, but I've had no trouble carrying it in my handbag and using it almost daily for eleven months.

If you can't afford the DSLRs but need a high-quality camera now now, or if you want the convenience of a camera small enough to fit into a medium-sized handbag, this is the camera for you.

________________________________________________________________

          
Nikon Coolpix 8700 is for the True Hobbyist, January 29, 2006
Reviewer: Kenneth Golden

I really enjoy this camera and because I travel a lot it comes in handy. I was previously using a camera with much lower megapixels and the difference in the clarity in the pictures is startling. Another plus about this camera is that it is very user friendly.

On the negative side it is rather expensive. It is also very bulky and that can be an inconvenience if you travel as much as I do. I would not recommend for someone that simply wants to take better pics. It is only for the true photo hobbyist.

You are also a lot better off by this camera at Amazon as opposed to one of the web sites that offer a cheaper price. I made the mistake of buying it at a website that offered a lower price after a mail in rebate to post office. After I mailed in the rebate offer the envelope was sent back to me indicating that the P.O. box was no longer in use.
________________________________________________________________

          
Great Camera!!, January 26, 2006
Reviewer: K. Montierth

I bought this camera for my wife. She loves it. The crystal clear shots are unreal! There is a problem with distance and blurry pics as reported in other reviews, but this can be over came by learning to use shutter speed and other finite details. The 12 Macro settings are nice for when you want to just point and click as well as AUTO and programed features. One feature we have used quite a bit, is the 1.8 lcd screen that is able to be moved and manipulated, it's great for looking over clift edges to take rock repelling photos
________________________________________________________________

       
 Stuck in the Middle with This.... (hummm along), December 8, 2005
Reviewer: C. S. BAKER "missspider"

I had such high hopes with this camera purchase. I researched it for months, reading everything I could get my hands on, every website, magazine etc. All had glowing reviews of this camera and I'm not exactly negating them. I am, however, a bit peeved at the fact that this camera is not for low light/indoor situations at ALL. (My experience anyway).
I have experimented "8 ways 'till Sunday", used every imaginable setting and without a tripod, it always blurs in lower lighting. If it's not blurring, it's casting an awful amber lighting across my images and all is lost.
On the other hand, Macro shots are mind blowing, all my natural outdoor light shots are fantastic. The panoramic program is so wonderful! The clarity I have been able to get (around 65% of the time)is astounding. You can see people's poors and eyelashes the size of your little finger!
Alas, the reading, the reading, the reading. I have had this almost 6 months now and I still have to refer to the darned manual...a LOT. And I also find myself Photoshopping for corrections (either blurring, color correction or SOMETHING).
No it's not perfect, no it's not horrible. I have taken fabulous shots MUCH easier with my little Fuji FINEPIX 2 megapixle that have been more exciting than this thing.... but it does serve it's purpose. IF you can coax it into cooperating.
So, finally... I'm searching for something else, but am not quite ready to hand this over just yet... I'm just mostly disappointed that this wasn't more user friendly and less... tempermental, so for this I am definatly middle of the road on this one.

  Back to Nikon Coolpix 8700