6. Image Quality On Test Photos

This may be repetitive, but the Coolpix 8700 is an odd mix of excellence and failings. You can see this in the images, which are fantastic in some conditions and have all sorts of problems where the light is less easily controlled. This doesn't only apply to Nikon - others are not much better, though the Olympus C-8080 wins the prize for the best images.

Pictures from the 8700 are in any case very printable in A3, provided the light is uniform and under control. When conditions are not so good (strong contrast, sources with a mixture of color ranges), the 8700 is a bit overwhelmed, with inconvenient colored artifacts and under-par white balance. Noise can be perfectly controlled in studio conditions, but it soon spoils the image in exterior conditions, starting at 200 ISO. The images, however, are perfectly detailed, though the wide angle does tend to distort them (bulging) and this takes the shine off the "professional" look.

Like many other digital cameras, the Nikon 8700 does not manage high contrast too well, and you often get colored halos. As soon as this situation arises, the image starts to turn red/purple. This is a failing to note, though not a crippling one, as it is practically universal.

For the rest, exposure can only be faulted in unusual circumstances and the camera still manages to take a picture you can use, even in appalling conditions. The Coolpix 8700 produces very good images but, like many other digital cameras, it is better for close-up and studio work. This is a shame, because its small size and fantastic zoom should have designed it for exterior work in a variety of conditions. Be aware of this before you buy.