It looks like this year will be the year of the eight-megapixel camera.
The new Nikon Coolpix 8700, an upgrade from the popular SLR-like Coolpix 5700 (both pictured), is an eight-megapixel digital camera with 8x optical zoom with a maximum resolution of 3,264 by 2,448 pixels.
Priced at US$999, the lofty price tag puts it in competition with digital SLRs such as the Canon 300D and Nikon's own D70.
The cameras target slightly different users. The 8700, while having an extensive range of manual functions, is essentially a point and shoot and is targeted at semi-professionals. The Canon 300D and Nikon D70 target more advanced photographers.
The difference is in performance or responsiveness. The 8700 is a fixed-lens camera, unlike the Canon 300D and Nikon D70, which are SLRs. The typical SLR uses a reflex mirror to allow direct optical viewing through the lens. Compact electronic viewfinder cameras such as the 8700 have no reflex mirror and have their lenses permanently attached. So instead of seeing the image live and directly through the lens, one sees a slightly delayed electronic image on an LCD panel. However, with fixed lenses, you do not need to worry about dust - a big problem in digital SLRs.
While the 8700's body is similar to the 5700 and the two cameras can take the same accessories, Nikon claims that the 8700 performs better than the relatively sluggish 5700. The new model's burst mode is rated at 2.5 frames per second for up to five frames. Again, this is too slow for fast motion such as a running toddler or action shots. But if you are looking to take great vacation shots, the 8700 would turn out very nice pictures.