First Look: Nikon Coolpix P7700

Nikon Coolpix P7700 Compact Digital Camera. Rangefinder look and feel, sans viewfinder.

Nikon’s latest P-series camera has the look and feel of a classic rangefinder, minus the viewfinder. For those who prefer a more traditional control layout and don’t require a viewfinder, it’s an exciting new addition to Nikon’s lineup.

This could have been the Nikon camera that went head-to-head with the Fujifilm X20, successor to the X10. But it wont’t be.

The Nikon Coolpix P7700 is one well-designed, high-performing, good-looking camera for sure. But Nikon has left out a vital feature which makes the P-series what it is...the optical viewfinder. Whether this an evolutionary step or a white elephant remains to be seen. Given the inroads Fujifilm has made with their X-series optical and hybrid-viewfinder cameras, it would be a shame for Nikon to lose ground in the marketplace by downgrading the P-series to a conventional digital compact.

Equipped with a smaller sensor than the Fujfilm X10, a slower minimum aperture, and the lack of a viewfinder, the P7700’s main advantage over the Fujifilm X20 seems to be the price: $399.00 vs. $599.00.

Plenty of controls, great layout. But where’s the viewfinder for the extra $100.00?

However, this price is $100.00 more than the P7100, which does include an optical viewfinder. Does less bang for your buck really equate to more in today’s marketplace? It seem strange for a company that once produced this camera to be taking such a route in its digital equivalent…

The legendary Nikon SP Rangefinder.

If Nikon had given the 1 V1 the layout of the P7700, and included a hybrid viewfinder a la the Fujifilm XPro-1 it might have become the digital equivalent of the venerable Nikon SP.

Another Nikon camera which had great potential, but somewhat missed the boat.

Had the P7700 been equipped with a hybrid (or even standard optical) viewfinder, or even a dedicated add-on finder, I most certainly would have bought one, even though I already own the Fujifilm X10. But as it stands, Nikon still has not offered a rangefinder-like companion to my growing collection of Nikon DSLRs and SLRs. But for those of you who prefer a more traditional design in your digital camera, and are not in dire need of a viewfinder, the Nikon Coolpix P7700 I give it the thumbs up.