Nikon S9700
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
- 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
- Launched February 2014
- Superseded the Nikon S9500
- Refreshed by Nikon S9900
- Read full specs
- Alternatives
- Size Comparison
- FAQ
90 Imaging
40 Features
48 Overall
43
Nikon S9700 summary
Nikon S9700 is Nikon's Small Sensor Superzoom digital camera first introduced on February of 2014. The camera uses a 16MP, BSI-CMOS 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a max resolution of 4608 x 3456.
Nikon launched this model as a way to update the earlier Nikon S9500 (Read Full Comparison) and afterwards introduced the updated Nikon S9900 (Read Full Comparison) in order to replace this model.
The S9700 is placed #82 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and over-all #579 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our database. You should look at our Smart camera search to see camera listings based on your personalized criteria.
The following is a chart of different factors used in the rating system.
Nikon S9700 history
The Nikon S9700 comes with a history of related digital cameras. Below, you can take a look at all earlier and new models alongside main features.
F3.7-6.416MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon S9700 Gallery
You can see the S9700 from several angles in the gallery here.
Nikon S9700 Pros and Cons
Below is a shortlist of advantages and disadvantages of the Nikon S9700 based on aspects which are typically considered useful in a digital camera.
Nikon S9700 Sensor info
The sensor size on the Nikon S9700 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to capture 4608 x 3456 pixels . The camera has got Image Stabilization (Optical). In body stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization since the latter may produce cropping.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe BSI-CMOS sensor boasts 16 megapixels and supports a standard ISO range of 125 to 6400. Unfortunately, RAW photos are not saved therefore you have less margin for error.
The graphic underneath shows the S9700's sensor dimensions compared to other popular sizes. The S9700 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is shown in green.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideTo get a sense of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.
Nikon S9700 dimensions
Nikon S9700 weighs in at 0.51 lbs (232 grams or 8.18 ounces) and features external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4"). The weight of typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387 grams and the Nikon S9700 is less heavy compared with various rivals.
Photography GlossaryDown below is a picture of the Nikon S9700 beside a soda so you're able to have a feel for its scale.
The top view just below will highlight the button layout on the S9700.
Nikon S9700 Lens info
The S9700 includes a built in lens and a focal range of 25-750mm giving it a 30.0 x zoom which is ideal and is going to enable you to zoom all the way in.
At the widest 25mm, it provides an aperture of f3.7 which will be very slow and not very good in low light conditions and you will likely find it hard to capture a shallow depth of field. You might also need to up the ISO causing noisy photos. For the tele end, 750mm is great zoom and comes with f6.4 making it quite sluggish and you will need to use slower shutter speeds.
Nikon S9700 Connectivity
The S9700 has the following connectivity:
- USB Yes
- Wireless Yes
- HDMI Yes
- GPS Yes
Digital cameras which include NFC and / or Bluetooth compatibility are able to be controlled wirelessly via smartphones. You will be able to transfer files and in some cases alter camera settings without the hassle of connecting directly to the camera.
A few applications even provide a Liveview and hit the shutter when you are not close to the camera. If the camera has a HDMI out, it can easily be attached to an external screen. Nearly all cameras enable you to charge the battery pack with the USB port.
Nikon S9700 Video info
The max video quality on the Nikon S9700 is 1920 x 1080 and it can capture in MPEG-4 and H.264 file format. 1080p quality gives a great balance between video quality versus file sizes but 1080p won't give you much room to crop. The camera does not have a mic and / or headphone socket which means that you have no control over your audio. It is probably best to shop for an alternative model if you want decent audio in your videos.
Nikon S9700 Weather Sealing
There is no environment proofing in the Nikon S9700 so you need to be careful in wet and dusty conditions.
Nikon S9700 Screen and Viewfinder
The Nikon S9700 houses a 3" fixed screen boasting a resolution of 921k dots.
Unfortunately the screen isn't a touch screen.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe ViewFinder details regarding Nikon S9700 are the following:
- ViewFinder None
In those sunny outdoor conditions which make the camera displays washed out and challenging to view, viewfinders are rather valuable.
Nikon S9700 Shutter info
Nikon S9700 has the capability to shoot continuously at 7.0 frames per second. The highest shutter speed is 1/2000s.
Nikon S9700 Flash and Hot shoe info
Nikon S9700 has got only built in flash lacking external flash support.
Nikon S9700 Autofocus info
Nikon S9700 has got just Contrast Detect AF and is missing Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more quicker and exact compared with Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera boasts Face detection which can be helpful for portraits.
The AF system boasts 99 focus points to select from. It also includes Tracking AF for moving subjects. Nikon S9700 does not have manual focus. Manual focus option can be useful during low light scenarios or you want more accurate depth of field control.
Nikon S9700 Battery life
The battery pack (EN-EL12) in the Nikon S9700 is fashioned to last for 300 shutters as per the CIPA requirements which is about the same as its rivals. The usual Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR features the maximum (600) battery life within this group of cameras.
Below is a number of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras which have the best battery life:
Nikon S9700 for different styles of photography
The following illustration presents a rundown of the Nikon S9700 for different styles of photography. To read more, check out the specific section underneath.
Nikon S9700 Portrait photography advice
The Nikon S9700 gets a score of 37 which is low, meaning that it is not good for portrait photography. Shooting portrait images favors heavily to sensor resolution, RAW support along with the option to use external flash.
Nikon S9700 as a Street photography camera
With a above average points total of 61, the Nikon S9700 is a very decent pick to use in street photography. A good street photography camera comes with a good balance of image quality and portability.
Nikon S9700 as a Sports photography camera
A modest sports photography score of 53 suggests the Nikon S9700 is somewhat suited for shooting sports. A camera should have good tracking and fast shutter speeds for sports photography.
Nikon S9700 as a Travel photography camera
Weight is really crucial when selecting a travel camera. Over-all, the Nikon S9700 gets a above average 69 as a travelling camera which is a very decent option for your travels.
Nikon S9700 Landscape photography highlights
If you find yourself looking to buy a digital camera for landscape photographs, the most significant factor will no doubt be image quality. The Nikon S9700 with it's low rating of 45 for a landscape camera is not good amongst its competition.
Nikon S9700 Vlogging information
A camera for vlogging preferably should come with a articulating screen, mic port and ideally image stabilization. Taking all things into account, the Nikon S9700 is not good as a vlog camera as it comes to a low score of 34.
Nikon S9700 Alternatives
If you are interested in replacements to the S9700, here is a number of the top rated cameras which fall under the category of Small Sensor Superzoom.
The chart underneath gives you a bird's eye view of the S9700 compared to it's highest rated competitors listed above.
Here are a handful of other cameras you might have a look at as alternative options. To check out a extensive comparison, go to the "compare" link.