Nikon's slim 2003 entry compact — 3.2MP CCD, 3x Zoom-Nikkor, first Coolpix to take SD cards
The Nikon Coolpix 3700 was a slim entry-level digital compact announced in October 2003 and sold through 2004. It sat near the bottom of the Coolpix range as a point-and-shoot for first-time digital buyers, and it holds a small footnote in the line's history as the first Coolpix to use Secure Digital cards rather than CompactFlash.
It carries a 3.2-megapixel 1/2.7-inch CCD producing 2048x1536 images, paired with a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens. Sensitivity runs ISO 50-200 and shutter speeds span 15 to 1/1500 second. Fifteen scene modes cover subjects from portraits to fireworks, and an unusual sound-release option fires the shutter on a loud noise such as a clap. Power comes from a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, storage is SD, and the aluminium body measures 95.5x50x31mm at about 130g without battery.
This is a simple snapshot camera with almost no manual control, suited to casual shooting and to collectors of early-2000s CCD compacts. The small body pockets easily, though the low-resolution sensor and narrow ISO range limit it to good light, and operation is leisurely by later standards.
On the used market check that the proprietary lithium-ion battery still holds charge and that a compatible charger is included, since original cells are now old. Confirm the lens extends and retracts without grinding, the small LCD is free of bright lines, and test image capture to an SD card, as this early SD implementation predates SDHC and may reject newer high-capacity cards.