Nikon CoolPix 7900 vs 7600 (vs. Sony DSC-P200 vs. Canon SD500)

[bubba]

I was originally looking at the Canon SD500 (I have a SD100 now) as well, but the price is very high. The Nikon Coolpix 7900/7600 seem to be much cheaper and offer similar features.

I also briefly looked at the Sony DCS-P100, but I didn't want to go to Memory Stick flash memory because of price, and because I have a couple GB of SD cards already for my SD100.

The problem is I am not sure of the differences between the two Nikons. Initially it seems like very little. Here are some of the differences I have found:

________7900 vs 7600_______
Aluminum body vs plastic body
prop. battery vs. AAA batteries
2.0" LCD vs. 1.8" LCD
slight size and weight differences, the 7600 is a little smaller/lighter
$450 MSRP vs. $380 MSRP

Any other important differences? I find it odd that Nikon would offer two models so close to each other, but not highlight what their differences are.



(I am moving this discussion to the which to buy, because I think it is more appropriate here. Thanks.)

[bubba]

One thing I am not sure of... The 7900 touts several auto-focus modes:
• Auto - five area selection
• Manual - 99-area selection
• Center focus area selection

Does the 7600 have these?

I also read that the 7900 has an AF-assist lamp, but I can't find out if the 7600 has one.

Anyone know?

[bubba]

I got a reply from Nikon. It looks like there are a few more differences, the largest of which is the 7900 has 3 autofocus modes (matrix, center, spot), and the 7600 has one.

I quote the rest of Nikon's reply on the differences below...

You've got most of the differences pegged down pretty well. There is a difference in the autofocus modes available. The 7900 has the option of Matrix, Centre-weighted and spot focus modes whereas the 7600 only uses the Matrix mode. The 7900 has a 5 shot buffer used for the continuous shooting mode that isn't in the 7600. The 7900 has both a 10 and 3 second timer and the 7600 has only the 10 second timer. The 7900 also has the optional WP-CP4 underwater housing unit for taking the camera to depths up to 130 feet.