Auto Mode (7.0)
Automatic mode on the Nikon Coolpix 3700 is accessed by shifting the mode dial to the green SLR camera icon. It stands out from the other icons as the only one with a splash of color. When in automatic mode, the camera makes adjustments automatically to the white balance, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, focus, and metering. The user is not notified of any of these changes; the only settings that the user can modify are the flash mode, image size, macro mode on/off, and exposure. Adjustments are made seamlessly and usually accurately. Further tweaking to the image must be done in manual shooting mode.

The auto mode functions well, and a point-and-shoot consumer should feel confident in this mode.

Movie Mode (7.5)
Movie mode can be accessed on the Nikon Coolpix 3700 by shifting the mode dial to the black and white movie camera icon. Once in this mode, users can access the movie mode menu by selecting the menu button. Various settings are then available to adjust the size (and, in some cases, color) of the image: TV movie (30 fps) 640*, TV movie (15 fps) 640, small size (30 fps) 320*, small size (15 fps) 320, smaller size (15 fps) 160, B/W movie (15 fps) 320, sepia movie (5 fps) 320, time-lapse movie (various still capture rates) 640. Unless you like the silent movie stutter, anything less than 20 fps may cause severe nausea or at least a headache. The movie modes on these digital cameras are a cute option, but are really unpractical, as are photo options on many digital camcorders. Don’t count on quality home videos when using movie mode on the Nikon Coolpix 3700, or any other digital camera for that matter.

Once a movie mode is selected, users can press the menu button again to exit the menu. Pressing the shutter button will start or stop the recording process.

Drive / Burst Mode (6.5)
The Nikon Coolpix 3700 contains a few different continuous shooting modes for the user to select. Two direct continuous shooting modes are named after simple letters. Following Sesame Street's lead, one is titled “L” mode, while the other is called “H” mode. “L” mode allows the user to shoot up to five rapid shots at a rate of 1.5 shots per second while “H” mode functions in the same way, just at the slower rate of 2.5 frames per second for 3 images. These features are not the same as burst mode but are beneficial for the user who is trying to capture a subject in motion. For these instances, the lettered continuous shooting modes will help to both ensure that at least one image is recorded at the desired place of movement as well as recording a brief sequence of time that can be viewed as a short film strip or flip book.

The Nikon Coolpix 3700 also has a multi-shot mode that will shoot 16 consecutive shots at a rate of 1.5 frames per second. This composition is then assembled by the camera to provide a collaged image of the lapsed time.

The Coolpix 3700 also has a dynamic, continuous shooting feature that allows the user to shoot an unlimited number of exposures (until the card is full) as long as the shutter is held. There is a variable exposure rate that can be selected by the user. The user can also set the shutter down, for prolonged shooting that will continue for as long as the user determines or until the memory is used. This is ideal for time lapse imagery and will record until the battery runs dry.

Playback Mode (6.5)
Playback mode can be accessed on the Nikon Coolpix 3700 by pressing the central playback button, set within the mode dial. Users must then rely on the multi-selector joystick and the zoom buttons to select images. Pressing the wide angle button, with its checkered rectangle icon underneath, displays up to nine pictures at once. When one picture is selected, users can use the telephoto button, with the magnifying glass icon underneath, to magnify the image 10x for viewing sections of the image at full resolution. Using the multi-selector joystick, the image can be scrolled through and even cropped by depressing the shutter button. When the image is fully displayed, pressing the shutter will rotate the image.

When in playback mode, pressing the menu button will reveal the following menu options:

Print set : allows for pictures to be sent to a printer for printing.

Slide show : Permits users to view the pictures stored on the memory card as an automated slide show.

Delete : Deletes all or select images.

Protect : Selected images can be protected from accidental deletion or manipulation.

Auto transfer : Picture can be marked for transfer to a computer.

Enhance menu : Enhanced, monochrome, and sepia copies of existing photos can be done with the pic. enhance feature.

Small Pic : Small copies of existing pictures are created with the small pic. feature.

Movie Trim menu : Unwanted frames at the beginning and end of a movie clip can be excised.

Playback modes function well and are easy to navigate.

Custom Image Presets (7.0)
There are a number of scene presets that adjust many elements of the image depending on the environment. The included scene options are portrait, party/indoor, night portrait, beach/snow, landscape, sunset, night landscape, museum, fireworks show, close up, copy, backlight, panorama assist, sports, and dusk/dawn. While this does take some of the guesswork out of setting up a scenario, in my opinion it does not make up for the lack of manual control offered on the camera. That said, the settings are exhaustive and I don’t think I can come up with a single addition to the provided list. Considering this camera is designed with the point-and-shoot consumer in mind, the lengthy list of presets is actually quite appropriate.