I have the CoolPix 8400 and just tested it with the Sandisk Extreme III card. The write time for a RAW file is about 10 seconds. It's not the write time that's really an issue, but the lack of a buffer that will let you continue shooting. It's a limitation of the consumer cameras.

Are you not able to either change the resolution or the picture size to reduce that time..??

I use a 5700 and thats an option on it.... depending or what you intend to do with your pictures

The 5700 cycles quickly...

Of course the image quality can be changed, but that means a JPEG capture and not RAW, which is what the question is about.

You can't change resolution because it's not a function of a digital camera. Cameras only capture pixels, not pixels per inch.

This is the reason I have My 8700 "FOR SALE" it is only good for scenics and nothing else. I bought a D100 and it is perfect for everything. It has a buffer that allows 4 raw photos in a row. once buffer is filled it slows down but as soon as enough room clears in the buffer you can take another shot.The new D200 will take 22 Raw photos before the buffer fills. I will probably get one if the rest of the camera is as good as my D100 is.

Kindly post this stuff on the digital Nikon board, this one is for Nikon 35mm film cameras, you know, the kind that just keep working.