Product Description

Inside the smooth, elegant design of the COOLPIX L3 is a range of sophisticated features designed to preserve your moments perfectly. With a capable 5-megapixel resolution, this camera delivers instantly recognizable quality. The 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens puts everything from group portraits to expansive landscapes within easy reach and the bright 2.0-inch LCD monitor simplifies composition and playback, leaving you free to enjoy your special moments. 15 different Scene Modes - 4 with Scene Assist - improve your results by automatically providing appropriate settings for everything from party portraits to fireworks at night. Movies may be recorded in three modes - TV size (640), Small size (320) and Smaller-size (160) - so you can capture and share so much more through the TV, computer screen and e-mail.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13014 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Nikon
• Model: 25544
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 1.00" w x 4.50" l, 1.00 pounds
• Memory: 32MB
• Display size: 2

Features

• 5.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; 2.0-inch Super Bright LCD display
• BSS (Best Shot Selector) automatically selects the shot with the sharpest focus from a series of consecutive images
• 15 different Scene modes, four with Scene assist
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries; stores images on SD memory cards (23 MB internal memory included)

From the Manufacturer
The Nikon Coolpix L3 combines an array of high-quality components including a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens and a bright 2.0-inch LCD screen with in-camera image-improvement features, housed in lightweight, compact, yet elegantly finished bodies.

It boasts a powerful 3x Zoom-Nikkor lenses with a focal range equivalent to that of a 38-116mm (35mm equivalent), providing the freedom to zoom in for tight personal portraits or out to capture expansive outdoor scenes.

The CCD delivers higher performance within tighter dimensions, greatly adding to the camera's compact form and portability while offering a generous effective megapixel value of 5.1, ensuring the refined image clarity that users have come to expect from other members of the Coolpix family.

The camera also features a bright, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD that's now even easier to operate with new icons and function selections as well as a new color scheme that is easier on the eye.

The specific design aspects of the Coolpix L3 make it streamlined and comfortable to hold, with a smooth, elegant finish that suggests a much higher level of sophistication. The curved grip contributes both to the camera's design elegance and its shooting stability.

The strikingly compact dimensions and light camera weight makes the L3 ideal for taking anywhere you may go, reinforced by the convenience of AA-size battery compatibility. One of the most widely available battery sizes in the world--in alkaline, lithium, rechargeable, or other forms--AA compatibility allows near-ubiquitous use anywhere in the world.

In common with the entire current Coolpix digital camera range, this latest addition features a number of Nikon-inspired capabilities that give the user the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. Available in playback mode, for example, the D-Lighting function selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail wherever needed while keeping other areas as they were.

Nikon's Face-priority AF function automatically detects and focuses in on people's faces, regardless of where they are in the frame, ensuring superb crisp-focus portraits. The In-Camera Red-Eye Fix function analyzes each image, automatically finding and then correcting the accidental red-eye that sometimes occurs in flash photography, for more natural-looking portraits.

A choice of 15 different Scene modes--four with Scene assist--makes the challenge of achieving desired results in a wide range of everyday situations that much simpler. By choosing the Scene mode best suited to the subject at hand, the Coolpix L3 automatically selects the ideal settings for exactly the picture you had in mind, whether indoor party or outdoor nighttime fireworks display. Scene assist displays useful framing guides in the monitor, helping you compose shots for optimal results.

All of the latest Coolpix L class cameras are compatible with widely available SD memory cards. The provision of 23 MB of internal memory allows the user to keep shooting when no additional memory is available, as well as easily moving images from one SD card to another.

The Coolpix L3 digital camera also offers movie-shooting capability in three sizes: TV movie size (640) for viewing on TV or computers; convenient Small size (320); and Smaller size (160) for extended recording or Internet usage.

With the Coolpix L3, ease of use and convenience are still priorities, even when the shooting is over. Printing is kept simple, with PictBridge capability enabling connection to a compatible printer without the need of a computer and USB connectivity eases data transfer to computers and other peripherals.

Completing the picture is the complimentary PictureProject accessory software, which greatly simplifies the importing, editing, and organizing of images. It even offers compatibility with a range of plug-ins that allows functions to be extended on demand.

Nikon Coolpix L3 feature highlights:

High performance from a small CCD
Utilizing space-efficient design parameters that help facilitate the compact size of the Coolpix L3, the 1/2.5-inch CCD adds the advantage of outstandingly high performance. Boasting effective pixel values of 5.1 million, the CCD enables the capture of crisp-focus images that retain their high quality even when significantly enlarged.

3x zoom capability
The remarkably compact dimensions of the Coolpix L-line cameras belie the incorporation of powerful 38-116mm Zoom-Nikkor lenses (35mm equivalent), ensuring the freedom of a 3x zoom. These precision lenses allow zooming in for tightly composed portraits, or zooming way out for expansively wide views, providing greater compositional independence than the average digital camera. Macro mode allows shooting from as close as 10 centimeters.

Simple-to-use features improve images in-camera
A range of unique Nikon functions enables the photographer to actually improve images in-camera. Available in playback mode, the D-Lighting function selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail wherever needed while keeping other areas as they were. The Face-priority AF function automatically detects and then focuses in on people's faces, regardless of where they are in the frame, ensuring superb crisp-focus portraits. The In-Camera Red-Eye Fix function analyzes each image, automatically finding and then correcting any accidental red-eye, which sometimes occurs in flash photography, to produce more natural-looking portraits.

AA-size battery compatibility
Despite its compact dimensions, the L3 is compatible with AA-size batteries, one of the most widely available battery sizes in the world. The power to shoot approximately 200 shots when using alkaline batteries greatly augments their compact convenience.

Other features:

• Unique combination of all-round quality, ease of operation, and elegant styling makes Coolpix L3 the compact digital camera of choice for entry-level photographers
• Compact, portable dimensions: 91 x 60.5 x 26 millimeters (3.6 x 2.4 x 1.0 inches) (W x H x D)
• Light weight for Coolpix L3 of approximately 120 grams (4.2 ounces) (without battery and SD memory card)
• BSS (Best Shot Selector) automatically selects the shot with the sharpest focus from a series of consecutive images
• Blur Warning informs user after shooting if an image is blurred
• Time zone function enables local time to be set regardless of where you are in the world
• Single AF and Continuous AF selectable in Movie mode
• Capture modes: Single, Continuous and Multi-Shot 16 for Coolpix L3
• Built-in flash: features settings for Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Off, Fill Flash, and Slow sync.
• Noise reduction provides more attractive results in low-light conditions
• Digital zoom of up to 4x
• Choice of White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 6-mode manual (Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash, and White Balance Preset)
• USB connectivity allows quick and easy data transfer to computers and other peripherals

Customer Reviews

L2 is sharper
The L2 and L3 models are twins with a shared instruction manual. For some the more expensive L2 may be a better choice.

At a camera store I made several identical shots with both cameras and the L2 produced consistently sharper images when zoomed in on the fine detail of ordinary shots. (Using readability of distant text to judge sharpness of jpg images saved in the largest file size.)

With simpler menus than higher priced cameras these seem to be a good choice for the less determined photographer in your family. I am going to use mine as a backup for an older pocket digital on a trip and ultimately as a spouse's camera. While she likes 4X6 prints, for which the L3 would be fine, I will keep her files and view them on computer and so chose the extra sharpness.

This is a very likeable little camera that is significantly smaller than my older digital. To keep that size advantage I found a Tamrac slip in case with Velcro closure flap at a photo chain store with many cases to choose from.

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On a trip the L2's daylight photos and videos were very good and the Best Shot Selector a fine feature, however the weak flash was a serious limitation in many situations. Some dark images were improved by a feature Nikon calls "D-lighting". In dark situations my old digital produced far better images. I would subtract one star if Amazon would let me edit the rating.

Not terrible.
I bought this camera while saving up for a Nikon D50 (It was cheap, and I really needed SOMETHING to take pictures with, as my other camera had bit the dust) and was pleasantly surprised by it. It takes brilliant macros and it also performs wonderfully outside. If you can get outside and play with this thing, you won't be dissapointed.

That's not to say there aren't a few problems. For instance, the flash is worthless, and I found myself loading up on off-camera light so I wouldn't have to use it. But at 150 dollars, I was willing to just deal with that. It truly is a bargain.

A good buy
I waited to review this camera until I'd really put it through the paces on a 10-day trip to Paris, where I used it in pretty much every conceivable scenario: indoor, outdoor, sunny, cloudy, closeup (macro), high zoom, videos in the day and night, etc. I've explored all of its features at this point, including all of the scene modes (panorama included).

This is a good camera. To my thinking, the single best feature is the "D-Lighting" option. This feature is an automatic color/lighting adjustment tool that one accesses when in "play mode" (viewing previously-taken pictures). It's a very smart feature that will compensate for poor lighting situations. I used this on almost every picture I took. The panorama feature is also nice--it's used in conjunction with the bundled software Nikon includes with the camera. Video mode is quite good--with a 2GB card, and tuned to a lower quality (smaller) video mode, you can actually get a couple hours of video on this thing.

I'd recommend this camera for amateur/casual use--it's very intuitive, and will suit those not inclined to gadgetry and technology. Also a VERY good first camera for a teen. It's certainly not the best thing out there, but it's inexpensive and takes excellent pictures at 5.1 MP. Also, the AA battery life is long, and makes it easy to keep the camera powered, even in a foreign country using a different voltage (no recharging necessary, just replace the batteries). Very lightweight, and can be tucked into a pant pocket.

Some shortcomings: the biggest flaw is that the camera has no HOLD function--that is, there's no way to disable the on/off button without removing the batteries. Thus, if you put the camera in your pocket and the power button is unintentionally pressed, the camera will turn on, and the lens will try to open. This may lead to the "lens jamming" other reviewers have complained of. This was an annoyance, though one I easily overcame by removing one battery in situations where I thought it might be an issue. Also, if the lens tries to open but can't, the camera will shut down and display a "lens error" message. This might drain the battery, but, in my experience, won't seriously hurt the camera. Another shortcoming, though one shared by most cameras in this price-range, is that it lacks the aperture to take really good sharp pictures in low-lighting situations, without a tripod. The small lens simply can't gather enough light fast enough to get detailed nighttime city-scapes, for instance. Anything beyond the range of the flash (which is good) will be dark or blurry. The same problem might confront a user in a museum where flash is prohibitied. Unless you have a tripod or a very steady hand, the pictures are likely to turn out blurry. Finally, several users have complained that the memory-writing process is slow--that is, after taking a picture you have to wait several seconds while the camera saves the picture before you can take another one. This is true. My understanding is that some of this has to do with the write-speed of the memory card you purchase, but some of it also has to do with the camera itself. Not recommended for situations in which you'll want to snap off several pictures in quick succession.

On the whole, I think this camera is an excellent value that will suit most needs. I'm glad I got it, but I also know that it won't satisfy more demanding users.