Nikon Coolpix L10 Review

Click on the Coolpix L10 to take a QuickTime VR tour

Nikon has introduced three new "L" or "Life" Series cameras to their COOLPIX family. Designed with the casual snap-shooter in mind, the Nikon COOLPIX L10, L11 and L12 combine high-quality design and construction with user-friendly features at affordable prices. All three cameras sport a sharp 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, a bright LCD and a lightweight, ultra-portable body. Additionally, each of the new "L" series cameras boast impressive battery life, and higher light sensitivity, which makes it easy to produce better pictures in marginal lighting.

Designed for the entry-level digital photographer, the L10 and L11 boast 5.0 megapixels and 6.0 megapixels respectively, allowing the consumer to generate high-quality prints in a variety of sizes. Each camera features a sharp 3x Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, and a high light sensitivity up to ISO 800, which makes it easy to produce better pictures in low light situations. Both cameras also include large LCD monitors which facilitate the composition and sharing of images; the L10's LCD measures 2.0 inches across while the L11 has a 2.4-inch LCD, ample dimensions for easily viewing and sharing images with friends and family.

Nikon has also incorporated user-friendly Imaging Innovations into the entire line of COOLPIX cameras, designed to ease the picture-taking process for the consumer. On the L12, these features are activated by pressing the convenient One-Touch portrait button on top of the camera and can be easily located in the menu systems of the L10 and L11. These technologies, dubbed "Nikon In-Camera Innovations" include:

• In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™: automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography.

• Face-Priority AF: automatically finds and focuses on a persons face within the frame, providing sharp focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subject is positioned in the frame.

• D-Lighting: in playback mode, the user selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.

The COOLPIX L10, L11 and L12 feature a sleek, stylish finish and a curved grip that contributes to both design elegance and shooting stability. Adding to the cameras' convenient portability, all of L-series models are AA-size battery and SDHC memory card compatible, with 7MB of internal memory for the L10 and L11, while the L12 sports 21MB . Each camera is packaged with a complimentary copy of Nikon's PictureProject Software, which makes it a snap to transfer, organize, edit, and share photos with family and friends.

Coolpix L10 Features:

• 5-megapixel effective CCD imager
• Nikkor 3x optical zoom lens (37.5-112.5mm in 35mm equivalent)
• Compact and lightweight body
• Macro focus with AF as close as 5.9 inches
• Exclusive Face Priority AF makes taking incredible portraits easy
• 256-segment Matrix metering
• Large 2.0-inch bright LCD color monitor
• Automatic exposure and 16 pre-programmed Scene modes
• 640x480 @ 30fps movie mode w/sound, length limited only by memory card capacity
• Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow sync, and red-eye reduction
• Nikon's D-Lighting automatically brightens dark images in playback mode
• In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ automatically fixes most instances of red-eye in the camera
• 7MB internal memory and SD/SDHC memory card slot
• USB connectivity, PictBridge direct-print compliant
• Runs on two standard AA batteries, Energizer lithium are included

The COOLPIX L10, L11 and L12 are available now at an MSRP of $119.95, $149.95, and $199.95.