Nikon Coolpix L12 Review

Click on the Coolpix L12 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.

In addition to 7.1 megapixels, a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, and a 2.5-inch LCD, the COOLPIX L12 also features Optical VR Image Stabilization, which overcomes camera shake to produce clearer, sharper images. This camera also has ISO capabilities up to 1600, which enables the consumer to take sharper pictures in low light situations and facilitates a faster shutter speed, essential for capturing images of fast-moving subjects. Adding to this camera's ease of use is a new Anti-Shake button, which simultaneously activates VR, High ISO and Best Shot Selector, assuring that pictures will be steady, sharp, and stunning.

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 L12 Features:

• 7-megapixel effective CCD imager
• Nikkor 3x optical zoom lens (35-105mm in 35mm equivalent)
• Lens Shift Vibration Reduction (VR) technology
• 16:9 image mode perfect for displaying photos on an HDTV
• Compact and lightweight body
• Exclusive Face Priority AF makes taking incredible portraits easy
• 256-segment Matrix metering
• High ISO capabilities up to 1600 (Auto only, no manual control)
• Large 2.5-inch bright LCD color monitor
• Automatic exposure and 17 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
• 21MB internal memory and SD/SDHC memory card slot
• USB connectivity, PictBridge direct-print compliant
• Runs on two standard AA batteries

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