Nikon Coolpix L100 10MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 2.8 x 3.1 inches ; 12.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001PK8FHE
• Item model number: L100
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)

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  Camera & Photo > Point & Shoot Digital Cameras

• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 2, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Expand your range with Nikon’s Coolpix L100, with 10.0 effective megapixels with an incredible 15x optical Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens for stunning prints as large as 16x20 inches. The camera’s bright, 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD lets you compose and share your pictures with family and friends. And with Nikon’s new 4 Way VR Image Stabilization takes incredible pictures, incredibly easy. Nikon’s New Smart Portrait System, which automatically detects your subjects face, takes a picture when they smile and warns you if they blinked.

Coolpix L100 Highlights

10.0-megapixel resolution for stunning prints as large as 20 x 30 inches

Incredible 15x optical wide-angle (28-420mm) Zoom-Nikkor glass lens provides exceptional images throughout the zoom range

3.0-inch LCD and Electronic Viewfinder makes it easy to compose and share your pictures with friends and family

New EXPEED image processor ensures high-quality pictures with stunning color and sharpness

4-Way VR Image Stabilization

• Nikon’s Optical VR image stabilization compensated for the effects of camera shake by moving the image sensor
• Motion Detection automatically detects moving subjects and adjusts shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for cameras hake and subject movement
• High ISO up to 3200 capability helps give you sharper results when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects. ISO 3200 is available at 3MP or lower resolution
• Nikon’s original Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically takes up to 10 shots while the shutter is pressed and saves the sharpest image

New Sports Continuous Scene Mode for shooting at up to 13 fps, up to 30 frames, when you set the resolution to 3MP or lower

Nikon’s Smart Portrait System:

• In-Camera Red-Eye Fix automatically fixes most instances of red-eye in the camera. You may never see red-eye again
• Face-Priority AF - Nikon’s face-finding technology that automatically focuses on faces
• Smile Mode automatically releases the shutter when your subject smiles
• Blink Warning displays a warning message, should the camera detect your subject has blinked

Product Description

The Coolpix L100 puts the power of a 15x telephoto zoom into a compact easy to use design. A wide variety of images can be captured with the Coolpix L100 from wide angle scenes (28mm) to telephoto (420mm). Ideal for family sports or travel photography the Coolpix L100 can shoot up to 30 consecutive pictures at 13 frames per second. The scene auto selector the Coolpix L100 automatically selects the appropriate scene mode for best results.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

403 of 405 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars L100 - Great Camera All Around, Especially for Beginners, March 30, 2009

By	A. Cameron "Explorer" (Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After extensive research on advanced point-and-shoots that use AA batteries (something I require), I settled on three: the Nikon L100, the Canon Powershot SX10IS, and the Fujifilm s8100fd. So you know the perspective from which this review is coming, I'm not an experienced photographer but I'm not clueless either. However, this is my first camera more advanced than a basic point-and-shoot. So I'll call myself an informed beginner.

This is why I chose the L100:

COST: The L100 is significantly less expensive than the SX10IS. The s8100fd's price was comparable to the L100, but I felt that the technology on the L100 was better. Amazon had the best price I could find (besides some sketchy online sellers).

TECHNOLOGY: This was a toughy. All three of these cameras have comparable technology (image stabilization, zoom, megapixels, face recognition, scene modes, etc. etc.) and each has one or two unique features that I found very attractive. So this variable was not a deal maker or breaker for me. But when it came down to it, the L100 is the most beginner-friendly of the three cameras. The Auto Modes do literally everything for you: the camera chooses the shutter speed, ISO, aperture, no flash or one of a number of flash modes, AND scene mode, which neither of the other cameras do. So from bright- to low- light situations and from various distances, it will automatically adjust more aspects of the shot than will the other cameras. This, I think, would be especially attractive to the minimally experienced photographer who just wants to click the button wherever they are and come out with great pictures.

WEIGHT AND SIZE: I handled a Canon Powershot SX10IS at the store and it was just too heavy for my liking (a common complaint, from what I've read). The L100 is very lightweight. Although the s8100fd is of similar weight, the L100 is slightly smaller in size, which I like.

LARGER SCREEN: The 3 inch LCD is bigger than the screens on the other cameras, it's very bright, and it has a coating that reduces glare.

After playing around with the camera for a few days, here are some additional observations/impressions:

MENU: The menu is very user-friendly and easily navigable. No problems there. Take ten minutes to read through the manual so you are aware of all the menu options.

DESIGN AND FEEL: It's not a slippery camera, which seems to be a complaint with some of the comparable cameras I've read reviews about. The buttons seem intuitively placed to me, and the camera feels balanced in my hand.

IMAGE STABILIZATION: This works very well. As long as you are in the right mode (read the manual for descriptions of situations you should choose the modes yourself) the camera takes completely focused and clear pictures, even with an unsteady hand.

BATTERIES and MEMORY CARD: The battery life on this camera is good: 900 shots with Li-Ion batteries. Some people don't like the SD card to be accessible in the same door as the batteries (like it is with this camera), but I don't find a problem with it. I bought an Ultra II SDHC card for the camera and it processes the pictures very quickly.

MOVIE MODE: You can zoom 2x while shooting video, which is nice.

OTHER FEATURES I LIKED: The Best Shot Selector is a unique feature that I like. It's just another one of those very beginner-friendly features of this camera that will allow you to take great shots without having to do a lot. The Sports continuous-shooting mode (shooting 13 frames per second) also works well for action shots.

TAKING PICTURES: Like I mentioned before, I'm not an experienced photographer. But I found that out of the box in the "Easy-Auto" Mode, this camera takes focused, sharp, professional-looking pictures. As I started to play around with other features, I became even more impressed with the quality of the pictures in a variety of lighting, distance, and movement situations. The High ISO mode captures movement VERY well! I first tested it by waving my arm in the mirror as fast as I could and taking pictures, and the camera captured perfectly focused and crisp pictures of me. This is the first camera I've ever used that actually captures excellent movement shots. Even at maximum zoom, the shots are focused and look great. The flash is extremely bright, although I find I rarely need to use it.

The only complaint that I have at this point is that the camera has trouble focusing on objects in dim light, including close objects in Macro Mode. However, from the dozens of reviews I've read on other comparable cameras, this seems to be a common problem. It's also possible that I haven't played around with the camera enough to know how to circumvent the problem, but I still was a little disappointed.

OVERALL: This camera is inexpensive for it's class, lightweight, has the latest technology, and is extremely beginner- and user-friendly. It is the perfect camera for someone who wants something more than a basic point-and-shoot but doesn't want to spend the money on an SLR or the energy trying to figure out a more complex camera to get great shots. For those beginner to moderately skilled photographers debating between an advanced point-and-shoot and a SLR (like I initially did), you will be glad you got this over an expensive and bulky SLR. A SLR with a 15x+ telephoto lens will cost 3-4 times as much as this camera, and I'm very pleased with the quality of the photos I'm getting with the L100. The Easy-Auto and Auto modes are excellent and I think most people will be very happy with the shots they will produce while in them, even if they never leave those modes. However, learning all of the features is easy and hasn't taken me that long, and my pictures have looked more and more professional the more I've played around with them. This is a great camera.

PS-I got the M-Rock Ozark 505 case for this camera and it fits it perfectly

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Here is a video collage of pictures I took with this camera in Namibia - [...]

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great camera for long-distance shots!, May 17, 2009

By	Nikki S. (Texas) - See all my reviews

I primarily purchased this camera because I love my smaller Nikon Coolpix 7600 but wanted something with more zoom. I've only had this camera for about a week, but its great so far!

I do see the "focusing problem" someone was talking about, but its not really a problem...Its just that you can't zoom in too closely on something if you are standing close to it - I think this is because of the lens type - its for long distances. But if you choose the macro setting specifically for close-ups, this can also be avoided.

When I first got the camera and took it out of the box, I immediately started taking pictures and they weren't coming out so good, but this was because I didn't know how to make the flash work - you have to raise it by hand - a quick check of the manual revealed this, but I was too anxious in the beginning to stop and read the manual. ;-)

Also, I had trouble getting used to choosing the different scene settings becuase it doesn't have a dial like my old Coolpix did. Then I realized this is a GOOD thing, because the dial would constantly get turned when I didn't realize it and be on the wrong setting when I took a picture.

If you are an expert photographer and want the control of an SLR, this is not something you will like, but for amateurs or people who just want more zoom than a small camera offers - this is a really good choice. It is not as bulky as an SLR and you don't have to worry about changing lenses.

Be aware that the manual says this camera cannot be used with rechargable batteries.

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It DOES use a rechargeable battery!, June 17, 2009

By	boysinbooks (ebay, USA) - See all my reviews

I thought I would emphasize the rechargeable battery since Nikon just added it recently and some reviewers were saying the L100 couldn't use a rechargeable battery. It's a NI-MH battery with recharger. Check the NIKON webpage for the L100 and you will see it listed under "optional accessories". Personally, I don't like rechargeables because they lose their charge over time and you have to remember to recharge them when you get ready to use your camera. I'd much rather just pop in a set of alkaline AA's. Then battery cost is about a penny a pic. I can afford that.

Here are the reasons I bought this camera. I use it to do stop-motion shooting in the woods using toy action figures, also on a copy stand to copy greaseboard drawings for animation, and just for general photo shooting. This camera helps because:

(1) It has a flat bottom and with a triangular footprint which means it will not fall over when you set it down. No tripod needed. I put a flat piece of wood between it and the ground to protect it.

(2) The 15X Zoom lens widens all the way out to 5mm which is equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm camera. Most digicams only go down to about 6mm or 5.7mm on the wide end. (The 75mm telephoto end of the zoom is about as powerful as you can have and still keep steady with a handheld shot. This camera has a double system of vibration control to help avoid blurred shots.)

(3) The scene modes include one called "Food" mode which is very useful to me. It automatically switches to macro close-up lens and puts control of color balance on the arrow buttons where you can easily adjust it. Then, whatever color balance you set stays in memory (just for the Food mode) until the next time you use Food mode, even if you turn the power off. That's important for stop motion because you don't want the camera automatically resetting the color balance for each shot. Obviously the Food mode is intended for close-up shooting of food, but it works for me and my toys!

(4) There is an AC adapter for the camera, which I have ordered, so I will not be using any batteries for my in-the-studio shooting.

(5) NIKON quality. I tried this camera in the store and couldn't even hear the zoom operate. By contrast, a similar-priced CANON made a distinct grinding noise. The quality even extends to the 4 manuals - a 134 page main manual in English, a 20 page Quickstart manual in English, and then both manuals completely duplicated in Spanish as well. The manuals cover every feature in clear detail. It took me 2 hours to learn the camera features to my own satisfaction, BUT, there is an "EASY AUTO" mode that requires you to know nothing from the manual other than how to push a shutter button. Of course, maybe you should buy a simpler camera if that's all you want from your camera, but with the "EASY AUTO" mode you can share this camera with all family members, even the ones who don't want to know what color balance is.

(6) Maybe I am thinking illogically, but I believe that a big lens takes better pictures than a little lens... and this camera has a BIG lens. That means you can't slip it in your pocket, but I have a nifty little belt-loop case (the Edit 100) that neatly fits the camera and has pockets for 2 sets of 4 AA batteries and room for the SD memory card's case and maybe a few more small items.

To sum it up, the quality is high, the price is low, and it takes great pictures in a variety of situations with an easy-ro-use operating system. If you want more than that, then get a reflex camera and pretend you're a pro. :)