Nikon Coolpix L1 6.2MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Black)

Excellent pictures, easy, intuitive interface, and a great 5X zoom that really makes the difference compared to 3X or even 3.5X are all the things I really like about this camera. There are some negative reviews on this product but I would counter with this: accept the fact that AA Lithiums are the only way to go and spring for a solid, dependable, ultra-high speed SD card and you'll be fine and happy. The LCD screen is the view finder and I have no problems with it-- I live in Phoenix and it is very, very, bright here to say the least. I have taken over 200 pictures with the camera on one set of batteries, so far, and it's been four days since I've had the camera. I use the Energizer Lithium AA's (are there any others?). For an SD card I use the SanDisk Ultra II 1 Gig (currently like $50 on Amazon) and the card is significantly faster than the Lexar I bought at Sam's. Yes, with the flash, you still have to wait-- but the faster the memory, the less you will have to wait. Without the flash, even on the 6mp + setting, it still only takes a second or two to write to the card. I like the fact that the camera has a tiny bit of bulk to it making it more "grippy" for my hands. Using AA's for me is great because I really hope to do a lot of travelling and hiking and I know that I can pack one pair of spare AA lithium batteris that weigh nothing and be fine for a whole week of solid picture-taking. I also know what can happen on 100 foot escparments and accidents with a $1000 digital SLR, so given the current street price, the outstanding quality of the pictures, the street price, the zoom, the street price, and the fact that I use the camera for travel, this camera was a great buy for me. Also, I think the shortcomings are manageable, in my opinion. What are they? Lithium batteries are the most expensive kind so if you plan on using the camera 24X7 365 days a year, then probably you should look at a different kind of power supply! The camera doesn't offer the sheer speed of an SLR in picture capture, so if you are going to be bouncing around in a jeep on an African safari, then you might want to go with an SLR or Nikon's P3 or P4 with "vibration reduction." But for me, I bought this camera for five things: 5X digital zoom, great pictures, SD card memory-type, double AA battery power, and ease of use. -May 29th update dumped camera inside makeshift vinyl case into a fast moving creek. went running downstream after something else, then noticed my Nikon bobbing through my ankles. Picked it up, took the batteries out immediately, took the memory out, let everything dry for 48 hours, put the batteries back in..... the camera still works fine. Kids do not try this at home.

I was so excited to get this camera could hardly wait to rip it out of the box and take a bazillion pictures! But my excitment was washed down the drain quickly because every photo burred w/ out the flash. And it wouldn't focus unless the flash was on. It only seems happy w. the flash on even when not nessecary, making my pictures to bright and the color horrible. I have read the manual and have to change all the settings for any hope of a good photo. Each picture shouldn't require a setting change or WB change. This camera is a pain in my butt and I wish I had gone w. something else. I applaud all who can get it to function properly!

I am a beginner with digital cameras, and this camera has worked great. I got it about three years ago, so I pretty much know how to use every mode on it. This camera works great for still shots and scenic pictures. Also, it takes really clear pictures of close up items, such as plants or insects. It also has many different settings on the "Scene" mode, that can allow you to take pictures of fireworks, make a panorama, and many other things easily. Also, this camera is very durable. I have dropped it countless times in the snow, in puddles, on cement, and it still works well. However, this camera is kind of hard to use for action shots. When you press the shutter button, it takes a full two seconds to take the shot. Two seconds may not seem like much, but, for example, when you want to take a shot of someone kicking a soccer ball right as it leaves the ground, after two seconds, the ball is a lot farther away. Also, it burns through battery power fast, so rechargable batteries are a good investment. Overall, I think this camera is a great choice for a person who wants good quality pictures on a camera that will last a long time.

I bought the Coolpix L1 in 2005 and it's still my "go-to" camera today. Probably because it's always in my purse! Simple to use, easy to change batteries when needed. Sharp images and color is vibrant. It's the one that I use for those spur-of-the-moment photo sessions. No image stabilizer so you need to hold it steady to prevent blur. Also you need to check your settings when turning it on as it doesn't revert to auto mode when powered off. I LOVE this camera and plan to use it until it breaks (if it ever does!) I do a lot of closeup photography of flowers and this does a nice job. I added a few pictures to the image gallery. I've never used the video function so I couldn't offer an opinion on that. I paid quite a bit more for this than it is selling for now but would buy it again in a heartbeat even at the higher price.

Pictures taken outdoors during the day are fine. Portraits also work out well regardless of the location as long as you have a flash. Night pictures and indoor shots are poor though. Batteries don't last long, be sure to use the lithium batteries designed for electronics.

My first digital camera was a Nikon coolpix 3700. I *loved* that camera. It was fast, light, compact, very durable, and took excellent qaulity photos. It's fatal flaw was it's custom battery is charged by a charger that is no longer in production. Damage the charger, and the camera is pretty much useless. This camera has none of these qualities. Being brand loyal, all the while remembering my lession from my experience above, I searched for a Nikon camera with more standard batteries, and finally settled on the L1. What a mistake. The camera is heavier, bulky, poorly constructed, s-l-o-w, and the pictures it takes leave everything to be desired. Some specific complaints: - Delamination: almost immediately, the protective coating (?) began flaking off, making it look ugly. - Eats batteries: My original PUNY 128MB SD memory card cosistantly outlasts regular AA batteries. And this thing is a 6 megapixel camera! Do the math... - Slow reponse time: There is a unacceptably long delay between pressing the button and when the camera actually takes the picture... at least a second, longer with the flash. Makes taking an action shot or pictures of kids impossible. - Slow recovery time: There is a infurating long delay between when the camera takes a picture and when the camera is ready to take another picture. I've tried high-quality batteries, and fast memory cards, to no avail. - Inability to Focus: I've all but given up on trying to take a photo that is in focus. This camera takes forever to focus, and 9 times out of 10 fails to focus correctly. I mean, this isn't rocket science... - Battery/Memory Card Access Door: First, how stupid to put them in the same place. If you want to change the memory stick, you end up removing power from the camera. Bad design. Also, the access door is held in place by a miniscule piece of plastic that (at least in my case) breaks quickly. Look elsewhere... Nikon is a good brand, but they failed with this one. Bigtime.

VERY slow storage even with a fast card....small but too thick for comfortable handling. I ended up selling it on ebay and buying a Canon SD600 which is a great camera, thin enough to fit in your shirt pocket, fast storage of images and the battery lasts a very long time. I've charged it once and have taken many many holiday pictures. Don't buy the Nikon without first checking out the Canon SD600.

It took me a while to decide which camera to buy, and I'm extremely happy I purchased the Coolpix L1. It is very easy to use, it has a nice zoom, and the large preview screen it amazing! I was also able to record short video clips with sound (when previewing the video on a computer, the quality is better if you keep the screen small, otherwise the video looks grainy on a full-size screen).I have not yet used the included software to edit photographs, but from what I see from the photos submitted by other customers, it looks like I'll be able to get very artistic...!