Of the three cameras that make up Nikon's latest consumer digital camera line-up - the Coolpix L2, L3 and L4 - this, rather confusingly, is the top-of-the-range model. The specifications for all three are broadly similar, differing mainly in the resolution of the CCD.
Here, we're treated to a 6 megapixel chip. This may sound generous, but it's now the standard for this market sector. None of the other specs surprise us, either: it has a 3x optical zoom with a 38-116mm (35mm equivalent) focal length, 15 scene modes, accepts SD cards and can shoot movies. All well and good - and at this price, exactly what we'd expect - but nothing particularly innovative or exciting.
However, at least it's a smart little camera. The tough, shiny plastic may not have quite the same appeal of some of its brushed-metal brethren, but it's practical, and the camera feels comfortable in your hand. All the main controls fall comfortably under your thumb, although switching between still, scene and movie modes is accomplished with a fiddly slider, and stretching your index finger to switch on the camera can be awkward.
What's worse, though, is that with the default settings, there's a six-second delay between powering up and taking your first photo, by which time smiles will be frozen and the moment past. Switching off the animated Coolpix logo reduces this lag time, but there's still a 4.5-second gap before you can take your first snap.
Nevertheless, it's a simple camera to operate: just pick whether you want to take still photos, shoot movies or use one of the 15 pre-set scene types - everything from sunsets and parties to shots taken in a museum - and press the shutter.
There's very little manual control. You're limited to adjusting exposure or switching from auto white balance to one dedicated to a particular lighting condition. In fairness, most people looking to spend this kind of money are unlikely to want to tinker with shutter speeds and aperture settings, but some rival cameras do also offer the option alongside manual control.
There are a few extra features, too. The camera claims to offer in-camera red-eye removal, but since we couldn't trick it into producing red eye in the first place, we couldn't check it. There's also an option to improve poorly exposed pictures, which does a decent job, but we'd recommend touching up the picture manually in Photoshop or even iPhoto rather than relying on an automatic process.
So far, so average, but unfortunately the Coolpix L2's picture quality is a little below par. Pictures are often a little dark, and although hues don't shift, they're a little dull. The auto white balance occasionally gets it wrong, too, resulting in warming orange casts on some indoor images.
What's worse, although the pictures look good when printed at 6 x 4in, close inspection at 100% reveals ugly over-sharpening. There's a commendable lack of purple fringing, but this over-sharpening is unsightly if you crop into or enlarge your photos.
The Coolpix L2's macro function is barely worthy of the name, refusing to focus on anything much closer than 20cm, which also counts against this camera.
Nikon only supplies disposable AA batteries. This may be convenient and easy, particularly when you're on holiday, but it's wasteful and frustrating to have to buy new batteries rather than just plug in a charger.
Ultimately, with the Coolpix L2, Nikon has produced a competent, middle-of-the-road consumer camera, but one that fails to excite. Canon's Digital Ixus 55 is available for around the same price, and it offers a bigger screen, more creative control, and much better picture quality.
Verdict
Ultimately, with the Coolpix L2, Nikon has produced a competent, middle-of-the-road consumer camera, but one that fails to excite
Author: Christopher Phin
MacUser Online