Nikon COOLPIX L810 Review

• 16.1 Megapixel CCD sensor,Connectivity: AV Output, HDMI C (Mini), USB 2.0
• 26x Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens
• 3-inch Ultra high resolution (921,000 dot) LCD
• HD (720p) Movies with Stereo Sound
• Exposure Metering : 256-segment matrix, center-weighted
• 26x Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens,Image Size (pixels): 4608 x 3456 (16M)
• Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution: Up to 4 shots at approx. 1.2 frames per second
• HD (720p) Movies with Stereo Sound,3-inch Ultra high resolution (921,000 dot) LCD

• Brand Name: Nikon
• Model: 26294
• Optical Sensor Resolution: 16.1 MP
• Optical Sensor Technology: CCD
• Optical zoom: 26
• Minimum focal length: 23 millimeters
• Maximum focal length: 585 millimeters
• Display Size: 3 inches
• Width: 5.60 inches
• Weight: 3.00 pounds

Nikon CoolPix L810 Video Reviews

Introduction

The Nikon Coolpix L810 is a pretty sweet little point and shoot camera with some impressive specifications. For its price tag it boasts an 16.1 MP sensor and a 23x glass zoom lens. The real question is do all these specifications come together correctly to create a well performing camera? Continue reading to find out!

Cosmetic Appeal & Design

The Nikon COOLPIX L810’s design is sleek and attractive. Its size is small enough to be portable. It should fit in a purse or most pockets pretty easily.  The camera is lightweight, which adds to its portability, though it is substantial enough to feel of high quality. We were not struck with the feeling that it is cheaply made. As for its design we were happy to discover that it takes standard AA batteries. Unlike many competitors who use special model specific rechargeable batteries it makes the camera more convenient and affordable since the owner will not have to spend additional money buying multiple aftermarket batteries (which tend to be expensive).

Features

As you have probably read already this camera boasts an impressive amount of features, which catches the eye of many prospective buyers. It’s 16.1 MP sensor and 26x zoom are something that is not often seen in a camera of this size and price tag. Something we were extremely impressed by the large HD screen on the back of the camera. Viewing your previously captured photos on this screen is superb. The screen acts as your viewfinder since there is no traditional viewfinder found on this particular model. We do know some of the more old school users would not be too fond of that, but frankly in our experience the digital viewfinder worked just fine.

This is an excellent choice for a beginner photographer since the camera is so user friendly. The L810 contains easy to use controls and an automatic picture mode (advanced users can tweak the settings if they desire). Another great feature Nikon has included for a beginner user is a built in stability function that will keep work to straighten out your shots removing the presence of any shaky handling by the user. We particularly liked the addition of a one touch record button on the back of the camera for those moments where you need to quickly capture some video on the fly.

Function

Now comes the most important part, how does this camera really perform? To say the least we were slightly disappointed. With such a wide range of notable features the overall performance is fairly mediocre. The auto focus and zoom functioned correctly, but too slow for us to be satisfied resulting often in a “lag” often missing your intended photo. Others seem to be complaining that this camera won’t focus properly. This is likely due to simply to operator error. You should read the included manual to learn how to properly focus the camera. It is not complicated, but just involves pushing the shutter release half way then waiting for the camera to focus correctly (which may take longer than expected). Once it has gained focus you push the button down fully resulting in a properly focused image.

With such a wide range of notable features the overall performance is fairly mediocre.The photos we took were sharp, but the color and tones are not always the best when using the auto function. This should be able to be worked out in the picture settings by determining which profile to use for your particular shooting environment. The L810’s low light performance is pretty terrible so do not plan on buying this camera with the intention of shooting images in poorly lit environments. The video function was pretty impressive and definitely a factor that adds value to this camera. Also please note that the video mode has a 29 minute limit per video file. This means that you can only capture 29 minutes of video then the camera will stop recording. You can record as many 29 minute video files as your memory card can handle.

Final Thoughts

This camera would be suitable for someone who is looking for a solid point and shoot camera that works good straight out of box. It is best suited for portrait and candid type photos in well lit conditions. If you are looking to shoot sports or low light conditions we recommend an entry level DSLR such as the Nikon D3200. If you do purchase this camera, be sure to read the manual carefully in order to understand how to use this camera as intended.

See what others saying about the COOLPIX L810

If you're a budding amateur that wants to use a long tele-zoom camera without the hassle to begin with then the L810 certainly will do the trick.

– PhotographyBlog.com

I'm happy with my camera, it seems to fit my needs. I am not a professional photographer, but I love to take pictures.

 – Baiker41 (Amazon Reviewer)

The Nikon Coolpix L810 is not a camera I would easily recommend. If you simply must have a 26x zoom lens and AA batteries for power, it's OK, especially for its price.

– CNET.com