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

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

I am an amateur when it comes to photography, but my last Canon started producing fuzzy shots and the images were unable to print in a 4x6 without looking awful. I am fairly hard pressed to spend the amount of money I did on a camera, so I wanted to make sure I was getting what I would pay for. I researched for a couple of weeks finding out what went into a good camera and how to make the best of a camera I would end up purchasing. I went into stores, talked with sales clerks, friends, family, co-workers and just about anyone I came across who liked taking pictures. I read countless reviews, both pros and cons. I looked hard at the cons of each camera. Finally it boiled down to the L100. I read some reviews of the camera not taking very good pictures or coming out fuzzy. I have not had any trouble with this camera.I did find that buying a decent memory card made a difference in how quickly the camera can store the picture. Some complaints were made about it being a AA battery charged camera - my opinion - I'm glad I'm not worried that I didn't charge my camera the night before, or worry about it then. I just pack some extra batteries and I'm on my way.I have taken my camera on nature walks and drug my dog along with me. This camera produced such amazing, vivid pictures that even my family was impressed.Believe me I was skeptical, but I have found this camera to be a great, amateur camera for those who love taking good pictures. It has been a wonderful learning tool. READ THE MANUAL - I'm a visual learner, but I have found this manual to be extensive and very helpful.So for the price, fast shipping by Amazon, quality pictures I have taken - do I regret anything? Absolutely not. I am so happy with my choice, and so impressed with this piece of technology.As far as the couple four stars I gave it - only in good conscience could I say that I did not absolutely love it because really, it is no SLR. Still, it is awesome.

I got this camera after I returned Canon Digital Shot SD1200 IS 10MP. I must say that this camera is much more better than Canon SD1200 IS. I got this camera for 179 only but now it being sold over $200.The cameras size is good, portable and screen size is pretty good also. The camera takes good pictures but not crisp clear. If you look picture in normal size you will find it very clear but if you zoom in then you may find a grainy picture. In my view its not a problem. Overall picture looks good.You need to change the mode when taking picture like if its cloudy just select the matching mode. Selecting a mode is very easy in this camera as compared to others. This camera takes very nice outdoor pictures as compared to the indoor.Zoom is good and powerful. The only disliking problem is that it takes time to charge the flash. Like if you are in a hurry and the scene requires flash it may take a while to charge the flash so the subject can move while the flash is charging. The drawback can be resolved working without flash.Any way the technology behind Nikon is excellent and I must say its a good camera for moderate users. Just try this if you are looking for a good family camera.

I read most of the reviews on this camera before I bought it. Seemed there were some early learning experiances but overall was easy to use and took great pictures. Well, I have taken 140 shots so far and half of them do not come out clear. If you are inside, the picture quality is fair at best. You have to change the mega pixel down to around 4 to get clear inside shots. If you are going to use the zoom, change the mega pixel down to around 3. The stabilization does not work all that great either. I am going to spend another couple of weeks with this thing and if it continues to take all kinds of adjustments to get decent picture I am sending it back. This thing is alittle more like a SLR when it comes to taking pictures, ain't no point and shoot.