Nikon Coolpix L1

Nikon has released Nikon Coolpix L1, a compact and lightweight, 6.2 megapixels digital camera with 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 38-190mm) and 2.5″ LCD Screen. The Nikon Coolpix L1 also includes handy features such as Best Shot Selector (BSS), 4x digital zoom, Single and Continuous AF, Choice of White Balance and Noise reduction to ensure better color reproduction in darker lighting conditions. Consumers can record images to an SD Card or onto the 10 MB of internal memory.

REVIEWS (last update: 12.01.06)

Megapixel reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L1 and wrote:

On the optics side, the Coolpix L1’s 5X zoom, more powerful than what is usually seen on a compact camera of this type, provides a reach that can be very useful. At the widest angle images tend to be a touch soft-focus, particularly when the camera has used the widest aperture. And, since the camera tends to maximize the aperture to prevent camera shake, the widest aperture is generally what is used. The rest of the focal length range of the zoom is tack sharp, and be it at the wide angle end or at the telephoto end, distortion is invisible.

Steve’s Digicams reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L1 and wrote:

“I was fairly satisfied with the overall image quality when using 6-Megapixel Fine mode. The metering system had a tendency to overexpose outdoor images by about 1/2 EV, although colors were nicely saturated. The L1 does not provide an exposure compensation adjustment, so you’ll have to accept the camera’s automatic exposure setting. Sensitivity is also set automatically; no manual adjustment is provided. Noise levels were very low at ISO 50, while ISO 100 produced a slight amount of noise in shadow areas. At ISO 200, noise is noticeable throughout the image. Chromatic aberration, aka “purple fringing”, was very well controlled, with only very slight amounts present around highlights.

Our indoor portrait images were sharp, well exposed and the skin tones look very natural. You can include yourself in group portraits thanks to the tripod socket and self-timer. Beginners will find the Portrait Assist modes handy, offering help with shot composition for several types of situations. The AF system worked well when shooting in low light conditions despite the absence of a focus-assist lamp. Nikons unique “Face-priority AF” portrait mode had difficulty with frame-filling head shots, but was otherwise effective. The redeye reduction flash mode was also very effective, helped by both the pre-flash and the camera’s automatic Red Eye Fix feature.”

SAMPLE PHOTOS

- Nikon Coolpix L1 samples at Steve’s Digicams

PRESS RELEASE

The compact digital camera that has it all – superb quality, 5x optical zoom and a host of exclusive features

Nikon has unveiled the latest member of its COOLPIX compact digital camera family with the introduction of the powerful and versatile L1.

The COOLPIX L1 packs an impressive, high quality package into a lightweight body, with fantastic results guaranteed from its 5x optical zooming performance and the ability to improve images in-camera.

In short, it’s a compact digital that has what it takes to stand out from the crowd.

As with all Nikon compacts, the COOLPIX L1 has a great lens in the shape of the powerful 38-190mm Zoom-Nikkor lens (35mm equivalent), affording users much greater freedom to compose shots as they wish, letting you zoom in for tight portraits or zoom right out to capture wide-open scenery.

Great performance…
It also features a CCD that has been specially designed to deliver higher performance within smaller dimensions — contributing to the camera’s highly usable, portable feel - while packing in an impressive 6.2 effective megapixels that ensure superb clarity from the moment you turn the camera on.

The COOLPIX L1 also features a large, bright, easy-to-view 2.5-inch LCD monitor that makes it easy to compose shots and fun to play back the results straight away.

…and great looks
Design wise, the COOLPIX L1 is simple, streamlined and attractive. Its curved grip is stylish and appealing and enables comfortable, stable shooting. It is ideal for carrying anywhere, with
compact dimensions, and light weight.

Convenient features

COOLPIX L1 are compatible with AA size battery widely available in lithium, rechargeable or other forms, making it easy for the user to use the COOLPIX L1 right across the world. The camera’s easy operation begins with the simple-to-use multi-selector button and a Graphic User Interface (GUI) that enables users to select functions by either name or icon. There’s even a handy HELP button that displays simple-to-understand explanations for functions on the main menu, which can be displayed in a choice of 12 different languages.

Full range of features

Unique Nikon capabilities give the user the power to improve recorded images in-camera automatically and easily. Available in Playback Mode, the D-Lighting function lets users select images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash. The COOLPIX L1 then automatically creates a copy of the selected image with added detail and light where necessary.

The Face-priority AF function is able to detect the location of a human face within the frame, automatically providing sharp focus on it to produce pleasingly sharp portraits no matter where the subject is positioned in the frame. The In-Camera Red-Eye Fix function detects the red-eye effect that can sometimes be caused by flash, then automatically corrects it in-camera for consistently better portraits in low light.

The COOLPIX L1 also offers a Blur Warning function that alerts users whenever a shot has been compromised by camera shake, giving them a chance to take a better shot before the opportunity passes.

Setting the scene

With a choice of 15 Scene Modes, the COOLPIX L1 is well equipped to tackle a wide range of common situations and deliver smashing results. The user needs simply to select the Scene Mode best suited to the subject at hand and the COOLPX L1 automatically selects the optimal settings for results to be proud of. Four of the Scene Modes also offer the additional benefit of Scene Assist, which helps the user to take shots with better composition.

The COOLPIX L1 is compatible with widely available SD memory cards. Furthermore, it features 10MB of internal memory that makes it possible for the user to keep on shooting even when no additional memory media is available and allows images to be easily moved from one SD card to another. The COOLPIX L1 offers movie-shooting capability with sound at up to 30fps too, with a choice of TV-size, small-size and smaller size shooting.

Making the right connections

With the COOLPIX L1, ease of use and enjoyment continue beyond shooting to the sharing and printing of images. PictBridge enables the camera to be connected to a compatible printer for printing without the need for a computer while USB connectivity makes it easy to transfer data to computers and other peripherals. And the COOLPIX L1 comes complete with Nikon’s PictureProject software, which offers simplified image editing, organizing and sharing with a range of user-friendly functions.

Nikon COOLPIX L1 Feature Highlights

Higher performance from a smaller CCD

Specially designed to realize smaller dimensions that assist in facilitating the compact size of the COOLPIX L1, the 1/2.5-inch CCD offers the added advantage of even higher performance. Packing an impressive 6.2 effective megapixels, it enables the shooting of sharp, clear images that retain their quality even when significantly enlarged.

5x zoom capability in a compact body

Despite its compact dimensions, the COOLPIX L1 features a powerful 38-190mm Zoom-Nikkor lens (35mm equivalent) that gives you the freedom of 5x zoom. Delivering greater compositional freedom than the average compact digital camera, it allows you to zoom in for closely composed portraits or zoom way out for expansive landscapes, for example.

Features for simple shooting. Features that improve images in-camera

A range of 15 Scene Modes makes it easy to achieve pleasing images in a range of common shooting circumstances. There is also a range of unique Nikon functions that gives the photographer the power to actually improve images in-camera. Available in Playback Mode, the D-Lighting function lets users select images with insufficient flash or excessive back light. D-Lighting then automatically creates a copy of the selected image, but with added light and detail wherever necessary. Face-priority AF, available in Portrait Mode, has the ability to detect the presence of a human face in the frame, achieving crisp focus on it automatically for satisfyingly sharp portraits — regardless of where the subject is located in the frame. There’s also In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which automatically detects the red eye effect that can be caused by flash and corrects it to produce better portraits in low light.

AA-size battery compatibility

Compatible with AA-size batteries, which are widely available around the world in lithium, rechargeable and other forms, the COOLPIX L1 makes it easy to keep on shooting virtually wherever you travel.

Nikon COOLPIX L1 Other Features

Highly portable dimensions of 89.5 x 60.5 x 47mm (3.5 x 2.4 x 1.9 in.) (W x H x D)
Light weight of approximately 180g (6.3 oz) (without battery and memory card
BSS (Best Shot Selector) identifies and saves the best exposure automatically from ten sequential shots
Time zone function enables local time to be set regardless of where you are in the world
4x digital zoom takes you even closer
Single AF and Continuous AF selectable in Movie Mode
Choice of White Balance: Auto with TTL control, 5-mode manual (Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy and Flash) and Preset
Playback options: Single, 4- and 9-segment thumbnail, Slideshow
Built-in flash: features settings for Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Off, Fill Flash and Slow sync.
Noise reduction ensures better color reproduction during Dusk/Dawn and Night landscape modes

Nikon Coolpix L1 Full Specifications

Type of Camera: Digital Camera COOLPIX L1

Effective Pixels: 6.2 million

Imaging Sensor: 1/2.5-inch type (6.37 million total pixels)

Image Size: High (2816*) 2816 x 2112, Normal (2816) 2816 x 2112, Normal (2048) 2048 x 1536 , PC (1024) 1024 x 768, TV (640) 640 x 480

Lens: 5x Zoom-Nikkor; 6.3-31.4mm (35mm [135] format equivalent to 38-190mm); f/2.9-5.0; 9 elements in 7 groups; Digital zoom: up to 4x

Autofocus: Contrast-detect TTL AF with AF-assist illuminator

Focus Range: 1 ft. 8 in. (50cm) to infinity, 1.6 in. (4cm ) to infinity in Macro Mode

LCD Monitor: 2.5-inch type, 115,000-dot TFT LCD monitor with brightness adjustment

Focus Area: Auto (5-area automatic focus selection) and Center-focus area selection available

Media: SD memory card compatible (not supplied), 10MB of internal memory

Shooting Modes — Still: Auto, Scene Assist (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night portrait), Scene (Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night landscape, Close up, Museum, Fireworks show, Copy, Back light, Panorama assist), BSS (Best Shot Selector), Color Options, Blur Warning, Date Imprint, Self-timer (10 sec.)

Shooting Modes — Movies: With sound: TV movie (640) at 15fps, Small size (320) at 30fps, Smaller size (160) at 30fps

Capture Modes: 1) Single, 2) Continuous (approx. 0.7fps), 3) Multi-shot 16 (16 frames 1/16 in size)

Number of Frames: Internal Memory (10MB): High (2816*) approx. 3, Normal (2816) approx. 6

Shutter: 4-1/2,000 sec

Aperture: Two-step (f/2.9 and f/4.9 [wide], f/5.0 and f/8.4 [telephoto])

Built-in Speedlight (Flash): Range: 1 ft. 8 in. – 11ft. 6 in./0.5-3.5m (W), 1 ft. 8 in. – 6 ft. 7 in./0.5-2m (T); Flash modes: Auto, Auto with Red-eye Reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Off, Fill flash and Slow sync

Interface: USB, Audio Video output (NTSC/PAL)

Supported Languages:
German/English/Spanish/French/Italian/Dutch/Swedish/Japanese/Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese/Korean/Russian selectable in menu display

Power Requirements: Two AA-size batteries (Rechargeable Ni-MH Battery EN-MH1-B2 with Battery Charger MH-71, LR6 alkaline batteries (supplied), ZR6 oxy-nickel batteries and FR6/L91 lithium batteries), AC Adapter EH-62B

Battery Life (approx): Approx. 100 shots with alkaline, 400 shots with lithium, or 230 shots with EN-MH1-B2 Batteries (based on CIPA standard*)

Dimension (W x H x D): Approx. 3.5 x 2.4 x 1.9 in. (89.5 x 60.5 x 47mm)

Supplied Accessories: Strap, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP14, 2 AA-sized alkaline batteries, PictureProject CD-ROM

Weight: Approx. 6.3 oz. (180g) (without battery and memory card)

Optional Accessories: Rechargeable Ni-MH Battery EN-MH1-B2, Battery Charger MH-71, Case and Rechargeable Battery Kit, AC Adapter EH-62B

Nikon Coolpix L1 Related Documents

- Nikon Coolpix L1 Brochure (PDF - 880KB)
- Nikon Coolpix L1 Specs

Share your photos with our readers, make your own profile page, create blog, get unlimited storage for your photos, discuss photography equipment & techniques by joining our photo community