Digital Camera Review: Nikon COOLPIX L5

Tokyo – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX L5, the latest in their lineup of entry-level compact digital cameras. Combining high-quality components like a 5x zoom lens and a bright 2.5-inch LCD, and featuring the same advanced Lens shift Vibration Reduction (VR) mechanism that was originally developed for Nikon’s renowned SLR systems, the COOLPIX L5 elevates user-friendliness to new levels with its simplified operation and unrivaled results.

The powerful, 38-190mm Zoom-Nikkor lens (35mm equivalent) ensures matchless compositional freedom, from zooming in for intimate personal portraits to zooming out for expansive outdoor scenes. Lens shift Vibration Reduction (VR) technology allows the user to make the most of 5x zooming. The CCD provides enhanced precision with minimized dimensions, greatly adding to the camera’s compact portability while offering generous 7.2 effective megapixels, for the refined image clarity that’s expected of the COOLPIX family. There’s also a large, bright 2.5-inch LCD with backlight that greatly eases composing superb images and then playing them back.

The COOLPIX L5 has surprisingly compact dimensions despite the fact it is compatible with AA-size batteries in alkaline, lithium, ZR6 oxyride, rechargeable or other forms. And because such batteries are widely available around the world, COOLPIX L5 users can keep on shooting internationally without worrying about running out of batteries. Adding to the convenience are three unique Nikon image innovations that make it easier to achieve great-looking results – all directly accessible via a One-touch portrait button on the camera’s top panel. Face-priority AF* can automatically detect then achieve accurate focus on people’s faces, no matter where they are in the frame. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix can automatically detect the annoying red-eye effect sometimes caused by flash and compensate for it in-camera. And the D-Lighting function can rescue underexposed images or shots with too much backlight by creating a copy of the image but with light and detail added where necessary and well-exposed areas left exactly as they were.

A choice of 15 different Scene modes – 4 with Scene assist – automatically provides ideal settings for everything from night portraits to beach parties. Just choose the Scene mode best suited to the subject at hand, and the COOLPIX L5 automatically selects the perfect setting for exactly the picture you had in mind. The four Scene modes with Scene assist even help the user compose the shot for optimal results.

The COOLPIX L5 is also compatible with widely available SD memory cards. And 8MB of internal memory allows the user to continue shooting even when no additional memory is available, as well as easily moving images from one SD card to another. The COOLPIX L5 offers movie recording with sound in three modes: TV size (640) for viewing on TV or computers, convenient Small size (320), and Smaller size (160) for extended recording or Internet use.

The COOLPIX L5 even simplifies printing, with PictBridge capability enabling direct connection to compatible printers without the need of a computer in between. USB connectivity eases transfer of data to computers and other peripherals. Complimentary PictureProject accessory software completes total convenience by greatly simplifying the importing, editing and organizing of your images, and includes other options that add to the fun of digital photography.

* Face recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.

Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.