I own 2 DSLR`s from Nikon which are just brilliant so needed a "point and shoot" camera to be kept in the car or pocket for that instant image capture then the Nikon product was the choice for me. I had read many reviews of the L20 on the net, some were very good and others were very poor with the biggest gripe being blurred images. Keeping an open mind, I took the plunge, and was presented with a well finished and well built/good feel camera in a deep glossy black with a massive LCD on the back and very few buttons to play with.
Also in the box was the usual bundle of cables for PC connection, a couple of AA batteries, a CD with Nikon image and album software (which is very good), quick start guide, and a more comprehensive manual which you will really need to read to get the best from the L20.
If you have done your research then you will note that this camera is aimed at those of us who want everything done as far as exposure, shutter speed, ISO, white balance is concerned so basically it really is a point and shoot in many of its modes.
Besides the standard industry 10mp camera, it has a more than capable video facility with sound, and both provide good images and video. Now, as far as taking pictures is concerned then please get to grips with this camera and experiment with its settings before you charge off on holiday or whatever.
You have the choice of easy auto mode, a scene mode (that you need to select from), a smile mode, the movie mode, and finally an auto mode that allows some basic adjustments consisting of exposure and image quality amongst others. As far as in camera post imaging is concerened then Nikons excellent D-Lighting is included for a better result.
My first images were a bit shocking, and I thought it could not be me with my exstensive DSLR experience, but I continued with it, and decided that easy auto was best avoided as it sometimes produced results without any real form of consistency, colours saturated and images occasionally out of focus and therefore needed a lot of work in editing. The scene modes produced a very good image and worked well if used with the right selection, the smile mode did not float my boat, but works all the same, as long as they grin like a Cheshire cat!, movies was very good on its best TV movie setting, but the auto mode I found to be the best setting to use with motion detection (camera shake) switched on and auto assist for flash also switched on (with access to select different flash conditions). Being able to also select macro (close up) and the ability to tweek the exposure contol, finally I was getting results that I expected, only having to sometimes apply a bit of image sharpening in the supplied Nikon software on my PC.
The moral here is to spend time and experiment-please be patent as it will all work and come together in the end, read and re-read the manual and have plenty of high quality rechargeable batteries to hand as the L20 is a hungry beast but quite happy with a 1GB card in which will give you 150ish high quality images or 10 mins of movie. Get out there and play with it, it will suprise you with what can be done and what it can produce.
To conclude, it represents a good camera for the money, just as good if not better than others on the market, and better built. I am getting some really good images now, in fact I am quite pleased as it has started to blow my socks off! I predict that many of you will plesantly suprised and very happy with the Nikon L20.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 17.4 x 15 x 8 centimetres |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 1.23 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 29 x 96 x 61 millimetres |
| Item Weight | 140 Grams |
| Brand | Nikon |
| Colour | Black |
| Has Image Stabilization | No |
| Max Focal Length | 24 Millimetres |
| Min Focal Length | 7 Millimetres |
| Model Year | 2009 |
| Part number | 0018208917273 |
| Zoom Type | Optical Zoom |
| Effective Still Resolution | 10 MP |
