Nikon Coolpix L830 Digital Camera: overview, features and reviews.

The Nikon Coolpix L830 is one of the best among the budget, easy-to-use Coolpix L-series cameras. Given its relatively attractive price of $ 299.95, the money spent will give a big return.

Main characteristics

In the camera specification, there is a 34-fold lens that provides a useful range of focal lengths of 22.5-765 mm (from the perspective of a 35 mm camera). To ensure clear images at such long focal lengths, the hybrid vibration suppression system is used in the L830. The camera is based on a 16.0 megapixel CMOS sensor with a maximum ISO3200 sensitivity and full HD video capture. Externally, the most notable innovation is the increase in the screen resolution to 921 thousand points and the possibility of its tilt up and down. The Nikon Coolpix L830 also follows the trend of the L-series to use AA batteries.

DSLR dimensions

The first thing that strikes the Coolpix L830, in addition to design, is its volume. The 510-gram compact is 111x75.8x91.2 mm only slightly smaller than the entry-level SLR camera Nikon D3300. This provides the camera with excellent ergonomics, and a thick grip and an impressive rubberized thumb panel give a feeling of special convenience.

Shooting modes

However, if the DSLR camera provides many creative control options and a conventional viewfinder, the Coolpix L830 does not have anything from it. Instead, you should rely on one of the two automatic modes. Smart Auto will select one of the 18 preset scenes depending on the subject and apply the optimal settings. You can also switch to the standard automatic ISO sensitivity and white balance mode. Alternatively, each of the 18 scenes can be selected manually, like the Easy Panorama function. This add-on is really useful, considering that the cheaper L330 camera does not have an automatic panorama mode. Unfortunately, the final result is reformatted to just 920 pixels vertically and the user is limited to either 180 or 360 degrees. In addition, Nikon allows the use of 11 additional special effects, such as "Selective Color", "Toy Camera" and "Sepia," and you can also select an intelligent portrait mode that determines the smile and blink, automatically removes the red-eye effect and smoothes the skin .

It's very beautiful, but except for a few additional special color effects, the L330 and L820 have the same shooting functions.

What's New?

There are not many differences that distinguish the L830 from its predecessor. The sensor parameters remained unchanged, both cameras had a 16.0-megapixel CMOS sensor 1 / 2.3 "with an ISO sensitivity range of 125-3200.These cameras share the possibility of recording Full HD with stereo sound and noise reduction, but, oddly enough, In the new model, the speed of continuous shooting has decreased: 8 fps at full resolution for a series of 6 pictures are now reduced to 6.8 fps for 5 consecutive photos.

What has not changed

Optically two cameras are also very similar. The Coolpix L830 gives a full top scaling range from 30 to 34 times, but setting the maximum wide-angle 22.5-mm equivalent remains unchanged, and the aperture f / 3-5.8 is almost identical to the old model. The L830 uses the same Hybrid VR system, which counteracts the shake of the camera. It works by moving the lens to compensate for any unwanted movement, but if an additional correction is necessary, the camera can automatically take two shots at different shutter speeds and combine the best parts of each one.

The Coolpix L830 also inherited the same switch on the left side of the lens housing used for scale control. It complements the standard zoom ring near the shutter button, allowing you to zoom the image with your left hand and freeing the right one for shooting. However, whatever control is used, the rather fast scaling speed of the L830 makes fine adjustment of the focal length by the case.

On the left panel of the camera there is a flash control button and a set of connectors for connection - a USB port and an HDMI output. On top is the shutter release, main zoom control, switch and two microphones. The back panel of the L830 is the same Spartan, it contains buttons for video recording, scene selection, playback, deletion and calling up the main menu. Circular navigation keys are also used to compensate for the exposure and set the automatic timer, along with flash control and macro adjustment.

Screen

The main attraction of the rear panel of the compact camera is a new flip-up monitor. Its resolution is 921,000 points, and now it is still possible to tilt the screen and rotate it about 90 degrees up or down. This is the limit of movement, so that the user will not be able to turn the screen to protect it during transportation, or to look at himself while shooting selfies. But this is not the most compact part of the camera adds a significant bulge to the rear panel. The display itself is worth mentioning, since unlike the cheaper L330, there are not only many more pixels, but also significantly improved viewing angles and slightly increased color accuracy.

Food

On the bottom of the camera there is a plastic tripod mount and a cover hiding the memory card and battery compartment. This design Coolpix L830 user reviews are not very convenient - if the photographer wants to remove the SD-card, then, instead, he risks that the four AA batteries will be at his feet. There is also a problem with the power supply. Of course, AA batteries are easily accessible, so you do not have to look for a charging socket to restore a typical lithium-ion battery, but this slightly increases the low cost of Nikon Coolpix L830 - the price of nickel-metal hydride batteries will increase the kit cost by $ 30. At least, a set of batteries allows you to make up to 680 pictures on a single charge, and the usual alkaline batteries are enough for 390 photos, which is also good.

Speed

Whatever the power, the Nikon Coolpix L830 is ready to take pictures a second after power-up, and with good lighting, its autofocus system captures the subject almost instantly. Under less optimal conditions, the camera setup takes longer, but this is still more than enough and better than the automatic focusing of its predecessor L330. The only drawback to which all the Coolpix compacts are exposed is the difficulty of switching the camera to macro photography in an intelligent automatic mode. In order to reliably operate the centimeter minimum focusing distance of the L830, you must select the standard automatic mode, and then turn on the macro focus using the macro button. This is not very convenient.

Fortunately, Nikon's proven menu system makes it easy to switch modes and change other parameters. It is far from the most visually impressive interfaces, but allows you to quickly navigate and easily read in bright sunlight. Users appreciated this, since the minimum number of control buttons requires the constant use of the menu system to change modes or manually change the ISO sensitivity.

Verdict

Like his younger brother L330, "Nikon Coolpix L830" is puzzling. Both cameras are certainly easy to use, but no more than most cameras with intelligent automatic mode. The image quality, performance or functionality does not stand out with the Coolpix L830. The price of the camera is definitely competitive, but it will have to take into account the additional costs of purchasing a set of AA batteries. Ultimately, it all boils down to having a 34x zoom lens.

But you should ask yourself if this is enough to compensate for the extra camera size, because in this price category there is no shortage of compact cameras with super-zoom, which can give at least a 20-fold zoom coverage. An additional telephoto lens can be useful on a number of occasions, but the ability to put a smaller camera into your pocket seems more attractive.

In terms of performance, the L830 is a good camera. It quickly focuses and takes clear pictures with vigorous colors under the right conditions. The screen on the back panel works better than can be expected for such a price, and the ability to tilt it makes shooting from low and high points a trifling matter.

Nevertheless, the fact remains - the image quality of the camera is nothing special and it is inferior to more compact cameras of the same or lesser value. The sensor lacks a dynamic range and overly careful exposure metering makes images in low light and high contrast gray and lifeless, and to maintain a good level of detail requires optimal lighting and close location of the subject. At least, users complain about optics a bit. The main advantage of the Nikon Coolpix L830 is the price.