Superzoom cameras are traditionally fairly complex beasts. Often also referred to as bridge cameras, they usually represent a half-way point between simple point-and-shoot compacts and the technical complexity and creative versatility of DSLRs, with most of them sporting optional manual exposure, multiple metering and autofocus modes and other advanced features. However the popularity of long-zoom compacts or “travel cameras” such as Panasonic’s TZ range, Ricoh’s CX series, pa2522U battery , Canon’s SX series and more recently Sony’s technically impressive HX5 have shown that there is a market for easy-to-use cameras with powerful zoom lenses. It is only Nikon though that has really embraced the concept of a true superzoom camera that is as easy to operate as a snapshot compact. About this time last year it introduced the CoolPix L100, a camera with a big 15x zoom lens and the SLR-style body of a traditional superzoom, but with the simple controls and limited menu options of a point-and-shoot compact. Today I’m taking a look at that camera’s successor, the new CoolPix L110.
While the L110 succeeds the L100 it isn’t replacing it just yet, and the two models will sit side-by-side in Nikon’s line-up. While the L110 is still very easy to use it is a more advanced camera than its predecessor, offering a few more features to bring it up to date in a fast-moving market. Bluetooth MINI PCI-E Card The most obvious addition is its 720p HD video recording capability with stereo audio. Less obvious is the three-inch 460k monitor screen, double the resolution of the previous model. Inevitably the sensor resolution has also been increased from 10.1 to 12.1 megapixels. The lens is the same 15x zoom f/3.5-5.4 unit as the L100, equivalent to 28-420mm, and the camera also features sensor-shift image stabilisation, essential with a lens of this size.
Nikon Coolpix L110 review – Features
The Nikon L110 is an affordable 12.1MP superzoom camera. With a broad-ranging 15x optical zoom that’s equivalent to a wide 28mm through to a 420mm telephoto equivalent. Plus it’s a pleasant surprise that the L110 can be found for just under £200 at its initial release.
Under the ‘wine red’ or black exterior (depending on your taste) is sensor-shift Vibration Reduction image stabilisation to keep images steady and sharp. Nikon’s EXPEED image processing system also means the capacity to shoot from ISO 80-1600 at full resolution, or 3200-6400 at a reduced 3MP capture. A one-touch 720p HD movie setting is also available which captures movies in the Motion-JPEG format at 30 frames per second with stereo sound using the in-built microphone. With the HDMI mini connector output it’s also possible to output your movies to an HDTV.
The Nikon L110 has a generous 3in vgp-bps2 battery LCD that has a high 460K-dot resolution – ideal for reviewing shots or scrolling through menus. The menus themselves are relatively thin on the ground, keeping options to a sensible minimum. There is no fully manual control, but the Easy Auto and 15 scene modes have every point-and-shoot base covered, further enhanced by face detection, a smile timer that waits for the subject to smile and a blink proof control that alerts when a subject’s eyes are closed post-capture. Auto mode provides the most control, allowing for user-defined ISO and White Balance adjustments.
Nikon Coolpix L110 review – Design
The Nikon L110 comes in a choice of two colours – ‘wine red’ or black. The former is a bright cherry-coloured finish that’s certainly eye-catching, though not for everyone.
In terms of body design the L110 Inspiron 6400 Battery is relatively plasticy, yet feels suitably hardened. Its large grip makes for easy holding and there’s a rear thumb rest to ensure easy finger-placement and a tight grip. At all times your fingers will be nowhere near obstructing the lens or flash, which makes for easy shooting. The flash itself is a ‘pull-up’ system, as there’s not a quick-release button to make the flash pop up – not a problem, but marginally more fiddly than if a preferred flash button were available.
Buttons are arranged simply and effectively, with the only button on top an on/off push-button behind the shutter. All other controls reside on the L110′s rear, with the usual d-pad directional control, main menu access, playback, plus a scene selection button for quick changes and a one-touch movie button. Interior menus are easy to navigate and select and, as there aren’t too many options to worry about, it’s not a complex process to use
Nikon Coolpix L110 review – Performance
In use the Nikon Coolpix L110 pavilion zv5000 battery feels good in the hand and the zoom control is smooth. However, some of the buttons can lack responsiveness and needed a slightly firmer or secondary push before producing the desired result on some occasions.
The primary purpose of the L110 is, of course, being a superzoom and utilising that 15x optical zoom which extends smoothly and with a regular pace. At the longest end the 420mm holds fairly steadily and, while optical stabilisation would have been an advantage here to further steady ‘live’ during framing, the sensor-shift stabilisation helps provide further assurance of a sharper image capture.
Low-light situations add the benefit of an AF-assist lamp which includes the option to turn it off should this be undesireable.
The 3in LCD screen to the rear is of good quality, though is overly-bright when compared to viewing images on a computer screen – so much so that the former makes some image areas appear overexposed when they’re not. The jpegs have more highlight detail than is apparent on the LCD screen, which can make for some difficulty in providing accurate exposure. Also there is no viewfinder as per some competitors’ superzoom compacts, so no other way to conceive taking an image when in bright sunlight. The L110 screen does have an anti-reflective coating that helps but isn’t foolproof.
The L110 has a macro mode that works up to 1cm from the camera’s lens, though only at the wide end will it focus correctly as expected.
Power comes in the form of 4xAA batteries – some may love it, others may hate it; in fact it may be the reason to buy or not to buy. One slight whinge is that the SD card is inserted in the same compartment as the batteries, yet the batteries aren’t secured like many li-ion NP-BG1 battery would be. If the camera’s upside down this isn’t an issue, but the batteries can slide around or fall out when open, so the SD would have been better placed in its own area.
Easy Auto mode works as expected and is essentially an advanced automated option that auto-selects the best available settings for the scene at hand. For more control there’s the Auto mode which allows user-defined White Balance and ISO settings. The L110 also has ‘Color Options’ to change shooting styles from Standard to Vivid, B&W, Sepia or Cyanotype too.
Full specification for Nikon Coolpix L110:
Senso: 12.1MP (1/2.3 type CCD; total pixels: approx. 12.39 million)
Lens: 15x optical zoom; 28-420mm equivalent
LCD: 3in 460K-dot
File Formats: Jpeg
ISO Range: 80-1600 at full resolution (3200-6400 at 3MP)
White Balance: Auto, preset manual, daylight, incandescent, fluorescent, cloudy, flash
Flash Modes: Auto, Redeye, Off, Force On, Night Portrait
Memory Card: SD Memory Card
Connectivity: Hi-Speed USB
Power: 4xAA batteries (FR6/L91 (AA-size) lithium battery aspire 5920 Battery supplied)
Dimensions: Approx. 108.9 x 74.3 x 78.1 mm
Weight: 406g
