Nikon Coolpix L12
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc. Part number: 25562
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- This budget camera includes a few surprising features, but its flaws outweigh its benefits.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Nikon Coolpix L12 price range: $199.97
- Reviewed by: Will Greenwald
- Reviewed on: 06/05/2007
The good: Face-detecting autofocus, optical image stabilization good to see on a budget camera.
The bad: No user control over ISO sensitivity; painfully slow flash recycle time.
The bottom line: This budget camera includes a few surprising features, but its flaws outweigh its benefits.
You just can't expect a whole lot from a $200 camera. Budget-priced shooters might be reliable, but they very seldom offer anything unique or high-end. The 7-megapixel Nikon Coolpix L12 bucks this trend by including two premium features in its unassuming, inexpensive form.
With a plain, silver plastic shell that measures an inch across, the 6-ounce L12 isn't the most slim or stylish shooter. Its compact body curves slightly outward on the right side to make room for two AA batteries that power the camera. The camera's back panel holds a 2.5-inch LCD screen and a handful of controls, including a joypad and a sliding mode switch. The joypad and buttons loom large on the camera and can be manipulated easily, though the mode slider and zoom rocker feel slightly too small to be comfortable.
Like most budget cameras, the 7-megapixel L12 focuses more on automation and simplicity than on customization. Besides white balance and a handful of scene presets, the camera automates most shooting settings, including ISO sensitivity. When shooting in low light, the L12 automatically boosts sensitivity up to ISO 1600, a potential problem for noise-wary shooters. Surprisingly, the L12 offers manual white balance along with the standard selection of incandescent, fluorescent, cloudy, sunny, and flash white balance presets.
Despite its otherwise unimpressive attributes, the L12 boasts two high-end features we were surprised to see in a budget camera. Nikon's optical Vibration Reduction shifts the camera's 35mm-to-105mm equivalent lens to help reduce shake. Face-priority autofocus identifies subjects' faces and adjusts camera settings to best capture them. Both of these features are usually found on higher-end cameras like Nikon's Coolpix S500, and it's good to see them appear on a $200 shooter.
An extremely long recycle time renders the L12's flash almost unusable. Once you take a photo with the onboard flash, it takes an arduous 8.6 seconds to reset. During that time the screen blanks out, preventing you from reviewing your photo, changing settings, or even just disabling the flash so you can shoot without it. Even with the flash turned off, the L12 simply fared poorly in our lab tests. After a 2.5-second wait to power on and capture its first image, the camera could fire off one shot every 2.4 seconds without the flash enabled. The shutter lag measured an adequate 0.7 second with our high-contrast target, but a painful 2 seconds with our low-contrast target. Burst mode captured 15 full-resolution shots in just under 10 seconds for a rate of 1.5 frames per second.
Because the L12 automates ISO sensitivity, we couldn't perform our full litany of noise tests. This automation also means that indoor and low-light shots can vary wildly in quality, depending on how much the camera decides to boost sensitivity. In good lighting, the L12 takes very nice, colorful photos. In low lighting, the camera's ISO-boosted grain, and the noise reduction algorithms that try to keep it in check, destroys much of the detail in the captured images. Since the flash takes so long to recycle, and its high ISO noise is so obtrusive, the L12 is rendered almost useless in low light.
Even though it includes features I was surprised to see on a budget camera, the Nikon Coolpix L12 simply has too many problems for me to recommend it. While face detection and optical image stabilization are both very nice, they can't make up for the camera's slow shooting, painfully long flash recycle time, and inconsistent low-light shots. If you want an affordable camera with more options, consider the much more flexible Samsung S850 or Canon PowerShot A630. If you simply want an easy-to-use, reliable camera, consider the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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User reviews
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No regrets!
by Kimberly Landicho on August 9, 2007
Pros: Has Face detection,Vibration and Red eye reduction,Image stabilization.It uses SD card and AA batteries.WORKS WITH VISTA!Sexy and NEWLY RELEASED BY NIKON.Not too expensive.
Cons: Tolerable long FLASH recycle time.Produces a strange minor noise when using it with face detection.Does not produce good pictures in low light condotions without the FLASH.
Summary: I must say that this camera was able to provide me with my basic necessities in a budget camera.I chose it over the SONY DSC-T50 primarily because of its ...
Summary: I must say that this camera was able to provide me with my basic necessities in a budget camera.I chose it over the SONY DSC-T50 primarily because of its functional benefits.I'm a 16 year old student and for me it's all worth the money.I did not went wrong on this camera.I recommend this camera for those who wanted a simple and easy to use camera that could provide quality images day or night.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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nice slim design, excellent photo quality, fast shooting speed
by Lori Olmstead on June 5, 2007
Pros: great special effects, date stamping, editing pictures, vibration reduction
Cons: more optical zoom
Summary: overall great camera, photo quality is excellent especially with the vibration reduction, optional date stamping and editing right on the camera is a great feature also.
Summary: overall great camera, photo quality is excellent especially with the vibration reduction, optional date stamping and editing right on the camera is a great feature also.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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very good P&S compact also good for indoor shooting
by tazadsldevil on March 6, 2009
Pros: VR (Vibration Reduction)
ISO 1600
Face detection
Best Shot selection
Scene modes
D-lightning
large lcd
size and weight
image qualityCons: light pillow cussion distortion
with alkaline batteries relative quick empty
iso selection not possible , i consider iso 800 bareley usuable (after noise nija it is ok)Summary: the nikon coolpix l12 is a very nice camera , i paid 45 euro for it , for that price it is remarkeble and very good , the image quality is fine and ...
Summary: the nikon coolpix l12 is a very nice camera , i paid 45 euro for it , for that price it is remarkeble and very good , the image quality is fine and pretty detailed you offcourse cvan not comare this to DSLR's but for compact it is real nice an good
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Not good !
by sarah211d on August 5, 2008
Pros: fair pictures,
Cons: little battery life, slow flash recycle time,
Summary: its an ok camera; i expected better. the battery life is horrible and its so slow!!!! not worth the money!
Summary: its an ok camera; i expected better. the battery life is horrible and its so slow!!!! not worth the money!
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Buying this camera was a mistake.
by evrybdylvsrymnd on May 26, 2008
Pros: Takes reasonably good pics in good light.
Cons: Flash recycle time nearly 10 seconds. Pictures when using stability control are so grainy they are unusable.
Summary: Research before buying this camera is definitely NOT worth the money.
Summary: Research before buying this camera is definitely NOT worth the money.
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I've been very happy with my L12, 4+ months since I bought it
by glitterfairy54 on February 2, 2008
Pros: Long battery life compared to the Sony I tried for one day
Cons: None so far
Summary: I loved my previous Olympus digital, but wanted something a little more compact for travel convenience. I tried a high-rated Sony that ate its way through 2 sets of batteries ...
Summary: I loved my previous Olympus digital, but wanted something a little more compact for travel convenience. I tried a high-rated Sony that ate its way through 2 sets of batteries in one day and returned it immediately. I shopped around a little more, got a good price on the L12 at WalMart in October, and have been completely happy with it for vacation and holiday photos. The flash recovery time IS slow, but nothing that has caused a problem or missed shot.
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good for the price
by giturdone on November 19, 2007
Pros: iso,compact,
Cons: slow flash, eats batteries
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Best Price!
by zzzchris on October 21, 2007
Pros: cheap price, light weight
Cons: no view finder
Summary: Sams club. $119.95
No return hassle
21 meg of internal memorySummary: Sams club. $119.95
No return hassle
21 meg of internal memory -
Not a good camera. to buy if you want to take good pics
by jaybillion on October 10, 2007
Pros: It does take some good indoor pics in the indoor mode..good sound quality for video mode.
Cons: Very bad pic quality. Owned a sony P93A.. which is much better than this one. Too noisy. Video quality also very poor.
Summary: Not a good camera to buy. Sony and canon are the best in the ultracompact segment of cameras.
Summary: Not a good camera to buy. Sony and canon are the best in the ultracompact segment of cameras.
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Good little camera
by samadamsma on September 1, 2007
Pros: small, good battery when no flash
Cons: When using flash the battery dies too quick, Front lens cover broke soon after purchase
Summary: For the money - I think it was just under 200 some 5 months ago this is a nice little camera. The pictures turn out well, its easy to use, ...
Summary: For the money - I think it was just under 200 some 5 months ago this is a nice little camera. The pictures turn out well, its easy to use, and its taken quite a bit of abuse.
The lens cover broke soon after purchase but I was kind of rough on it in my travels. Overall its been a workhorse and Im happy.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
- Part number: 25562
- Description: The lightweight and compact COOLPIX L12 delivers a highly capable blend of impressive image technologies and exceptionally easy operation. Built to satisfy, this camera boasts 7.1 megapixels and a host of automatic functions designed to let even absolute beginners take sharp and steady shots. Its High-Sensitivity mode automatically selects the optimal light setting from a light sensitivity range up to ISO 1600, and its Lens Shift Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization system counters the effect of camera shake in your images and works to produce a steady image on the LCD that makes it easier to capture the right moment. Equipped with a handy Anti-Shake mode that instantly activates Lens Shift VR, High-Sensitivity mode and Best Shot Selector all at once, the COOLPIX L12 lets you create blur-free images and movies with ease.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Width 3.6 in
- Depth 1 in
- Height 2.4 in
- Weight 4.4 oz
Main Features
- Resolution 7.1 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Total Pixels 7,410,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 7,100,000 pixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/2.5 in
- Light Sensitivity ISO auto (50-1600)
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Shooting Programs Copy, Museum, Sunset, Close-up, Fireworks, Landscape, Back light, Beach/snow, Sports mode, Party/indoor, Portrait mode, Night portrait, Night landscape, Panorama assist
- Special Effects Sepia, Vivid, Neutral, Cyanotype, Black & White
- Image Stabilizer Optical
- Image stabilizer feature Optical stabilization helps prevent blurry pictures, especially for handheld cameras at slow shutter speeds or when using high optical zoom.
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Face Detection Yes
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Flash, Shade, Cloudy, Sunlight, Fluorescent, Incandescent
- Digital Video Format QuickTime
- Still Image Format JPEG
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture QuickTime - 640 x 480, QuickTime - 640 x 480, QuickTime - 320 x 240, QuickTime - 320 x 240, QuickTime - 160 x 120
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory 21 MB Flash - Integrated
- Supported Flash Memory MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
- Integrated Memory 21 MB
- Floppy Drive None
- Image Storage JPEG 3072 x 2304, JPEG 2592 x 1944, JPEG 2048 x 1536, JPEG 1012 x 768, JPEG 640 x 480, JPEG 3072 x 1728
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Effective Flash Range 1.3 ft - 10 ft
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 5.7 mm - 17.1 mm - F/2.8-4.7
- Focal Length 5.7 mm - 17.1 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 35 - 105 mm
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Min Focus Range 19.7 in
- Macro Focus Range 15cm
- Lens Aperture F/2.8-4.7
- Optical Zoom 3 x
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 5 group(s) / 5 element(s)
- Lens Manufacturer Nikon
- Features Built-in lens shield
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Additional Features Blur warning, DPOF support, Direct print, Audio recording, Auto power save, Cropping an image, ImageLink support, PictBridge support, In-camera red-eye fix, Digital noise reduction, Face-priority AF function, Display brightness control
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 115,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x USB
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Software
- Software Drivers & Utilities, Nikon PictureProject
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows ME, MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows 98 SE, MS Windows Vista, Apple Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive, SVGA monitor
Miscellaneous
- Microsoft Certifications Works with Windows Vista
- Included Accessories Wrist strap, Docking station insert
- Cables Included 1 x A/V cable, 1 x USB cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter
Battery
- Supported Battery AA
- Supported Battery 2 x AA Alkaline battery ( Included )
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
- Labs information All values are expressed in seconds. Please visit our labs information page for information on how digital cameras are tested.
- CNET Labs Flash shot to shot time 8.6
- CNET Labs Shot to shot time typical 2.4
- CNET Labs Shutter lag bright 0.7
- CNET Labs Shutter lag dim 2.0
- CNET Labs Typical burst speed 1.5
- CNET Labs Wake up time 2.5
Product series
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Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: Compact, 7.1 megapixels, 3 x, 2.5 in LCD display, 21 MB - Integrated
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Nikon Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Nikon Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.nikonusa.com/
- Address:
1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747-3064 - Phone: 1-631-547-4200
