The Nikon Coolpix L100 is a good superzoom compact ? from wide to telephoto you can expect good quality images from a sterling lens, that?s only let down by a lack of more developed manual controls, in particular no comprehensive ISO options. At £240 the L100 is hardly pocket money, but it?s as affordable as they come when pitched against viable competitors? offerings. The 4xAA batteries certainly won't appeal to all, with a li-ion battery option lacking. Fundamentally, if there was a more consistent autofocus that successfully dealt with those near-side subjects, then the Nikon L100 would offer a more accomplished all-round purchase. Sadly, it doesn?t quite tick all the boxes, leaving a feeling of disappointment for those seeking a developed all-rounder.
Image Quality & Value For Money
Nikon L100 Image Quality
The L100’s lens is, for this price point, top quality as far as compacts go. There is no light fall-off and only a hint of chromatic aberration, making for detailed prints at A4 and beyond. Under dim light the usually ‘fair’ grain does get notably more prominent, amplified by the stunted 3-megapixel size in Hi ISO mode which further quashes image quality into a much softer affair.
Nikon L100 sample image – Normal (10MP) vs Hi ISO (3MP) scene
Perhaps one of the most exciting things that comes bundled in the Nikon L100’s box is the Panorama Maker software. Often in-camera panorama stitching (as offered by many other manufacturers) can provide results that look decent on a small screen, but in reality the threading is a bit of a pig’s ear at full size. The L100 avoids this problem as the Panorama Maker assembles truly convincing mergers with seamless joins in a matter of seconds.
Nikon L100 sample image – stitched panorama (using software provided)
Nikon L100 Value For Money
With so many cameras on the market, you want to know that dipping into your pocket for a penny under £240 is going to bring the goods. The Nikon L100 delivers on the superzoom front and at a reasonably low price when aligned against its competitors. But £240 isn’t just pocket money, it’s a serious whack of cash.
The AA batteries certainly won’t be for everyone either (not that there’s a choice) – but what happened to the rechargeable li-ion battery? Whilst some may enjoy the option of using rechargeables or buying new batteries for immediate power-up, that all comes at extra cost over time and helps nobody if the shop’s closed…
Score
Score in detail
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Features 75
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Image Quality 80
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Design 80
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Performance 75
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Value 70