A lot of exciting and innovative things have happened in the world of cameras. For example, superzoom (optical zoom of 20x or more) performs excellently compared to the clearly inferior digital zoom of smartphones. And there is nothing to compare. And what about the $300 Coolpix L830 camera with a whopping 34x zoom and 22.5-765mm equivalent zoom! And this is not yet the largest focal length that can be found in such devices.
Features & Design
You can forget about carrying this camera in your pants pocket. Like all superzooms, the L830 is bulky at 508g and measures 111 x 76 x 91mm. But at the same time, there is no inconvenience when carrying, and it fits quite well into coat pockets. The camera is available in black, red and plum with a beautifully textured holder.
Nikon Coolpix L830 Black owner reviews praise the Nikkor lens with a decent f/3-5.9 maximum aperture and 34x zoom. At 22.5mm it will fit perfectlyfor landscapes, and can instantly switch to the top of the Empire State Building, birds in the trees, and whatever your heart desires.
On the top panel there is a really necessary thing - a stereo microphone. This is a step up from Canon and Nikon's new cameras capable of recording HD video in mono. The L830 not only shoots in 1080/30p mode, but also records two-channel audio, which is praised by many reviews.
Nikon Coolpix L830 is packed with essentials such as a powerful pop-up flash, speaker, power and shutter buttons surrounded by a zoom switch. For added stability, there is also a lever to switch between the minimum and maximum focal lengths to the left of the lens. The handle is quite deep and the fingers fit well on it, but this is individual, and everyone should hold the camera in their hands to decide if it fits comfortably in their hands. Since this is an “aim and forget” class camera, there is no mode dial and manual settings - there is no PASM option and you cannot adjust the aperture and shutter speed. For some, this is unacceptable, but for the average amateur photographer, it probably won't be a problem.
There is a 3-inch tilting LCD monitor with 921K pixels on the back. Most of the time it works fine, but in strong sunlight it can be problematic with its high reflectivity. Brightness is set to 3 by defaultout of 6, so when shooting outdoors, you should make sure that the settings are correct - as many reviews advise.
Nikon Coolpix L830 has a textured thumb rest on the back, a button with a red label for shooting video, and four keys around the joystick with an "OK" button in the center. There are buttons for changing modes, playing, calling the menu and deleting. The remaining keys provide access to flash, exposure compensation, macro, and self-timer modes.
On the right is the power input and a small compartment for USB and HDMI connectors. Below is a compartment for four AA batteries and an SD card. The L830 does not have Wi-Fi, but the unit accepts optional Eye-Fi cards for network connections.
What's in the box?
In addition to the camera, the kit includes a strap, a lens cap with a cord and a USB cable. Nikon also provides 4 alkaline batteries so you can start shooting right away without having to wait for the battery to charge. Purchasing a lithium battery pack makes sense as you can take up to 1180 shots compared to 390 with alkaline batteries. There is also a short user guide. To save money, Nikon does not include a software CD, but ViewNX2 can always be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
Performance and Usage
The Nikon Coolpix L830 is called a real compact when it comes to sensor size. It uses a 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch image sensor, which is much smaller than Micro Four Thirds chips andAPS-C. Again, the buyer gets what he pays for. For example, the highly regarded Sony RX10 with a 1-inch sensor costs $1,000 more!
Reviews Nikon Coolpix L830 is called a camera that shows decent results, but nothing more. You can't expect a tiny chip to perform well in less-than-optimal ambient light conditions. However, despite this, the L830 allows you to get more successful shots than vice versa. Photos are clear, with good, realistic colors. Flash portraits are best, as the face detection system is great for shooting at weddings and other social events.
Lens
Reviews Nikon Coolpix L830 is praised for its excellent 34x zoom. You can go from wide-angle to extreme telephoto very quickly. But it should be remembered that at this magnification, the subject of photography is easy to lose sight of by slightly moving the camera. The best condition for such shooting is stability. A monopod or tripod would be ideal, but any solid support will do. The real plus is the Hybryd VR system, which combines lens shift and electronic vibration reduction. Nikon offers an extended 68x digital zoom, but this is best avoided for noise reduction.
Functionality
L830 is a compact camera. Just press the green auto button and four options will appear: auto, smart portrait, special effects (11 options), scenes (18 options) and simple auto. ATauto mode has the ability to adjust ISO, white balance, resolution, colors and AF areas.
Video
The video shot on the Nikon Coolpix L830 Red is called uneven by the owners. It takes a few seconds for the camera to correct the exposure, and in dim light it is difficult to focus. But the lens mechanism is quiet, which is handy when recording audio. Just like taking pictures, everything will be fine as long as there is enough sunlight.
Light sensitivity
The ISO 125-3200 range is just a small part of what many modern models offer. But, given the size of the sensor, this can only be rejoiced at. Color reproduction is accurate and digital noise is acceptable up to ISO 400, with pretty good results at 800.
Verdict
Nikon Coolpix L830 is described by professionals as a camera with the makings of a more advanced camera, which in reality is a good compact with a super zoom lens. It will suit hobbyists aspiring for something more than a regular smartphone, but will not impress those who have used higher-end equipment. But at $300, the camera isn't trying to be something that the small sensor will only get in the way of.