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
The camera specification features a 34x lens, which provides a useful range of focal lengths of 22.5–765 mm (from the point of view of a 35 mm camera). To provide clear shots at such long focal lengths, the L830 uses a hybrid vibration reduction system. The camera is based on a 16.0 megapixel CMOS sensor with maximum ISO3200 sensitivity and Full HD video capture. Outwardly, the most noticeable innovation is an increase in screen resolution to 921 thousand pixels and the possibility of tilting it up and down. The Nikon Coolpix L830 also follows the L-series trend to use AA batteries.
DSLR sizes
The first thing that strikes the Coolpix L830, in addition to its design, is its volume. The 510-gram compact 111x75.8x91.2 mm is only slightly smaller than the entry-level SLR camera Nikon D3300. This provides excellent ergonomics to the camera, and a thick grip and an impressive rubberized thumb panel give a feeling of special comfort.
Shooting modes
However, while a DSLR camera offers plenty of creative control and a standard viewfinder, the Coolpix L830 has nothing to do with it. Instead, you should rely on one of two automatic modes. Smart Auto will select any of the 18 preset scenes depending on the subject and apply the optimal settings. You can also switch to the standard automatic mode for controlling ISO sensitivity and white balance. Alternatively, each of the 18 scenes can be selected manually, as well as the Easy Panorama function. This add-on is really useful, considering that the cheaper L330 camera does not have an automatic panoramic 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 to this, Nikon allows you to apply 11 more special effects, such as Selective Color, Toy Camera and Sepia, and you can also select the smart portrait mode, which determines a smile and blinking, automatically removes red eyes and smoothes facial skin .
Very beautiful, but, in addition to several 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 have a 16.0-megapixel 1 / 2.3 "CMOS sensor with an ISO sensitivity range of 125–3200. Both cameras share the ability to record 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 shots is now reduced to 6.8 fps for 5 consecutive photographs.
What has not changed
Optically, the two cameras are also very similar. The Coolpix L830 offers a full upper zoom range of 30 to 34x, however, setting the maximum wide-angle 22.5mm equivalent remains unchanged, and the f / 3-5.8 aperture is almost identical to the old model. The L830 uses the same Hybrid VR system, which counteracts camera shake. It works by moving the lens to compensate for any unwanted movement, but if additional correction is necessary, the camera can automatically take two pictures with different shutter speeds and combine the best parts of each of them.
The Coolpix L830 camera inherited the same switch on the left side of the lens barrel used to control zoom. It complements the standard zoom ring near the shutter button, allowing you to zoom with your left hand and freeing up the right for shooting. However, whatever control is used, the rather fast zoom speed of the L830 makes precise focal length adjustment a matter of chance.
On the left panel of the camera is a flash control button and a set of connectors for connection - a USB port and an HDMI output. Above is the shutter release, the main zoom control, a switch and two microphones. The back panel of the L830 is also Spartan, with buttons for video recording, scene selection, playback, deleting and calling the main menu. Circular navigation keys are also used to compensate for exposure and set the self-timer, along with flash control and macro settings.
Screen
The main attraction of the rear panel of the compact camera is the new folding monitor. Its resolution is 921,000 points, and now it has become possible to tilt the screen and rotate it about 90 degrees up or down. This is the limit of movement, so the user will not be able to flip the screen to protect it during transportation, or to look at yourself while taking a selfie. But this is not the most compact part of the camera adds a significant bulge on the rear panel. The display itself is worth mentioning, because in contrast to the cheaper L330, there are not only much more pixels, but also significantly improved viewing angles and slightly higher color accuracy.
Food
A plastic tripod mount and a lid concealing a memory card and battery compartment lurk on the bottom of the camera. This design of the Coolpix L830 is called not very convenient by user reviews - if the photographer wants to remove the SD card, then, instead, he risks four AA batteries at his feet. There is also a problem with the power source. Of course, AA batteries are easily accessible, so you don’t have to look for a charging socket to restore a typical lithium-ion battery, but this slightly increases the low cost of the Nikon Coolpix L830 - the price of nickel-metal hydride batteries will increase the cost of the kit by $ 30. At least a set of batteries allows you to take up to 680 pictures on a single charge, and conventional alkaline batteries last for 390 photos, which is also good.
Performance
Whatever the power, the Nikon Coolpix L830 is ready to shoot a second after turning it on, and in good light, its autofocus system captures the subject almost instantly. In less optimal conditions, setting up the camera takes longer, but this is still more than enough and better than automatically focusing its predecessor L330. The only drawback that all Coolpix compacts are subject to is the difficulty of switching the camera to macro shooting in the intelligent automatic mode. In order to reliably operate the L830 centimeter minimum focusing distance, you must select the standard automatic mode and then enable 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 settings. It is far from the most visually impressive interfaces, but it allows you to quickly navigate and is easy to read in bright sunlight. Users appreciated this, since the minimum number of control buttons requires the constant use of a menu system to change modes or manually change the ISO sensitivity.
Verdict
Like his younger brother L330, the Nikon Coolpix L830 is perplexing. Both cameras are certainly easy to use, but no more than most cameras with intelligent auto mode. Image quality, performance or functionality do not stand out from the Coolpix L830. The price of the camera is certainly competitive, but you will have to consider the additional costs of acquiring a set of AA batteries. Ultimately, it comes down to having a 34x zoom lens.
But you should ask yourself if this is enough to compensate for the extra dimensions of the camera, since in this price category there is no shortage of compact cameras with super zoom that can give at least 20x zoom coverage. An additional telephoto lens may be useful in a number of cases, but the ability to put a smaller camera in your pocket seems more attractive.
In terms of performance, the L830 is a good camera. She quickly focuses and takes clear pictures with vibrant colors in the right conditions. The screen on the rear panel works better than you can expect for such a price, and the ability to tilt it makes shooting from low and high points a trifle.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that the image quality of the camera is no different and is inferior to more compact cameras of the same or lower cost. The sensor’s lack of dynamic range and overly careful exposure metering make images in low light and high contrast gray and lifeless, and to maintain a good level of detail requires optimal lighting and close proximity of the subject. At least there are few user complaints about optics. The main advantage of the Nikon Coolpix L830 is the price.