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Note: this camera was first sold in Jan 2008. There may be newer versions available.

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Nikon Coolpix L18

HQ Grade: B-

A	is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B	means they are good, with some standout features.
C	means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F	mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.

4 out of 5

"Simplicity"

4 out of 5

"good but"

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This camera is ranked

67th of 175 in Ultra Compact
19th of 53 in 8 Megapixel
24th of 73 in Nikon
26th of 80 in $150 - $200

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Answered!

jepsenc (jepsenc) 2 pts

December 8, 2008 7:09 PM

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L18 vs. Insignia NS-DSC7B09

We have a Nikon Coolpix 4600 - very happy with it until it "died" recently. I went to a store, looked at the L18 and decided to buy. The store clerk convinced me that the Insignia NS-DSC7B09 is basically the same camera under a different name. I am so unhappy with the picture quality - is that due to an inferior lens? Does the L18 have a lens equivalent to the old Coolpix 4600?

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Brenda P (BrendaP) 28729 pts

December 13, 2008 9:27 PM

It could be a variety of factors. I'm not a brand snob, but I'm not sure how it could be the same camera, unless he was referring to the features it offers or the options it has. While it might have similar zoom or other settings, it likely has a very different lens and, even more importantly, a different image sensor. It's really the sensor that decides how well a camera performs in various situations, and just like how a Kodak will take bad low light photos but a Canon will take good ones, each manufacturer is different. So unless there's something I don't know about Insignias, it's probably simply a lesser quality piece of equipment than your Nikon was.

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts

December 15, 2008 7:32 PM

As a recovering camera salesman, I council to return it and get the camera you want. Camera sales people get a commission (called a "spiff") on off brands and virtually nothing on better, mainline brands like Nikon. So, by pushing the Insignia, he may be making more money and leaving you stuck with an inferior camera.

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jepsenc (jepsenc) 2 pts

December 18, 2008 9:12 AM

Thank you very much to both of you for insightful replies! I did return the Insignia and got the Nikon L18 on the last day the return policy allowed (12/9).

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Debra 1 pts

August 18, 2009 5:01 PM

For what it's worth, the Insignia is a Nikon that is re-packaged as a Best Buy store brand. Not saying it's top shelf, but it's a lower priced camera after all! Depends on what your needs are.

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L18 vs. Insignia NS-DSC7B09

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