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Nikon L100
Nikon L100
B+
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
"Firmware Update"
  • 3 out of 5
"ecological disaster"
See rating based on 213 user reviews
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Roxanne Poe (checkeredcat) 0 pts
April 16, 2009 9:45 PM
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Resolution in macro shots and zoom.

Need a camera that I can take super close up shots and then enlarge to at least 16x20 or larger. Also need a good zoom to take pics of small mobile subjects like dragonflies, also to be enlarged. Gotta have a view finder and price point 350.00 or less. I art shows and have sold some pictures.
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Answers This question has been answered!
John Snider 464 pts
April 22, 2009 11:43 PM
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The L100 will do everything you ask but lacks an EVF (View finder). It also only goes to 15x zoom (BTW 15x zoom is very reasonable).

It sounds like price, max zoom, and the EVF is very important to you so; basically you want to look at the 2008 crop of superzooms that are currently being moved off the store shelves right now to make room for the new 2009 models... Your cheapest models, as of this writing, are; the FufiFilm Finepix f8100fd (Least Expensive- the camera compared to other in its class really doesn't excel in anything but it also doesn't really have any huge weaknesses compared to the others except a little extra grain in low light- current street price is 200-229), Pansonic Lumix Fz28 (current price is 250-275), Olympus SP 565uz (current price is around 250-275), and Canon Sx 10 IS (current price is around 350-399).

If you want this years model , the cheapest of the lot of the extreme superzooms is the Kodak EasyShare. Also several retailers are selling P90s at a discount (Around $380-390).
Best Answer
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Roxanne Poe (checkeredcat) 0 pts
April 30, 2009 2:23 PM
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Thanks for the info. A view finder is a must as is a camera with good contrast. Probably needs to have some manual capabilities as well. Does that change or modify your answer in any way ?
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John Snider 464 pts
May 1, 2009 9:47 AM
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All of the listed cameras, except the L100, above have evfs or have viewfinders and have a fairly high degree of manual controls. If you want to spend more money the Canon Sx1 which should be hitting the shelves very soon, Sony Hx1 which should be hitting the stores in shelves in about a month (Can buy online now), Olympus micro 3/4 (No street date yet), and Fuji s100FS (If you can find one on the shelves- has extremely high level of manual control and has very good picture quality and performance-- you may not find it on the shelves to try it and it costs more than 350) are all cameras to look for in 450-500 range.

Dollars for performance in the above under 350 list is the Lumix Fz28. Cheapest is the Fuji s8100 fd . The best glass (effects picture quality) but least amount of control is the L100.

If you want it now and want high quality pics and more control the s100fs if you are willing to give up a little more money. If you are willing to spend a little more the Canon Sx 1 IS (Not Sx 10) or Sony Hx1.
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Roxanne Poe (checkeredcat) 0 pts
May 1, 2009 11:07 AM
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Thank you very much, I am chomping at the bit to get the camera and get out there. I will review your recommendations !
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BobG (gofish) 1 pts
May 10, 2009 2:29 PM
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John; I'm looking at your response about the L100 not having EVF, since it is clearly listed in the specs as having one...what am I missing please.
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John Snider 464 pts
May 11, 2009 7:17 AM
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The one I tried lacked one... It could be the specs are wrong.
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Roxanne Poe (checkeredcat) 0 pts
May 11, 2009 8:55 AM
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Well I am now looking at the Olympus E-450 digtital-SLR with two lenses:
wide-angle 14-42mm and one telephoto 40-150mm. I purchased to test drive it if I can figure it all out withing 30 days. What do you guys think ?
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BobG (gofish) 1 pts
May 11, 2009 10:38 AM
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Thanks John - yeah, appears the specs are wrong; too bad - I think Nikon dropped the ball not providing at least EVF or OVF.
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John Snider 464 pts
May 11, 2009 8:06 PM
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It sounds like a nice kit. The Olympus 450 is based on three fourths and you actually get the equivalent of a 80-300 mm lens on the telephoto. You will want to buy a close up filter (sometime called a close up lens kit) , which run around $40, for the Macro equivalent.

Bob- yeah I couldn't figure that one out either... I don't know Nikon was thinking either... Other than no EVF or OVF the Nikon L100 is a very nice camera for what it is and has a very nice price. Actually they most likely dropped it to get the price down...
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Roxanne Poe (checkeredcat) 0 pts
May 12, 2009 8:57 AM
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Thanks, John, for the info. I was hoping not to have to add another component but oh well. Is it best to try to purchase the close up lens kit from an Olympus website ? Of course I am still waiting for the camera to arrive so it may be a mute point if I don't like it, but I am hopeful it will work out for me. I just decided to bite the bullet and spend a bit more rather than waste the money on a camera that wouldn't be all that different than what I had. Gotta get back to work.
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BobG (gofish) 1 pts
May 12, 2009 10:27 AM
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I appreciate your prev. reply, John;
I think for my purposes, I'm going to bite the bullet and opt for the L-100 w/o viewfinder. But there is one other issue that bothers me about this model - the 4 AA batteries... Is there an option for both a longer lasting, more efficient battery that is also rechargable?? Thanks.
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John Snider 464 pts
May 12, 2009 7:44 PM
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Roxanne,

I tend to buy my lenses from a brick and mortar store instead of online.... That way I can bring the camera in and make sure it fits and is what I actually need/want. Never had problems with Wolf/Ritz camera.

Bob,

High capacity NiMH batteries if you aren't going to let the batteries sit (Eg; you are going to be using them very quickly Eg; within a month or less of charging) or low discharge NiMH if they will sit. I have had very good results from Duracell Precharged and Energizer 2450 mAh batteries. I have had very poor results with Digital Concepts slow discharge and Rayovac regular rechargeable batteries. Mediocre results with Rayovac hybrid batteries. Some camera manuals will advise you not to use rechargeable batteries- I have personally never had a problem with NiMH .. I cant say the same for NiCd

I recently purchased a superzoom camera and tried about 8 different cameras and visited 11-12 stores. Of what I tried the L100 was certainly one of the best of the bunch.

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BobG (gofish) 1 pts
May 12, 2009 10:50 PM
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Hey John - thanks for the excellent information about rechargable batteries - I will certainly heed your advice.
I'm heartened that you thought the L100 was up to speed...and hope the macro setting works as well as the zoom - we shall see, and I will report back. We leave on a road trip out west, tomorrow so should have mucho opps. to to see it's potential...purchased at Cosco which has 90 day - no questions return policy.
Cheers, Bob
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BobG (gofish) 1 pts
May 13, 2009 1:06 AM
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Hey John - thanks for the excellent information about rechargable batteries - I will certainly heed your advice.
I'm heartened that you thought the L100 was up to speed...and hope the macro setting works as well as the zoom - we shall see, and I will report back. We leave on a road trip out west, tomorrow so should have mucho opps. to to see it's potential...purchased at Cosco which has 90 day - no questions return policy.
Cheers, Bob
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Shilpa (sri1719) 0 pts
August 15, 2009 3:22 AM
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Hey John, I really liked those reviews of yours!! I love photography and manage to take the best of pics... Just wanna know if L100 supports subjects like butterflies, drops of water on the leaves and stuff like that.. I was also looking out for Canon SX1 IS but felt it'd be costlier for the budget I'm looking for. Well, I'm looking for a camera within 350 USD.

Could you suggest me other cameras which would fall in this range? Thanks in advance..
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