Hey! You should know that Nikon has released a newer version of this product: the Nikon Coolpix L22.
Nikon Coolpix L15
Editor's Review
A newer version of this camera is available. Here's what we had to say about the L15 when it was released in September 2007:
Keep it simple with the Nikon Coolpix L15, a small point-and-shoot aimed for casual or novice photographers. It comes in at about the mid-level of specifications, with an exceptional 8MP sensor and 2.8-inch LCD screen. Most interesting is the inclusion of image stabilization, a welcome augmentation to what would otherwise be a pretty standard camera.
Editor's Review
A newer version of this camera is available. Here's what we had to say about the L15 when it was released in September 2007:
Keep it simple with the Nikon Coolpix L15, a small point-and-shoot aimed for casual or novice photographers. It comes in at about the mid-level of specifications, with an exceptional 8MP sensor and 2.8-inch LCD screen. Most interesting is the inclusion of image stabilization, a welcome augmentation to what would otherwise be a pretty standard camera.
Specifications
- 8 megapixels
- 3x optical zoom / 4x digital zoom
- Lens-shift optical image stabilization
- Movie mode with sound
- Auto focus
- Auto exposure
- Auto ISO 64-1000
- JPEG file format
- 2.8-inch LCD display
- Secure Digital memory storage (32MB internal)
- Lithium-ion battery
- Part Number: 25584
- UPC: 018208255849
- Release Date: Sep 05, 2007
Shop for L15 Accessories
Nikon Coolpix L15 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
If it has a light issue, the camera may not take a picture unless you have the flash on. Always shoot with the main light source over your shoulder lighting your subject. Use a flash to make your subject "pop."
If you live in a humid area, excessive moisture can also affect the camera. Drying it out by placing it in a ziplock and those small packets that come with your electronics or even a 1/2 cup of uncooked rice will draw excessive moisture out the camera as it'll act as a dessicant. But I've also read that the camera is just a bad design and fails around that time.
Outside of that, it may just need repair.
BTW - If you're happy with the answer you received, you can simply click on "Mark for best answer" bubble and it will place the question in the "Answered" category for all to see. Thanks for posting it and Good luck!
The good news is that according to recent news articles, many camera companies will be incorporating the CCD chips they use in their SLR lines (which give no shutter lag) into their point and shoot cameras. So look for it within the next few years.
Meantime, there are also other tips to speed up your performance:
1. Prefocus. Hold down the shutter half way to get a prefocus of the image you're shooting. When it changes, prefocus again. This will speed up your camera's performance during picture taking since it won't have to autofocus before it shoots the shot.
2. Use faster SD cards. Yes, there are faster cards and it does make a difference in writing the image file to the card. This is especially key if you're taking multiple or burst images.
3. Fresher batteries. Use alkalines at least. But I recommend using high energy batteries designed for digital photography. Varta is a good brand. They are usually sold in camera shops, are long lasting (because they are sold in small quantities) put out alot of energy.
4. Shoot in "sports" modes when you're in situations that require action. Night or available light modes when in night time settings. These presets can help in speeding up your shots, rather than the camera taking a split second to evaluate the conditions of the lighting.
5. Go manual. If you are manually focusing, particularly in darker settings, you can constantly refocus the image as things happen. Also, the infrared does have a range and if your image is out of that range you can end up with the camera's "best guess" or infinity setting which may not help. You can also go manual on fstops and shutter speeds as well, getting more light faster when you choose.
6. Go with a shallow depth of field.
7. Pan with the action. You can create some pretty cool shots by panning with your shot, focusing on your subject. This will create the effect of your subject in sharp contrast to the blurry background.
8. Use a flash - even in day time. This will "freeze" the image and cause your subject to "pop" in the shot. However, flash is only designed for limited range and can dissipate outside of about 20-25 feet unless you're using a zoomable flash.
9. Stick with 100-400 ISO. Going higher will cause more noise/grain in your shots, particularly in darker settings.
Make these a habitual part of your technique and you'll cut your shutter lag by as much as 80% no matter what camera you use (except for DSLRs, of course, since they don't have the lag).
Now, if you want greater zoom range. Then we can talk the H7. Course, I'd rather talk the SP560UZ ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ).
Dave
Nikon has several models ( nikonusa.com/announcement_c... ) which incorporate optical image stabilization. The G9 equivalent is the P5100 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ). But there's also the S510, S700, S51 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ), and the L15 ( digitalcamera-hq.com/digita... ) to name a few.
Several folkshad the lens Mechanism fail in th efirst year but the Nikon repairs would not cover the repairs and charged as much as a new camera???
What else is there with Image Stabilization fits in my pocket and costs under $200?
We also bought an HP A616 and we are shocked at how well the two work together and print some great images. Only like 2 clicks and we have prints.
Dennis
Let it set a few minutes, I did not tell the wife, I came back later to reread the message the thing opened up correctly???????
Seems it needed time to reset is that possible?
Dennis
These are brand new just put in Energizer !!!
maybe it is broke huh!
This camera comes with a lithium ion battery. The newer NiMH rechargeable AA batteries are a great option if you have a camera that uses that size. Their life is better, and you can recharge them quickly.
Andrew
See Nikon's spec sheet on this camera here:
nikonusa.com/template.php?c...
A lot of times retailers will offer different deals that what the manufacturer offers. It sounds like you made out. Congrats.
Andrew
-The anti-reflective surface made the display (LCD) usable even with harsh sunlight beating directly upon it.
When indoors or shooting in marginal lighting conditions, the display "gains up" to help in framing your subject.
So, hope these answers help you to make the right pick on buying a digital camera.
Nikon Coolpix L15 Reviews
Nikon Coolpix L15 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users
- 2.0 out of 5
This camera is deffinitly a nice point and shoot, I will give it that. It is small, easy to take with you, and all in all is a rather nice camera for someone who is looking for something simple. However, I have had problems with the camera. Some pictures come out decent while others are so blurry you cannot even tell what is going on. It's fully automatic, so you cant change any settings to fix the focus problem. Not to mention, the camera eats AA batteries like crazy! I find myself going through 2 and 3 sets of them for every occasion I take pictures on. I think the most shots I got out of one set of my Energizer 2500mAh Rechargeable batteries was 50 shots. Dont even think about using any old batterie, you'll be lucky if you can get 10 shots out of it. So other than the fact that its tempermental, the camera is handy.
- 1.0 out of 5
I've always heard that Nikon was a great camera maker but have been tremendously disappointed in this one. Batteries die in a few minutes and while holding it, the lens stopped working. Piece of $@!*
- 4.0 out of 5
We all our family members loving the little genious to keep our sweet memories so far with cristal clear, excellent colours and brightness.
- 1.0 out of 5
I bought this camera thinking it would be a good up grade from my old canon. However two months after getting it the problems started and have not stopped. First the screen goes out so I mail it to NY for repairs it takes them 2 months to return it to me. Then after "repairing the problem" new ones arose. The batteries didn't last five minutes whether I used Lithium or Alkaline it didn't matter i still received the same irritating message "batteries exhausted". I went through a ten pack of lithium battteries brand new mind you in one day. I got so mad i took a picture of me holding the camera with the message written on the screen. Then not to mention if you want to take a pic without the flash your pic comes out completely blurred.When I want to take another photo it takes so long for the camera to downnload that you end up missing your next photo op. I sent the camera back to NY stating that I wanted an extended warranty and or new camera option. No response was given to my letter sent with the camera; just an invoice stating that repairs were made at no charge. I still have problems with the camera nothing has changed other than i now feel that nikon is really bad brand to buy. never again.
- 2.0 out of 5
The L15 has not been a good camera.
1. very hard on batteries. often only 15 min of operation before recharge needed, using good NiMH.
2. slow. both for focus and for flash recharge. slow also shot to shot write to disc, but that could be related to may particular card (midpriced).
3. flash is always defaulted on, even when i save it "off". no idea how to alter the default.
The L15 has decent movie performance but WHO COULD USE IT for that as the battery performance is pitiful, probably bcz the LCD is very large.
- 5.0 out of 5
i like this cammara
- 5.0 out of 5
the camara nikon l15 is a best one i have ever seen used and happy even my friends
- 4.0 out of 5
as a camara lover i have used many camara but this one is the best
- 1.0 out of 5
This is a very poor quality camera. After two months, the camera completely stopped working and after returning it to Nikon, we were told that they would not fix/replace it since the camera was dropped which was not the case. The camera had hardly been used. A poor quality product from a poor company. Go with a Canon, I bought one as a replacement (similar price range) and so far have been far happier, better picture quality, easier to use, better battery life...
- 1.0 out of 5
From the beginning, my L15 would not focus in normal indoor light, AF assist beam on or not. The red "not focused" light would flash on the screen. Nikon told me to use fresh batteries & do a "Reset All", which didn't help. I sent it to NY for repair, got it back & had the same problems. Except after being "repaired," it now also had difficulty focusing on outdoor scenes! I emailed Nikon Helpdesk, was told to return it (again) to NY for repair. Same result. It cost me $18 to send it in twice for repairs; each time the problem was not fixed. The L15 only cost me $129 new. I asked for a newer vintage model (I even offered to pay more $) but Nikon never heard me. The QUALITY and SERVICE on their P&S models STINKS! Another bad feature is that this camera ate AA batteries like crazy—within 40-50 shots! Since my 35mm days with Nikon, their QUALITY has definitely gone down the tubes! I wound selling the camera at a $50 loss... I wish I could give this camera ZERO STARS :-@!
- 2.0 out of 5
I received a new L15 camera with new batteries (regular alkaline type). After a few pictures, received the "Battery Exhausted" message, even after replacing with new batteries again. Called Nikon customer service. They said that their advertising/instructions about using regular alkaline batteries was "misleading", and that the more sophisticated (and expensive) Lithium, etc., batteries should be used. I owned a Nikon 35mm camera for over 15 years and was very happy with it, but looks like you can't trust even old names any more.
- 4.0 out of 5
This is a great little camera easy to use and has good features. I love the big screen on the back of this little camera. I have had very good results in all weather conditions. Including snow. Great for landscape pics and if you search you can find them brand new for under $115.00
- 2.0 out of 5
Upgrading my camera to the Nikon L15 was a mistake. The pics are notably more-blurry, especially if the light is a little low. This is comparing it to my old camera-a Sony 1.3 mp Cyber-shot DSC-30. I look for ease of use and good quality pics in a digi camera. The Sony takes much better shots, the shot time is faster, and the viewwindow can be easily turned off saving battery power. The L15 requires a special $50 Nikon cable if you want to use AC power.
- 3.0 out of 5
The camera is small and so handy. Good pictures with Daylight. When using the flash with background dark the subject is overexposed. There is no manual setting to change the ISO speed. Overall good camera for regular use with slight drawbacks. Compraing the price it is coming.. Good one.
- 5.0 out of 5
This is a nice little camera. It produces excellent, high quality images and has great colour reproduction.
To me it seems that it does not have the slow focus speed in low light that earlier L models had though the flash refresh is somewhat slow. But any camera that has just 2 AA batteries has this, not just the L series.
The LCD is big and bright with a very nice easy to use menu.
Face-priority AF and the In-Camera Red-Eye Fix work as advertised.
To sum it up: excellent images, excellent colour reproduction, very good LCD and menu, very easy to use, and best of all inexpensive.
