September 1, 2005 – Nikon today announced the addition of the 6.2 megapixel Coolpix L1 (spec sheet) to its Coolpix line of point-and-shoot cameras. Featuring a 5x optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch LCD screen, the Coolpix L1 is expected to be available this month at an estimated price of $349.95.
Focusing on ease of use, the Coolpix L1 features a revised interface that identifies functions with an icon or by name, as well as an onscreen help menu to explain basic camera functions. “The Coolpix L1 is an ideal camera for the first-time through step up user,” said Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing for Nikon Inc., in a press release announcing the camera.
Along with 15 preset shooting modes, the L1 features Nikon’s D-Lighting technology, which brightens and adds detail to dark images, a feature standard across the 2005 Coolpix line. Also among the Coolpix L1’s automatic controls is a “Face-Priority” auto focus mode that automatically detects the location of a person’s face and focuses on it. Other features designed to increase ease of use include in-camera red-eye fix and a blur warning.
Boasting a 5x optical zoom Nikkor lens, the Coolpix L1 distinguishes itself from other entry level cameras with a wide 35mm equivalent zoom range of 38-190mm. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.9 at its widest focal length, closing to f/5.0 in telephoto view.
The Coolpix L1 does not have a viewfinder, instead relying on a 115,000 pixel, 2.5-inch LCD screen for framing shots. The camera measures 3.5 x 2.4 x 1.9 inches and weighs in at 6.3 ounces without AA batteries or an SD memory card.
