Nikon Adds Coolpix L18 To The Budget L Series

The L18 is the sole addition to Nikon's L series announced at the PMA show in Las Vegas. The $139.99 L18 takes the L series to a new low price point, but still has a 3x zoom, shoots 8 megapixel images and  has a sizable 3-inch LCD screen. However, it is lacking many of the features found on more expensive point-and shoot cameras.

While the more expensive S-series cameras from Nikon are adding features such as optical image stabilization and advanced face recognition, the L18 continues the L series tradition of no-frills shooting. The L18 has a 3x Nikkor lens (with a 35mm equivalent range of 35 to 105mm), but no optical stabilization (it does include Nikon's Anti-Shake AE feature, which boosts the shutter speed and ISO in low light conditions). Similarly, the L18 is missing the more advanced face recognition features of the S series, but it does include basic Face-priority AF; if the camera can distinguish a face in the preview image, it will focus in on it.

Nikon's D-Lighting feature is also included, which alters the dynamic range of images after they are taken to bring out shadow detail. Red-eye fixing is also included; the camera will detect red-eye in images and automatically remove it. The L18 has a large 3-inch LCD screen with 230,000 pixels. While this is the same resolution as the 3-inch screens on many of the new S-series cameras, it is lacking the wide viewing angle and anti-reflection coating of its more expensive cousins.

Point-and-shoot users will also welcome the addition of an Easy Auto mode, which sets all of the camera's settings to fully automatic. Users looking for manual controls will not feel at home with this camera: it lacks manual ISO settings and manual shooting modes. However, the automatic ISO setting can boost the sensitivity up to 1600 ISO. Images can be stored on either the 21MB of internal memory or an SD card; no card is included in the standard package.

The L18 can be powered by two AA batteries, which can be either disposable or rechargeable types. Nikon claims a battery life of 180 shots with alkaline batteries, 650 with lithium batteries and 300 shots with the optional Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.

The L18 is certainly well priced for a 3x zoom, 3-inch LCD equipped camera, but we will have to wait and see if the compromises involved in reaching this price point make it more difficult to use. The Coolpix L18 will be available in March for an estimated price of $139.95.

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