Overview
The Nikon Coolpix L19 is an entry level digital camera. It has 8 megapixels and a 3.6x optical zoom lens. It has a very basic set of features and this helps to make the Coolpix L19 very easy to use. It has a good sized, 2.7 inch LCD screen.
Why Buy The Nikon Coolpix L19
If you are looking for an extremely straightforward camera that can be relied upon to take a decent picture for a fair price then this camera is difficult to beat.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
8
3.6x
2.7 inches
96.5 x 61 x 29 mm
130g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
5cm
No
No
AA
SD/SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
For all my outdoor scenic shots I have taken with the Coolpix L19 I have used the Landscape scene mode rather than the fully automatic shooting mode. In the past I have been disappointed with sharpness of my outdoor photos taken with cameras in this part of the Nikon range, but using this setting has had quite an effect on the sharpness of the photos.
As well as the sharpness of the shot I am also impressed by the colours the camera has captured. Many models produce a noticeable purple tinge when looking at blue lines on the boat. Here they remain blue. The only negative point about the shot is the loss of detail on the white slats under the roof of the building. This is caused by sun glare.
On the whole I am happy with this test shot. Focusing and definition are inline with what I expect from a camera in this price bracket. In fact the scene is sharper than many similar digital cameras manage. My one concern is the dark areas creeping into the corners of the shot. This is something that is only likely to occur when the lens is zoomed out. I have noticed this issue with other Nikon digital cameras and there is little that can be done to overcome the problem.
Staying with the Landscape setting sharpness looks good with the lens fully extended. There is plenty of detail showing in this example. Nikon have a knack of using the light to produce vivid photos.
My final outdoor test shot confirms the Coolpix L19 is able to produce sharp photos. There has only been minimal fall off in sharpness towards the edges of my shots. For a cheaper model the camera has performed well so far.
Portraits
I really like this shot. The colours are spot on. They give the photo a lift, while retaining a natural look. Focusing is sharp too.
This is another good effort. The flash lights the photo evenly and is subtle enough to let the colours through.
There is a small amount of noise that shows up in this shot and stops it from being perfect. I think you will need to use flash for most indoor shots taken with the Coolpix L19 or at anytime when the light starts to fade.
Macro and Colours
You should be able to take good quality macro shots with the Coolpix L19. They are not going to be on par with those taken by considerably more expensive digital cameras, but the camera should be able to cover simple close up snaps.
Nikon is one of my favourite brands when it comes to colour and lighting as well. The colours are vivid, but do not overpower.
Summary
Taking the price tag into account the Coolpix L19 does its job well. If handles most situations and is a good all round camera.
Style
The Coolpix L19 is not the most elegant digital camera. It has a plastic body and is on the large side for fitting into a pocket.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
Turn on Time
0.31 seconds
8.1 seconds
0.59 seconds
14.59 seconds
3.9 seconds
Ease of Use
In fact this camera gets 10 out of 10 for ease of use. Part of this is down to the small number of features you can change, but if you are looking for simplicity you will find it hard to better the Coolpix L19.
Points I Like
Ease of use - colours - picture quality
Where it Could Improve
Darkness can creep into corners when the lens is zoomed out
Verdict
The Nikon Coolpix L19 sets out to be an easy to use snapshot digital camera and it does it very well. You will be hard pressed to find a digital camera any easier to use than this one. My test shots worked well, but be prepared to utilize the built in scene modes for best results.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Nikon Coolpix L19 Review Nikon Coolpix L19 Specification Nikon Coolpix L19 Sample Images Nikon Coolpix L19 Features Canon Powershot A480 vs Nikon Coolpix L19
Review Date
March 2009
