Overview
The Nikon Coolpix L23 is the entry level model in the Nikon digital camera range. It is one of the most straightforward digital cameras on the market. Although the Coolpix L23 is not one of the smallest digital cameras it is compact enough to fit into a large pocket.
Key features include 10 megapixels and a 5x wide angle lens. It is also one of the small number of digital cameras to run on AA batteries.
Why Buy The Nikon Coolpix L23
Without a doubt the biggest attraction of the Coolpix L23 is its ease of use. It gets top marks in this area.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
10
5x
2.7 inches
96.7 x 59.9 x 29.3 mm
170g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
3cm
No
No
AA
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Features
With the emphasis placed very firmly on ease of use the Coolpix L23 has a very limited range of features. 10 megapixels may not sound a lot when compared with other current digital cameras, but it is still more than enough if you are planning to make snapshot prints. In fact you should be able to create A4 sized prints with 10 megapixels.
The 5x zoom lens has wide angle capabilities. This can help you to squeeze wider scenes into your photo. One of the shooting modes gives you access to Nikon's smart portrait system. This gives you the option of softening skin and receiving a warning if someone blinked when you took a photo.
An LCD screen size of 2.7 inches is inline with what you are likely to find with other digital cameras in this price bracket.
The Coolpix L23 is able to produce standard definition movies. These are of sufficient quality to play back on a television screen.
Handling
The Coolpix L23 handles well. You will be hard pressed to find a digital camera that is easier to operate than this one. Shutter delay or lag times are roughly about what I expected to see. The quality of the LCD screen compares well enough with other cameras of similar overall quality.
Running through the controls, the on / off button sits on the top of the camera. Also on the top is a zoom ring with the shutter button inside the ring.
With no zoom controls on the back of the camera there is room to comfortably place your thumb. There are five buttons on the back of the camera. These are to select the shooting mode, review images, confirm a setting, access the menu system and delete an image. There is also a central rocker. This includes four further controls. These are to set the flash, add exposure compensation, access the self timer and place the Coolpix L23 into macro mode.
You should find the menu systems very simple indeed. The main menu runs to four items and the setup menu to seven.
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shot 1
The Coolpix L23 starts off with a below average photo. Even for a digital camera in a lower price bracket I am disappointed there is not a little extra quality showing. The sky takes on a hazy look. Focusing is sharp enough around the centre of the shot, but a lot of sharpness is lost as you move out from the centre. On top of that shady areas show a fair amount of noise. An example of this can be seen around the name of the front boat
Outdoor Scenic Shot 2
This is a weak shot. Although a lot of digital cameras I test find this the most challenging test shot, the picture the Coolpix L23 produced was simply not sharp enough. There is also a fair amount of noise showing in the shot. All in all this photo is some way short of the quality most digital cameras manage.
Outdoor Scenic Shot 3
Zooming in gives a better result. The shot is much sharper, at least in the centre. Sharpness does begin to slide as you move out towards the edges of the photo. Again there is a hazy look to the sky.
Outdoor Building
The Coolpix L23 is able to produce better focusing with the building to lock onto. As with previous test shots there is slippage in focusing as you move out towards the edges of the shot.
Outdoor Portrait
Getting in close achieves much better results. Focusing for my outdoor portrait test is much better. The colours of the shot have a natural look to them.
Indoor Portrait With Flash
Moving indoors and using flash I am not convinced that focusing is pin sharp. Even so you should not notice any real loss of sharpness if you keep prints down to snapshot size. The light from the flash unit is evenly spread and illuminates the shot well.
Indoor Portrait Without Flash
Without flash the Coolpix L23 does a good job. In fact this is my favourite test shot. I really like the skin tones in this shot and the level of detail showing is impressive.
Macro
A lot of the more basic digital cameras like this one do not offer the close focusing more expensive digital cameras are capable of. That is the case here. As with other test shots the Coolpix L23 fails to deliver the crispness to the shot that I am used to seeing.
Colours
The colours produced by the camera is one area where I do not have any complaints. In terms of vividness they are somewhere mid range. This helps each shot to take on a natural look. This is true both indoors and outside.
Noise
I found that many of my outdoor scenic shots took on a hazy look. You are likely to find this to be particularly true with expanses of sky. On top of that there was evidence of noise showing around the names of the boats. There were also hazy areas showing around the lightest areas of the boats.
Picture Quality Summary
More distant shots certainly see the Coolpix L23 under pressure. Moving in for portrait shots produced much stronger results. If you are buying purely on picture quality there are better digital cameras out there even at the cheaper end of the market.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
Turn on Time
0.66 seconds
16.34 seconds
0.71 seconds
17.33 seconds
2.26 seconds
Ease of Use
With minimal menu options and few features you will struggle to find a digital camera that is easier to use than the Coolpix L23. It is difficult to come up with any faults when it comes to using this camera.
Points I Like
Ease of use - handling
Where it Could Improve
Picture quality
Verdict
Although you are likely to be impressed with how easy it is to use the Nikon Coolpix L23 you are equally unlikely to be impressed by the picture quality it offers. Although it is relatively cheap there are other digital cameras that offer better value for money.
Where to Buy - Nikon Coolpix L23
Test Shots
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Nikon Coolpix L23 Review Nikon Coolpix L23 Specification Nikon Coolpix L23 Sample Images
Review Date
April 2011
