Nikon Coolpix L31: A Beginner's Guide to Impressive Photography

Are you tired of blurry and poorly-lit photos? The Nikon Coolpix L31 can help you achieve stunning shots even if you're a beginner. With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, this camera can help you capture beautiful memories to treasure for a lifetime. Read on to discover how the Nikon Coolpix L31 can enhance your photography skills.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Coolpix L31 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 14 2015

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1/2.3'
SensorCMOS
Weight160g
MSRP$119USD

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Overview of the Coolpix L31

Let's face it, taking great photos can be a challenge, especially if you're a beginner. But fear not, because the Nikon Coolpix L31 is here to help you capture stunning shots without the fuss. This camera is not only affordable, but it's also a user-friendly device that can help you take impressive photos. From its high-quality lens to its advanced features such as face detection, the Nikon Coolpix L31 is a dream camera for all photography enthusiasts. In this article, we'll explore the features of this camera and how it can help you step up your photography game. So, get ready to take your first steps towards impressive photography with the Nikon Coolpix L31.

Nikon Coolpix L31 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Coolpix L31 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Affordable price
Lightweight and portable
Easy to use
Good image quality
No manual settings required
Long battery life

Cons

Limited zoom capabilities
No optical image stabilization
No manual controls
Limited low light performance
Small LCD screen
No Wi-Fi connectivity

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Coolpix L31

Weather sealed
Dimensions96 x 59 x 29mm
Weight160g
Thickness29mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Coolpix L31 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeUltracompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.70" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Nikon Coolpix L31 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Nikon Coolpix L31 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Coolpix L31 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon Coolpix L31 has a 16MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Nikon Coolpix L31 has a native ISO range of 80 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jan 14 2015

Announced

80 - 1600

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3'
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4608 x 3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon Coolpix L31 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Coolpix L31 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3'

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Battery Life200 shots
Battery Model2 x AA
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Coolpix L31 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon Coolpix L31 uses the 2 x AA model of aa. This is rated for 200 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon Coolpix L31 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Nikon Coolpix L31 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon Coolpix L31 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon Coolpix L31?

The Nikon Coolpix L31 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon Coolpix L31 weather sealed?

No the Coolpix L31 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Coolpix L31 announced?

The Nikon Coolpix L31 was announced on Jan 14 2015

Does the Nikon Coolpix L31 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Coolpix L31 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon Coolpix L31?

The Coolpix L31 has a native ISO range of 80-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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