Nikon Coolpix L820: A Comprehensive Review of This Go-To Camera for Beginners

The Nikon Coolpix L820 is an affordable and user-friendly camera that is perfect for novice photographers who want to capture high-quality photos without breaking the bank. This versatile camera has a 30x zoom lens, 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, and 1080p Full HD video recording capabilities, making it an ideal choice for capturing everything from breathtaking landscapes to action-packed sports events. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the features of the Nikon Coolpix L820 and explore why it's a go-to choice for beginner photographers.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Coolpix L820 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 29 2013

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight470g
MSRP$279USD

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Overview of the Coolpix L820

Photography has never been more accessible than it is today, and the Nikon Coolpix L820 is a prime example of a camera that offers high quality results at an affordable price point. With its 30x zoom lens and 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, this camera is perfect for anyone looking to capture stunning photographs. In this review, we will take a closer look at its features and explore why the Nikon Coolpix L820 is a go-to choice for beginner photographers. So, read on to find out more!

Nikon Coolpix L820 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Coolpix L820 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

30x optical zoom
16 megapixels
Wide-angle lens
Fast autofocus
Easy to use
Good battery life
Good image quality in well-lit conditions
Built-in flash
Vari-angle LCD screen
Supports both AA batteries and rechargeable batteries

Cons

No RAW support
Poor low-light performance
No manual controls
Limited aperture range
No touchscreen
No Wi-Fi connectivity
Limited video options
Plastic construction feels cheap
Slow continuous shooting mode
No image stabilization during video recording

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Coolpix L820

Weather sealed
Dimensions111 x 76 x 85mm
Weight470g
Thickness85mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Coolpix L820 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 Resolution921k dots
Body typeSLR-like (bridge)

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Nikon Coolpix L820 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 L820 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Coolpix L820 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon Coolpix L820 has a 16MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Nikon Coolpix L820 has a native ISO range of 125 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jan 29 2013

Announced

125 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
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 L820 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 L820 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-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life320 shots
Battery Model4 x AA
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Coolpix L820 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC 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 L820 uses the 4 x AA model of aa. This is rated for 320 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 L820 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 L820 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, 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

Nikon Coolpix L820 does not have autofocus (AF)

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 L820?

The Nikon Coolpix L820 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon Coolpix L820 weather sealed?

No the Coolpix L820 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Coolpix L820 announced?

The Nikon Coolpix L820 was announced on Jan 29 2013

Does the Nikon Coolpix L820 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Coolpix L820 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 L820?

The Coolpix L820 has a native ISO range of 125-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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