Nikon COOLPIX L28: Full Review

The Nikon COOLPIX L28 is an entry-level point-and-shoot digital camera that was released in 2013. It features a 20.1 megapixel CCD sensor and a 5x optical zoom NIKKOR glass lens with a focal range of 26-130mm (35mm equivalent).

Some of the key specs and features of the COOLPIX L28 include:

• 20.1MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor
• NIKKOR 5x optical zoom lens with 26-130mm focal range
• 720p HD video recording at 30fps
• 3" LCD screen with 230k dots
• ISO 80-1600
• Smart Portrait System with Smile Timer and Blink Proof
• AA battery powered
• Weighs 160g

The L28 was designed as an easy-to-use and affordable camera for beginners and casual photographers. While it lacks many of the advanced features and manual controls of higher-end Nikon cameras, it provides decent imaging performance for its class.

Design

The Nikon Coolpix L28 has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry around. It has a plastic body which feels decently sturdy but not premium. The camera measures 3.7 x 2.3 x 1.1 inches and weighs 160g including battery and memory card. Despite the light weight, the textured plastic ensures a good grip while shooting.

The minimalist design focuses on simplicity. There aren't too many buttons or dials on the camera body besides the standard zoom toggle, shutter button, power button, and playback button. This makes the camera intuitive and straightforward to operate, especially for beginners.

The Coolpix L28 comes in a choice of colors including red, silver and black. The matte finish gives it an understated look. Overall, the design is functional and portable without too many frills. It gets the job done without drawing too much attention.

If you're looking for a more rugged option, the Nikon COOLPIX AW100 might be a better fit. This model is designed for adventurous photographers, featuring a waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof body. It is equipped with a built-in GPS, enabling geotagging and mapping of your photos. The AW100 is also capable of recording full HD videos, making it versatile for different shooting scenarios. Its resilient design ensures it can withstand harsh conditions, giving you the freedom to capture memories anywhere your adventures take you.

Image Quality

The Nikon COOLPIX L28 features a 20.1 megapixel CCD sensor which produces good quality images for its class. The high resolution allows for larger prints and more flexibility for cropping images.

In terms of image processing, the camera includes Nikon's EXPEED C2 processor which provides decent color reproduction, sharpness, and contrast in images. While high ISO performance is limited, the camera delivers clean images up to ISO 800. At higher ISOs noise becomes more apparent but images remain usable up to ISO 3200.

Low light performance is average for an entry-level compact camera. The small sensor struggles in dim lighting, especially compared to larger sensor cameras. The built-in flash helps in low light situations. Overall the image quality is good for casual daytime photography but limited for low light shooting.

The Nikon Coolpix L340 is another great option within Nikon's lineup, offering a 20.2-megapixel CCD sensor and a 28x optical zoom lens for versatile shooting capabilities. It also integrates sensor-shift Vibration Reduction (VR) to help minimize camera shake effects, enhancing usability in various conditions. The camera's high-resolution LCD screen and intuitive interface make it user-friendly for newcomers to photography. Despite its basic feature set, the L340 excels in delivering sharp, vibrant photos suitable for everyday use and occasional special occasions, making it a solid choice for casual photographers.

Zoom Lens

The Nikon Coolpix L28 has a 5x optical zoom NIKKOR lens, with a focal length range of 26-130mm (35mm equivalent). This provides a good amount of zoom range to get you closer to distant subjects.

The maximum aperture range is f/3.2 at wide angle and f/5.9 at full telephoto. While not extremely fast, the aperture range is decent for a compact point and shoot camera in this class. Low light performance may suffer somewhat, but overall image quality should still be good throughout the zoom range during the day.

With 5x optical zoom, you can get noticeably closer to subjects without any loss in image quality like you would get with digital zoom. This allows you to frame your shots better and capture more detail on distant subjects. The optical zoom is very useful for landscapes, portraits, sports, wildlife, and other situations where getting closer changes the perspective and impact of the photo.

Video Recording

The Coolpix L28 can record HD 720p videos at 30 frames per second in the MOV format. This allows you to capture decent quality videos that are suitable for sharing online or viewing on an HDTV.

The 720p resolution is fairly standard for point-and-shoot cameras in this price range. While it's not the highest resolution, 720p still provides enough detail for casual home videos. If you're looking to create very sharp, professional-looking videos, you may want to consider a more advanced camera.

30fps delivers smooth, natural-looking motion in your videos. Lower frame rates can result in choppy footage, so the 30fps on the L28 is sufficient for most purposes. The MOV format is a good standard format that will be compatible with most video editing software and devices.

Overall, while the L28 lacks advanced video features like 1080p recording or 60fps frame rates, its 720p 30fps video capabilities are solid for a basic point-and-shoot camera. The quality is good enough for sharing casual videos online or creating keepsake home movies. Just don't expect professional, cinema-level video from this affordably priced camera.

LCD Screen

The Coolpix L28 features a 3-inch LCD screen, which is a decent size for framing and reviewing shots. The screen has a resolution of 230,000 dots, which is fairly standard for an entry-level camera. While the resolution is not extremely high, it is sufficient for basic image preview and playback.

A nice feature of the L28's LCD is that it can tilt up to 85 degrees. This vari-angle design lets you adjust the screen for easier viewing from high or low angles. So if you need to shoot over a crowd or take a low perspective, you can tilt the screen to make composition and shot framing easier. The vari-angle functionality adds good flexibility for different shooting positions.

Overall, the L28's LCD screen is capable but basic. The mid-size 3-inch display and vari-angle adjustment help with usability, although the screen resolution is not particularly high. For an affordable point-and-shoot, the LCD screen gets the job done.

Battery Life

The Nikon Coolpix L28 is powered by 2 AA batteries. Battery life is rated at 200 shots per charge when using alkaline batteries. This is average battery life for a camera in this class. The ability to use standard AA batteries is convenient since they are inexpensive and widely available. However, lithium batteries will give you better performance, especially in cold weather. Rechargeable NiMH batteries are also an option, but will not last as long per charge compared to disposable alkaline or lithium batteries. Overall, battery life is decent but you'll want to bring extra batteries if you plan to take the camera on a long trip without access to power. The camera gives low battery warnings so you won't get caught off guard.

Connectivity

The Coolpix L28 has limited connectivity options compared to more advanced point-and-shoot cameras. It does not have built-in WiFi, NFC, or Bluetooth capabilities. However, it does have a standard USB port that allows you to connect the camera directly to your computer or other devices to transfer photos and videos. The USB is a proprietary USB-A to Mini-B cable, so you will need to use the cable that comes with the camera.

The lack of wireless connectivity can be inconvenient if you want to immediately share photos from your camera to your phone or social media. You would need to manually connect the camera each time with the USB cable. However, the inclusion of the standard USB port allows you to efficiently transfer all your photos and videos over to your computer. Overall, the connectivity options are basic but get the job done as long as you don't need immediate wireless photo sharing capabilities.

Pros

The Nikon COOLPIX L28 is a budget-friendly point-and-shoot camera that offers some nice features for the price. Here are some of the main pros of this model:

• Good image quality for a basic camera - The 20.1MP sensor can capture decent snapshots, especially in bright lighting conditions. While image quality won't match higher-end cameras, it's very solid for everyday photos.

• 5x optical zoom - The Nikkor 5x wide-angle lens provides flexibility for composing shots. You can zoom in fairly close to subjects or capture wide landscape scenes. This zoom range is generous for a low-cost compact.

• Easy to use - The camera offers full auto mode as well as some manual controls. But even in auto, it's pretty simple to pick up and start shooting. The menu system is straightforward as well. It's a nice choice for beginners.

• 720p HD video - You can record HD 720p video clips with stereo sound. The quality is decent for casual home videos and YouTube. A good perk not always found in cameras at this price.

• Large 3" LCD - Composition and playback are a pleasure with the big 3" LCD screen on back. It provides a sharp, vivid preview to help frame shots. Playback is nice and clear for reviewing images.

• Good battery life - Battery performance is above average for this class of camera. The included alkaline battery can capture around 200 shots per charge. Much better than many compact cameras.

Cons

The Nikon COOLPIX L28 is an older model camera that has been superseded by newer versions, so it lacks some of the features and capabilities of more modern point-and-shoot cameras. Here are some of the downsides to consider:

• Outdated sensor: The 20.1MP CCD sensor is quite dated at this point. Image quality is decent but can suffer from more noise in low light compared to newer camera sensors.

• Minimal zoom range: The 5x optical zoom maxes out at 130mm, which is on the lower side for a point-and-shoot. You don't get a lot of telephoto reach.

• No RAW support: The L28 only shoots JPEGs. There is no option to shoot RAW image files for more flexibility in editing and post-processing.

• Mediocre video capabilities: Video maxes out at 720p HD at 30 fps. Video quality is also just average and there is no mic input or other advanced video features.

• Small, low resolution LCD: The 3" LCD screen only has 230,000 dots of resolution. It's adequate but an upgrade to a higher resolution LCD would be better.

• No wireless connectivity: There is no built-in WiFi, NFC, or Bluetooth on this older model. Transferring photos requires cables or a memory card reader.

• Short battery life: Battery life is rated at only 190 shots per charge, which is low compared to other point-and-shoot cameras. You'll need to stock up on spare batteries.

So in summary, the L28's older sensor, limited zoom, lack of RAW support, and mediocre video make it less versatile compared to newer point-and-shoot models. Unless you find it at a very low price, it may be worth looking at a newer model.