Nikon L32 Review

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L32 Overview
Specifications
Prices

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Nikon Coolpix L32
Resolution:	20.10 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.3 inch (6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	5.00x zoom (26-130mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	No / LCD
Native ISO:	80 - 1600
Extended ISO:	80 - 1600
Shutter:	1/2000 - 4 sec
Max Aperture:	3.2
Dimensions:	3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 in. (95 x 60 x 29 mm)
Weight:	5.8 oz (164 g) includes batteries
Availability:	02/2015
Manufacturer:	Nikon
Full specs:	Nikon L32 specifications

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Nikon L32 (Red)

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20.10 Megapixels	5.00x zoom	1/2.3 inch size sensor

Nikon L32 Review -- First Impressions

by Mike Tomkins
Preview posted 01/14/2015

With the Coolpix L32, Nikon keeps things simple. So much so that this is a camera you won't think twice about letting the kids use -- even should they break it, you're only out around a hundred bucks. While no pricetag has yet been officially disclosed, the US-market predecessor model is the L30, and that listed at just US$120 in the US market, almost into impulse-buy territory.

With a friendly, compact body, the Nikon Coolpix L32 is offered in black, silver, or red versions, and offers an extremely affordable alternative to shooting photos with your smartphone. It also includes the one feature your phone almost certainly lacks: an optical zoom lens.

Based around a 20-megapixel, 1/2.3"-type image sensor -- press materials list a CMOS type, but we believe it's actually a CCD as used in the past -- the Coolpix L32 offers a relatively limited sensitivity range of just ISO 80-1600 equivalents. Burst performance hadn't been disclosed as of press time.

The Nikon L32's sensor sits behind a handy 5x optical zoom lens. With a maximum aperture of f/3.2-6.5 across the zoom range, the L32's optic sadly lacks any form of mechanical image stabilization. What it does offer, though, is a 35mm-equivalent focal range that starts from a 26mm wide angle and runs out to a 130mm telephoto in a body that's 1.2-inches thick at the handgrip.

On the rear panel of the L32 is a 3.0-inch LCD monitor that's used to frame and review images or movies. In terms of size, it's about par for the course, although it saves a little on cost with a resolution of just 320 x 240 pixels. On the plus side does include five-step brightness control and an anti-reflective coating.

Other features of the Nikon Coolpix L32 include 720p high-definition movie capture at 30 frames per second, a selection of special effects and quick effects functions, a Smart Portrait mode that simplifies the chore of getting an attractive portrait, and a glamor retouch function that helps your portrait subjects look their best.

Power comes courtesy of two standard AA batteries that you should be able to lay your hands on almost anywhere -- we recommend saving money with some NiMH rechargeables -- and it's rated as good for 320 shots on a set of alkalines, or 570 shots per charge with Nikon's own EN-MH2 NiMH rechargeables.

Images and movies are stored in a limited 25MB of internal memory, or on Secure Digital cards, including the higher-capacity SDHC and SDXC types. And you can transfer data from the camera via a USB 2.0 High-Speed connection that also doubles as an NTSC / PAL standard-definition composite video output.

The Nikon L32 will be available in the US from February 2015 in red, and sold for a suggested retailed price of US$119.95.