Nikon Coolpix L14 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver) Reviews

• Great pocket camera

  
  By A3FG0FQHNV2UP2 on 2007-11-09
  I've been toying with the idea of getting a digital for years but I wasn't sold on the picture quality, (without spending a great deal of money) and I'm frankly a film snob. I have a vintage Fuji SLR and a Canon Photura which both produce great shots but are cumbersome to chase the kids around with. I wanted something easy to set, with minimal buttons so my kids could use it as well, but with a quality worth printing at least a 5x7 with. The specs are well detailed in the description so I'll just go general. I found the camera very intuitive. I haven't looked at the manual but all the modes are easy to figure out by the 'press a button and see what happens' method. Editing on the fly is quick and easy, the video I took looks as good as a minidv tape, the pictures blow up well. It fits in my front jean pocket or in a small matching Samsonite hardcase I found for $4. With a 2 GB card I can do 30 minutes of video or about a thousand pictures. This camera is advertised as long life batteries and so far I've done about 200 photos and 15 minutes of video on the supplied batteries. One negative is the shutter time - when using flash mode it is s-l-o-w. You can't catch something quickly, you're going to get three or five seconds after you think you are. However, turning the flash off made this shutter as fast as my Photura, (if not as fast as my SLR) but still had a lag time between shots. It's a trade I can live with since the multiple exposure settings make it easy to compensate for not using the flash. The design is excellent. I'm left handed and a lot of things designed for one handed use annoy me by placing buttons where a left handed user will hit the wrong ones. Although there are three buttons on the top of the camera, I had no problem at all with this. The kids are very interested in the stop motion feature. While I got this as a snap shot camera for my own use, it would be an excellent choice for an 8 year old's first camera. I spent a long time (about a year) choosing between a Nikon, Canon or Kodak model. I think the Nikon was the right way to go for ease of use, results, and visual styling. Couldn't be happier with it.
  
  

• Did they ruin a good thing?

  
  By A3TAC6XNC995UW on 2007-12-01
  After reading glowing reviews of the L10, L11, and L12, I noticed that that Nikon has released the L14 and 15. Presumably, they were very similar to the previous models, but hey, they used a NEW processor, and new is better, right? And look, they come in cool colors! I like the blue! So I ordered one and was quite disappointed. Comparing my photos to the many L10,11,12 sample photos available on the websites, the photos from this camera have much more pronounced noise indoors. This is due to the camera choosing a high ISO setting, and you cannot control it. The photos from this camera have strange defects, like a fringe, that comes off high contrast subjects. Example: I took an outdoor photo which included a Panera Bread sign, white letters with thick black outline. The white center of the letters was washing off into the black outline. This is not noticable in the center of the picture, but anywhere outside the central 1/3, it gets worse, and is worst at the edges and of course the corners. As a result of this, the whole photo has a slightly out of focus quality to it. The clincher for me was when I did a side by side shoot-off between my 5 yr old 3MP Canon compact and this New Nikon L14 7MP. The Old Canon won! I returned the L14. I really liked the blue.
  Dec 7 update: Just received the L12 I ordered as a replacement. A world of difference! Sharp edges, no fringe or smearing, less pixel noise, focus acceptable out to the edges. In my opinion, Nikon ruined a good thing with the L14.
  
  

• Great features

  
  By A3IYEFZES0QRFT on 2007-12-03
  The best thing about this camera is its video capabilities. Full screen, 640x480 video with good color and low light performance. You MUST add at least a 2gb card to take advantage of the video options.
  
  

• This is an awesome camera just need to know how to use it

  
  By on 2007-12-06
  Hello,
  
  I purchased this camera 2 weeks ago. I was very skeptic about it but i gave nikon another try.
  I had an old 2.5MP from nikon I loved, so i bought the Nikon L1 and hated it to death it was garbage - slow, worthless video and so on.
  I returned it and purchased the canon with 6MP..it was nice but i still missed the old nikon.
  After going back and forth i decided i give nikon another try - i love it !
  
  The Nikon is quick even with Flash but you need to know which setting you need for what type of pictures.
  I work in a daycare and tokk pictures of kids today i caught them in the position i pressed the shutter...awesome.
  Took a picture of my daughter playing with water and you can even see the single water drops when she splashed.
  the macro is awesome - you can see every single detail
  
  It has a little shutter lag when you take pictures in low light
  also when you just to far away and the object is moving. but thats ok.
  you can however adjust this yourself and yes after reading the manual you can take awesome pics and FAST !!!
  
  The video quality is like TV or DVD...i have an samsung camcorder 8mm tape and the nikon takes better quality video..and my camcorder is only 2 years old.
  
  You can use up to 4GB SD Cards and the battery life is long.
  I took at least 1 hour of Video and maked the rest of my 4GB out with Pictures and I am still on the Batteries that came with the camera...
  
  If you just want to take some camera out of the box and shoot
  this might not be the one but if you dont mind going through the manual for 30 min, so you know what you doing you will get rewarded with
  awesome pictures, awesome video and of course a reliable brand with little costs.
  
  I am back with Nikon and i love it !!!
  All i can say this camera has no negative side effects for me since i went throught the manual and know what i'm doing and yes i am not a geek or anything like that, just a mom and a daycare provider and i was able to manage it.
  
  if you want a real good camera for less
  this is the one, is not only small and handy but very light.
  It can easy fit in a pocket and no one would know.
  and besides that it looks nice and shiny,
  BTW you can see the display in direct sunlight.
  
  I am still discovering the camera and with each day I love it more!
  
  
  

• Slow, washed out pictures from my Nikon L14

  
  By A1CJDKEF8DWVP3 on 2007-12-04
  I just recently purchased this camera, and after using it for only 5 days I have decided to return it primarily because the image quality is very poor. The images are soft and washed out, not sharp and crisp like I have come to expect from Nikon (I have the D80 as well). The menu system is very primitive but it is still functional. The only good thing about this camera is its very low price. But, I feel that this camera is a bad value, even at this price. I have decided to pay 50% more and buy the Canon SD1000. The images from my old SD230 (3 megapixels) were much better than with this new Nikon (7 megapixels).
  
  The Good:
  - low price
  - light and small
  - takes AA batteries
  
  The Bad:
  -soft pictures
  -washed out color and general haziness of images
  -very long delay between pictures (especially with the flash)
  
  
• Elegant, easy-to-use digital cam that takes EXCELLENT pics!
  By A7EJERNB7IK3Z on 2007-12-08
  I'll start by saying that this is a GREAT, maximum bang-per-buck 'point-and-shoot' compact digital camera. I conducted a LOT of research before I decided on the 'Coolpix L14', and it is one of my best purchases ever. I've been using an old Fujifilm 'Finepix 2650' (2 megapixel) for a few years now, and it's served me well. I wanted a more compact, simple to use and intuitive brand-name (like Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc.) digital cam that took high quality pictures in 'auto mode', and still had some advanced features and options that I could use in a 'manual mode' for even more control of the shot. I also wanted a camera that would use both 'AA' batteries, and high-capacity rechargeable 'AA' batteries, if I so choose. This camera takes both, and the batteries last a lot longer than many other cameras that I researched (Nikon claims about 1,000 shots with 'Energizer e2' lithium batteries), owned, or borrowed. The LCD screen looks sharp and crisp as well, and I like the 'face finding' and 'red eye fix' technology too, and they both work quite well. In addition, I tested it's video abilities as well, and the audio/video look and sound seamless, although you really need to get a 2GB card to get any meaningful length video out of this cam. The pic transfer software also works perfectly with my Windows XP PC, with no glitches. In summation, for the price, this cam is a truly GREAT buy, and it looks GORGEOUS in blue too (classy, expensive look)! Hope this review is helpful.
  
  
• Great Product Fast Shipment
  By A2MFUZYJAPHSP6 on 2007-12-07
  This product takes excellent pictures. Small and convenient and has all of the features I wanted. Fast shipping from this dealer. Everything went great for this purchase.
  
  
• Blurry Shots
  By AR0K5IB76FZTG on 2007-12-30
  My experience was much the same as TechnoGeek's. Almost every picture I took was blurry. Outdoors it takes fairly decent shots, but indoors it is extremely finicky. I poured over the manual and tried every combination of settings, but I could not get the camera to take consistently clean pictures. The action settings seemed to have no effect. Just taking a still photograph indoors with the flash usually came out blurry. The manual even warns not to press the button too hard, saying otherwise pictures could come out blurry. (!) With the flash was always better than without, but at no point could the pics hold up against a family member's Olympus FE 180. Worse still was how slow the camera responded, taking 3-7 seconds to save a picture. The voice recorder would have been a very useful option had the camera taken decent pictures.
  
  
• Some good stuff and some bad
  By A2LES6BKEHXH90 on 2008-01-04
  I've hasd this camera for about ten days now and after a couple of days I'd already put a pretty troubled review on the UK Amazon site with three stars (I wanted to be generous) And I can see what the two negative reviewers are on about; I've had those problems as well. But getting into this camera more now I find that I'm carrying it everywhere as it's pocket sized, and taking pictures all over the place. But to get the best you need to use the programmes - there's 5 settings for pictures and 5 for white balance. The settings bring the best out of daylight photos or indoor electic light pictures. The picture programmes get the camera set up for automatically getting the right settings for a portrait or a landscape. The camera takes it's best pictures in good lighting and without or not much of the 3x zoom. Low light is difficult, even with the flash it's not great - just OK - same as any inexpensive digital camera - not great, just keep it real steady. But at this price, what do you expect from a quality manufacturer like Nikon (- a press camera at a disposable price? Not going to happen is it?) Take a look at the photos I've put on the UK Amazon site with my UK review of the Nikon L14.
  
  Given it's price and the pretty good photos I've taken once I got used to it, I think it deserves somewhere between 3+ and 4.
  
  Update - Well in the end I sent it back to Nikon to have the focusing sorted - it came back a couple of weeks later a Little better so I gueaa this is the best it can get. Anyway at the price it's not too bad - it's the least expensive of all the cameras we have in my family
  
  
• Beware of this camera
  By A26ZL2G7WRH9UI on 2008-02-11
  I hate to say this, but I own three of these cameras. I was attracted to them because of the long battery life, for I take a lot of pictures, and have two employees that also take lots of pictures of our work. I wish I would have tested the first one out more before I bought two more of them. You see, one camera on its FIRST day of use crapped out with a lens error, rendering it useless. After doing a search on the net about the Nikon L14 lens error, I come to find out it's very common. I had no idea how common, until it happened to the 2nd one, this one only have about a week's use on it. I did send the first one back to Nikon and it is covered under a one year warranty. I'm sure they'll cover the 2nd one, but I have no idea if the camera will actually be fixed to not happen again, or if this is what I'm in for. If so, you can count on one year's worth of use out of these cameras. After the warranty runs out, I doubt that it would be worthwhile to pay to ship them and pay to have them repaired. I'm really disgusted by all this. I always thought Nikon was a quality product. When two out of three fail, that's a bad sign. I'll start using the third one and see how far we get with this one. I thought to just resell them on ebay after they return from repair, but I can't do that to someone. I wish Nikon would give me my money back on those pieces of junk and take them off the market, because they are bad news.
  
  
• Great camera very satisfied
  By ALCQBL10GAKXW on 2007-12-25
  this camera is very very amazing. the panoramic option is incredible. the only thing that makes this camera not perfect is that after you take a picture it takes a little over 3 seconds to process it which isnt a problem at all im just impatiant
  
  
• Pro gives opinion
  By AOXLQUEUA16AF on 2008-01-25
  First of all, I'm a Nikon man, I'm a professional photographer and I know what a good image should look like but I don't expect a point & shoot to look like my digital SLR. I love the size and feel of the camera but unfortunately the images are soft and have too much noise. In my opinion, Nikon and Panasonic have the best design on point and shoots because you can put your thumb on the back of the camera and hold it securely without fear of hitting other buttons. I think the processor nikon uses in this camera is low quality. I have a panasonic lumix that is 4 years old and it takes better pics. (my kids took over that camera and I'm looking for a new one) I returned the L14 to amazon with no problem. I'm going to stick with Panasonic.
  
  
• gift
  By A2O0SS2WLX2W8P on 2007-12-24
  I purchased this camera for my ex-wife. She is very happy with the quality and ease of use with this camera. she has been sending me pictures that look very good with high quality
  
  Nikon does not make poor cameras, easy to use camera that is small and fits easily into the shirt pocket.
  
  
• EXCELLENT CAMERA
  By A1SMFZ8HH136LG on 2007-12-27
  Got this for my 5yr old for x-mass (seriously)
  Last year got the Kiddie Digital Camera (went through 2 at $80+ before realized they were complete JUNK). Did research (thanks to Amazon and reading all the reviews posted) and discovered this camera was the best price, picture quality and user friendly (for kid: larger buttons with understandable icons). It is very easy to use. Buttons are not confusing and the screen is about as big as the little camera which is just perfect. You can fit it in the pocket of your jeans - no problem. So easy to use my son mastered it in about 10min and is now teaching me how to use it. We loved it so much that we turned around and got another one for Grandparents as well (to bring them into the current century without shocking them). The picture quality is great too.
  
  
  
• Awesome Camera
  By AX6G48Z9U7K8G on 2007-12-31
  I got this camera as a Christmas present from my husband. I have always stood by Nikon products. This camera is amazing! It has a large screen, easy to use and ready to go out of the box. The zoom is great. The picture quality is great. Just keep in mind the camera does not come with a memory card so you'll need to purchase one. Without the card it will hold only about 10 pictures and 10 seconds of video play. Totally worth every penny.
  
  
• Cool camera
  By A2HH4VSKDQ0ZZR on 2008-01-07
  Good camera for the price. Bought 3 for triplets (10). Easy to use and good looking pictures.
  
  
• Nikon Coolpix L14 7.1 MP
  By A1AB4BEOPXGZ18 on 2008-01-20
  This is by far the best digital camera I have ever owned. The ease of use is great, and the size is perfect for point and shoot camera
  
  
• THIS CAMERA SUCKSSSSSSSSS
  By A2JHOSVHEEGB2H on 2008-02-29
  Dont dare think about using the flash on the camera. When the flash is on after EACH picture the camera takes approx. 8 secs to 'regroup' before you are able to take another picture.
  
  Mayb if you like dark pictures, or plan to take pictures at an event extremele slow, then this camera is the way to go. Image being at a graduation and trying to take pictures of a loved one walking across the stage and after the first picture this snail like camera will not be ready for the second pic while the person is crossing. WTF!!!!
  
  I bought this camera as a gift for my mother who isnt technology savy & even she couldnt stand this camera. I returned mine -- you've been warned!!
  
  
  
• Not a good camera at all
  By A1VOG13KM1029Y on 2008-03-24
  The Coolpix L14 should be avoided for the following reasons:
  First, the picture quality is usually poor, with unacceptable levels of distortion to the point of almost every buiding appearing crooked, every airplane looking cartoonish, every line being curved.
  Second, unless its midday light or you use a tripod, most of the pictures you take indoors will be of poor quality regardless of the settings you use.
  Third, all of the reviews you read saying how slow it is are true, especially when waiting for the flash to recharge.
  Fourth, the manufacturer's claims of the macro mode taking close ups of up to 10cm is misleading as to the actual performance. Maybe under the most ideal conditions and with the patience of a saint for the autofocus, you can take close up shots. It will usually struggle to find focus in light lower than outdoors.
  Do not fall for the looks or the brand name. This particular camera should be used only for the most basic picture taking where low quality or annoying distortion does not matter. So for my next purchase, no matter how bulky, its worth getting an SLR so at least you'll have respectable pictures to see.
  
  
• Highly Disappointed
  By A1Y13DM9QY7TM5 on 2008-04-16
  I ordered this camera in the beginning of March and was so happy to be able to bring it with me on my vacation on March 20th. I used it a total of 5 times before the battery ran out, which is pretty good for me since I take a lot of pictures. My problem was that the lens did not retract when the battery died, so I put the camera in my purse. When I bought the batteries and placed them in the camera it resulted in a "Lens Error". I noticed that the lens was a little crooked and so it wouldn't retract. Thank goodness I had brought another camera with me on my trip otherwise I would have been highly disappointed.
  
  When I return to my trip I sent my damaged Nikon to the customer repair center thinking that it would be covered under warranty. To my disbelief I received a bill in the mail 10 days later saying that it would cost $107 to repair my camera (MORE than the camera cost itself) because the damage was not covered under warranty. I called the repair center and they notified me that it appeared as though the bent lens was due to impact, which was NOT the case. I advised them of that fact and they said I could file a dispute. I am waiting for a phone call to hear about the status of my dispute, but I will keep everyone posted.
  
  
• Great Camera
  By A18NY3QM6SO652 on 2007-12-29
  The Nikon Coolpix L14 7.1MP is a great camera. It is easy to use and takes great pictures. I would recommend this camera to anyone who wants a camera that is not to complicated. My daughter likes the video function. I like the fact that the lithum batteries last a long time before needing replacement.
  
  
• Don't believe the positive reviews -- very poor performer.
  By A1O430C6F07VV2 on 2008-04-30
  Honestly, I now firmly believe that reviews on sites are often "seeded" with positives from companies.
  
  My wife and I purchased this camera for her mother, and we are greatly disappointed. The photos it takes are, to be honest, not up to snuff. This camera actually takes worse photos than most 2 megapixel and 3 megapixel cameras that were out 4 years ago. Give no thought to the fact that it's a 7 megapixel camera. It just means you get 7 megapixels of a poor photo. Maybe it's the lens, but in all honesty, my wife's new Samsung Cell Phone takes photos as well as this disappointment does.
  
  We purchased this Nikon because my wife has had good experiences with her Nikon Coolpix 5900. That camera is a few years old, and was three times the price, but we feel we got "taken" by trusting the Nikon name on this.
  
  I will say that it does take decent close-up shots. Anything in the mid-range, however, is generally blurry or out of focus 50% of the time. Honestly, to look at the photos, we can't figure out what the camera was trying to focus on, either. Nothing at a medium range looks good. Long-distance shots are quite ho-hum.
  
  The PC mode is, strangely, somewhat useful. Anything in between that and the highest 7 megapixel mode should be avoided. We feel we need to take photos on the highest setting at all times in order to get a photo that is at least acceptable.
  
  In all honesty, you should avoid this camera. I know it's cheap, but for the price, there has got to be something better. There's no point in a camera being "easy to use" if it takes awful photos.
  
  I have no hatred of Nikon. We will never again, however, purchase a cheaper camera from them.
  
  
• BLURSVILLE!
  By AT2CO7000AFY6 on 2008-06-04
  When my coolpix L3 died after a series of falls, the time came for a new camera. I ended up with the coolpix L14 which looked very nice in blue and took AA batteries so that was great! Then the problems began.......
  The camera started taking the worst pictures I've ever seen in my life!And the shutter lag is unbearable on these cameras.It had more pixels then my previous one, and and sucked worse than the cheaper camera!Unacceptable! When I went on a trip to new york, i had to retake a picture three to four times to get one that might be somewhat clear. All the modes SUCK! No matter which one you use it either blurs, takes forever to reload flash, or comes out extremely dark! I've had it with this camera. Hopefully it will break so the warranty will exchange any camera up to its value. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA! YOU WILL BE SORRY! YOU'RE BETTER OFF WITH THE L3
  
  
• Boo!
  By A3DMPGLLZZ0KEE on 2008-06-23
  My mother bought this for my daughter as she thought it would be a good camera for her. She did do some research at that time and didn't find anything. I'm having trouble finding reviews anywhere but here but this camera should have been returned from the start! The flash did not work and fast forward in video mode also was not working. We sent it back and it was repaired after WE paid shipping and handling. My daughter took it on a trip, the lens got stuck and just like the other review, it was OUR fault it was damaged. This camera was junk to start with and we should have returned it or demanded a new one. Unable to get anywhere with Nikon as a "manager" looked at it and oh well, go buy another one. I will, another manufacturer. And I thought Nikons were good cameras? Maybe only on the high end. This one stinks.
  
  
• Not Good buy
  By AKBV40JDQI5HQ on 2008-06-23
  I bought this in Feb 2008 and next month it sarted giving me LENS ERROR, the camera switches off itself after few seconds when powered on(with the LENS ERROR message). I have given it for service. I missed to capture many important event after purchasing this product. Even though I found few review that tells it gives LENS ERROR I went for it thinking it will be very rare, look like is a common problem with this product.
  
  
• Would NOT buy this again, Poor Nikon service
  By A2TGITQQGTWZTF on 2008-07-25
  Purchased the camera in December for my daughter. Camera worked for 4 months and then began the "LENS ERROR" and camera was bricked. There are several other posts with this problem.
  
  Sent the camera for service. Nikon has had it for 2 months. I still don't have the camera, and no one will tell me when it will be fixed. It is on "parts hold". I have requested a product replacement. No answer....and no camera.
  
  If Nikon wants to lose customers over a $129 camera then so be it. Previous Canon S40 lasted 5 yrs+ before it died. Also have the Canon Xti which is a great camera. Can't report on Canon service, because we haven't needed it. Staying with Canon.
  
  
• Warranty of no use
  By AZEXPCKOP2OUQ on 2008-08-20
  Bought this for my grandson at Christmas 2007. It was used 3 times then we got an error message of "lens err msg". Contacted Nikon and they indicated that it was still under warranty, sent it in.
  
  Today I got an invoice for the repairs of $99.50. They claimed that it was dropped and the lens was dented. Pardon me how do you dent a lens? Called Nikon and they did not change their minds. Needless to say I refused to pay for the repairs which were $.50 higher then cost of camera. Checked with my son and their rules were that the grandson did not get the camera unless they were around and that it had not been dropped.
  
  The camera's problem was that the lens cover would not open, so no pictures.
  
  I also have a Nikon that I bought several years ago that also quit working but after above camera. Nikon indicated that the cost of repairs was 500-600 dollars.
  
  Conclusion is that Nikon has bad products and a miserable repair service. Do not buy unless you like flushing your money down the toilet.
  
  
• Cool camera
  By A2HH4VSKDQ0ZZR on 2008-01-07
  Good camera for price. Bought 3 for triplets (10). Easy to use and good pictures.
  
  
• Great purchase for teen!
  By A1RT0HSJ1G8R05 on 2008-01-12
  My daughter received this camera for Christmas and loves it. It has all the cool features, plus it compact and cute (and pink!)
  
  
• Great little camera
  By A1U0ZAT9P0UBEP on 2008-01-18
  I bought a $500 sony a couple of years ago, and it takes 3 seconds from the time I click the button to when it actually snaps the picture. The auto-focus is too slow and I very rarely get decent pictures unless they are in bright sunlight outside. This little camera (I bought 2 of them) is fast, takes great pictures, and my kids love them (ages 11, 14). They take videos as well and my son has edited and posted them to youtube. I've borrowed my daughter's a few times, because it takes better pictures than my Sony.
  
  

• 3-Year Extended Service Plan - Covers Electronic Items $0-$200 - Repair
• Transcend TS2GSDC 2GB Secure Digital Card
• Lexar USB2.0 Multi-Card Reader
• Transcend 20GB Digital Photo Album
• Digipower DPS-5000 1 Hour AA/AAA Rechargeable Battery Kit with 4 AA 2700 mAh Batteries

• Nikon Camera Case for Coolpix L Series Digital Cameras
• Nikon Coolpix Soft Blue Camera Carrying Case for L11, L12, L14, L15, L18, P60, S7c, S9, S50, S50c, S51, S51c, S200, S210, S500, S510, S520, S550, S600, S700 Digital Cameras
• Kroo Camera Case for Nikon Camera Case Nion Coolpix
• 1 GB MEMORY CARD for Nikon Coolpix L10 L11 L12 L14 L15 L2 P5000 P5100 Camera
• Kingston 1 GB SD Card SD/1GBKR