Nikon recently released the Coolpix L610, its latest zoom compact camera. It is equipped with Nikon’s 14-fold optical zoom, from 25 mm to a comfortable 350 mm, and the level of performance at all the focal lengths is promised to be high. The camera comes with a resolution of 16 megapixels, which sounds good for an entry level compact, as a lot of photographers need a lighter alternative to their heavy DSLR’s. It runs on AA batteries, which can prove to be very convenient for travellers as there are no power sockets in a lot of remote places around the world. The camera comes with a high quality Nikkor lens, equipped with a built-in lens-shift vibration reduction, built with 11 elements in 10 groups with two ED glass elements. The lens is able to shoot wide angle shots at a focal length of as less as 1 cm, but that feature is only available in the wide-angle setting. Vibration reduction (VR) helps minimize the effects of camera shake resulting in vivid, colourful photographs, while shooting both macros as well as wide-angle shots. The camera is expected to perform well in low light conditions, given its Backside Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. It is also equipped with a Target Finding AF, which helps the lens dynamically autofocus on the subjects according to the frame, a technology Nikon has dedicated a lot of research to develop. There are a lot of available shooting modes apart from the Easy Auto mode, like Portrait, Landscape, Selective Colors, Filters, etc.
The Coolpix L610 records full HD, 1980X1090p videos at 30 fps with stereo sound. The camera is priced at around Rs. 14000 (expected), which is very reasonable looking at the features. It can prove to be a helpful on a family road trip as well as a quick substitute to the heavy DSLR for a professional.