Coolpix L340 Bridge Camera - Black (20 MP, 28x Optical Zoom) 3-Inch LCD

I bought this to replace an identical model (which was old and broken). Although sold as 'used', the camera is in very good condition and works perfectly. I have been out and about using it over the last couple of weeks and I am very pleased with the purchase.

I bought this to replace a much more expensive Canon which didn't survive exposure to salt water. I've now carried it around the Caribbean on a two week holiday and I'm pretty please with the results. I found myself using the adjustable settings a lot, rather than just leaving it in Auto as I did with it's predecessor: I found this much easier to do as the controls fall under the thumb and are pretty intuitive, I soon learned to make the most common adjustments without really thinking about them. Low light pictures are pretty good so I rarely used the flash, when I did use it, it worked as well as you'd expect for a camera at this price point. I love the fact that it runs on AA batteries, rather than a bespoke battery which leaves you stranded if you have a problem in the field, and this was one of the reasons I chose this camera. Other features I like - The huge 28x zoom range Choice of time-stamping pictures with "Home" time or an easily adjusted local "travel destination" time Uses a readily available full size SD card I'm still trying to get my head round panorama assist, and like most cameras of this type the Auto Focus LED seems to be placed in the worst spot for accidentally getting your fingers in front of it, but this is an excellent camera for the price and I am very pleased with my purchase.

I'm jotting down this initial review and I will return to add or delete comments after I have had the chance to use this camera for a while. Bridge cameras have been game changing in the photographic world, and have given photo consumers a third way to enjoy the hobby. Before bridge cameras your choice was either a very simple, 'point and shoot' camera or an expensive SLR or rangefinder camera. For most people the 'point and shoot' was a great introduction, but the jump from that to a full blown system SLR for equally expensive rangefinder camera was a bit too much. Both in terms of cost and also in terms of additional facilities they were never likely to actually use. The bridge camera sits nicely between these two options. This camera, like most bridge cameras, does not have a removable lens that can be interchanged for a variety of longer or shorter lenses. Instead, the fixed lens does the job of a wide angle to zoom lens all by itself by virtue of some clever optical machinery. This model, one of the least expensive cameras of this type, is made by a well known manufacturer, Nikon. They have been making cameras for a long time and, back in 1971 when I started Art School, I used a Nikon SLR camera for my photography module. So, with at least 45 years of my lifetime to perfect a camera, have they got out right? Well, yes, for the most part I think they have. The camera is delightfully small and lightweight. It is easy to operate, with the on/off switch on the top alongside the shutter release button and the 'zoom to wide' lever. On the back panel there is a good, large bright viewing screen, the movie start/stop record button, scene selector, gallery button, trash button, menu button and an OK button. There are separate controls for the flash, close up, self timer and exposure compensation. There are plenty of 'scene' modes, including portrait, fireworks, night scene and a panorama assist. The images at 20 megapixels are more then enough to print to a good quality at A4 size (*providing you keep the camera steady). It does have a vibration control mechanism, but pressing yourself against a wall or a seat is going to help get the best results as well. The zoom is pretty colossal, and I have attached a couple of shots of my garden to show you how far you can go. The first picture is the whole garden at fully wide open. The second is a close up of the cracked flower pot and the parasol base shown inside the red circle on the first image. You do need to be even steadier when using the zoom as, just as a zoom lens magnifies the image, it also magnifies your shakiness! Overall, at this stage I am pleased with the camera. There is no real 'manual' control, but I'll see what I can do to gain some manual intervention through the exposure control and scenes. It comes with a lens cap and retaining string and a set of batteries and a shoulder strap. There is no case and no memory card, but it tales a standard size card there seem to be plenty of neat soft cases on the market that would fit. It takes ordinary batteries, which I personally like a lot and it means I don't have yet another charger and plug to forget when I go on holiday, and AA batteries are available pretty much anywhere on the globe. I am normal a Canon camera user, so it will be interesting to see how I get along with this camera and I will certainly update this review as I discover new things. So far, I like it, so 4 stars. Edit - We had a leak in the roof yesterday, so I had the opportunity to test out the zoom again. Picture of the roof from the street outside the house. Very impressive!

This camera is fantatsic! My 14 year old daughter chose it with her birthday money as she is a budding photographer and wanted to practice on something better than an IPhone! She loves it and has taken beautiful pictures with it. It came with everything we needed to set her up, great quality batteries which is nice as you often get cheap ones that don't last. The wrist and neck straps are great and fit her perfectly - really would recommend this camera for someone who wants to take more than the usual photos - I will try and get her to upload some of her excellent pics! Thank you!!

I bought this Camera for my wife to use, as it is one of the easier Bridge Cameras with simple controls, and it is a step up from her Coolpix S3100 compact camera., The L340 has a number of different modes, but too many to confuse the newcomer to Bridge Cameras. It enjoys 20 megapixels, which ensures good picture quality. It has a 3 inch viewing screen and a good range zoom. My wife is looking forward to using it on our European breaks. The 4AA Batteries, which are supplied fit under a cover where you fit the Memory card (not supplied). Although this model has been replaced, it is still a good buy.

Simple to use, good value for money camera that I would be absolutely pleased with if it wasn't for the discovery of a loose fitting micro usb connector in the body of the camera. I've had this item for just over 3 months, used it carefully mainly during a one week holiday in August and maybe 3 or 4 shots per week since. The loose usb connector makes it difficult to transfer pictures from the camera to my PC for editing, either the PC doesn't register the camera as being connected or the connection is lost and the camera closes down. Nice camera but not much use if I can't transfer the pictures after the event.

Lovely camera, just right for older child up to adult.. bought it for my 10 year old daughter and it is easy to use and does videos to which is what she was after...takes very decent pictures and she really loves it..delivery was prompt and all in all very happy with this purchase and well worth the money. Battery life is also good...

Eine tolle Kamera ideal für Nacht und Mondfotografie.

La uso da un po' e posso affermare che è ottima.facile intuitiva e con una durata delle batterie lunghissima,è piccola ma allo stesso tempo maneggevole,soffre un po alle luci basse ma in fin dei conti va più che bene.anche i filmati sono ottimi. Posso solo che parlarne bene e consigliarla sicuramente.ottima spesa.

Even more thoughts (as of July 13, 2016): I now feel that the problems I have been experiencing the camera had to do with my ineptitude, and that the camera is an excellent product. It takes great outdoor photos. I found the user guide difficult to understand. But, if you call the Nikon tech support 800 number, they will patiently walk you through the steps you need to follow to configure the camera properly. With their help, I am finally finding I can get the camera to work. I am taking great outdoor photos. And, I seem to be doing a lot better with indoor photos. (I live in the city in an apartment with no natural lighting.) The camera is a good product at a good price. The photos I am now taking are super: sharp and stunning. I am glad I did not give up on this product. More thoughts (updated of July 9, 2016): I keep changing my mind about this camera. People have told me: just use you iPhone It takes great photos, probably better ones anyway. Well, I have been using the Coolpix camera again some lately. I find that it takes great outdoor photos in the daytime, actually better than my iPhone does. The Coolpix photos fill up the fame and just plain look better – stunning. The contrast (or whatever you call it) is just right. Where I seem to experiencing trouble taking photos with the Coolpix is indoors. It is undoubtedly a problem of lighting -- I am often getting blurry photos. But outdoors the camera takes great photos. So it seems to be a very good camera. My problem with it seem to be that: --- I am not proficient in photography; -- the instructions seem awfully complicated; the user manual is not much help ******************************************************* My latest thoughts (update of July 3, 2016): I am behind the curve insofar as concerns photography expertise. I've had some trouble using this camera. I'm not sure if the problem is my ineptitude or the camera. I continue to have trouble adjusting settings and figuring out which button or setting to use, plus finding the buttons for settings on the camera. The tech support people at Nikon (they have an 800 number) are eager to assist. But, I still seem to be having trouble figuring out what's what and following directions. I have had the camera for several months now. For me, the settings and/or adjustments that you need to make before taking photos seem awfully complicated. Perhaps all digital cameras are that way nowadays. Sometimes, I get lucky and the camera takes great pictures. I just can't seem to master it. From my earlier review (plus an update to that earlier review; see below): A few tips: -- The user manual that comes with the camera is very brief and doesn’t seem to cover everything. I downloaded the user manual online as a PDF file. It took just a minute to do so. The downloaded user manual is very thorough and clear. -- The tech support that the company provides is excellent. I accessed them by phone. Hardly no wait time. They are patient and helpful. It is easy to take videos; it makes decent ones with just one touch of a button. addendum to my first review: I am adding something to what I wrote above about a month ago. I am not sure about this camera. I am having trouble with photos often being out of focus. I can’t seem to quite correct this. Some (many) but not all of the photos are out of focus. I have called Nikon tech support. The problem seemed to be resolved at first when I followed their instructions, but the problem of out of focus shots returned and persisted. I don't know if it is because of my lack of expertise and/or ineptitude or the camera itself. I am not sure about this product. I just purchased an iPhone and it seems to take better photos. (But, the iPhone doesn’t have a zoom like this one does.) Additional follow up: it seems that the problems with this camera with respect to blurry, out of focus photos may be due, mainly, to poor lighting where I have been taking my photos; also, possibly, my unsteady hand.

Good Quality Camera. Zoom capability of the camera is good. It takes good quality photos even after a lot of zooming. Video capturing is only 720p which is not that good. Macro mode is superb. Simple options make it easy to use. It's a handy camera. I got a camera bag, 8 batteries (4 of which are for trial use and the other 4 rechargeable coolpix batteries.) Charger, USB cable (for TV too.) Lens cap. Didn't get a cloth to clean the lens. Overall a good camera for casual photography.

古いカメラではあったけど、いいものでした。価格もお手頃でした。