The Nikon Coolpix L25 is a new addition to the compact digital camera range. The machine has a relatively simple design with four different colors of silver, black, red and white.
Present at Test Lab is the coolpix L25 silver version that looks very young. Highlighted on the front of the machine is a 5x wide-angle lens with a 5x optical zoom lens f / 2.7-6.8, focal range 4.0 to 20.0mm (equivalent to focal range 28-140 mm on 35mm film). The COOLPIX L25 is also equipped with a built-in flash with a built-in flash in front of the unit.
Occupying nearly the entire back of the machine is a 3″ TFT LCD screen supporting up to 230,000 pixels and can customize many different levels of brightness. In addition to the 20MB of built-in memory, the COOLPIX L25 also comes equipped with memory card slots that support SD / SDHC / SDXC memory cards. In particular, if you own an Eye-fi card, users can also transfer images from the COOLPIX L25 over a Wi-Fi connection to his computer easily.
The internal power of the camera is 1/3″ CCD standard resolution 10.1-megapixel resolution – support for 720p recording and shooting up to 10M resolution (3648×2736 pixels). The COOLPIX L25 uses two AA batteries so Nikon does not come with a charger, but provides manual documentation, a CD, two AA batteries and a strap.
With dimensions of 96.2 x 60.4 x 29.2mm, weight about 171g (including battery and memory card), the COOLPIX L25 feels very comfortable and handy when used. In addition, the machine is also suitable for users who own large hands. The COOLPIX L25 is also equipped with functions such as self-timer, custom flash, flash compensation and macro mode – which is very handy when users need to use these features quickly. In addition, the camera is equipped with independent recording functions as often seen on some other new generation shooting cameras.
Through practical use, Test Lab recognizes the push button system of the machine is highly sensitive and is arranged reasonably, very convenient every operation. Designed specifically for the general-purpose user, the COOLPIX L25 has the unique 4-shooter “Easy Auto” mode, “Scene Selection” mode, with 18 different modes, “Smart Portrait” mode, and “Auto” mode. However, because of this design, Test Lab sometimes finds it inconvenient to choose different shooting modes. Plus, once you’re in the photo preview mode, there’s only one way to get back to the normal COOLPIX L25’s look and feel is to press the Scene button instead of the shutter button as before.
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Even so, the COOLPIX L25 also has the merit of praise that the menu interface is visually stunning. Especially, the machine also supports Vietnamese language interface is easy to understand even those who hold the first. Moreover, the ability to “judge” the context of shooting in “Easy auto mode” is quite beneficial in some contexts. Smart Portrait mode is quite responsive in face recognition. Also in this mode, users can set up smile detection or anti-blink (2 continuous shots for the user to choose) – very suitable in cases where the object accidentally blink when flashing. The Coolpix L25’s automatic smile detection feature is also “Sensitive”
The COOLPIX L25’s 3″ LCD screen provides good display quality, although the colors are slightly faint in comparison to the real thing and still appear to be slightly dazzling when used in the sun.
In light conditions (outdoor) with 3648×2736 image resolution setting in both Auto and Easy auto modes, Test Lab found the COOLPIX L25 to be quite natural, Image details are pretty decent. However, like many other popular digital cameras, the Nikon Coolpix L25 also has a pretty heavy purple fringing in high contrast areas.
Although the camera is not equipped with optical anti-shake, but with the Electronic VR, the COOLPIX L25 still demonstrates good anti-vibration performance when the Test Lab zoom reaches maximum focal length (140mm).
Try taking some portraits of the house with the COOLPIX L25, Test Lab recognizes at an ISO 200 speed and activates skin smoothing, human skin looks less natural and more noise due to default flash not activated. By contrast, when turned off, the skin color looks more natural even with the white balance set to Auto.
Test Lab also found that 720p video quality, 30 frames / sec speed of the COOLPIX L25 is quite good, but mono audio still has a lot of background noise. Built-in speaker of the machine is quite small volume when users watch video on the Coolpix L25.
In general, with a decent image and a simple, easy-to-use design, the Nikon Coolpix L25 may be a good choice for the general user.
The Coolpix L25 is built for people who don’t want to think about their camera. It has a 10-megapixel sensor, a 5x zoom and a 3-inch screen, and it runs on AA batteries, so fresh ones are never more than a shop away. Press the button and it takes a decent daylight photo. Ask more of it, like a dim restaurant, a video clip or a quick transfer to your phone, and it starts to show its limits. Ask more of it, like a dim restaurant, a video clip or a quick transfer to your phone, and it starts to show its limits.
Sensor and processor
Inside is a 10.1-megapixel CCD sensor paired with Nikon’s Expeed C2 processor. Even at launch, ten megapixels wasn’t much, but it still covers standard prints and online sharing. The processor takes care of noise and color. There’s a short pause between shots. It isn’t long enough to be annoying, but the camera never feels snappy.
Shooting modes
This camera doesn’t expect you to make decisions. Easy Auto reads the scene and picks everything for you, and it’s what most owners will use. If you want to steer things a little, there are scene modes for Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Night Portrait and a few others. There’s no Program mode and no manual control.
Image quality
In good daylight the L25 turns out clean photos with pleasant color. Detail is acceptable, as long as you don’t expect to crop in heavily.
Indoors and after dark it’s a different story. The slow lens forces higher ISO, and noise and smeared detail follow. Automatic white balance is reliable outdoors but can leave a color cast under mixed indoor lighting.
Autofocus and shutter
Contrast-detect autofocus is quick and accurate in normal light. It slows down in dim rooms and won’t reliably follow a moving child or pet.
Shutter speeds run from 1/2,000 to 1/4 second. The fast end is handy on bright days. The slow end means no long exposures at night.
Video
Video is VGA, 640 x 480 at 30 frames per second, with sound from a built-in microphone and digital zoom while filming. It works for a short clip watched on a phone. There’s no HD and no optical stabilization, so handheld footage is shaky and soft on a bigger screen.
Batteries
The L25 runs on two AA batteries, rated for about 200 shots per set. That’s the camera’s most practical feature. If they run out on holiday, you can buy more anywhere, and you can use rechargeable AAs if you’d rather not keep buying disposables. The downside is that 200 shots isn’t many, so carry a spare set.
Connections
USB to a computer and AV out to a TV. There’s no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Handling
Menus are simple and clearly laid out, and the screen shows settings in large, readable text. The controls are where you’d expect and have a firm press. The buttons are small, which some people will find fiddly.
Setup takes a couple of minutes. The camera asks for the date, time and language, and you’re ready to go.
Good and bad
In its favor, the L25 is cheap and simple, the screen is a good size, and the AA batteries are easy to replace anywhere. The body is plastic and a bit bulkier than slimmer rivals, partly because of the batteries.
Against it are the slow lens, the lack of optical stabilization, VGA-only video and no wireless.
Competitors
The Canon PowerShot A2400 IS usually costs a little more but has a 16-megapixel sensor, a 5x zoom and optical image stabilization. That stabilization makes the biggest difference, giving you a better chance of sharp shots at full zoom and indoors. If you can stretch the budget, the Canon is the stronger camera.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610 has a 14.1-megapixel sensor and a 4x zoom, slightly shorter than the Nikon’s. Neither camera has optical stabilization or wireless. The Sony has more pixels, which helps if you like to crop. The Nikon’s bigger screen and AA batteries make more sense if you travel a lot or find small screens hard to read.
Verdict
The Coolpix L25 suits beginners and occasional shooters who want a cheap camera that just works in daylight and runs on batteries they can buy anywhere. The Canon A2400 IS is worth the extra money if you take a lot of photos indoors. Anyone who wants HD video or easy sharing to a phone will need a newer camera altogether.
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Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.