Nikon Coolpix L24

14.10 Megapixels	3.60x zoom	3.0 inch LCD

Nikon Coolpix L24 Overview

Posted: 02/08/2011

A replacement for last year's Coolpix L22, the Nikon Coolpix L24 is based around a 1/2.3"-type CCD image sensor with a slightly higher effective resolution of 14.0 megapixels, versus last year's twelve megapixel chip. It's coupled with a Nikkor-branded 3.6x optical zoom lens, which offers actual focal lengths ranging from 6.7 to 24mm, equating to 37 to 134mm on a 35mm camera - a rather tight wide angle to a moderate telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.1 to a rather dim f/6.7 across the zoom range. Ordinarily the L24 can focus on subjects as close as one foot (30cm) at wide angle, or 28 inches (70cm) at telephoto, but in macro mode this range is reduced to just two inches (5cm) at wide angle.

Images and movies are framed and reviewed on the same 3.0-inch TFT LCD panel with 230,000 dot resolution as in the prior model. The Coolpix L24 offers sensitivity ranging from ISO 80 to 1,600 equivalents under automatic control. The Nikon L24 stores images on Secure Digital cards, including the latest SDHC or SDXC types, or in a not-so-generous 17MB of built-in memory. Data transfer to a computer is catered for with a USB 2.0 High Speed connection. Power comes from two AA batteries, with alkaline disposables in the product bundle. These are said to be good for 220 shots to CIPA standards, while Nikon's own EN-MH2 AA NiMH rechargeables should offer 450 shots.

The Nikon Coolpix L24 ships from February 2011, priced at around US$120. Available body colors will include red, silver, and black.