Nikon Coolpix L18

Opinion: I purchased this camera in Jan 2009. Refab one cost me only about $70 bugs. After using this refab camera for 8 months, I brought it on Las Vegas and Canada trip. I am very satisfied with the result this camera brought to me. I start to use it as my primary vacation camera, mainly due to it's easy to use and good quality picture results.

This camera takes better image than many point and shoot cameras (I have used more than 10 of them, and still owns about 7-8 P & S), especially in the dark areas under the light. Night scend on Las Vegas is not easy to get very good quality pictures, but this camera took number of excelent ones. It impressed me very much.

Big screen with date imprint is what I liked this camera. Construction is a little cheap (looked plastic). My Sony looked nicer (W55.

Opinion: The L18 is very good as a "secondary" camera. I cycle, rollerblade, kayak, hike, walk, etc. I carry the L18 on a belt pack. It's great for those unexpected shots. I also have a Canon S5 IS that I use for more serious photography, but I'd never carry it when out enjoying my physical hobbies. I do cross country cycling trips every year. I carry both cameras, but use the L18 far more because I can pull it out, turn it on, and take pictures with one hand. There are a lot of photo opportunities that I'd pass on if I had to stop and use my Canon.

Both the L18 and Canon units met my basic requirements: Use AA batteries and SD memory cards, and capture video in the AVI format. I can't always recharge batteries on my trip, but you can purchase AA batteries virtually anywhere. I prefer SD memory because I have several devices (MP3 players, GPS, etc.) and it allows me to share the memory. It's also the least expensive and readily available memory around. I prefer the AVI video mode because it drops into the video editing software that I use (Pinnacle Studio) without having to convert it. I had the L3 camera and always had to convert the video from QuickTime to use it.

Like any device that needs information transferred, I wish it had a conventional mini USB connector so that I would have to use a specific cord. The image quality is what I expected from a unit of the L18's size and price. It's quite good, but not as good as my Canon. The video quality is decent as well. I'm a pilot and sometimes attach the L18 to the bill of a baseball cap (hat-cam!) and record my landings. The L18 is a great "utility" camera.

Opinion: Hi, I had a lot of digital cameras and this camera takes great pictures. I use it for putting pictures on Ebay. I like the pictures that it takes. Clear and makes everything look great! The cost of the camera is great

Opinion: There's not much I like about this camera. It runs on 2xAA, which I thought would be convenient, but the flash recharge time is very slow. The shutter speed is very slow. Pictures in low light have a lot of noise. There is no control for editing videos like my previous camera. Cannot browse the memory card filesystem when the camera is connected to a computer or add files to it--you can only get the files off using software.

Overall, the controls are fairly simple and not that different from other P&S's I've used. There is very little manual controls, even when not using the "stupid easy" mode.

Another reviewer mentioned difficulty removing the memory card, but I have no problem getting it out while leaving the batteries in.

I would not recommend this camera to anyone, ever.

Opinion: good overall in function and display.
Nice simple layout, menus etc.
One of few point and shoots left that
uses 2AA batteries, a big plus.
Big display.

Opinion: East of use, value for money.