Nikon COOLPIX L620 18.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 14x Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Red) (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

The L620 is updated and very similar to the earlier L610 model.Obvious Details:Size: L620 is 4.25"X2.7"X1.3" so it fits in my pocket.18.1 MegaPixels, 1080p Video Capture Resolution.Batteries: Uses two AAs, readily available, doesn't need proprietary batteries.14x Zoom - Focal length: 4.5-63.0mm (25-350mm lens in 35mm format)Sensor type: L620 uses CMOS sensor, which is quicker than a CCD sensor.Maximum Aperture: L620 is f3.3.The Cost is reasonable enough that I never want to repair it; just throw it out.Priorities:What I'm looking for: I want to have a good digital camera, that I can still fit in my pocket, that's still affordable (because I always need a second as a backup, and also they don't last forever; e.g., the image sensor may develop a problem, or I drop it and then it's usually toast, particularly if it was "On" when I dropped it.). I'm sure the person standing next to me in Yosemite Valley or at the South Rim of Grand Canyon, with a gigantic SLR and gadget bag full of lenses may be able to get a technically better image, but I don't want to be encumbered by all that equipment. Try carrying all that equipment to Phantom Ranch! So I insist on it fitting in my pocket. The L620 images have enabled me to print large size (10X13) Picture Books with very nice results, so, I am satisfied with my "simple" approach. Also, the smaller camera tends to be "with you" instead of at home in the closet, so that you are able to get more spontaneous shots. And the folks in public (think Amtrak Sightseer Lounge or Dining car) are not "intimidated" by the small pocket cameras. The L620 does the job!Other comments:Simplicity: I hate having to get familiar with a new digital camera and having to look through a 40-page manual, so if I wear out a camera or damage it, I prefer to buy the exact same model again. I love the L620.Neck Strap: I also like the Kusell neckstrap (sold separately) so that you can hang the camera from your neck rather than a wrist strap, but you can still adjust the slide and use it as a wrist strap. The neck strap is like having a third hand when you are traveling with luggage in one hand etc. The camera is always ready. Krusell Multi Detach Neckstrap/LanyardWith Cell/USB Lariat. BLACK. SOLD INDIVIDUALLYBatteries: I use Sanyo eneloop batteries and they are the absolute best. You can read the reviews on Amazon. The technology is a little different than regular NiMH batteries and they come fully charged and even if you put them in a drawer, you can pick them up a year later and they still have charge. They are amazing. Get several pairs and the charger that comes with it. Also you must always charge them in a vertical outlet so that the batteries are charged in a vertical position.

We purchased the Nikon Coolpix L620 on August 30, 2013 to replace our 2008 vintage Coolpix which was lost in a white water spill after 5 years of great pictures. Several days after receiving the L620 we headed off to Great Smokey Mountains National Park for a week of relaxation and pictures. Several hundred pictures later in a variety of compositions and lighting we return giving the L620 high marks. Needless to say the 18MP images render a sharp crisp picture. We didn't buy this camera to take low rez pictures so all of ours were at full resolution. In non flash situations the camera was able to recycle in less than a second between independent pictures. When a flash was used, often as a fill flash which produced amazing results, there is a noticeable time between pictures approaching 2 seconds which was not a problem at all. The 14x zoom was great when taking wildlife pictures although the automatic settings resulted in a slower than desired shutter speed resulting in a few blurred images. Perhaps the most impressive result was the vibrancy of the colors, exceeding expectations for a camera of this size and price. Performance in low light and foggy situations was notably good.Now for the rational for the 4 rather than 5 stars. We purchased the L620 in part because it uses 2 AA batteries rather than rectangular customs. With our last camera on several occasions we found ourselves without a spare battery so the ready availability of AA's made dealing with the lesser battery life a reasonable compromise: carrying an extra set in our pocket is easy. In a variety of lighting situations ours averaged 73 pictures (again at max resolution and mixed flash) over the trip (Duracell NiMH 2450mAh). Not bad performance. What was surprising is the lack of warning that you were about to run dry. In our previous 2 Coolpix a warning appeared in the view finder several pictures prior to the battery running dry. With the 620L there was little warning and in two cases the batteries died with none at all (yes there is a little battery in the view finder but it is not at all precise). For a company of Nikon's reputation this is a miss that needs correction.One suggestion, get a high capacity/quality memory card (we used a 32GB SanDisk Extreme) as it is worth cost for the capacity.All in all I would give the L620 a strong recommendation and look forward to years of use.