#201 JOE PRETE

Charity,      ...#198
This camera had many problems as you may have guessed from the long list of complaints. It was discontinued last month and that was about a year too late! The P820 is out, but has not been reviewed yet. Starting at this price range, there are many to choose from. The original price was about $249.00 U.S. Don’t be tempted by the current prices in the $175.00 range, Those dealers can’t wait to clear this one from their stock. I can put a small list together with similar specs as this one had. I can put it here, but if this one goes into archive, you will have to type it into the search bar. You can write to me directly if you want. I’ll have it ready by the afternoon of the 15th I’m n NY (U.S.) E.S.T.
... Joe Prete

3:28 am - Friday, March 15, 2013

#202 JOE PRETE

Charity,
There are several cameras in the same price range as where the L810 started, but they are from the original L810 price. The L810 has dropped 10-20% due to lack of sales, issues that were never resolved and finally, now that it is in close-out mode. I would start by looking at the Canon SX500 and the Sony Cybershot H200. Both of these can easily be found for just over $200.00 U.S. There are others, but I would start by looking at these. This page is getting harder to find, so you may want to use email or leave a message at the SX500 HS comments section. 
... Joe Prete

3:03 am - Sunday, March 17, 2013

#203 Lynne

Hi Joe,
Thank you for all you do. I won’t be purchasing the NikonL810 as planned, but am lost as to what might be best for me even after reading every above post. I currently own an older Canon PowerShot S50 which needs replacing. (I never used half it’s functions).I really don’t want anything complicated to learn.I take mainly indoor pictures of pets and kids, outdoors the odd zoom shot of a bird. I don’t have a desire to photoshop or play with pictures, pretty well aim and shoot, but want a nice quality picture.I would appreciate your input on a couple models to suite my needs. I live in Canada. My price point is very flexible.

12:47 pm - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

#204 JOE PRETE

Hi Lynne,
I’m glad that you passed on the L810, many people reported problems in this model, with many different issues too! For us to reach the third page, a camera has to be very good or really baaad!  Nikon did announce the L820 recently but we will be waiting for some reviews for sure.  When someone asks advice, I usually ask a few basic questions to get us in the Ballpark. We can fine tune your selection later. Based on your request, I would assume a decent quality Bridge Camera w/moderate Zoom lens.

1), How do you plan to use the camera? You have answered most of this question, but when you say Birds, you will need at least 500mm on the Zoom, that is about the limit on a compact Bridge camera, so you’d be right on the edge here. if that’s an issue, the next up is a SuperZoom Camera. (Bigger & More money).

2)How you will carry it? An L810 size camera will need it’s own camera bag, but a more Compact Bridge Camera will fit into a large pocket or a bag you may be carrying anyhow. The best camera is the one you have with you at the time of the Photo-op

3) let’s talk about Price. Would you say $179.00 $250.00, $329.00, $389.00 OR $450.00 Obviously the higher price range will not only give you higher quality components but also a longer Zoom. Most compact Zooms start at about 24mm but a zoom can reach to 112, 128, 335 or 500MM Does 28-336mm Sound good? or is 25-500mm a little better?

4) Last question, you probably didn’t think of this one. Viewfinder & LCD or just LCD?  You may not have heard the phrase “Dirty diaper” pertaining to cameras, but an LCD Only camera will be held in a similar position while composing your picture. It’s the only way! I think you know my thoughts, but think about this, do you want that as your only option?. These days the screens are brighter, but most real Photographers want the Viewfinder option to compose their Picture, but it has been a cost saving effort by the manufacturers.  To me, it is a Deal Breaker. I don’t want anyone looking at the Photograph I’m composing. It’s a very personal thing. The Point & Shoot crowd grew up with just an LCD while real cameras got them just a few years ago. So think about this one a bit and when you have some answers, you can write back here or find my email earlier in the comments. Which ever way you choose, your answers will show you a decent selection of cameras. Soon you’ll know enough about it to know exactly what kind of camera you need.
Whenever you’re ready,
... Joe Prete

8:38 pm - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

#205 JOE PRETE

Hi Lynne,
When someone asks advice, I usually ask a few basic questions to get us in the Ballpark. We can fine tune your selection later. Based on your request, I would assume a decent quality Bridge Camera w/moderate Zoom lens.

1), How do you plan to use the camera? You have answered most of this question, but when you say Birds, you will need at least 500mm on the Zoom, that is about the limit on a compact Bridge camera, so you’d be right on the edge here. if that’s an issue, the next up is a SuperZoom Camera. (Bigger & More money).

2)How you will carry it? An L810 size camera will need it’s own camera bag, but a more Compact Bridge Camera will fit into a large pocket or a bag you may be carrying anyhow. The best camera is the one you have with you at the time of the Photo-op

3) let’s talk about Price. Would you say $179.00 $250.00, $329.00, $389.00 OR $450.00 Obviously the higher price range will not only give you higher quality components but also a longer Zoom. Most compact Zooms start at about 24mm but a zoom can reach to 112, 128, 335 or 500MM Does 28-336mm Sound good? or is 25-500mm a little better?

4) Last question, you probably didn’t think of this one. Viewfinder & LCD or just LCD?  You may not have heard the phrase “Dirty diaper” pertaining to cameras, but an LCD Only camera will be held in a similar position while composing your picture. It’s the only way! I think you know my thoughts, but think about this, do you want that as your only option?. These days the screens are brighter, but most real Photographers want the Viewfinder option to compose their Picture, but it has been a cost saving effort by the manufacturers.  To me, it is a Deal Breaker. I don’t want anyone looking at the Photograph I’m composing. It’s a very personal thing. The Point & Shoot crowd grew up with just an LCD while real cameras got them just a few years ago. So think about this one a bit and when you have some answers, you can write back here or find my email earlier in the comments. Which ever way you choose, your answers will show you a decent selection of cameras. Soon you’ll know enough about it to know exactly what kind of camera you need.
Whenever you’re ready,
... Joe Prete

8:43 pm - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

#206 JOE PRETE

Hi Lynne,
Based on your request, I would assume a decent quality Bridge Camera w/moderate Zoom lens.

1)When you say Birds, you will need at least 500mm on the Zoom, that is about the limit on a compact Bridge camera, so you’d be right on the edge here. if that’s an issue, the next up is a SuperZoom Camera.

2)How you will carry it? A Compact Bridge Camera will fit into a large pocket or a bag you may be carrying anyhow. The best camera is the one you have with you at the time of the Photo-op

3)Would you say $179.00 $250.00, $329.00, $389.00 OR $450.00 Most compact Zooms start at about 24mm but a zoom can reach to 112, 128, 335 or 500MM Does 28-336mm Sound good? or is 25-500mm a little better?

4)Viewfinder & LCD or just LCD? The difference, How you hold the camera to compose your picture. At arms length, at your eye or do you want the choice when you are taking the picture?    Lately the screens are brighter, but leaving out the viewfinder is a cost saving effort by the manufacturers. I don’t like anyone looking at the Photograph I’m composing. It’s a very personal thing. But think about this a bit and when you have some answers, you can write back here or find my email earlier in the comments. Which ever way you choose, your answers will show you a decent selection of cameras. Soon you’ll know enough about it to know exactly what kind of camera you need.
Write whenever you’re ready,
... Joe Prete

9:02 pm - Tuesday, March 26, 2013

#207 JOE PRETE

It makes sense that this cameras review would be full of errors.
Obviously the replies above were not getting through the filter, so they were trimmed until a copy finally got through. They then posted at about the same time. The post #204 has the needed information. It may not be corrected this late, as the L820 review will be out soon.

If it matters to Lynne, sorry for the confusion, especially if she’s posted a response that did not get though, It still may be posted.
... Joe Prete

12:36 am - Thursday, March 28, 2013

#208 Lynne

Hi Joe,

Sorry for the delay in replying, internet issues galore! To answer your questions, 1) I am able to get within 50 feet for any bird, deer or pheasant in my backyard. 2) When not sitting on a kitchen shelf, I would like the camera to fit in my purse, as apposed to a large camera bag. 3) I would like to stay under $500. 4) viewfinder is a must! I find it difficult looking at LCD screens.
As you mentioned in a previous post, handling a camera is important. I picked up a Canon SX50 yesterday and put it right down. My thumb wanted to be where the menu button is located. Great advice and I thank you for that. I left the store;I am looking forward to your advice on a couple models. Wondering if the L820 will have corrected the issues from the 810 and worth waiting for reviews? Thanks again for all you do!

6:06 pm - Thursday, March 28, 2013

#209 Joe Prete

To Lynne,
Many problems at the host filter, I can help you via email much easier, unless you want to wait here. My email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) I return all emails within 1 day. I just don’t have the time for the way the Moderator/Filter has been working Here.
Sorry for the problem, they are trying a fix.
Best Regards,
Joe Prete

12:46 am - Friday, March 29, 2013

#210 Atlantaguy

Picked one of these up at Sam’s Club today for $179.00.  I somewhat knew what to expect based on reviews.  I’m actually part of our neighborhood association and we’re in a so-so neighborhood, so i needed a longer zoom lens just to take quick snaps of suspicious cars we occasionally get in our neighborhood (mail thieves, people who steal UPS packages, etc), and didn’t want to invest more money in other, better, models.  Sounds fiddly, but we’ve actually caught a handful of crooks by arming several neighbors with simple cameras. 

Anyway - pretty much what the review says.  In good light it does well enough for what I use it for.  Cloudy light, image quality gets noticeably less good, but I’m proficient with Photoshop so can tweak them up to what I need.  Build quality not great but ok for the price point. I like the fact it takes AA batteries as I always have eneloops charged and ready to go, as opposed to having to keep up with proprietary lithium ions.

So, it’s not a complex camera and not among the best.  But if all you want is a good zoom for taking more casual day-to-day shots as opposed to gallery photos you want to enlarge, then it’s fine.

5:16 am - Saturday, March 30, 2013

#211 Atlantaguy

ADDED:  Couldn’t find an “edit” feature to just adding and clarifying to what I said above…

What I was basically saying is that for MY use of casual day-to-day images that are not important in the sense of being capturing images of a family for viewing for the rest of my life, this is an ok camera.  But I didn’t want my above comments to go against anything Joe Prete has said in any of his.  This is not a great camera as many might define that by any means, and it’s only because I’m fairly decent with Photoshop and again, it’s output is not “life important” to me, that it works for what I need it to.  That, and the fact the blister pack the thing comes in at Sam’s Club makes it damn near impossible to return, regardless (roll eyes).

If you’re after better, faster quality, I would go for the Canon or Panasonic models that will push you into the $400-$500 price range. This is just for casual stuff.

5:30 am - Saturday, March 30, 2013

#212 Lynne

Atlantaguy,

Thank you so much for your input. My daughter is considering a camera purchase and from what you described, this would be more suited to her and her price range.

Thanks again,
Lynne

12:08 pm - Saturday, March 30, 2013

#213 Raja Chakraborty

Hi,

I am using this camera from last 1 year.
It’s a FLOP product from Nikon.
i am frustrated with long exposure time, blurr pics,
Blurr video and last pathetic performance at low light and night time. my money goneeeeeeeeeeeee. :(

1:15 pm - Wednesday, April 3, 2013

#214 Trish

I have the Nikon Coolpix L810 and I can’t seem to get a good focus. I tried to take pics of my sons nursery school fashion show and most of the pics were blurred.It was out doors and around 6pm (before sunset) 

Forgive me I am a complete novice…

Trish

9:16 am - Tuesday, April 23, 2013

#215 JOE PRETE

Trish,
I’m so sorry, if you haven’t read the gazillion complaints before yours, Here goes: if you just Bought it, Bring it Back. If it’s under Warrantee, Send it Back. If someone gave it to you as a gift, Re-gift it Back to them (Don’t worry, they deserve it). If it’s too late for all of these, put it in a box, tape it up and dig a hole and Bury it. Hopefully it won’t be Back in your house when you go in to wash your hands. This was a rare mistake that Nikon made. Please don’t let this discourage you from taking pictures of your kids, you will deeply regret that later on. What I can do for you is find you the very best camera available for the money that you can spend on it, and I will make sure there is delivery or a store in your area, so you can get started taking great pictures of your kids. We can answer any questions you have while learning to use a new camera. Write back to this post, or send it to Mark and he will forward it to me. L810 is discontinued, but it’s still on some camera shop shelves. Never ask their recommendation.
... Joe Prete
P.S.:Don’t forget to Photograph their pencil height markings that you’ve hidden in the Pantry doorway. Always a good picture.

8:22 am - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

#216 JOE PRETE

Raja Chakraborty,
... Diddo!
... Joe Prete

8:31 am - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

#217 Trish

HI Joe

No I hadn’t read all those posts with all the comments!!!! OMW I thought I was buying a really good deal for R2000! Thank you so much for your feedback. I will take the camera back to the shop I bought it from and hopefully get this sorted out.

Once again thank you for an amazing very informative page!

Trish
PS - need to start marking the kiddies heights again :)

1:02 pm - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

#218 JOE PRETE

Trish,
If you need help, there is an address at question #102 of this very camera comments section. You can reach me there.
... Joe Prete

11:00 pm - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

#219 Phil Petrasek

I spent an entire month traveling through Europe just recently. The only camera I took was a Nikon L810. Aside from the battery issue (I can live with that), my pictures came out as good as many of my pictures I have taken with my Nikon D3! And the L810 was much lighter, not to mention I was less fearful of what it would cost me if I had the D3 lost or stolen.

12:20 pm - Saturday, May 11, 2013

#220 Trish

HI Joe
We have been moving so I haven’t dealt with the camera issue. I cant the box so I’m worried I won’t be able to return it… going to give it a try tho
Thanks for your response. I will contact you like you suggested when I am ready to go back to the shop
Best,
Trish

9:11 am - Monday, May 13, 2013

#221 Hank

Trish,
Joe is helping out at another site for a while, but if you need to you can contact him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or at exakta repairs. I would tell him that you wrote, but your post seems to be missing a few words.
—Hank

9:36 am - Monday, May 13, 2013

#222 Hank

Trish,
If the camera is going in for repair you don’t need the box for that, just the receipt and warrantee if you have it. It should be in the manual. if that is what you were trying to say.
—Hank

9:52 am - Monday, May 13, 2013

#223 Trish

Hi Hank

Thanks for your response.

No the camera is not going in for repair. I want to return on Joe’s advise. See my comment #214 and Joe’s response #215…

Really upset about this purchase and am hoping the store I bought it from will help me out…

Best,
Trish

10:09 am - Monday, May 13, 2013