totally clueless

I was in Sam's Club earlier and they have a Nikon camera that looks like a slr but with a non removable zoom lens...On sale for $199...It's a coolpix , L 810 I would like to upgrade my cheap Vivitar point and shoot ,,I guess the question is Should I go with this.Good bang for the buck?..I miss my old Canon AE-1...... Thanks Ed

This one? Nikon L810


Looks like a nice little camera. Long zoom, decent iris options, etc.

If you're looking for something compact, there are more compact cameras, but this is far more compact than most DSLRs.

I've no experience with that camera, so can't comment specifically.

In general, the folks that make a living on professional cameras (Nikon, Canon, Olympus, etc) make good small cameras.
Companies that make other things and decided to do cameras as well (HP, Kodak, etc) aren't as good. IMHO.

I would not do it because you have to use AA batteries.

John Dirt said:

I would not do it because you have to use AA batteries.

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Eh, a good set of rechargeables will practically last you the life of the camera.

Actually when I look for a PnS, I specifically look for one that takes AA batteries. You are correct, rechargeables will last a long time.

I have a Panasonic Lumix that goes with me when I travel on the bike. I have an older Fuji "bridge" camera similar to what you are looking at but older technology. The "bridge" cameras are a good compromise for folks who want more than a PnS but don't want to mess with a DSLR. Nikon makes good stuff so if it meets your needs and feels good in the hand, I think you could do a lot worse.

Happy shooting.

klb1122 said:

Eh, a good set of rechargeables will practically last you the life of the camera.

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i always check the cost/availability of batteries b4 buying ANY electronic item

AA's are available everywhere

rechargeable AA's can be had, quite reasonably, @ BEST BUY, WALLY WORLD, TARGET..........

GOLD TOP AA's can be had @ any sleazy stop/grocery store/gas station...........

is it worth missing the ability to bring home the images your eyes saw, just because your camera ran out of electjuicity???

sw

Thanks for the input , the L 810 is the one I'm looking at. I like the replacable AA battery power system. I keep a pack each of AA's and AAA's in the tank bag. Also have Hi Cap AA NiMh rechargables..... Now price shopping..

I just wanted to say I'm clueless also.

EdSidders said:

Thanks for the input , the L 810 is the one I'm looking at. I like the replacable AA battery power system. I keep a pack each of AA's and AAA's in the tank bag. Also have Hi Cap AA NiMh rechargables..... Now price shopping..

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Amazon has it for $200 and free 2-day shipping
Also, Amazon-branded SDHC cards are cheap (16gb/$11.50) and fast (Class10)