Nikon Coolpix L120

Reviewers say the Nikon Coolpix L120 appeals to amateurs looking for an affordable compact camera that offers point-and-shoot ease and a long zoom lens. The 21x zoom, which spans 25 mm to 525 mm, captures a variety of scenes ranging from "everyday snapshots to landscapes to distant subjects," say editors at DigitalReview.ca. While the L120 retains the comfortable rubber grip and 720p HD video of its Coolpix L110 predecessor, it boosts megapixels from 12.1 to 14.1, doubles resolution on the 3-inch LCD to 920,000 dots and adds a convenient zoom lever that makes it easier to zoom in and out while shooting stills and videos -- a feature also found on the top-rated budget ultra-zoom camera, the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS (*Est. $150) . The L120 also boasts a hybrid image stabilization system that experts say helps reduce image blur.

Beyond its powerful zoom lens, however, the L120 remains a basic point-and-shoot. It lacks an electronic viewfinder and manual controls, and instead of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the L120 is powered by four AA batteries that add to the camera's weight. However, reviewers say the L120 is easy to handle and offers 17 scene modes including landscape, sunset and pet portrait. The flash does not pop up automatically, but if the camera detects that a flash may be needed for a shot, a prompt will appear on the LCD. Image quality is mediocre with soft shots at some angles and "slightly overexposed frames" in Easy Auto mode, according to testers at TechRadar.com. Video quality is mixed; some critics rate it good while CNET Australia considers it "one of the worst we've seen on any compact camera" with grainy images appearing in video frames, although "sound from the stereo microphone is decent." If you want better video quality and more flexibility, the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS (*Est. $350) offers full HD video, an electronic viewfinder and a longer lens, but at a greater cost.

Enthusiast websites PhotographyBlog.com, TechRadar.com and DigitalReview.ca subject the Nikon Coolpix L120 to extensive testing and provide detailed results, while a concise CNET Australia review summarizes the camera's flaws and features. Owners at Amazon.com provide a consensus on performance.