Nikon's entry compact of 2009 — 10MP CCD, 3.6x 38-136mm equiv zoom, 3in LCD, AA power
The Coolpix L20 arrived in February 2009 as the larger-screened of two new entry L-series compacts, announced alongside the L19. It carried on the line's formula of simple automatic shooting at a low price, in a run of bright body colours.
It pairs a 10-megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD with a 3.6x Zoom-Nikkor equivalent to 38-136mm, framed on a 3.0-inch 230,000-dot LCD. Sensitivity spans ISO 64-1600, 20MB of memory is built in with SD expansion, and two AA cells give roughly 240 shots on alkalines or 440 on NiMH rechargeables.
Face detection for up to twelve faces, Scene Auto Selector, Motion Detection, Smile Mode and Blink Warning do the work, so it suits beginners and as a child's first camera; there is no viewfinder or manual control, and the lens starts at a slightly narrow 38mm.
A cheap and low-risk used buy thanks to AA power and SD cards. The usual checks apply: battery-contact corrosion, smooth zoom action, working flash and a clean LCD. CCD-era colour is part of its current appeal to lo-fi digital fans, so cosmetic wear matters less than a working sensor.