Nikon's entry Life-series compact of 2011 — 10MP CCD, 5x 28-140mm equiv zoom, runs on two AAs
The Coolpix L23 was an entry-level pocket compact in Nikon's Life (L) series, announced in February 2011 alongside the L120. It was aimed squarely at photography beginners, with an automatic scene selector doing most of the thinking.
It combined a 10.1-megapixel 1/2.9-inch CCD with a 5x zoom equivalent to 28-140mm, framed on a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot TFT LCD. Around 22MB of memory is built in, expandable via SD cards, and it runs on two AA cells — alkaline, lithium or EN-MH2 NiMH rechargeables — giving roughly 250 to 660 shots depending on cell type.
The chunky right-hand grip that houses the batteries makes it easy to hold for a small camera, and operation is deliberately simple with no manual exposure control. It suits absolute beginners, children and anyone wanting a cheap CCD-era snapshot camera.
Used examples are plentiful and cheap, and AA power removes charger worries entirely. Check the battery compartment for leakage residue, confirm the zoom is smooth and the flash charges, and expect modest low-light ability given the small sensor and dim lens at the long end.