Nikon's 2013 entry L-series compact — 16.1MP CCD, 26-130mm equiv 5x zoom, 720p video, AA batteries.
The Nikon Coolpix L27 was a bottom-of-the-range point-and-shoot announced in January 2013 as part of Nikon's budget L-series, sold alongside the near-identical L28. Pitched at buyers who wanted a simple camera for well under a hundred pounds, it kept the L-series formula of AA power and fully automatic operation.
It combines a 16.1-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD with a 5x zoom covering 26-130mm equivalent. Sensitivity spans ISO 80-1600, the mechanical shutter runs from 1 second to 1/2000 sec, and video records at up to 720p 30fps. Blur is tamed by electronic VR and motion-blur reduction rather than optical stabilisation. The 2.7-inch LCD has 230,000 dots, storage is SD/SDHC/SDXC plus about 20MB internal, and two AA batteries provide power.
The L27 is as simple as digital cameras get: point, zoom, shoot, with an Easy Auto mode and scene selection doing the thinking. That suits children, older relatives and anyone wanting a no-menus holiday camera, but the lack of optical stabilisation and the dim f-range mean indoor and telephoto shots need steady hands or good light.
These turn up used in near-new condition, often boxed, because many saw little use. With AA power and standard SD cards there are no charger or media worries; check the battery door latch (a common stress point on light plastic L-series bodies), the LCD for scratches, and that the flash charges and fires. Internal memory lets you test a body even without a card fitted.