--- Construction / optics / haptics ---
According to their price range, the L830 is mostly made of plastic materials, acts but by no means cheap. By size and structure it is more reminiscent of an expensive DSLR sets it apart clearly from small compact cameras. The buttons are logically positioned and easy to reach all of them. The menu navigation is intuitive and simple, so as one is used to from Nikon.
As a major weak spot in the structure of the camera I would the position of the slots for SD card call, which is located in the battery under the battery cover. In plain language means this positioning that every time you have to deal with 4 AA batteries that can easily slip out, if you hold the camera when you connect or disconnect the SD card at the wrong angle. Of course, this is not a gross lack, however, a separate slot on the side of the camera would have been much cheaper and is, incidentally, with the more expensive Nikon also standard.
The fact that in the L830 only 4 AA batteries / accumulators are used instead of on-site batteries, I would look at in the context of the L830 as a big plus. The reason is very simple and logical:
The Coolpix is an excellent travel camera and operate as such by foreign electricity grids / charging stations independently. Some AA batteries can be found that is also at the weekly market in China or at the kiosk in Africa.
From the power supply apart, the L830 is also why such a popular travel camera, because it is relatively compact fails in its dimensions and the financial loss is manageable if it were damaged during the long trip or just gets lost. Last but not least, of course, the images of a camera the decisive criterion. Read more in the following rating point.
--- Image Quality ---
Although the L830 a very different class corresponds, I did purely out of interest, sent with my DSLR, a Nikon D3200 in the race in order to make comparisons.
With sunshine and bright light, in the range of ISO 100 to ISO 200, the L830 does not have to hide from her big brother. Incredibly, what is able to achieve the small image sensor, thereby also brings to details to light.
The zoom range of L830 is to describe in a few words: stunning.
Here the small image sensor is played even as an advantage, which I explain in simple words trying times (technically imprecise, professionals there will forgive me):
The small image sensor less surface must be illuminated and the zoom optics, which distant objects is increased, thereby creating a "focal length extension factor" (physically accurate term).
In truth, although you can reach only a reduction in the angle of view, however, it appears optically as if you screwed a huge telephoto lens of several hundred mm focal length on his camera, although the real focal length of the lens might is only about 130.
For comparison it should be noted that I possess a telephoto lens on my DSLR, which the Coolpix L830 together with accessories surmounted in size and weight, yet "only" provides the same magnification.
The actual weaknesses of the L830 are therefore not included in the zoom range or, weather permitting photography.
You start rather at dusk and at higher ISO values.
While the D3200 at ISO 400 and ISO 800 still smiles bored, makes up for the Coolpix already broad clearly visible image noise. From ISO 1600, the comparison is totally out of character, because the photos of the L830, are for the most demanding viewer, already virtually unusable. The disadvantages of the small image sensor, and the low-cost optical systems may be revealed.
Even as a layman you realize the class difference here.
By useful flash or good automatic programs (Night Portrait) but you can well take countermeasures and still conjure up great results even in low light conditions.
But many programs are blessing and a curse:
We may find (almost) all situations the appropriate shooting mode, but the creativity of the photographer will be thwarted because no manual mode is ready.
It has therefore never the opportunity to decide for themselves has to look like the shutter speed / aperture, but must rely on the currently selected program, along with exposure.
Only the height of the ISO value can be set via the menu of the L830 and thereby act indirectly to the other values.
For people who know less well with photography that is optimal because the camera decreases a lot of work and makes their task even fairly decent.
For serious photographers too is automatic when the L830 in the game and good for more than a toy in passing or as a travel camera.
Conclusion: A good product that delivers great performances as measured by the price and would also get 5/5 stars when the SD slot would be better positioned and is in addition to the normal programs also were a manual mode. Perhaps Nikon improves this yes to at L840.
