Nikon Coolpix L32

The phrase "you get what you pay for" certainly applies to cameras, and the Nikon Coolpix L32 budget cam is no exception. The basic camera might be suited for some, but as with any budget model, proceed with extreme caution.

The L32 sports a 1/2.3" sensor, the average size, though the cheaper CCD style. The camera has limited shutter and ISO settings, so it will probably handle low light shots with quite a bit of difficulty. It does have a 5x optical zoom, which is nice to have. Image stabilization, which helps prevent blur, is just the electronic type though, not the more advanced optical version.

As expected for a budget model, the L32 is slow. The burst speed is just 1.1 fps. While the camera has a bit larger sensor than smartphone cameras like in the iPhone 5 and 6, most phones are actually faster.

Customers looking for a basic, no frills camera that do not need big speed or solid low light performance might be okay sticking with the L32, though in most cases saving up just a little longer will make a big difference rather quickly. Be sure to compare with our list of budget cameras--sometimes older models get a big price drop but will offer more features.