Nikon Coolpix L27 Vs. L820?

Both of these cameras, as all "L" series cameras, are entry level compacts. I have many Nikon cameras, but I dislike the "L" and "S" series Nikon compacts, as they are too basic, and may not be the best performers.

I would highly recommend Nikon "P" series compact cameras, as they are vastly superior to the "L" series. The Nikon Coolpix P330 for instance would be a far better camera.

http://www.althephoto.com/cameras/p330.php

The difference between the two cameras you mention is nil, as they are both just low-end basic cameras. I won't go so far as to say they are dogs, as you get what you pay for. You can get a L27 for less than $75, so you have to put it's performance against that perspective. But especially with the L820, you are paying way too much for that camera.

You will get more of a zoom with the L820, but big deal - high power zoom lenses on bridge cameras tend to have worse optical quality. And you almost always need to carry along a tripod to get blur-free photos when zoomed all the way in. So why get an all-powerful zoom if it isn't very practical?

You can get the P330 on clearance for about the same price as the L820, and the P330 is a vastly superior camera. And I'd take a good 5x zoom over a marginal 30x zoom any day... even if that means having to get a bit closer.

Adding more zoom range to a crappy camera that crams too many megapixels into a tiny 1/2.3" sensor won't improve the quality.

If you want to improve the quality, get a P340, or a P330 on clearance, while they last.

Or more expensively and better featured is the P7800.

If you want more zoom, the Canon SX510 HS is a little bit better than the Nikon L cameras because it only squeezes 12 MP into a tiny 1/2.3" sensor.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_...

Of course the Canon SX cameras with their little 1/2.3" sensors are not as good as the 1/1.7" sensor cameras such as some of the Nikon P (but not the superzoom P, which still use the tiny 1/2.3" sensors), or Canon S, or Canon G.

The L820 has many advantages over the L27. Scroll down on this comparison and read about them.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-Coolpix-L27-vs-N...

An advanced P&S will give you better performance, such as low light. Consider these cameras.

Sony RX-100 II, Canon G16, Olympus XZ-2, Fujifilm X20, Olympus Stylus 1, Panasonic LX7, Pentax MX-1, Nikon P7800

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6489685206/enthus...

Nikon L820 is a excellent camera and will also give you better macro mode, Full HD video recording. If you can afford you should go for Nikon L820