After extensive research on advanced point-and-shoots that use AA batteries (something I require), I settled on three: the Nikon L100, the Canon Powershot SX10IS, and the Fujifilm s8100fd. So you know the perspective from which this review is coming, I'm not an experienced photographer but I'm not clueless either. However, this is my first camera more advanced than a basic point-and-shoot. So I'll call myself an informed beginner.

COST: The L100 is significantly less expensive than the SX10IS. The s8100fd's price was comparable to the L100, but I felt that the technology on the L100 was better. Amazon had the best price I could find (besides some sketchy online sellers).

TECHNOLOGY: This was a toughy. All three of these cameras have comparable technology (image stabilization, zoom, megapixels, face recognition, scene modes, etc. etc.) and each has one or two unique features that I found very attractive. So this variable was not a deal maker or breaker for me. But when it came down to it, the Nikon L100 is the most beginner-friendly of the three cameras. The Auto Modes do literally everything for you: the camera chooses the shutter speed, ISO, aperture, no flash or one of a number of flash modes, AND scene mode, which neither of the other cameras do. So from bright- to low- light situations and from various distances, it will automatically adjust more aspects of the shot than will the other cameras. This, I think, would be especially attractive to the minimally experienced photographer who just wants to click the button wherever they are and come out with great pictures.

WEIGHT AND SIZE: I handled a Canon Powershot SX10IS at the store and it was just too heavy for my liking (a common complaint, from what I've read). The L100 is very lightweight. Although the s8100fd is of similar weight, the L100 is slightly smaller in size, which I like.

LARGER SCREEN: The 3 inch LCD is bigger than the screens on the other cameras, it's very bright, and it has a coating that reduces glare.

After playing around with the camera for a few days, here are some additional observations/impressions:

MENU: The menu is very user-friendly and easily navigable. No problems there. Take ten minutes to read through the manual so you are aware of all the menu options.

DESIGN AND FEEL: It's not a slippery camera, which seems to be a complaint with some of the comparable cameras I've read reviews about. The buttons seem intuitively placed to me, and the camera feels balanced in my hand.

IMAGE STABILIZATION: This works very well. As long as you are in the right mode (read the manual for descriptions of situations you should choose the modes yourself) the camera takes completely focused and clear pictures, even with an unsteady hand.

BATTERIES and MEMORY CARD: The battery life on this camera is good: 900 shots with Li-Ion batteries. Some people don't like the SD card to be accessible in the same door as the batteries (like it is with this camera), but I don't find a problem with it. I bought an Ultra II SDHC card for the camera and it processes the pictures very quickly.

OTHER FEATURES I LIKED: The Best Shot Selector is a unique feature that I like. It's just another one of those very beginner-friendly features of this camera that will allow you to take great shots without having to do a lot. The Sports continuous-shooting mode (shooting 13 frames per second) also works well for action shots.

TAKING PICTURES: Like I mentioned before, I'm not an experienced photographer. But I found that out of the box in the "Easy-Auto" Mode, this camera takes focused, sharp, professional-looking pictures. As I started to play around with other features, I became even more impressed with the quality of the pictures in a variety of lighting, distance, and movement situations. The High ISO mode captures movement VERY well! I first tested it by waving my arm in the mirror as fast as I could and taking pictures, and the camera captured perfectly focused and crisp pictures of me. This is the first camera I've ever used that actually captures excellent movement shots. Even at maximum zoom, the shots are focused and look great. The flash is extremely bright, although I find I rarely need to use it.

The only complaint that I have at this point is that the camera has trouble focusing on objects in dim light, including close objects in Macro Mode. However, from the dozens of reviews I've read on other comparable cameras, this seems to be a common problem. It's also possible that I haven't played around with the camera enough to know how to circumvent the problem, but I still was a little disappointed.

OVERALL: This camera is inexpensive for it's class, lightweight, has the latest technology, and is extremely beginner- and user-friendly. It is the perfect camera for someone who wants something more than a basic point-and-shoot but doesn't want to spend the money on an SLR or the energy trying to figure out a more complex camera to get great shots. For those beginner to moderately skilled photographers debating between an advanced point-and-shoot and a SLR (like I initially did), you will be glad you got this over an expensive and bulky SLR. A SLR with a 15x+ telephoto lens will cost 3-4 times as much as this camera, and I'm very pleased with the quality of the photos I'm getting with the L100. The Easy-Auto and Auto modes are excellent and I think most people will be very happy with the shots they will produce while in them, even if they never leave those modes. However, learning all of the features is easy and hasn't taken me that long, and my pictures have looked more and more professional the more I've played around with them. This is a great camera.

I thought I would emphasize the rechargeable battery since Nikon just added it recently and some reviewers were saying the L100 couldn't use a rechargeable battery. It's a NI-MH battery with recharger. Check the NIKON webpage for the L100 and you will see it listed under "optional accessories". Personally, I don't like rechargeables because they lose their charge over time and you have to remember to recharge them when you get ready to use your camera. I'd much rather just pop in a set of alkaline AA's. Then battery cost is about a penny a pic. I can afford that.

Here are the reasons I bought this camera. I use it to do stop-motion shooting in the woods using toy action figures, also on a copy stand to copy greaseboard drawings for animation, and just for general photo shooting. This camera helps because:

(1) It has a flat bottom and with a triangular footprint which means it will not fall over when you set it down. No tripod needed. I put a flat piece of wood between it and the ground to protect it.

(2) The 15X Zoom lens widens all the way out to 5mm which is equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm camera. Most digicams only go down to about 6mm or 5.7mm on the wide end. (The 75mm telephoto end of the zoom is about as powerful as you can have and still keep steady with a handheld shot. This camera has a double system of vibration control to help avoid blurred shots.)

(3) The scene modes include one called "Food" mode which is very useful to me. It automatically switches to macro close-up lens and puts control of color balance on the arrow buttons where you can easily adjust it. Then, whatever color balance you set stays in memory (just for the Food mode) until the next time you use Food mode, even if you turn the power off. That's important for stop motion because you don't want the camera automatically resetting the color balance for each shot. Obviously the Food mode is intended for close-up shooting of food, but it works for me and my toys!

(4) There is an AC adapter for the camera, which I have ordered, so I will not be using any batteries for my in-the-studio shooting.

(5) NIKON quality. I tried this camera in the store and couldn't even hear the zoom operate. By contrast, a similar-priced CANON made a distinct grinding noise. The quality even extends to the 4 manuals - a 134 page main manual in English, a 20 page Quickstart manual in English, and then both manuals completely duplicated in Spanish as well. The manuals cover every feature in clear detail. It took me 2 hours to learn the camera features to my own satisfaction, BUT, there is an "EASY AUTO" mode that requires you to know nothing from the manual other than how to push a shutter button. Of course, maybe you should buy a simpler camera if that's all you want from your camera, but with the "EASY AUTO" mode you can share this camera with all family members, even the ones who don't want to know what color balance is.

(6) Maybe I am thinking illogically, but I believe that a big lens takes better pictures than a little lens... and this camera has a BIG lens. That means you can't slip it in your pocket, but I have a nifty little belt-loop case (the Edit 100) that neatly fits the camera and has pockets for 2 sets of 4 AA batteries and room for the SD memory card's case and maybe a few more small items.

To sum it up, the quality is high, the price is low, and it takes great pictures in a variety of situations with an easy-ro-use operating system. If you want more than that, then get a reflex camera and pretend you're a pro. :)

We've had this camera for a month now. Absolutely no problems with it. We do have Trascend memory card in it--works great. No focusing problem either.I have researched a lot of Cannon Powershots ELPHS and such but decided to go with this one. It is very easy to use. Very user friendly menu. Takes great pictures with an amazing zoom. Colors are wonderful. I was very worried that I would have a problem without a viewfinder. Well, the 3'' LCD is truly great--I was taking pictures at the beach, in the middle of the day, and still was able to see the screen. I was also concerned about having to raise the flash manually, since I am not a pro at all. I realized that being able to do that is actually a great advantage for every day pictures. It makes a huge difference when taking pictures inside. I had problems with flash going off automatically with my Sony Cybershots, and now I see the difference. Make sure to get a big enough camera bag.

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