Document Outline

• Trademark Information
  • Symbols and Conventions
    • Memory Cards
      • To prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others, read the following safety precautions in their entirety before using this equipment. Keep these safety instructions where all those who use the product will read them.
      • The consequences that could result from failure to observe the precautions listed in this section are indicated by the following symbol:
      • WARNINGS
    • Turn off in the event of malfunction
    • Do not disassemble
    • Do not use the camera or AC adapter in the presence of flammable gas
    • Handle the camera strap with care
    • Keep out of reach of children
    • Observe caution when handling batteries
    • Observe the following precaution when handling the battery charger
    • Use appropriate cables
    • Handle moving parts with care
    • CD-ROMs
    • Observe caution when operating the flash
    • Do not fire the flash while it is touching a person or object
    • Avoid contact with liquid crystal
  • Notice for Customers in the U.S.A.
    • CAUTIONS
  • Notice for Customers in Canada
    • CAUTION
    • ATTENTION
  • Symbol for Separate Collection in European Countries
  • Notice Concerning Prohibition of Copying or Reproduction
  • Disposing of Data Storage Devices
    • Introduction
• Thank you for your purchase of a Nikon COOLPIX L2/L3 digital camera. This manual has been written to help you enjoy taking pictu...
• The documentation for this product also includes the manuals listed below. Please be sure to read all instructions thoroughly to get the most from the camera.
• The illustrations in this manual and the Quick Start Guide show the COOLPIX L3.
• Illustrations and on-screen text in this manual and the Quick Start Guide may differ from the actual display.
• Attach the strap as shown below.
• Press the multi selector up, down, left, or right to highlight pictures and menu items, then press the center to select. The buttons on the multi selector are also used to:
• The following indicators may appear in the monitor during shooting and playback (actual display varies with current camera settings):
  • 1 Shooting mode 13, 23, 39
  • 2 Exposure lock 32
  • 3 Macro close-up mode 22
  • 4 Zoom indicator 14, 22
  • 5 Focus indicator 15
  • 6 Flash mode 18
  • 7 Camera shake icon 16
  • 8 Internal memory/Memory card indicator 11
  • 9 Battery level indicator 13
  • 10 Sensitivity 16
  • 11 Self-timer indicator 20
  • 12 “Date not set” indicator 88 Time zone indicator 64
  • 13 Date imprint/Date counter 67
  • 14 Number of exposures remaining 13, 98 Movie length 39, 98
  • 15 Focus area 15
  • 16 Exposure compensation 75
  • 17 Image mode 72
  • 18 Color options 77
  • 19 White balance 73
  • 20 Best Shot Selector (BSS) 76
  • 21 Continuous shooting mode 75
  • 1 Current folder 99
  • 2 File number and type 99
  • 3 Internal memory/Memory card indicator 11
  • 4 Battery level indicator 13
  • 5 D-Lighting guide 46
  • 6 Volume indicator 35, 40, 47
  • 7 Voice memo recording guide 47
  • 8 Voice memo playback guide 47
  • 9 Current frame number/Total number of frames/ Movie length 40
  • 10 D-Lighting icon 46
  • 11 Movie playback indicator 40
  • 12 Voice memo icon 47
  • 13 Image mode 72
  • 14 Movie indicator 40
  • 15 Protect icon 80
  • 16 Print-order icon 57
  • 17 Transfer icon 50, 80
  • 18 Time of recording 9
  • 19 Date of recording 9
• The camera uses two AA batteries. Depending on the country or region of purchase, the package will include either alkaline batteries or an MH-71 battery charger with rechargeable EN-MH1 batteries.
• If the camera came with a battery charger and rechargeable Nikon EN-MH1 NiMH batteries, charge the batteries as described below. If the camera came with a pair of alkaline batteries, skip to “Insert the batteries” on the following page.
  • 1 Plug the charger in
  • 2 Charge the batteries
  • 1 Open the battery chamber.
  • 2 Insert the batteries.
  • 3 Close the battery chamber.
• A language-selection dialog is displayed the first time the camera is turned on. Choose a language and set the time and date as described below.
• Pictures are stored in the camera’s internal memory (approximately 23MB) or on removable Secure Digital (SD) memory cards ( 83). Internal memory is used for recording and deleting pictures only if no memory card is inserted.
  • 1 Turn the camera off.
  • 2 Insert the memory card.
  • 3 Turn the camera on.
  • Basic Photography and Playback
    • 1 Slide the mode selector to .
    • 1 Turn the camera on.
    • 2 Check indicators in the monitor.
  • Display
  • Battery level
    • 1 Ready the camera.
    • 2 Frame the picture.
• Zoom
  • 1 Focus.
  • 2 Take the picture.
• During Recording
• The Shutter-Release Button -Focus Lock
• When Lighting Is Poor
  • Mode
  • Description
• Red-eye Reduction
• The Flash Lamp
• Auto Mode
  • Scene Mode
• Assist Modes
  • Portrait Assist
• Taking Pictures with Face-Priority AF
  • Landscape Assist
  • Sports Assist
  • Night Portrait Assist
• Other Scenes
  • PARTY/INDOOR
  • BEACH/SNOW
  • SUNSET
  • DUSK/DAWN
  • NIGHT LANDSCAPE
  • CLOSE UP
  • MUSEUM
  • FIREWORKS SHOW
  • COPY
  • BACK LIGHT
  • PANORAMA ASSIST
  • VOICE RECORDING
  • Taking Pictures for a Panorama ( 31)
  • Making a Voice Recording ( 31)
  • Playing Voice Recordings
  • Copying Voice Recordings
    • Movies
      • 1 Select mode.
      • 2 Start recording.
      • 3 End recording.
    • Viewing Pictures on the Camera
    • 17
    • 78
    • 17
    • 47
    • 17
    • 46
    • 45
    • 40
    • 44
    • -
    • -
    • -
    • -
    • -
    • 78
    • -
    • -
    • -
    • -
    • 44
    • 78
    • 43
    • -
    • -
      • Connecting to Televisions, Computers, and Printers
        • 1 The Interface>Video mode item in the setup menu offers a choice of NTSC and PAL standards for analog video output ( 71). Select a standard to match the television.
        • 2 Turn the camera off and connect the A/V cable.
        • 3 Tune the television to the video channel.
        • 4 Press the button for about one second to turn the camera on.
        • 1 Start a computer to which PictureProject has been installed.
        • 2 Choose an Interface>USB option as described in “Choosing a USB Option for Connection to a Computer” ( 51).
        • 3 Turn the camera off and connect the USB cable as shown at right.
        • 4 Turn the camera on.
        • 5 Press the center of the multi selector to copy all marked pictures to the computer.
        • 6 Disconnect the camera as described in “Disconnecting the Camera” ( 52).
        • 1 Turn the printer on.
        • 2 Set the Interface>USB option in the setup menu to PTP ( 71).
        • 3 Turn the camera off and connect the USB cable as shown at right.
        • 4 Turn the camera on.
        • 3 Press multi selector up or down to highlight option, press center to select:
        • Menus
      • 64
      • 64
      • 64
      • 66
      • 67
      • 68
      • 69
      • 69
      • 70
      • 70
      • 71
      • 71
      • 71
      • 71
      • 63
      • 72
      • 73
      • 75
      • 75
      • 76
      • 77
      • 63
      • 78
      • 79
      • 80
      • 80
      • 80
      • 81
      • 82
        • Technical Notes
    • Memory Cards
    • Handle the lens and all moving parts with care
  • Do not apply force to the lens, monitor, memory card slot, or battery-chamber and lens covers. These parts are easily damaged. F...
    • Do not point the lens at strong light sources for extended periods
  • Avoid pointing the lens at the sun or other strong light sources for extended periods when using or storing the camera. Intense light may cause deterioration in the CCD image sensor, producing a white blur effect in photographs.
    • Turn the product off before removing or disconnecting the power source
  • Do not unplug the product or remove the batteries while the product is on, or while images are being recorded or deleted. Forcib...
    • Keep dry
  • The device will be damaged if immersed in water or subjected to high levels of moisture.
    • Do not drop
  • The product may malfunction if subjected to strong shocks or vibration.
    • Keep away from strong magnetic fields
  • Do not use or store this device in the vicinity of equipment that generates strong electromagnetic radiation or magnetic fields....
    • Avoid sudden changes in temperature
  • Sudden changes in temperature, such as occur when entering or leaving a heated building on a cold day, can cause condensation in...
    • Batteries
• Cleaning
• Storage
  • Notes on the Monitor
  • Electronically Controlled Cameras
  • In extremely rare instances, unusual characters may appear in the monitor and the camera may stop functioning. In most cases, th...
    • Defaults ( 42, 61, 63, 72)
  • Choosing Reset for Reset all restores the following default settings:
  • Choosing Reset also clears the current file number ( 99) from memory. Numbering will continue from the lowest number available (...
    • Supported Standards
    • Scene Mode Settings ( 23)
  • The following table lists the default flash mode, self-timer, and macro close-up settings for each scene. These settings are res...
    • Image Mode ( 72) and Movie Options ( 41)
  • The following table lists the number of pictures or maximum total movie length that can be stored in internal memory and on a 256MB memory card, together with the size of still pictures.
    • Restrictions on Camera Settings ( 72)
  • Restrictions apply to the following settings in mode:
    • Image File and Folder Names
  • Pictures, movies, voice recording and voice memos are assigned file names with three parts: a four letter identifier, a four-digit file number assigned automatically by the camera in ascending order, and a three-letter extension (e.g., “DSCN0001.JPG”).
  • Pictures are stored in folders named with a three-digit folder number followed by a five-character identifier: “P_” plus a three...
  • Files copied using Copy>Selected images are copied to the current folder, where they are assigned new file numbers in ascending ...
    • Copies ( 45, 46, 81, 82)
  • Copies created using crop ( 45), D-lighting ( 46), and small picture (P. 81) have the same transfer marking as the original but ...
    • Time Zones ( 9, 64)
  • The camera supports the time zones listed below. Increments of less than one hour are not supported; when travelling to or from ...
    • Refreshing Nikon EN-MH1 Rechargeable NiMH Batteries ( 6, 83)
  • An MH-71 battery charger and rechargeable EN-MH1 NiMH batteries are provided with the camera in some regions and are also availa...
  • Batteries that retain a charge for only short periods after being refreshed have reached the end of their working life and can no longer be used.
  • Unless otherwise stated, all figures are for a camera with fully-charged EN-MH1 batteries operated at an ambient temperature of 25˚C (77˚F).
    • Specifications
  • Nikon will not be held liable for any errors this manual may contain. The appearance of this product and its specifications are subject to change without notice.
    • EN-MH1 NiMH Batteries
  • The capacity of NiMH batteries will drop if they are charged repeatedly without first being fully discharged. The batteries will...
    • Symbols
• (auto) mode, 13-16
• (playback) button, 17, 40, 43-47
• (movie) mode, 39
• (delete) button, 17, 44, 45
• (wait) icon, 88
  • A
• A/V cable, 48
• A/V-out connect, 48
• Accessories, 83
• AE-L, 32
• Assist Modes, 24-28
• Auto off, 69
• Auto-focus mode, 42
  • B
• Backlit subjects, 18, 31
• Batteries, 6, 71
• Battery level indicator, 13, 88
• Battery Type, 71
• Best Shot Selector, 30, 76
• Black-and-white, 77
• Blur, 16, 69, 88, 92
• Blur warning, 69
  • C
• Close-up, 22, 30
• Color options, 77, 99
• Computer, 48-52, 71
• Connector cover, 3
• Continuous, 75
• Copy (playback menu), 82, 100
• Cropping pictures, 45
• Cyanotype, 77
  • D
• Date, 9-11, 64, 67
• Date imprint, 67
• Default settings, 95, 97
• Delete, 80
• Deleting pictures, 17, 44, 80
• Design rule for Camera File System, 96
• Digital Print Order Format, 57-59, 96
• D-lighting, 46
  • E
• E-mail, 73
• Error messages, 88-90
• Exif 2.2, 96
• Exposure compensation, 75
• Extension, 99
  • F
• Face-priority AF, 25-27
• Fill flash, 18
• firmware, 71
• Firmware version, 71
• Flash, 18, 95, 97
• Focus, 4, 15, 42
• Format, 12, 70
• Format card, 70
• Format memory, 70
• Framing, 14, 24-28
  • H
• Help, 62
  • I
• Image mode, 23, 72
• Indoor photography, 29
• Interface, 48-55, 71
• Internal memory, 4-5, 11, 70, 98
  • J
• JPEG, 102
  • L
• Landscape, 27, 30
• Language, 9, 70
• Language, choosing, 9
• Lens, 2, 86
  • M
• Macro close-up, 22
• Memory card, 4-5, 11, 83, 98
• MENU button, 3, 60
• Menus, 60, 64
• Mode selector, 3
• Monitor, 3, 4-5, 13, 66, 87
• Monitor settings, 66
• MOVIE menu, 41
• Movies, 39-42
• Multi selector, 3, 9, 61
  • N
• Night photography, 18, 28, 30
• Noise reduction, 16
• Number of exposures remaining, 13
  • P
• Panorama, 31-33
• Paper size, 56-57
• PictBridge, 53-59, 96
• PictureProject, 1, 49-52
• Playback, 17, 43-47
• PLAYBACK MENU, 60, 78-82
• Portraits, 25-27, 28
• Power switch, 2, 13
• Power-on lamp, 2, 13
• Print set, 59, 78
• Print size, 56, 98
• Protect, 80
• Protected pictures, 80, 100
  • R
• Reset all, 71, 95-98
  • S
• (scene) mode, 23-38
• Self timer, 20, 99
• Self-timer lamp, 2, 21
• Sepia, 77
• SET-UP menu, 60, 63-71
• SHOOTING MENU, 60, 72-77
• Shutter-release button, 2, 16
• Side show, 79
• Small pic., 81, 100
• Smear, 87
• Sound, 39, 68
• Sound settings, 68
• Strap, Camera, 2
• Support information, 1
  • T
• Television, 48
• Thumbnail playback, 44
• Time zone, 9-11, 64, 100
• Transfer, 49-51
• Transfer marking, 80
• Tripod, 3
  • U
• USB, 71
  • V
• Video mode, 48, 71
• Vivid Color, 77
• Voice memo, 47
• Voice recording, 33
• Volume, 40
  • W
• Welcome screen, 63
• White balance, 73-75, 99
  • Z
• Zoom, 14