Verdict
Pros
- Cheap, easy to use, handling, large
- buttons with clear labelling
Cons
- Image quality, operation issues,
- 41mm min focal length
Key Specifications
- Review Price: £79
This is a very basic compact with an 8MP sensor and a 41-145mm zoom. There’s a range of exposure modes on hand, including Easy Auto and Auto modes, as well as 16 scene presets. Manual control is limited to just a handful of options.
Motion Detection is included, though, as is a post-capture Electronic Vibration Reduction. The rear 2.5in LCD screen has a 230k-dot resolution, and large and clearly labelled control buttons.
It takes less than a second for the L21 to power up, while images are displayed promptly after capture. There issues with responsiveness once an image has been taken.
With just a single AF point in the middle of the frame, the camera turns in a mixed performance with regards to finding focus. Image detail fails to be resolved to the expected degree, and there’s a drop in sharpness towards edges and corners. Colour can also be very saturated, although with no choice of metering modes it’s a relief that exposures are largely balanced.
Verdict
A budget camera that’s incredibly average, even for the low price
Trusted Score
Score in detail
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Value 8
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Design 8
-
Features 8
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Image Quality 8
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Performance 8
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Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
