Nikon Coolpix L120 User manual

Nikon
COOLP DIGITAL CAMERA
2( L120
User's Manual

•r_D-Lighting: Enhancing Brightness and Contrast
F)-Lighting car] be used to create copies with enhanced brightness and contrast,
brightening dark portions of an image. Enhanced copies are saved as separate
files.
1Select the desired image in full-frame
playback mode ([_ 61) or thumbnail
playback mode ([_[_] 62) and press the MENU
button.
The playback menu is displayed.
2Use the multi selector to choose _!nl D-
Lighting and press the _) button,
Tile original version is displayed on the left and the edited
version is displayed on the right.
_3Choose OKand press the _) button,
2A new image with enhanced brightness and contrast is
created.
To cancel, select Cancel and press the _) button.
Images created with D-Lighting can be identified by the
icon displayed during playback.
[] More Information
See"Fileand Folder Names" (_ 131)for more information,
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[] Small Picture: Decreasing Image Size
Create a small copy of the current image. Suitable for uploading to websites or
sending by e-mail. The following sizesare available: [] 640x480, [] 320x240,
and [] 160xl 20. Small copies are saved as JPEGfiles with a compression ratio of
1:16.
1 Select the desired image in full-frame
playback mode ([_ 61) or thumbnail
playback mode ([_[_]62) and press the MENU
button.
The playbackmenu isdisplayed.
2Use the multi selector to choose [] Small
picture and press the _) button.
• • • u_
3Choose the desired copy size and press the _)
button,
4Choose Yes and press the _) button, _
Anew,smallercopyiscreated.
To cancel,selectNo andpressthe _) button.
Thecopy isdisplayedwith ablackflame.
[] More Information
See"Fileand Folder Names" (_ 131)for more information, 77

Crop: Creating a Cropped Copy
Create a copy containing only the portion visible in the monitor when I'_1_1 o°_ is
displayed with playback zoom (_ 64) enabled. Cropped copies are saved as separate files.
1 Rotatethe zoom control to T (00in full-frame i
playbackmode (iZ[_]61)to zoom in on the image.
To crop an image displayed in "tall" (portrait) orientation,
zoom in on image until the black bars displayed on the
both sides of the monitor disappear.The cropped image
is displayed in landscape orientation. To crop the image
in its current "tall" (portrait) orientation, first, use the
Rotate image option (i_ 73) to rotate the image so
that it is displayed in landscape orientation. Next, enlarge the image for cropping, crop
the image, and then rotate the cropped image back to "tall" (portrait) orientation.
2Refine copy composition.
Rotate the zoom control to i (0) or W (II_) to adjust the
zoom ratio.
Pressthe multi selector A, V, • or • to scroll the
image until only the portion you want to copy is visible in
the monitor.
3Pressthe MENUbutton.
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4Use the multi selector to select Yes and press
the _) button,
A cropped copy is created.
To exit without saving the copy, choose No and press the
_) button.
[] About the size of the original image
As the area to be saved is reduced, the image size (pixels) of the cropped copy is also reduced,
When the image is cropped and the size of the cropped copy is 320 x 240 or 160 x 120, the image is
displayed with a black border on the playback screen, and the small picture icon _ or F_ccis
displayed on the left of the playback screen.
[] More Information
See "File and Folder Names" (_ 131) for more h_formation,

You can use the camera to record high-definition movies with sound.
• The maximum file size for a single movie is4 GB and the maximum movie
length for a single movie is2g minutes, even when there is sufficient free space
on the memory card for longer recording (_ 84).
1Turn the camera on and display the shooting D
mode screen.
Recording of a movie can be started in any shooting
mode ([_] 33).
The current movie options setting is displayed. The
default setting is _ HD 720p (1280x720} (_ 84).
When recording movies, the angle of view (i.e., the area
visible in the frame) is narrower compared to that of still
images.
_t Lower the flash ([Z_ 7)
Recording movies while the flash is raised may cause the audio to be muffled.
3Press the • (_ movie-record)
button to start recording.
Recording begins after the monitor turns off
briefly.
The camera focuses on the subject in the
center of the frame. The focus area is not
displayed while recording movies.
When Movie options isset to _ HD 720p
(128Ox720), the aspect ratio is 16:9 and tile movie is
recorded as shown on the right.
The frame indicating the range that is saved when a
movie is recorded can be displayed in the monitor before
starting to record a movie by setting Monitor settings
(_ 110) in tile setup menu to Movie frame+auto info.
Tile approximate remaining movie length is displayed during recording. Recording
stops automatically when the maximum movie length has been recorded.
4Press the • (_ movie-record) button to stop
recording.
Movie options
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_1_ While the Camera Is Saving Movies
When movie recording stops, the movie is not completely saved until the shooting screen is
displayed, Do not open the battery-chamber /memory card slot cover. Removing the memory
card or the battery while a movie is being saved may result in loss of the movie data or damage to
the camera or the memory card.
_1_ Recording Movies
•When recording movies, we recommend using a memory card with a Class 6 or higher speed class
rating (_ 130). When using a memory card with a low speed class, recording may stop
unexpectedly,
• There may be some degradation in image quality when digital zoom is used. If the digital zoom is
not being used when movie recording begins, turning and holding the zoom control or the side
zoom control toward i magnifies the image using optical zoom and the zoom stops at the
maximum optical zoom ratio, After letting go of the zoom control, turn the zoom control toward
T again to magnify the image using the digital zoom.
• When recording ends, digital zoom turns off,
• The sounds of zoom control operation, zoom, autofocus lens drive movement, and aperture
operation when brightness changes may be recorded.
• Smear (_ 128) visible in the monitor when recording will be visible in the saved image data. To
reduce smear effects, avoid brig ht objects such as the sun, reflections of the sun, and electric lights
when recording movie,
• At a certain focus distance or zoom ratio, colored stripe patterns (such as fringe or moire patterns)
may appear on subjects with repeating patterns (such as a piece of fabric or a lattice window of a
building), This is a phenomenon that occurs when the pattern of the subject interferes with the
alignment of the image sensor, and is not a malfunction.
• The camera, battery or memory card may be hot immediately after using the camera, Observe
caution when removing the battery or memory card.
_1_ Autofocus
AF
• When Autofocus mode in the movie menu is set to _ Single AF (default setting), focus is
k_cked when the • _ _ movie record) button is pressed and recording starts (_ 85),
•Autofocus may not perform as expected in certain situations (_ 25), Try using the following
methods in these situations, AF
1. Before recording, set Autofocus mode to _ Single AI: (default setting) in the movie menu,
2. Aim the camera at another subject that is positioned the same distance from the camera as the
desired subject, press the • (_1_11movie record) button to start recording, then aim the camera
at the desired subject,
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Functions Available in Movie Mode
• The settings _r exposure compensation, white balance and color options are applied when
recording movies, When macro mode is enabled, movies of subjects closer to the camera can be
recorded. Confirm settings before starting movie recording,
• When using the sel_timer, the camera waits for 10 seconds after the • (movie record) button is
pressed, then focuses and begins recording.
• Flash will not fire.
• Press the MEI/U button to select the _ (movie) tab and adjust movie menu settings before starting
movie recording (_ 82),
• Vibration reduction for movie recording can be set with Electronic VR (_ 85) in the movie
menu,
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Changing Movie Recording Settings
Tile following options carl be adjusted from the movie menu.
M0vie options [_ 84
Selectthe type of moviesthat arerecorded.
Autofocus mode 85
Selecthowthe camerafocusesin movie mode.
ElectronicVR _ 85
Selectthe electronicvibration reductionsettingthat isusedwhen recording
movies.
Wind noise reduction 86
Reducestheeffectsof wind noisewhen recording movies.
Enhancedresolution 86
Setwhether or notto enhancethe resolutionduring movie recording.
Displaying the Movie Menu
1Displaythe shooting screen and _
press the MENUbutton, r_JIIL_
The menu isdisplayed.
When using easy auto mode, scene mode,
or smart portrait mode, press the multi selector (_ 11)
• to display the tabs.
2Press the multi selector 4.
Youcarlnow selectatab.
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3 Press • or • to select the _ tab.
4, Press i_ or the _) button.
You can now select an item from the movie menu.
Use the multi selector to choose and apply settings
(_ 11).
To exit the movie menu, press the MENUbutton or press _1
and select another tab.
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Movie Options
Display the shooting screen -') MENU-) _ (Movie menu) (_ 82) -) Movie options
Select the type of movies that are recorded.
Option Description
Movies with an aspect ratio of 16:9 are recorded in high
HD 720p (1280x720) definition. This option is suited to playback on awide screen TV.
(default settingj_ image size: 1280 x 720 pixds
Movie bitrate: 9 Mbps
Movies with an aspect ratio of ] 6:9 are recorded. A format
suDDor_ea by Apple Inc. When recording movies to the
n_ernal memory, recording may stop unexpectedly in some
,/_ iFrame 540 snooung conditions. When recording movies of important
(g60x540) events, recoraw g to a memory card (class 6 or higher) is
recommenaeo.
image size: 960 x 540 pixds
Movie bitrate: 24 Mbps
Movies with an aspect ratio of 4:3 are recorded.
VGA (640x480) image size: 640 x 480 pixds
• Movie bitrate: 3 Mbps
o_ • The movie bitrate isthe volume of movie data recorded per second. As a variable bitrate
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_" (VBR)system has been adopted, the movie recording rate varies automatically according to
the subject so that more data is recorded per second for movies containing frequently
o moving subjects, thus increasing movie file size.
• The frame rate is approximately 30 frames per second in any options.
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[] Movie Options and Maximum Movie Length
Option
HD 720p (1280x720)
(default Setting)
;_ iFrame 540 (960x540)
_ZVGA (640x480)
All figures are approximate. The maximum movie length varies depending on the type of memory
card used, the bit rate of recorded movies, etc.
The maximum file size for a single movie is 4 GB and the maximum movie length for a single movie
is 29 minutes, even when there is sufficient free space on the memory card for longer recording,
[] More Information
See "File and Folder Names" (_ 131) for more h_formation,

Autofocus Mode
Display the shooting screen -') MENU-) _ (Movie menu) (_ 82) -)' Autofocus mode
Choose how the camera focuses in movie mode.
_ SingleAF
{default setting)
Full-time AF
Focus is locked when the • (_1_I movie-record) button is pressed
to start recording.
Select this option when the distance between the camera and the
subject will remain fairly consistent.
Camera focuses continuously.
Select this option when the distance between the camera and
subject will change significantly during recording. The sound of the
, camera focusing may be heard in the recorded movie.
Use of Single AF is recommended to prevent the sound of the
camera focusing from interfering with recording.
Electronic VR
Display the shooting screen -_ MENU-_ _ (Movie menu) (_ 82) -) Electronic VR o_
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Select the electronic vibration reduction setting that is used when recording
movies. &
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(defaUlt Setting) W Reduces the effects of camera shake in movie modes. _.
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OFFoff Electronic VRis not enabled.
When electronic VR is set to On, _:_ is displayed when movie recording starts
(_ 8).
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Wind Noise Reduction
Displaythe shooting screen-) MENU-), (Movie menu)(_ 82) -) Wind noisereduction
Reduces the effects of wind noise when recording movies.
Setting
_ _-:'! Reduces the sound heard when wind passes over the microphone.
._ Select this setting when recording in places with strong wind.
_i_ On Using this setting may make other sounds difficult to hear during
playback.
OFFo_::"°'°::- Turns Wind noise reduction off.
(default setting)
The icon for the current setting isdisplayed in the monitor during shooting (_ 8).
When set to Off, no icon isdisplayed.
Enhanced Resolution
Displaythe shooting screen-') MENU-) _ (Movie menu) (_ 82)-)
Enhancedresolution
Set whether or not to enhance the resolution during movie recording.
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When changes in the brightness of the subject are severe, selecting off may be
appropriate. Change the setting and experiment to find the ideal setting for each
situation.
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In full-frame playback mode (_ 26), movies (:an be
identified by the Movie options icon (_ 84). To play a
movie, display it in full-frame playback mode and press
the _) button.
Use the zoom control T/W during playback to adjust
the volume.
Playback controls are displayed at the top of the
monitor. Pressthe multi selector '_ or i_ to choose a
control and press the _) button to perform the
following operations.
Pausing
Function _i_
Advance
I
I
Pause I I1'I'11
I
End
_1_ Note on Movie Playback
Onlymoviesrecordedwith (-OOLPIXL120canbeplayedback.
During Volume
playback indicator
Description
Rewind movie. Playback resumes when the _) button is released.
Advance movie. Playback resumes when the _) button is released.
Pauseplayback. The following operations can be performed while
playback is paused using the controls displayed atthe top in the monitor,
End playback and return to full-frame playback.
Deleting Movies
Select a movie and press the _ button in full-frame
playback mode (_ .61)or thumbnail playback mode
(_ 62). A confirmation dialog is displayed.
See "Deleting Unwanted Images" (_ 27) for more
information.
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The desired portions of a recorded movie can be saved as a separate file.
1 Play back the desired movie and pause playback ([:_ 87).
_t Press the multi selector _ or i_ to choose the
control, and then press the _ button.
The movie edit screen is displayed.
:3 Press • or •to choose the _ control
(choose start point).
When editing a movie, the frame displayed when the
movie was paused is the start point of the edit.
Press • or i_ to move the start point to the beginning of
the desired portion of the movie.
To cancel editing, press • or •to choose 4-j (return),
and press the _) button.
4" Press • or • to choose _ (choose end
point). __ ]
Press • or i_ to move the end point on the right edge to
the end of the desired portion of the movie.
Select [] (preview) and press the _) button to play back _ _ j
the specified portion of the movie that will be saved. ...... '
While the preview is playing, rotate the zoom control to
T/W to adjust the volume. While the preview is playing back, press the _) button again
to stop playback.
,5 When the settings are finished, press • or • to choose M Save and
press the _) button.
6 Choose Yes and press the _) button.
The edited movie is saved.
To exit without saving, select No.
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_1_ Notes on Movie Editing
• A movie that was created by editing cannot be trimmed again. To trim another area of the movie,
select and edit the original movie.
• Movies are trimmed in one second intervals, therefore the actual trimmed portion of the movie
may differ slightly from the selected start and end points. Movies cannot be trimmed so that they
are less than 2 seconds long.
• Editing functions are not available when there is not enough free space in the internal memory or
on the memory card to save the edited copies.
• Movies captured at a Movie options setting (_ 84) of _ iFrame 540 (960x540) cannot be
edited.
[] More Information
See"Fileand Folder Names" (_ 131)for more information,
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Connect the camera to a television to play back images on the television.
If you have an HDMI compatible TV,you (:an enjoy playing back images at high
definition image quality by connecting the camera to the television using an HDMI
(:able (available separately from third-party suppliers).
1 Turn off the camera.
2 Connect the camera to the TV.
When using the supplied audio/video cable
Connectthe yellow plug to thevideodnjack and thewhite andred plugsto theaudiodn
jackson theTV.
When using an HDMI cable (available separately from third-party suppliers)
Connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI input on the TV.
HDMI mini connector (Type C) To HDMI input
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3Tune the television to the video channel.
See the documentation provided with your television for details.
4Hold down the _ button to turn on the
camera.
The camera enters playback mode, and the images
captured are displayed on the television.
While connected to the TV, the camera monitor remains
off.
wNotes on HDMI Connection
• An HDMI ca hie is not included. Please purchase an HDMI cable. The camera's HDMI output uses an
HDMI mini connector _ype C). When purchasing an HDMI cable, confirm that one end of the
cable has an HDMI mini pin connector.
• To play back images and movies in high definition on an HDMI compatible TV, we recommend
capturing still images with Image mode (_ 53) set to [] 2048xl 536 or higher, and recording
movies with Movie options (_ 84) set to _ HD 720p (1280x720) or higher.
_1_ Notes on Connecting the Cable
• When connecting the cable, be sure that the camera connector is properly oriented. Do not use
force when connecting the cable to the camera. When disconnecting the cable, do not pull the
connector at an angle.
• Do not connect an audio/video cable and an HDMI cable to the camera at the same time.
• Do not connect a USB cable and an HDMI cable to the camera at the same time.
_1_ If the Images Are Not Displayed on the Television
Be sure that the camera's video mode setting conforms to the standard used by your television. The
video mode setting is an option set in the Set up menu (_ 103) * TV settings (_ 119).
[] Using aTV Remote Control (HDMI Device Control)
A remote control _r an HDMI CEC compatible television can be used to control the camera during
playback.
The TV's remote control ca n be used in place of the multi selector and zoom control to control the
camera during playback, image selection, movie playback and pause, and switching between full
frame playback mode and 4 image thumbnail display mode are available.
• Set H DMI device control (_ 11% in TV settings to On (default setting), and then connect the
camera using an HDMI cable.
• Operate the remote control by pointing it toward the TV.
• Refer to the TVs operating instructions for information about the TVs HDMI CEC compatibility.
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Use the supplied USB(:able to connect the camera to a computer and copy
(transfer) images to the computer.
Before Connecting the Camera
Install the Software
Use the supplied ViewNX 2 CF)and install the following software on the computer.
For more information on installing the software, refer to the QuickStortduide.
• ViewNX 2: Use the image transfer feature "Nikon Transfer 2" to save images that
were captured with the camera on the computer. Saved images (:an be viewed
and printed. Image and movie editing features are also supported.
• Panorama Maker 5:This software (:an join a seriesof images to create a single
panorama image.
Compatible Operating Systems
Windows
Windows 7 Home Basic/Home Premium/Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate,
Windows Vista Home Basic/Home Premium/Business/Enterprise/Ultimate (Service
Pack2), or Windows XP Home Edition/Professional (Service Pack3)
Macintosh
Mac:OS X(version 10.4.11, 10.5.8, 10.6.5)
Refer to the Nikon website for the latest information on operating system
compatibility.
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wNotes on Power Source
• When connecting the camera to a computer, use batteries with a sufficient amount of charge
remaining to prevent the camera from turning off unexpectedly,
• To power the camera continuously for extended periods, use an AC Adapter EH 67 (available
separately) (_ 129), Do not, under any circumstances, use another make or model of AC adapter,
Failure to observe this precaution could result in overheating or in damage to the camera,

Transferring Images from a Camera to a Computer
1Start the computer to which ViewNX 2 was installed.
2Be sure that the camera is off,
3Connect the camera to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
Be sure that connectors are properly oriented. Do not attempt to insert connectors at an
angle, and do not use force when connecting or disconnecting the USBcable.
4Turn on the camera.
The power-on lamp will light. The camera monitor will
remain off.
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_1_ Connecting the USB Cable
The connection may not be recognized ifthe camera isconnected to the computer via a USBhub, 93

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5Start the ViewNX 2 image transfer feature "Nikon Transfer 2" installed
on the computer.
• Windows 7
When the Devices and Printers •L120 screen is displayed, click Change program
under Import pictures and videos. Select Import File using Nikon Transfer 2 in
the Change program dialog and click OK.
Double-click Import File on the Devices and Printers •L120 screen.
•Windows Vista
When the AutoPlay dialog isdisplayed, click Import File using Nikon Transfer 2.
•Windows XP
When the action sdection dialog is displayed, select Nikon Transfer 2 Import File,
and click OK.
•Mac OS X
Nikon Transfer 2 will start automatically when the camera is connected to the
computer if Yes was selected in the Auto-Launch setting dialog when ViewNX 2
was first installed.
• See "Starting Nikon Transfer 2 Manually" (_ 96) for more information.
• If there are a large number of images on the memory card, it may take some time for
Nikon Transfer 2 to start.
6Confirm that the source device is displayed in the transfer options
Source panel and click Start Transfer.
button
Any images that have not been transferred to the computer will be transferred (default
setting of ViewNX 2).
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