Which compact camera

MickKnipfler

I need to get a new compact camera. I did look around before Christmas ans was attracted to the Panny TZ5.

I'm not a photographer and really am only looking for good quality photos out of the box. I only really want family/holiday/ebay pics. Nice zoom is useful but I don't really need lots of technical stuff. Money isn't an issue but I don't want to spend money I don't need to to impress people with lots of features I wouldn't use.

Any advice?

omelette451

I've been very happy with my canon ixus, and would recommend anything from the range. It wasn't too expensive, it's small and very light, and you can get an excellent leather case from amazon for about a tenner to protect it. Even better is the software they give you to store/edit the photos on your computer, which includes red eye removal that works, and a particularly nice feature is the ability to 'stitch' photos together to make a panoramic shot. The zoom is good enough for me (I mostly take holiday/family pics too) and includes digital macro zoom for really close up flowers and stuff, and there are some neat quirks like indoor/fireworks/foliage settings to help you. hth

alison74

MickKnipfler wrote: »

I need to get a new compact camera. I did look around before Christmas ans was attracted to the Panny TZ5.

I'm not a photographer and really am only looking for good quality photos out of the box. I only really want family/holiday/ebay pics. Nice zoom is useful but I don't really need lots of technical stuff. Money isn't an issue but I don't want to spend money I don't need to to impress people with lots of features I wouldn't use.

Any advice?

Go with Panasonic, they're great cameras, good leica lens. I've got a FX33 (now equivalent model FS3 for about £85). More functions than you will ever need.

It does only have a small zoom though 3 x.

I also have a panasonic FZ28 (just new) for my more touristy shots on holiday (just about to head to Nepal) for the times you do need a good zoom (for me, it's ability to zoom into mountain peaks)

I use the wee one for whipping out and shots out of buses / at night / on my own etc and the bigger one for during the day, touristy areas.

The TZ5 is in between the 2 and I didn't go for it in the end as it didnt quite fit in a trouser pocket, therefore no good for me, but does have the bonus of being 10 x zoom.

I did extensive research before buying both of them, have taken 6000+ photos in SE Asia with FZ33 and was more than happy and 4000 + in Oz and it's still going strong at 15 months old.

Memory cards are cheap a good speed one 2 gb £4/5.

Go into your nearest camera shop and have a play with a few to see how they feel to you.

Our look up reviews on Steve's Digicams.

Panasonic range are great and 6 people I have met whilst travelling now have same cameras as mine as they were so impressed what mine could do.

London50

I would agree with both posters, the cameras they reccomend are good but as a word of advise I would take the info and go to your camera shop and handle a few before you make up your mind. Most people will always reccomend {corectly} the one that they use but {as with anything} what is either right or comfortable for one may not suit someone else:)
Hope this helps

moneysaver

Hi what about the Fuji FinePix J150w, I do not have this one but have 2 Fuji camera's. They both take great pictures & Fuji has a great name in the photography world, they only make photographic items & nothing else, so they know what they are doing.



Moneysaver

BillScarab

I've got the older TZ3 and am very happy with it. Excellent lens on the Panasonic cameras and although the 10x zoom is very handy the wide angle is even better.

omelette451

London50 wrote: »

I would agree with both posters, the cameras they reccomend are good but as a word of advise I would take the info and go to your camera shop and handle a few before you make up your mind. Most people will always reccomend {corectly} the one that they use but {as with anything} what is either right or comfortable for one may not suit someone else:)
Hope this helps

Definitely true, but don't allow yourself to be persuaded into buying it there and then by pushy sales people: they're almost always cheaper online... (Hint: try Amazon before you go to get an idea of prices.)

MickKnipfler

Thanks chaps