Advice on Digital Cameras please

mosaicwendy

Hi guys

Thanks for your help.

Taking everying thing you have all talked about into account - I've been looking through the suggested sites and I think I might have found the right camera, the only thing is it is £30 more than I planned to spend.

Anyway - before I do anything I wanted to ask your opinions - it is the Olympus C-765. Would you mind taking a look at it and letting me know your thoughts?

On Ebuyer it is priced at £205.34, but there will be a delivery charge to be added. On https://www.internetcamerasdirect it is £218.95 but it is free delivery, free tripod etc. (very kindly pointed out by one of you gentlemen).

If you could let me know if you think I have gone over the top with this camera I would be grateful as I have to try and get some more money together but would rather wait a few weeks, save a bit more and get the 'right' one. I'm sure you will understand.

You guys have been great, you have given me the confidence to have a look at some of these sites - I know that sounds a strange thing to say, but before I read all your posts I really didn't have a clue what to look for.

Anway, if you could let me know what you think about the camera or if you have any other ones in mind.

Bye for now
Wendy
xxx

mosaicwendy

Sorry - I am back again....

Just been reading through the posts and taken a look at the Minolta Dimage Z10 as recommended.

This has a 8x optical zoom, 3.3 megapixels and is £131.99 at ebuyer.com. At internetcamerasdirect it is £156.99 but again you get the free delivery and tripod etc.

Please can you take a look at this one too and let me know your thoughts.

Thank you again, better go to bed now - my husband is starting to wonder what I'm up to lol lol....

Wendy

Hintza

I have done a price search and the cameras in your price bracket with good megapixels and good zoom (anything over 4 mega pixels is out of your price range) are:-

Olympus C-765
Minolta Z10
Fuji s610
Minolta Z2 slightly more expensive than Z10 but more pixels and higher zoom. But I think I might be tempted.
Fuji S5500 high end of price range but worth a look
Yakumo Mega-Image 84D (no reviews)
Pentax Optio MX4 (reviews not brilliant)
Kodak EasyShare DX6490 (I looked at this and wasn't keen)

I think my order would be

Fuji S610 (but I am biased) and it is SLR size
Minolta Z2 (if I could stretch to it)
Minolta Z10
Olympus C-765 (I think it looks a little old fashioned)

To be honest there is not much between them.

I haven't checked macro mode on them all and that might be a factor to help decide.

The Minoltas are quite sexy looking.

What I would suggest though is go to

http://www.dpreview.com

And read what actual users have to say about each one. Just remember that people who get a duff one tend to shout loudest so weigh the comments objectively.

Whew..

EvilMonkey

Watcha Wendy,

So we're down to a minolta Z10 and Olympus 765.....

Well this ones a fairly easy call as they'd be in different classes of camera's. Both are fairly entry level, but the Z10 is an entry level SLR-like cam and the 765 is an entry level ultrazoom compact.

I've seem and played with both. The 765 has a ver small body with the lens sticking out about 3/4 of an inch when its all off. The z10 is chunky and angular. You could slip the 765 in a handbag (as my mum does) but not the z10 (well you could buy it would bulge a bit).

Scroll to the bottom of the following links to see some comparison size and shape wise:-

Z10 Vs 765

So its down to whether you wanted to be able to slip it in a small bag or are happy to keep it seperate \ buy a bag of its own. A first hand look at these 2 should be your next stop.

One other point, the makers know what they're doing pricewise and its VERY easy to blow your budget. So although the Z2 is better than the Z10 and only X pounds more than the z10, you could make an even more compelling argument to upgrade to the Z3. So be careful not to be sucked in.....

mosaicwendy

Hi again

Hintza - I was really chuffed to see that two of the cameras I had picked out were on your list!! It just goes to show that your advice was pointing me in the right direction....

Evil Monkey - I understand exactly what you mean about being sucked into buying a more expensive model but guess what. I do like the Minolta Z2 and think that is the one I want to go for! I must be a salespersons dream!

So, all of you guys - I think I have made my choice, I like the look of the Minolta Z2, I have read the write up on Steves Digicam and the other site and it sounds very good and I love the look and shape of it (is that a girly thing?)

It is quite a lot over my budget of £170.00 - but my Aunt and Mum have offered me an early birthday present to help me and.... I've been saving my boots point (from earlier tips from the moneysaving site) and have more than enough to by a 128mb digital memory card with them.

Phew.... so - one last question do you think I've made the right final choice?

Thanks for all the time you have taken - I do appreciate it very much. I couldn't have got here without all of your help - this has been such a good experience for me.

Wendy
xxx

Hintza

Do you really want a 128mb card....

Lack of flexibility??

All your eggs in one basketand all that...

Do not rush to buy prices are dropping all the time and e-bay is a good place to to buy them but you will probably get a better deal buying online. Unless you can persuade the camera vendor to chuck one in  ;).

Do not dismiss Jessops I believe they are quite good at price matching, but know your market before you go.

One last point make sure you have a decent camera bag.  Before I bought the S602 I had an HP945 (nice camera) but knocked it off the desk on to a carpeted wooden floor, so not a hard knock.  It was dead after that.

So treat the camera with care they do not take the knocks my old 35mm Canon SLR took.

Have fun buying

Oh by the way there is a Z3 and it has...and costs...lol

mosaicwendy

Hintza - aaaarghhh stop!!!!

I daren't look at any more lol lol.

When you say don't rush to buy - do you mean the camera or the memory card?

Just looked on the boots web site and they have the camera, bag, 128 mb card for £254 and I would get points on my card.

Ebuyer is cheaper at about £207, but would have to buy the other bits and pay shipping.

Jessops is much more on their website, don't know if they have the same deals in-store though.

Not sure about buying a camera from ebay, I've only ever bought small things from there before - do you think its a safe option? (Sound like Mrs Squarepeg don't I - lol)

Wendy
xxx

Hintza

Best price I can find is Pixmania £221 delivered (using a code but code expires today).

Code= priceuk081 (£7 off)

I bought my HP945 from them and more than happy.

Its the memory card I was talking about unless you get a deal don't rush there.

As far as EBAy is concerned the camera goes for more there.

monomer

Congratulations for choosing a camera, mosaicwendy!

It still might be a good idea to see it in person first but it looks like you've got your mind made up.

Just a couple of points to bear in mind! It looks like the camera comes with 4x Alkaline batteries. There isn't any rush, but if you're going to use the camera a lot, do consider getting some rechargeables for it.

As Hintza says, the memory card isn't essential immediately unless you plan to take a whole load of pictures. There are some websites that sell memory cards quite cheaply. For the Z2, remember to look for SD memory cards.

mosaicwendy

Guess what - I've done it!!

I've just ordered the camera and a case from Pixmania (using the code - thank you xxx).....

It should be delivered on Monday to my work address

I can't wait for Monday to come round - it will make going to work a whole lot nicer to contemplate lol lol.

Once I get it and have mastered the controls (stand by for more questions lol) I'll take some photo's and email you them so you can see the results of all your hard work!

As for batteries, I've got some re-chargable ones at home - my kids have many different gadgets that require batteries so I have a good range.

I'll leave the memory card for a while and see how I get on with the one that comes with the camera before splashing out anymore, will probably have to wait til payday anyway...

Thank you so much for all of your help - I know I have spent more than planned but I truly believe I am getting a better camera thanks to your advice.

I'll let you know when it arrives

Wendy
xxx