Best digital camera?

davidl_2

Hi - I'm looking for a new digital camera and am a bit overwhelmed by what is available, what features there are, the prices, and the confusion with which cameras really have the megapixels that they advertise.

I am basically looking for a good, affordable camera that I can use for everyday use, but also good enough quality pictures for special occasions, without being at professional level. Video recording, and possibly webcam would be nice extras.

I've seen some less known brands in shops like Currys for £30-£40 with 5mpx but I'm wary of these and tend to lean more towards Canon, Olympus or other known brands, even though for all I know they may have the same features, but just paying for the name.

Can anyone recommend a good camera?

tewboss

Canon are very good at digital cameras. PC Pro are recommending the Canon Digital IXUS 60 at the moment - its list price is £213. Is this overkill for your requirements? I bought a Fuji a while back and their cameras are good value.

davidl_2

Thanks - I will definitely look at this one as I have used Canon before and never diappointed. However, ideally I would like to find something nearer £100 maybe in the sales.

I've noticed that in other posts, ASDA seem to have some good delas, but the stores I've checked out don't sell any cameras!

tewboss wrote:

Canon are very good at digital cameras. PC Pro are recommending the Canon Digital IXUS 60 at the moment - its list price is £213. Is this overkill for your requirements? I bought a Fuji a while back and their cameras are good value.

penrhyn

Nikon Coolpix 5600 is a very good camera, shop around for a good price.

davidl_2

I just had a quick look at amazon reviews and they don't seem to be to positive about Nikon 5600, but I guess that everone has different opinions and standards.

This one seems to also be good: Oympus Mju 800, which is 8 megapixel, 3x optimum zoom, for £179 on Amazon. Very good reviews also!

fitorbust

I have a Casio Exilim 7.2Mpixel and am very happy.
It is my 4th or 5th, always having had Nikon's before.
Nice small camera with a BIG screen and stainless steel case.
easy to use and great quality pictures.
Not sure of price but am sure it will be a lot cheaper than when I bought it!
Got rave reviews when i bought it (last summer).

ManAtHome

Currys have a few 'name' brands under £100 - Kodak C530, Samsung A503, Olympus FE-120 (half price offer), and X715 (33% off), Fuji A510. PC World has these plus Olympus C180, Kodak C340, Pentax Opt 60, and Nikon L4.

Don't forget to budget for a bigger memory card - most cameras come with a very small card (only really suitable for testing). Have a 'look & feel' session - regardless of specifications, the best camera is one you feel comfortable with.

Some good review sites are:
http://www.dcresource.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/

Note that some of the model numbers are slightly different in the US - this sometimes shows up if you Google (eg) Fuji S9500 review (this is the S9000 in the States).

Astaroth

Dont get caught up with specs - thinks like the lens and the sensor/ processor are just as important but arent on the spec sheets. You could put a 7mp in a pin hole camera and accurately market it as a 7mp camera but the images would be terrible.

I would concure with sticking with a solid camera building brand like Canon or Nikon. Sony you are paying more for the name and the styling which is ok if that is your priority (I like my sony as it is very much pocket size which makes a slight difference when carrying it around instead of my canon dslr)

davidl_2

These look good:

Canon PowerShot A620 Digital Camera [7.1MP, 4 x Optical Zoom]
Canon PowerShot A620 Digital Camera [7.1MP, 4 x Optical Zoom]


Olympus Mju810 Silver Digital Camera [8 MP, 3 X Optical Zoom]

Olympus Mju 800 [8MP, 3 x Optical Zoom]



Its very difficult to choose, I supose I probably have been focusing too much on MPX rather than the rest but its hard to choose!

Astaroth

This is where camera stores where you can actually try them out and see how they feel in your hands etc come in

CAT-THE-FIFTH

Like Astaroth says you should handle camera first and then take test shots.

The major issue with alot of compacts is noise and in this regards the Fuji F10/F11 destroy the opposition.

If you go to a party you will realise that having a usable ISO400/800 mode is great as this means you do not need to use the flash all the time!!

I have seen samples from the F30 and it seems to be even better.

Dpreview and many other sites have good reviews on the F10

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf10zoom/

F30 samples:

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/67909965/m/343008129731