Digital Camera Suggestion?

[Deleted User]

darich wrote: »

I'd be inclined to steer clear of "image stabilisation" on a point and shoot camera within the budget you have.
In most cases it's actually a lie - the image isn't stabilised - the camera simply increases the ISO setting (increased sensitivity to light meaning a faster shutter speed can be used). The increased ISO setting results in a very grainy or "noisy" image. Noisy images are less sharp and less clear than "quiet" images.

There are probably dozens of cameras to choose from in your budget. I agree with previous posters - pixel count doesn't mean better images at the lower end of the market. Best thing to do is decide on the features you want, find the cameras with those features then make your choice.

I'd stick with the major manufacturers eg Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Kodak etc.

Both those cameras i mentioned had optical image stabalisation - the only kind i'd bother with. This is where the optics compensate for the camera body's movement - it does not just jack up the ISO and shutter speed. I believe only Panasonic and Cannon have this feature in their lower priced models. I'd also stear clear of Kodak, it has a good name from the days of film production - not a good name for cameras themselves.

darich

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Both those cameras i mentioned had optical image stabalisation - the only kind i'd bother with. This is where the optics compensate for the camera body's movement - it does not just jack up the ISO and shutter speed. I believe only Panasonic and Cannon have this feature in their lower priced models. I'd also stear clear of Kodak, it has a good name from the days of film production - not a good name for cameras themselves.

I hadn't realised those cameras had optical image stabilisation but what I said still stands. "In most cases it's actually a lie" is still true.

I've seen optical image stabilisation at work in my own bridge camera and while it's better than no stabilisation it's not a patch on an IS lens on a SLR but that's to be expected.

Panasonic get a good name in the compact market these days.

judithcoull

I am looking for a digital camera, for my partner, to use both indoors and outdoors for between £150-£250. He usually uses a DSLR, however due to restrictions on their usage at gigs etc i thought i would get him a compact camera. I don't want a basic 'point and shoot' model as he will be quite interested in the different settings/specs. I am not too sure what i should be looking for. Something a bit more advanced and with decent picture quality and zoom.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

The 'top end' point and shoot cameras are the Panasonic LX3 (£300ish) and the Canon G10 (£350-390ish)

Tell him the panasonic comes with a f2.0 - 2.8 lens (24mm).. he'll know what it means:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/

Damn i'd like one of those

Lehman

I have also been waiting for the after Xmas sale to buy a good camera. Wanted to go for professional, but due to finances, will settle for something cheaper once again. I am looking into Canon and Sony brands, but haven't decided regarding any particular model yet. I have also been told that pixels are not the biggest criteria for good quality pictures. On the contrary, if you have large pixels and not intending to print the photos, they will take a lot of space on a computer or e-reader. Optical zoom and lense quality are more imprtant. I suppose, brands that actually specialize in Camera, such as Canon or Nikon would be better choice than Panasonic, whose biggest speciality is not really a camera.