Which Digital Camera to go for?

Scouse337

Hi guys and gals,

I'm looking for a smart new little Digital Camera. Buget is around £100-£150. I saw an advert on the TV about Currys selling a Samsung 6 mega pixel camera for £99 and called in store, the guy who showed me knew nothing about the camera or willing to put batteries in it and show me what it could do.

Any ideas on a decent one or what i should be looking for, plus memory etc?

Cheers

zacspeed_2

Buy a Nikon. Nikon don't make washing machines, TV's, calculators, etc etc, they just make cracking cameras!

Steve's digicams is one of the best places you'll find for informative reviews.

wiraone

Had a Nikon Coolpix 885 but upgraded mine to Sony dsc-p200 .. Sony does produce the whole lots and it does produce cracking cameras too!

For a budget digital camera, I will say, avoid Fuji and Olympus, they're using a more expensive XD card.. the same goes to Sony which is using memory stick. Go with the Canon or Nikon cameras, they're using a cheaper SD or CF card instead.

Last but not least, avoid those with digital zoom only .. look for at least one that has 3x optical zoom feature.

ollyk

Scouse337 wrote:

Hi guys and gals,

I'm looking for a smart new little Digital Camera. Buget is around £100-£150. I saw an advert on the TV about Currys selling a Samsung 6 mega pixel camera for £99 and called in store, the guy who showed me knew nothing about the camera or willing to put batteries in it and show me what it could do.

Any ideas on a decent one or what i should be looking for, plus memory etc?

Cheers

Well stay away from Curries etc... go to a dedicated camera shop like Jessops where the staff will at the very least stick batteries in the camera for you!
Also you need to tell people what you want the camera for. There is not a single camera that is 5* in all departments, (apart from an SLR or Prosumer even these have tradeoffs) some are better for parties (low light capable) some are better for closeups and some better for sports shots. Make a list of what you want camera to do in the order you will expect the camera to do it, then get further advice here or at a decent shop!

Scouse337

Thanks guys, been having a look at a few cameras. I want the camera as a good but cheap all round camera for pics of the family, parties and a half decent pic of a footie match!

Sony cyber-shot w70
Canon power shot a700
Nikon Coolpix 7900

All over the £150 buget but i could afford if i can sweet talk the missus. Are these any good or are there a cheaper better ones. I already have a Sony Digicam so have a Memory stick i could use for any Sony Camera(thats right isn't it?)

If i do need to get an SD card or other format what should i be looking for and whats the costs?

Cheers again

windym_2

I Love my Canon Ixus 55. It takes beautiful pictures, is very small so just drops into my pocket and the battery seems to go on and on. I bought mine from pixmania via quidco, http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/s_action/search/index.html?itag=1180 may not be the cheapest place at the moment, but just a smidgen over your budget. Amazon is always a good place to start re prices and reviews - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000B5KFGI/026-2416447-7777216?v=glance&n=560798

shopbot

I've got a Nikon Coolpix. Very pleased with it. I had a quick play with the Sony the other day and it was impressive. Very easy to use and well built. I've heard good things about the Ixus 55 as well.

A lot of serious photographers will tell you not to get sucked into the 'megapixel' myth by people like Currys. Lots of other factors make a camera take good photos such as the lens quality and the size of the internal sensor. Digital SLRs start off with 6mp so aim for 4-6mp as a guide. Nikon have a reputuation for quality lenses.

Scouse337

Thanks again folks.

So the Canon Ixus 55 would be the way to go then do WE think?? Anyone else got this camera and a thought on it?

ollyk

Scouse337, Now that you seem to be narrowing down, I really would pop over to Steves Digicams (link above) or Dpreview. Both sites (and one or two more) offer fantastic in-depth reviews of camera's with all the weakness and good points laid out. This will give you an idea - then you can pop down to your local camera specialist to have a look and try out.
When people start mentioning specific makes of camera you have to bear in mind that everyone has a favorite make, either thru past experience, recomendations or maybe cos the advertising folk just happen to press the right buttons so to speak!

shopbot

ollyk wrote:

Scouse337, Now that you seem to be narrowing down, I really would pop over to Steves Digicams (link above) or Dpreview. Both sites (and one or two more) offer fantastic in-depth reviews of camera's with all the weakness and good points laid out. This will give you an idea - then you can pop down to your local camera specialist to have a look and try out.
When people start mentioning specific makes of camera you have to bear in mind that everyone has a favorite make, either thru past experience, recomendations or maybe cos the advertising folk just happen to press the right buttons so to speak!

This is spot on! Research it then handle it!!!

Scouse337

Hi again, i've read through some reviews and the Canon does come out very good. Like you say i do need to have a proper play with it in the shop before buying though.

One other question, what size SD card would i need? Mostly photo's but some movie. Plus how much and where from and is there a difference between makes/speeds?