Help please ref buying a digicam :)

Bargainbabe_2

I did post this in I wanna but i didn't get any response. So, As you are allowed to ask questions like "does anyone know where i can get a cheap 'Dyson' from?' I thought i would see if i get any help here.


I want to buy a new digital camera as the one i've got at the moment isn't very good. I only use it for general pic taking, nothing too spectacular.
Thing is, I haven't really got a clue when it comes to digital cameras. Is there a difference between optical zoom and digital zoom? What should i look for? Whats the minimal pixels i need to take a decent pic? Does anyone know if there are any good deals around on digital cameras? Can anyone make any reccomendations? My top price would have to be £100.

Please help me.... ??? :-/

scattycat_3

Digital pictures are made up of dots (pixels), the more dots the better, but also the price increases. They eat batteries too.

IMO,
3+ megapixel, for bigger prints. smaller dots
3x optical zoom as digital zoom only zooms in on the digital pixels, so dots get bigger. whereas optical takes you closer like a telescope, and the number of dots in the photo stays the same.
ie 3m pixel camera, 3x digital zoom ends up with 1m pixel print, with 2x optical zoom the print still has 3million pixels/dots.

Batteries , get a camera that takes AA ones, cheapest to replace and last longest. Best are Nihm 2300 rechargeables, but you can use Alkaline in "emergencies".

Memory cards Compact flash and Smartmedia are cheapest, but slowly being replaced by smaller cards like SD.
Fuji XD and Sony are IMO most expensive.


HTHs Scat

feeson

Optical zoom uses the lens to magnify and digital uses in-camera software, optical is by far the best type of zoom to have/use.

https://www.7dayshop.com have cameras in at good prices but I'd look at 3mp and up with optical zoom for example they have the fuji A340 for £119 inc, go for a brand name as they tend to have the better lenses.

Big_Dazza_2

Bargainbabe,

I was going to post this as a seperate deal that I myself have just taken advantage of.

Check out the Boots website (sorry can't do the fancy links).  On the search bar type in Fuji, and scroll through until you find the FinePix A340 £126.65.  (on page 2)This was £180!!
Use the code HFDM48 for 10% off that price, free delivery and of course remember to go through greasypalm as its 2.5% cashback for Boots.  Total price £113.98 (and of course 506 Boots advantage points).

As far as the camera itself is concerned 4M pixels, x3 optical zoom, 1.7 digital zoom, movie capture with a 1.5 LCD screen.  A bargain excellant level beginers camera with a decent name to boot.

Obviously do your own homework but I would recommend this.  They are selling for around this mark plus p&p on ebay ;D

Hope this has helped

Dazza

Feeson - Sorry just read your post again and seen that you also have suggested this camera.....

Patr100

If you are just viewing on a PC then pixel count isn't significant but when you start printng and enlarging  it is.

For a good sharp 6 by 4 inch  print a mega pixel count of at least 1.3M is needed. You may still get away with larger prints but once you start to blow up prints to 10 by 8 or larger more pixels eg 3 or 4 MPs are better.

Alway Look for optical not digital zooms.

Couple of links here:

http://www.internetcamerasdirect.co.uk


http://www.digital-cameras.com/shop/default.asp

EvilMonkey

Bargainbabe,

The first thing we need to know is what you need the cam for? What kind of pics you want t take? anything specific you NEED the camera to do etc.

As stated in earlier posts a 1MP camera would be fine if your just posting on the web, but I'd say its not good enough for ANY kind of printing, a 2MP will take you up to snap size pics and a 3mp will do fine up to big snaps and possibly A4.... So what are you hoping to do?

I (and a couple of others) helped a lady (wendy) through the process a week or 2 back and it really does depend on your use. She was quite keen on the idea of taking pics of birds in her garden, that kind of use needs a big zoom so off we went to track down that type of cam.

So let use know your thoughts and we can start to have a look around.

damski_2

if you want a site that has fantastic reviews etc

try

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

a great resource

cheers

Adamksi

lellie

https://www.dpreview.com is very useful in choosing too..

AVOID CANON POWERSHOT A70/75/80/85 series.. mine has just died with the dreaded E18 error 2 weeks out of guarantee (apparently they all do this!! grrrr) so I shall be looking for a new camera can't afford to replace it but can't live without it..

EvilMonkey

lellie wrote:

AVOID CANON POWERSHOT A70/75/80/85 series.. mine has just died with the dreaded E18 error 2 weeks out of guarantee (apparently they all do this!! grrrr)

I'm not sure I'd say all, Mine seems fine 1 year + on... I use it a fair amount as does my wife and 7 year old daughter.... My companys 18 odd digicams (all canon A70's or A75's) are also fine....