New, Cheap compact camera advice

Dave_C_2

victor2 wrote: »

Also, consider that the best way to use even modern batteries is to run them until the're used up and only then recharge them, as their life is based on the number of recharge cycles they can handle. I wouldn't be without a spare.

NO NO NO
This only applied to the old NiCad batteries. Newer NI-Mh don't have any memory effect. With modern Lithium-ion and Lithium polymer batteries over-discharging can ruin the battery.

If it's a new camera it will have a Lithium ion/polymer battery pack.
Charge as often as possible using the correct charger.

Dave

mutley74

i cant decide between the Fuji JZ510 but i seen this Olympus VR-310 Smart which is about £105 from amazon. Not seen any user reviews on this but seems reasonable.
Would love a panasonic but means forking out extra £100! Any views welcome.

darwins

mutley74, in my experience Fuji beats out Olympus when it comes to image quality, but those two models are likely to be similar with their super zooms.

mutley74

darwins wrote: »

mutley74, in my experience Fuji beats out Olympus when it comes to image quality, but those two models are likely to be similar with their super zooms.

I was slightly put off for going for a Fuji because of the mixed reviews on the EXR300 and JZ500, as some users have said they experienced poor quality shots indoors. However, i am just am novice who wants to update from my last digi camera which is over 5yrs old, and have something with good optical zoom and wide angle.
Which do you think is better value the Fuji or Olympus range?

RaiderHammer

I had a Nikon S210 and just replaced that one with a Nikon S3000. The S3000 was a bargain £79 from John Lewis including free delivery a while ago.

I have been really impressed with both Nikon's.

mutley74

i was after one with at least x10 zoom.
going to see if Argos let me have a look at the Samsung Wb600 and the Olympus Vr310. Both seem very good just cant choose!!

Smoking_gun_2

I bought the Samsung WB600 from Argos a few weeks ago for my wife. It's an excellent camera, the zoom is very good and the flash is good. Plenty of oportunities for manual setting and some photo manipulation in the menus.

We've had a poor experience with a cheaper olypmus which we bought last year, it was sent back to olympus for repair but came back with a poorer performance than before, high power drain, variable quality even on sequential photos of the same subject. We managed to persuade our local Argos to exchange for another olympus (same model) and experienced several problems and returned it, paying the extra for the Samsung.

I won't risk buying another olympus.

Martin

mutley74

Smoking_gun wrote: »

I bought the Samsung WB600 from Argos a few weeks ago for my wife. It's an excellent camera, the zoom is very good and the flash is good. Plenty of oportunities for manual setting and some photo manipulation in the menus.

We've had a poor experience with a cheaper olypmus which we bought last year, it was sent back to olympus for repair but came back with a poorer performance than before, high power drain, variable quality even on sequential photos of the same subject. We managed to persuade our local Argos to exchange for another olympus (same model) and experienced several problems and returned it, paying the extra for the Samsung.

I won't risk buying another olympus.

Martin

Saw both the Wb600 and Olympus Vr310 at Argos. Although the Wb600 seems to have reasonable reviews it is very "chunky" and quite a large size for a compact camera, hence put off bu this. The Vr310 is very slim in comparison. This is going for £130 at Argos, but £104 at Amazon. Unfortunately, Amazon say this is 3-4 week waiting time.
I popped into Jessops and Currys digital, both shops said avoid Samsung. Jessops suggested that the Fuji is okay but not brilliant, whereas Currys said they have had no problems.
So its either pay the extra for the Olympus Vr310 at Argos or choose a Fuji from Fuju shop (JZ500 at £90 or the F300EXR at £135 refurb - the latter has 15x zoom and panaromic view).
So its back to square

mutley74

Well i ordered the Olympus Vr-310 for £107 from a family owned business called eshopbrokers. They seemed pretty reasonable with good telephone help and even called me back to answer some questions. Next cheapest was at Amazon but they have no stock for a weeks as this is a new camera.
Next best camera i thought was the Panasonic Fs33 but mixed reviews on the touch screen. John Lewis chap though the screen was a bit "thin" and may not be long lasting. I found the screen easy to use but not as hard wearing as an iphone screen.
anyway hope this helps someone else.

BTW ordered a case for £2.99 from amazon which looks pretty reasonable, i can get the link if anyone wants it.

pacman_2

I'm also looking for a new digi camera. I want it to take holiday snaps and vids. I've seen the Panasonic TZ8 for £150 at Sainsburys. It looks good for what I require. Any thoughts on this camera?