Total Novice Camera Advice

KBizz

Hello,

I'm looking for a new digital camera and would greatly appreciate some recommendations. I don't particularly want to spend over £200.

I am a complete novice - all the knowledge I've gained has been through compulsive researching over the past couple of days! However, I think I would like a camera that would give me some 'room to grow', as it were; something a bit more than a very basic point and shoot. I'd like a camera which would allow me to develop some understanding of 'the basics' and experiment with different settings, scenes and styles. Although I'm not dedicated to pursuing photography as a serious hobby, I would like to be able to produce as pleasing images as is possible on my budget, nicely sharp with good colour. I expect I would use the camera for a bit of everything - nights out, holidays, some landscape, some macro, perhaps some night-time shots - I'm getting into nail art and would love to be able to take colour-accurate, clear photos of my manicures, too!

Video is nice to have but not a major concern, and neither is GPS. I might like to print sometimes, but nothing huge - I think A3 would be the extreme end size-wise.

I've been considering (in no particular order): Lumix TZ18/20 or perhaps 8; FinePix F500/550/500EXR; Powershot SX220; all of which I believe offer some degree of manual control. I've read a number of reviews etc. but have struggled to get a clear, consistent picture, so I'd welcome any comments on these or alternative suggestions.

Please excuse my relative ignorance, and thanks in advance!

K

robmar0se

hi, I recently bought the panasonic tz18, and so far am pleased with it (still learning) - my price limit was £150 - I really wanted the Nikon s9100 but couldn't get the black version within my budget.

The TZ18, fits your spec, in as much as there is an auto setting, and then when you want to you can choose settings, lens is great, only downside is the instructions are naff.

I bought mine from electrical 123 for under £145

JournalGirl

I have the TZ20, and am delighted with it. The automatic setting is great for good all-round pictures, but there is lots of opportunity to take the auto off, and go for semi or fully manual, as you develop your skills.

Also worth considering if you have a local photoraphic society, I have been going to one for about 4 months, and it has really opened my eyes to composition and lighting effects.

Whatever you buy...ENJOY IT!

Lifeforms

Another TZ18 user. With the GPS, it will use up battery, so things like that you'll prolly want to turn off (or just miss out when you buy a camera)

But if you're doing macro, the TZ18, and assuming following TZ20 will do two macro types. A real macro (up close to the object in question) or a Macro zoom, where you can stand a bit further back and use the zoom.
Has multiple scene modes, half and half etc.

You will want to use a tripod for things like slow shutter shots (when/if you get to that) as well as maybe macro on likes of nail art. So would be something you should budget for. But I'd say look at the lighterweight travel tripods if you want to be out and about, you can get nice Hama ones, that are reasonably steady, but also you will want the option of reversing the head joint thing of it (Sooo technical!) so it'll take pictures from under the main tripod section. Which is perfect for closer hand shots, or top view macros.

KBizz

Thank you all for your responses - much appreciated!

Nice to see you are all happy with your TZ18/20s! I've read varying and possibly conflicting reviews of all the cameras I mentioned, which perhaps left me feeling a little overwhelmed! @JournalGirl, that's a great suggestion about joining a club, which hadn't occurred to me! I'll look into it! @Lifeforms, thanks for the additional tripod info - expect I'll try and get to grips with the very basic stuff first but I'm sure your tips will come in particularly helpful further down the line.

I expect in the end I'll be happy with whichever camera I choose and find it a significant improvement on what I have now. I've certainly seen images from all or most of them online which, to my untrained eye, looked pretty impressive. Hopefully most anything with manual settings will let me learn a little something new and come up with more interesting photos than basic snapshots!

Thanks again for your input!

Lifeforms

TheTZ18 is a great handbag camera as well I have it at all times, and some of the random shots I've gotten have been really nice. I generally don't really use mine for a specific use, just more grab it and shoot, but as we're now out in summer (!) typed weather, I am floating towards macro flower head shots for now.

Ultimately one camera will be better over another in one area, and vice versa. There is no super camera out there that is the top of the pyramid. If you want to try and try it out, head into likes of jessops and just play around with the buttons. You can then prolly find it cheaper online somewhere else. It's also what is considered a superzoom compact meaning it has better zoom capabilities than a regular compact. But what I've found is the noise on the picture at full zoom (optical and digital combined) is not overly noticable in good light. (and frankly taking it into a church first time, and being able to zoom in 2 stories up, and get minute details was a lovely surprise) It really was the super zoom that I bought mine for, and have not been disappointed at all.

googler

Another vote for Panasonic generally, as I use an FX30, which is getting a bit long on the tooth, but is an excellent little camera.

I use it for close-ups to list small items on eBay, and it's ideal for that, as well as for general use.