Need a new camera

xzibit

I would like a new camera. My camera is fine for me, but I would like a better zoom, and slightly more control over some features, like shutter speed, apeture etc. I would also like to stay with a small compact camera though.

I have chosen 3 so far. Can anyone knowledgable about cameras help me out a little?

Casio Exilim EX-V7 (7x optical, 7.2mp)

Ricoh Calipo R6 (7x optical, 7.2mp)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 (10x optical, 7.2mp)

I just don't know which one to choose. On paper, I'm liking the Ricoh, but have never heard of them before.

Mike307

You might like to look at Finepix F810,

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/f810/index.php?lpage=/digital/cameras/range.php&flash=7

espresso

Mike307 wrote: »

You might like to look at Finepix F810,

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/f810/index.php?lpage=/digital/cameras/range.php&flash=7

Why it only has a 4X optical zoom and no image stabilisation. Personally I would go for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 more user reviews here.

superjaggybunnet

If you can afford it go for Digital SLR.

espresso

superjaggybunnet wrote: »

If you can afford it go for Digital SLR.

Why? What has the cost got to do with it, if it doesn't meet the OP's requirements:

xzibit wrote:

I would also like to stay with a small compact camera though.

xzibit

I can afford a DSLR, but I don't want one. I want a camera that I can still bung in my pocket on holiday. I don't use the camera well enough to warrant getting an SLR either, therefore just sticking with a compact camera.

All of the 3 above will be good enough for me, but I just wondered whether anyone had any experience of any of them. I have read many reviews, and there is a lot of talk about stuff I don't understand.

espresso

xzibit wrote: »

there is a lot of talk about stuff I don't understand.

Time to learn then, otherwise you might as well ask your gran which one is the best!

Omertron

Casio Exilim EX-V7 (7x optical, 7.2mp)
Review Here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/casioexv7/

Ricoh Calipo R6 (7x optical, 7.2mp)
Details Here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Ricoh/ricoh_caplior6.asp (No review)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 (10x optical, 7.2mp)
Review Here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/

Probably only worth reading the introduction page and the conclusion page for the reviews. The Ricoh doesn't have a review yet.

Hope that helps
Stuart

davetrousers

I am also considering the Casio Exilim EX-V7 and the Panasonic Lumix.

Play.com have got the casio for £179.99, which is the cheapest I have found it for. The cheapest I have found the Panasonic is about £240 (I think).

Out of the 2 I am leaning towards the Casio, because I currently have the EX-Z40 and am very fond of it. The thing I like about the EX-V7 is the non-protruding lens which I think is superb but I do strongly believe that the Panasonic does have a better quality lens. i like the docking stations you get with Casios and the battery life is also very good.

Considering the EX-V7 is so much cheaper (thanks to play.com) I think I would probably go for it over the Panasonic. But if the Panasonic was the same price I might go for that!

Enterprise_1701C

Go into a store like Jessops, quiz them and have a play with the cameras you are thinking about. Holding the camera makes all the difference, it's no good getting one then not liking the feel of it. I went into Jessops before I bought my last camera and they were very helpful, let me try several different cameras, and I didn't even end up buying from them, but I should imagine any camera store would let you play for a while.

Cricri

xzibit wrote: »

I can afford a DSLR, but I don't want one. I want a camera that I can still bung in my pocket on holiday. I don't use the camera well enough to warrant getting an SLR either, therefore just sticking with a compact camera.

All of the 3 above will be good enough for me, but I just wondered whether anyone had any experience of any of them. I have read many reviews, and there is a lot of talk about stuff I don't understand.

In my book, quality comes from the optics, especially if you want 10x ish zoom.

Having a camera which fits in a handbag and has a quality 10x zoom is asking a bit much. Sure, some cameras might suposedly do 10x and fit in your hand, but that sounds like the 7.2MP: on one hand there is genuine proper thing, and on the other hand there is the marketing blurb which technical specs are impressive, but the quality just doesn't hold for it (e.g. 10x zoom with rubbish optics gives rubbish pic, and El Cheapo 7.2MP gives rubbish pic too since colours bleed in between pixels due to too high sensors density on a too small sensor).

To conclude, I agree with espresso: if you want a high pixels count, a high zoom factor, but consider that SLRs are just not for you, you might want to reconsider that or just go back to lower pixel count and zoom.

My 2 cents, although I know that you will buy one of the cameras which make you think they kick !!! according to the marketing blurb anyway...