camera buying advice

madlyn

i'm after treating myself to a new camera, i would like to upgrade from a standard compact camera. ideally i would like something with a good zoom, point and shoot but the option to set up myself with a budget on around £150.
have had a quick look and i thing the brands that deal only in cameras would be better. fuji, nikon and so on.

London50

Hi

My advise to start with is handle the cameras, any good camera shop will not have any problem you spending an hour or so trying what they have out so that it feels right for YOU.
Possible {if you can} take a look at not only a good zoom,point and shoot but also a bridge camera as it COULD help if in the future you choose to go for a DSLR.
Do not be pushed by the sales people remember it is YOU that is going to be the one using it and HAGGLE when you find what you like ;0)

London50

Farway

A second for the bridge camera idea, a bit more bulky than compact, but many more options

Also check out the lens, a good lens is the beginning of a good picture

madlyn

Is a bridge camera half way between a compact and an SLR?
and what am i took look out for regarding a lense?

London50

Hi

Yes "Bridge cameras" are half way between the two and give far more control than the compacts. See link below

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_camera

As for lens quality I would suggest that known makes {Nikon,Zeiss,Pentax ect} rather than some cheap brand from China as any slight flaw on the lens grinding will be magnified on any pictures you take but any good camera shop worth its salt will point you in the right direction.
I would also say that the good shops would be quite happy to let you "sleep on it" when choosing what you want so do not except any pressure, remember you are in the "driving seat", it's YOUR hard earned cash and you want to be happy with your purchase. Most good shops know this and want your custom so an hour or so of their time COULD result in a lifetime of sales to you :0)

London50