Suggestion for decent sub £50 digital camera?

Strider590

ringo_24601 wrote: »

I've got a 500mm prime OM lens on my old 4/3rds SLR.. which gets doubled due to crop factor to 1000m ... yay for my 1x zoom It's such a long lens it has its own tripod adaptor. Not bad for £30 !

If you discussed lens length with someone who's only spending £50 on a camera; do you expect them to understand? The multiliper factor is the easiest way for a simple consumer to grasps product differentiation.

I love how everyone tries to push people looking for simple cameras towards bridge cameras.. almost like they just hate cameras that fit in pockets

It's marketing, most people think bigger is always better, more zoom, more megapixels, more storage, more, more, more, more, more.

Some years ago I was advising someone on what PC to get, I pointed him toward an Intel dual core, but he went to a shop and bought an AMD tri-core, EVEN THOUGH the Intel was the superior processor. It's always bigger = better in the mind of the average Joe.

InsideInsurance

ringo_24601 wrote: »

I've got a 500mm prime OM lens on my old 4/3rds SLR.. which gets doubled due to crop factor to 1000m ... yay for my 1x zoom It's such a long lens it has its own tripod adaptor. Not bad for £30 !

If you discussed lens length with someone who's only spending £50 on a camera; do you expect them to understand? The multiliper factor is the easiest way for a simple consumer to grasps product differentiation.

Even my 70-200mm has a tripod adaptor

I wouldnt expect them to instantly understand what results you'll get from a 400mm lens but you do need to clarify if they want wide angle or a long length and may be prone to disappointment if these things arent clarified.

If you were to get some ultrawide 12mm compact camera with a healthy x8 zoom you're only talking 96mm on the top end which would disappoint many people

freshfruitbandit

£60

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800

Sensor: 20.1 megapixels, 1/2.3-inch CCD Lens: 5x optical zoom, 26-130mm-equivalent focal range Screen: 2.7-inch LCD, 230,000 dots Max continuous shooting rate: 0.52fps Max video resolution: HD 720p

The W800 is Sony's starter Cyber-shot compact camera, yet it still packs a 20.1-megapixel CCD sensor with a sensitivity range of ISO100-3200, plus a 5x optical zoom lens and HD 720p video recording.

The W800 is aimed very much at novice photographers, but if you fancy getting creative, there are four Picture Effect filters to help spice you your shots, plus a 360° Sweep Panorama mode.

Operating the camera is a cinch thanks to the simple menu system, especially when this is set to Easy mode, whereby all non-essential functions are hidden. The W800's reliable exposure metering also ensures you get shots that look true to life.

Image quality does let the side down though, as despite the high pixel count, detail levels are poor. Shoot in low light at higher ISO sensitivities and you'll have to put up with even softer shots. The Sweep Panorama mode is another disappointment, producing blurry, low resolution results.

If you're after a simple point and shoot camera that'll slip easily into a pocket or bag and perform reliably, the W800 certainly fits the bill, but spend slightly more and you can get noticeably improved image quality

[Deleted User]

ringo_24601 wrote: »

I love how everyone tries to push people looking for simple cameras towards bridge cameras.. almost like they just hate cameras that fit in pockets

Bridge cameras tend to be more versatile, and will be suitable for longer, as the user becomes more experienced.

Jeannine

I've just bought the Canon Ixus 145 from Argos, £49.99, because I specifically wanted a small, light camera that DIDN'T have too many features etc. but good image quality. I found many good reviews online for this model. Newer IXUS models - more features, but not necessarily better i think.

[Deleted User]

Jeannine wrote: »

I've just bought the Canon Ixus 145 from Argos, £49.99, because I specifically wanted a small, light camera that DIDN'T have too many features etc. but good image quality. I found many good reviews online for this model. Newer IXUS models - more features, but not necessarily better i think.

That's a good price, those ixus's are well built and produce a nice photo

OP - if you've not bought yet.. this might be a good choice!

TiddlyPom

ringo_24601 wrote: »

That's a good price, those ixus's are well built and produce a nice photo

OP - if you've not bought yet.. this might be a good choice!

This was certainly on my short list. I'll take a look at it in more depth tomorrow. Thank you.