Digital Camera

Allan87

My current phone has a 3MP camera, which is ok but not the best. I'm not sure what's considered "good" anymore, 5MP+?

I basically need something for general days and nights out so I wouldn't like anything too big. I've already got a MiniSD card so if there are small ones that support that media I'd appreciate any recommendations.

isofa

Never choose a camera based on it's mega-pixels and equally never compare a camera phone with a dedicated camera (there is no comparison!).

The cameras in mobile phones are photographically hopeless: tiny lens, non-existent optics, etc.

Then when choosing a dedicated camera, don't worry about mega-pixels: a 10MP camera with a cheap as chips lens with produce far inferior pictures to a camera with 6MP but a top notch lens.

Go for anything 5MP or above (5-6 should be fine for your usage) and stick to quality manufacturers, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic etc.
If you want small, the Canon Ixus range are excellent, I keep one at hand for snaps.

www.dpreview.com and www.stevesdigicams.com for reviews

www.camerapricebuster.co.uk for price comparisons.

Hope that helps

paddytehpyro

8MP is generally considered film quality. My 8MP Pentax Optio L40 (about 6months old) is easilly good enough for A4 sized prints.

As you say nights out then you may wish to consider the ISO. Basically the higher the number the better the pictures will be in low light. I believe 1200+ is considered a high ISO.

If you are using it alot or even with one hand (as I do) don't forget to take into account how it feels in your hand and where the buttons are. I would say read the reviews and compare prices but also goto a shop (Jessops are quite good) and handle the camera first.

Marty_J

I have a 6 megapixel dSLR, and it is easily good enough for A3 prints. Don't let the number of pixels sway your decision. As isofa points out, there are other far more important variables in the performance of a camera. Retailers like to pretend that a new 12 megapixel monster will take "sharper" and "more detailed" photos than the 6 megapixel one you already own, yet all you're likely to get is bigger files and noisier pictures.

Having said all this, the fad towards more and more megapixels can work to your favour, as people pass up perfectly good cameras for their more well endowed cousins. The Canon A580 is a great little camera, has more megapixels than most will ever need, and can be found on eBay for less than £100. If you want to spend even less, you can get the 5 megapixel Canon A530 on eBay for less than £50; I'm planning on picking one up myself just so I'll always have a camera with me.

isofa

paddytehpyro wrote: »

8MP is generally considered film quality. My 8MP Pentax Optio L40 (about 6months old) is easilly good enough for A4 sized prints.

I guess it depends on what you are judging by "film quality"! :rolleyes:

It all to do with the optics lens, sensor, a multitude of factors, MP for a consumer don't really come into that much.

This is way off the OP post but resolution wise 8MP can't really be described as film quality. (Most publishers won't accept anything less than 20MP for a double page spread.) But it will give a home user a very good quality almost A4 print at 300dpi.

If you are talking about actual resolution, not even a mid-range DSLR (semi-pro) such as the 12.8 MP EOS 5D can be classed as "film quality", despite it being a superb camera costing £1500, you'd have to be looking at least 20 mega-pixels to replace true film quality.

But again it depends how you measure "quality"! Top quality medium format digital cameras (Hassleblad etc), start at 20MP and range up to 40MP for studio professional work.

Back to the thread! The higher the ISO in general, don't forget the more noise you'll also get in the image, 1600 is a standard "high" ISO, with 3200 or above on Pro models, this will enable you to shoot in low-light, but with a very grainy image. It should be used in emergencies rather than as standard practice.

As Marty says above, a good quality digicam can produce some stunning results, some of the best images I've taken were with lower resolution D-SLRs than with the higher res ones I currently use. Technology will never make anyone a photographer.

No consumer is ever going to get the benefit from a 12MP camera over say an 8MP camera IMO, unless they plan to constantly zoom in and crop the image.

Lens, lens and lens are my top three important points

paddytehpyro

What I meant was like old style compact camera's. 35mm film I believe.
Its been so long since I dabbled with film. Memories.

Anyway, the lense is the most important thing however comparing the lense on one camera to another is a time consuming buisness. That is why a 6MP DSLR will produce better pictures than an 8 or maybe even 12MP camera.

As Allan87 asked for nothing to big I was assuming a compact camera. Anyway 8MP is enough IMHO.

Also think about Shake Reduction (analouge not digital)