View Full Version : which digital camera!
My husband wants a new digital camera but i have no idea which one to get.
He wants one with a larger screen that basically does everything for him except press the button[msneek] as he really only uses it for holiday snapshots. However as we are going on safari next year it would be good to get one that is suitable for wildlife shots. I would like to spend about £150 maybe a bit more. At the moment he has a kodak easyshare which is about 10 years old. I know there are lots of people on here who are keen photographers so I'm hoping someone can give me some recommendations please.[msnsmile]
My Personal choice is Digital SLR - currently I have a Sony Alpha 300 - but this does not sound like the type of camera you are looking for at all either in spec or price.
However for the money you have to spend you do have a surprising amount of choice.
For the wildlife I would say you need one with a super zoom lense (10 or 12 times optical zoom)
As an example the Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd can be had for just under £110 from certain web sites or the Fujifilm FinePix S5800 can be had for under £100. Both these options leave some dosh to buy a memory card a case and a spare battery.
There are other similar models form all the big makers they tend to be between £150-£200 - the fuji ones though are great value though.
Funny enough i had just been looking at the Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd on one of the well known websites but was worried it was too cheap.I will go and have another look now. I'm glad to see I was looking in the right direction though.Thanks for your help MJG
Y, I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ3 and absolutely love it, before that I had a Lumix DMC TZ1. I believe there is a later model out than the TZ3. You can use it as a simple point and shoot, or use the many facilities it has to be as creative as you wish. It is amazingly versatile and so easy to carry and it has a large screen.
I am going to college next year to do a photography degree foundation course. At my interview the tutor couldn't believe my portfolio photos had been taken with my little Lumix.
I have taken some great wildlife shots with it. We are in Florida and yesterday morning we discovered we have otters in the pond behind us and this morning I have been trying to get some photos of them. I'll try to post some later. Without an SLR and long lenses on safari your husband will not get the kind of shots you see in wildlife magazines but he should still be able to get some adequate pictures. He may even find that he gets the shot that other photographers miss due to the time taken changing lenses!
I think the Lumix is probably a little more than you were wanting to pay but it is considerably cheaper than an SLR. Spending a little more will get a much better camera.
The point about the 10-12x "optical zoom" is a good one.
Just make sure it is optical zoom and not digital zoom.
Optical is true zooming in, but digital is cheap way of making it look like its zooming when all its doing is enlarging the picture.
Then look for a ggod quality name and make sure you know what king of memory it takes.
ShirleyD
05-12-2008, 13:41
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nina A
Y, I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ3 and absolutely love it, before that I had a Lumix DMC TZ1. I believe there is a later model out than the TZ3. You can use it as a simple point and shoot, or use the many facilities it has to be as creative as you wish. It is amazingly versatile and so easy to carry and it has a large screen.
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I have one of these too and love it. You can just point and push or set it up as you wish. It fits easily in my bag.
Y, I can't help much with a little snappy. The Lumix series are as good as any in that space. I have a FX55 myself.
If you wanted to step up to something a bit more serious and your budget would stretch, Jessops are currently listing a Nikon D40 + 18-55mm lens for around £240. That kit will whup the bejesus out of any point-and-shoot.
I'm sure that Canon have something similar but I don't know their system well enough to recommend anything personally.
The upsides are that you will get extremely good image quality, plus it's expandable by virtue of being compatible with the whole Nikon system.
The downside is that it's a DSLR so it isn't going to fit in your pocket - although one of the unsung benefits of the D40 is that it is one of the smallest DSLRs you can get.
Steve, what do you think of the NiKon D60? I went into Jesspos last week and was looking at the DSLR's. Mind you the one I would really like it the D90 with the AF-S DX 18-105 lens, but my Father Christmas thinks this is too much [msnsad] The alternative one at half the price is the digital Fujiilm s100fs. I have had a Fujifilm for the last 8 years and it has been very good.
FraserLynn
05-12-2008, 17:25
Just brought the Lumix FX37 and I am thrilled with it, a bit pricey (about £170 seems to be the going rate) but you can get some good bundle deals.
Really good quality, picture fantastic, features really easy to use - all round IMO very very good
I haven't had a chance to play with a D60 Karen - however from it's pedigree it will be a great piece of kit. Isn't it the upgraded version of the D40 (that will likely replace the D40)? In fact, do Nikon still manufacture the D40? Maybe that's why they are such good value at the moment? I'm even mulling over picking up a D40 body as a carryaround for when my 700 would be a bit on the heavy side.
If you can though I'd say you need to employ more pursuasion for the D90. That's a great beast. It swaps you onto the CMOS sensor and the way they handle low-light is just beautiful. I think you'd also get most of the imaging pipeline out of the D300 plus the faster autofocus, faster response, etc.
For a lens check-out the 18-200mm DX. It's a wee bit more expensive than the 18-105 but it's range and image quality are to die for.
Thanks Steve. Yes, I think the D60 is going to replace the D40. The D90 just seems to have much more on it. I have to ask myself if I can live without those things. I may just have to wait a little while and so buy the camera I want. I will look at the 18-200mm DX. That covers a vast range. I do like the idea of just having the one lens.
I did look at the Sony as Andrew (Magical Dreams) has taken some great photos with it and it has a lot going for it, but it felt too big for my hands, whereas the Nikon felt good.
Didn't the OP want to spend £150??? or a little bit more.
This puts the D40 the D60 and certainly the D90 well out of reach....
Depends on how much more is a little bit. I'd say the D40 is within reach ... and if not now it more than likely will be in the sales after Christmas.
To me the decision is easy, but it isn't based on price, it's based on fitting the tool to the job. If one wants a snappy to carry around in a pocket a Lumix is a great piece of kit. I have one myself and I often carry it around in my pocket. If, however, one wants something a little more serious (and a safari was mentioned) then the D40 would be my tool of choice. It's heavier. It's more bulky (although still wonderfully small). But it's hugely more capable and it will blow the Lumix out of the water for image quality. My best advice would be to fit the tool to the job. The best camera, after all, is the one you have with you.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Snapper
Depends on how much more is a little bit. I'd say the D40 is within reach ... and if not now it more than likely will be in the sales after Christmas.
[/quote]Cheapest D40 I can find on t'internet is £240 - I reckon that's way more than a 'little bit more'
- you are correct though, they are a great camera I've just given mine to my daughter , I just don't get the impression that a dSLR is what Y was looking for, if it was I would chuck the Sonya Alpha 200 into the mix - I've just bought one of these for my other daughter for Xmas after I got the Alpha 300 as a gift - great cameras and simply a breeze to operate.
Bigger than the D40/D60 but lovely cameras.
Well I wasn't even sure what a DSLR was but I do now after looking it up.I am going to go and look at the lumix cameras which I think will be about as complicated as he is prepared to use. MInd you I have found the thread very intersting so maybe I should take up photography[msnsmile2]
You might like to look at the Fuji range on https://secure.fujifilm.co.uk/shop/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/view-all
There are some really good cameras well within your budget.
Would deffo. go for 10x optical zoom, but you really need a camera with image stabilization to use the zoom end if hand held.
Think MJG on the right track....
You can either pick up a buyers guide from Jesops shops or online at www.jessops.com
I was looking through the one I picked up earlier and it looks like a Fugifilm Finepix S8100fd might fit the bill very well. It has a 18x optical zoom, wide angle, 10 mega pixel and 13.5 frames per second shooting, which means you can pres a button and it will continually shoot until you release the button to make sure you catch all the action.
And it is only £199. Amazing, I paid over £500 for mine 8 years ago and it has no where near this specification.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Karen
You can either pick up a buyers guide from Jesops shops or online at www.jessops.com
I was looking through the one I picked up earlier and it looks like a Fugifilm Finepix S8100fd might fit the bill very well. It has a 18x optical zoom, wide angle, 10 mega pixel and 13.5 frames per second shooting, which means you can pres a button and it will continually shoot until you release the button to make sure you catch all the action.
And it is only £199. Amazing, I paid over £500 for mine 8 years ago and it has no where near this specification.
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Unfortunately Jessops are not always the best place to get a good deal price wise. They are however renowned for giving great customer advice pre-purchase but then people often go to their stores, seek advice and then walk out and buy on-line - shame but true.
However real bargains do pop up on their site from time to time, like the Alpha 300 bought for me recently.
Same spec. as the Alpha 350 (aside from the mega pixel count - 10mp rather than 14) and a good £100 cheaper.
So I am a very happy Jessops customer.
Appledore
09-12-2008, 14:57
Y, You will definately be able to find a decent aim and shoot for that money, but can I suggest you look into hiring a digital SLR for your safari preferably with a image stabilizer lens that way you will definately get some fantastic shots.
Have a wonderful time
Elaine
Personally I would first get hold of a copy of "What Digital Camera" magazine (published by Which) and maybe even another similar mag - there are plenty on the shelves in WH Smith etc. Then look at the specs & the 'Best Buys' for cameras in your price range. Then having chosen 2 or 3 alternative models - search on the internet for the cheapest.
Like most things you can get a camera that will do A,B,C & X or for a similar price, another that will do B,C, X & Y. You have to decide which functions are most suited to your purpose.
Well after reading lots of reviews I have just ordered the Panasonic Lumix TZ5. Just waiting for it to arrive.Thanks to everyone for their advice which was really useful.
Good choice - glad to be of help.....