new digital camera- recommendations ?

black olive · 20th February 2008, 21:27

at the moment I have a minolta dimage 304- nice pictures but eats batteries.
things have moved on a bit now, and the girls are growing up and want a camera to use, so I am going to upgrade.

I dont really "need " an SLR, but want one with a good zoom, quick response when the button is pressed, ability to take action shots, and not too big or battery hungry. ( oh, and not too expensive)

any pointers in the right direction appreciated.

smcaul · 21st February 2008, 07:47

The choice is vast!!!!!

If you want a small, light and cheap SLR then the Nikon D40 would suffice, but you would need to add to the kit lens as that is only an 18-55mm, then that means changing lenses for different situations. http://www.jessops.com/Store/s47076/...y=False&comp=n

If you want a good all round then something like the Fuji Finepix http://www.jessops.com/Store/s36318/...y=False&comp=y would be ideal (not suggesting the store, just the product!), I have used a family members earlier version of this camera and was impressed with it.

Or just go down the ultra compact route, I got SWMBO a Pentax Optio L30 last year, pictures are ok, but nothing special, but the battery life is awful!!!!! About 1/4 that of the D40!!

But make sure you go and try out your short list, as the ergonomics of a camera can be a real deal maker/breaker

Also, have a look at www.dpreview.com you can compare lots of different models side by side.

Jontie · 21st February 2008, 08:13

Hi,
f you want a decent zoom without the weight and hassle of an SLR the Panasonic Lumix offers 2 models, one with 18x and one with 12x. I would also look at the Canon Powershot S5 Is (12X) and the Fuji Finepix. Take your time' have a good look and enjoy choosing. I'm at the same stage and can't make my mind up between the first two!! HTH

black olive · 22nd February 2008, 13:18

thanks guys- had a look at the lumix today and was very impressed, it has givnme a benchmark to compare other models

black olive · 26th February 2008, 20:43

Im thinking of going for the Lumix TZ3.

Ive just had a birthday and as the in- laws forgot it was my 40th last year have made up for it this year so Im going to put the money to good use

the internet branch of the local dealers is doing it for a very good price ( and they are only 5 miles up the road from me)

http://www.buyacamera.co.uk/zsearchp...FQE_MAodx0KVWw

JamesP · 26th February 2008, 21:19

Hello Black Olive

For Christmas last year I bought my wife a Panasonic FX33 & my son a Fuji FinePix F40fd.

They only take pictures on Auto.

After seeing pictures with both I can highly recommend the Fuji as the colours seem much more real.

The Panasonic gives the subject a yellow tint for some reason, also the Fuji can operate in very low light without the neeed for Flash.

May be worth a visit to your store to compare, I wish I had.

Eddy · 29th February 2008, 16:09

Hi black Olive,
go for Canon Poweshot IS3 or IS5. Myself, i own IS3 .it's pretty good

20th February 2008, 21:27	#1
black olive I really should get out more....... 260 SE vin 214 ( last mark 1 260 ) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	new digital camera- recommendations ? at the moment I have a minolta dimage 304- nice pictures but eats batteries. things have moved on a bit now, and the girls are growing up and want a camera to use, so I am going to upgrade. I dont really "need " an SLR, but want one with a good zoom, quick response when the button is pressed, ability to take action shots, and not too big or battery hungry. ( oh, and not too expensive) any pointers in the right direction appreciated. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

21st February 2008, 07:47	#2
smcaul Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon CDT Club Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southampton Posts: 481 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The choice is vast!!!!! If you want a small, light and cheap SLR then the Nikon D40 would suffice, but you would need to add to the kit lens as that is only an 18-55mm, then that means changing lenses for different situations. http://www.jessops.com/Store/s47076/...y=False&comp=n If you want a good all round then something like the Fuji Finepix http://www.jessops.com/Store/s36318/...y=False&comp=y would be ideal (not suggesting the store, just the product!), I have used a family members earlier version of this camera and was impressed with it. Or just go down the ultra compact route, I got SWMBO a Pentax Optio L30 last year, pictures are ok, but nothing special, but the battery life is awful!!!!! About 1/4 that of the D40!! But make sure you go and try out your short list, as the ergonomics of a camera can be a real deal maker/breaker Also, have a look at www.dpreview.com you can compare lots of different models side by side. Last edited by smcaul; 21st February 2008 at 09:23.. Reason: Added info

21st February 2008, 08:13	#3
Jontie Loves to post Rover75 2.0L Conn SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Barrowford near NELSON in Lancashire Posts: 456 Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Hi, f you want a decent zoom without the weight and hassle of an SLR the Panasonic Lumix offers 2 models, one with 18x and one with 12x. I would also look at the Canon Powershot S5 Is (12X) and the Fuji Finepix. Take your time' have a good look and enjoy choosing. I'm at the same stage and can't make my mind up between the first two!! HTH __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]John. (Sadly,they really don't make 'em like this anymore!!!!)

22nd February 2008, 13:18	#4
black olive I really should get out more....... 260 SE vin 214 ( last mark 1 260 ) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	thanks guys- had a look at the lumix today and was very impressed, it has givnme a benchmark to compare other models __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

26th February 2008, 20:43	#5
black olive I really should get out more....... 260 SE vin 214 ( last mark 1 260 ) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Im thinking of going for the Lumix TZ3. Ive just had a birthday and as the in- laws forgot it was my 40th last year have made up for it this year so Im going to put the money to good use the internet branch of the local dealers is doing it for a very good price ( and they are only 5 miles up the road from me) http://www.buyacamera.co.uk/zsearchp...FQE_MAodx0KVWw __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

26th February 2008, 21:19	#6
JamesP Loves to post Rover 75 ConnSE CDTi 131 Starlight Silver Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Truro Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello Black Olive For Christmas last year I bought my wife a Panasonic FX33 & my son a Fuji FinePix F40fd. They only take pictures on Auto. After seeing pictures with both I can highly recommend the Fuji as the colours seem much more real. The Panasonic gives the subject a yellow tint for some reason, also the Fuji can operate in very low light without the neeed for Flash. May be worth a visit to your store to compare, I wish I had.

29th February 2008, 16:09	#7
Eddy Regular poster Rover 75 Sedan Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: in Estonia, Pärnu Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi black Olive, go for Canon Poweshot IS3 or IS5. Myself, i own IS3 .it's pretty good