Digital Camera - 400ukp ceiling
Discussion
Hi,
Have decided to buy a new digital camera. I currently have a budget Olympus C220 Zoom, which I liked initially, but I have become more and more frustrated with blurred edges and definition. To start with I thought it was a slow CCD and my shaky hands (may be partly that), but I think duff JPEG compression may play a role in it. I now use the least compression I can and it is better but I still have problems. It's not a good camera in low light conditions, the flash is lousy (huge drop-off), and it's not very adjustable.
I was vaguely looking towards a Canon Powershot A70 - my missus has one and it seems excellent. It has a fully automatic point and shoot mode and also a totally manual mode. This really appeals to me, want decent snaps, but also the ability to play about a little.
Anyway, got some cash for my birthday so I'm looking at something more up-budget. Makes I am leaning towards at the moment are Fuji and Canon, but I'm open to suggestion. Looking for good image quality (obviously!) and full auto/manual control.
I'll throw the floor open to the experts now!
Have decided to buy a new digital camera. I currently have a budget Olympus C220 Zoom, which I liked initially, but I have become more and more frustrated with blurred edges and definition. To start with I thought it was a slow CCD and my shaky hands (may be partly that), but I think duff JPEG compression may play a role in it. I now use the least compression I can and it is better but I still have problems. It's not a good camera in low light conditions, the flash is lousy (huge drop-off), and it's not very adjustable.
I was vaguely looking towards a Canon Powershot A70 - my missus has one and it seems excellent. It has a fully automatic point and shoot mode and also a totally manual mode. This really appeals to me, want decent snaps, but also the ability to play about a little.
Anyway, got some cash for my birthday so I'm looking at something more up-budget. Makes I am leaning towards at the moment are Fuji and Canon, but I'm open to suggestion. Looking for good image quality (obviously!) and full auto/manual control.
I'll throw the floor open to the experts now!
I hadn't - are they that cheap now?
Whilst I don't want a tiny camera, DSLR is going to be sufficiently bulky that I will never take it anywhere. Plus there are extra lens costs, etc. 400ukp is my absolute top whack, no room for maneuovre, so I think I would rather go for a top notch "compact" than DSLR.
Interesting thought though, still keeping an open mind!
Whilst I don't want a tiny camera, DSLR is going to be sufficiently bulky that I will never take it anywhere. Plus there are extra lens costs, etc. 400ukp is my absolute top whack, no room for maneuovre, so I think I would rather go for a top notch "compact" than DSLR.
Interesting thought though, still keeping an open mind!
nicecupoftea said:
I hadn't - are they that cheap now?
Whilst I don't want a tiny camera, DSLR is going to be sufficiently bulky that I will never take it anywhere. Plus there are extra lens costs, etc. 400ukp is my absolute top whack, no room for maneuovre, so I think I would rather go for a top notch "compact" than DSLR.
Interesting thought though, still keeping an open mind!
Wait till after christmas when all the good boys have their Canon 20D's and watch out for Them flogging Their 300's
You can get the 300D(kit) at a little over £400 if you try hard.
£570ish at currys, 10% dvdforums discount, , 5% egg rebate, cannon £100 rebate online with receipt or something such. Has been as low as £406 (tho higher now?).
And you can get a free 128mb CF card too.
Oh and 7day shop have the 10D on for under £700 now too!
£570ish at currys, 10% dvdforums discount, , 5% egg rebate, cannon £100 rebate online with receipt or something such. Has been as low as £406 (tho higher now?).
And you can get a free 128mb CF card too.
Oh and 7day shop have the 10D on for under £700 now too!
Hey, Mr Tea, I'll tell you something.
Firstly, I've had a nice chunk of steak and plenty of vino diablo, BUT...
As you don't want a DSLR, and that's cool, I really don't see any point in spending £400 on a compact. You can everything you need for half that: everything above that is just playing at trying to be an SLR but failing.
All IMHO of course :hic:
Firstly, I've had a nice chunk of steak and plenty of vino diablo, BUT...
As you don't want a DSLR, and that's cool, I really don't see any point in spending £400 on a compact. You can everything you need for half that: everything above that is just playing at trying to be an SLR but failing.
All IMHO of course :hic:
simpo two said:
... I really don't see any point in spending £400 on a compact. You can everything you need for half that: everything above that is just playing at trying to be an SLR but failing.
All IMHO of course :hic:
Mine too! Couple of hundred or so on the camera then some on some memory cards and reader, tripod/monopod, a filter or two and a bit on software.
Sorted.
Really?
Last time I did any research was when I bought my C220z - that was about 200 quid, and there was loads above it that was better. I know the A75 (A70 replacement) is around 200 quid now, but surely there are better compacts out there?
How about Fujis? Just been reading a review of the F810 that looks good.
DSLR would be lovely but I really know very little about photography and want something I can keep on me, otherwise there's no point in having it!
I do want something considerably better than what I have at the moment. Seems to me that a couple of years ago you could spend more and get something a lot better. Guess that maybe due to price of DSLRs coming down.
Last time I did any research was when I bought my C220z - that was about 200 quid, and there was loads above it that was better. I know the A75 (A70 replacement) is around 200 quid now, but surely there are better compacts out there?
How about Fujis? Just been reading a review of the F810 that looks good.
DSLR would be lovely but I really know very little about photography and want something I can keep on me, otherwise there's no point in having it!
I do want something considerably better than what I have at the moment. Seems to me that a couple of years ago you could spend more and get something a lot better. Guess that maybe due to price of DSLRs coming down.
I have an A70 and there are only two things that I (as someone in the same bought as you) would like/need.
1) Higher optical zoom. 3x just isn't enough for most applications and digital zoom is worthless.
2) Higher f-stop values, as it is the longer shutter speeds are pretty much worthless as you can't get high enough f-stop values.
Other than that it's a fantastic camera (if a bit large) and with the 4xAA batteries it lasts ages
1) Higher optical zoom. 3x just isn't enough for most applications and digital zoom is worthless.
2) Higher f-stop values, as it is the longer shutter speeds are pretty much worthless as you can't get high enough f-stop values.
Other than that it's a fantastic camera (if a bit large) and with the 4xAA batteries it lasts ages
I have a Nikon coolpix 5700, if they are still availiable (replaced this year by cp8700) you can get one for <£400. It is a fantasic camera with a great lens 8x optical zoom which IIRC is around 240mm equivalent. It has a 5mp CCD and has full manual controls. Wide angle, fisheye and teleconverters are also availiable, also with the correct lens hood (the one for the cp8700) it is possible to use filters. I love it.
>> Edited by zetec on Thursday 9th December 23:20
>> Edited by zetec on Thursday 9th December 23:20
How about the Minolta Dimage A200, or Canon Powershot G6?
Both around the £420 mark (may be able to find them a few quid cheaper though).
I've got the earlier version of the Canon (the G3), and have been very happy with it. A mate has the next model up from that Minolta, and is very impressed with it too, and it has anti-shake technology which is very useful.
The advantage these cameras have is that the lenses are larger and better quality that you would find in the smaller P&S cameras, plus you get all the manual control that you would find on an SLR. In addition, the Canon has a flash hot shoe, so you can fit a bigger flash if required.
Both around the £420 mark (may be able to find them a few quid cheaper though).
I've got the earlier version of the Canon (the G3), and have been very happy with it. A mate has the next model up from that Minolta, and is very impressed with it too, and it has anti-shake technology which is very useful.
The advantage these cameras have is that the lenses are larger and better quality that you would find in the smaller P&S cameras, plus you get all the manual control that you would find on an SLR. In addition, the Canon has a flash hot shoe, so you can fit a bigger flash if required.
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