My son want a digital camera - which one?
Discussion
He's 13, and has decided he'd like a camera that 'does things' (i'm not entirely sure what this means?). He has a PC so i'm sure there are some software packs he can have to accessorize?
Let's say a budget of £150, this way if it gets lost or broken his Mother won't be too cross.
My guess is it's going to mainly be used to take photos of people (read girls).
Let's say a budget of £150, this way if it gets lost or broken his Mother won't be too cross.
My guess is it's going to mainly be used to take photos of people (read girls).
I'm no camera guru, but last week on The Gadget Show, they tested digital camera's to destruction.
They really liked the Pentax Optio, it took all sorts of major abuse and still worked well. It was also under £150 so could be a good bet.
Gadget Show article here http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?lnk=401&... pentax on page 3.
They really liked the Pentax Optio, it took all sorts of major abuse and still worked well. It was also under £150 so could be a good bet.
Gadget Show article here http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?lnk=401&... pentax on page 3.
As an ex-Optio owner I'd caution against them.
There's a common fault where the lenses mash against each other and you get a depleted battery error while the lenses are still stuck. It takes no mis-use at all!
Canon Ixus or Powershot for me
Canon A570 leaves money in the budget for a 2GB Ultra SD card too if you look in the right place
There's a common fault where the lenses mash against each other and you get a depleted battery error while the lenses are still stuck. It takes no mis-use at all!
Canon Ixus or Powershot for me
Canon A570 leaves money in the budget for a 2GB Ultra SD card too if you look in the right place
I had an Optio WP until it was lifted from the Wifebeast's handbag, replaced it with a W30. Both have travelled extensively, been white-water rafting, regularly strapped to the front of a sea kayak and used on the beach and in the sea. Neither have ever caused a problem, prints at A4 don't look out of place alongside stuff from my 20D. I'd definitely buy another and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
I do have a Kodak C340 which has the box etc , it is 2 years old but as good as new, with original box etc. You could have it for like 30-40 quid? Has case & batteries and i spent around 200 pounds but its just lying around. Only trouble is would he be bothered about it being second hand?
Buy him one that he likes (looks, handling, size, etc), quite simple really!!! If you're going to make decisions based on specs I'd get him one that has a fast shutter response time and works well in low light.
£150 gets you all sorts from very small pocket cameras, right up to Full Bridge Cameras like the Fuji S6500.
If you buy without him deciding then you'll buy the wrong type, ie a samll pocket one when he wanted a bridge camera or vice versa.
I would hazard a guess that he will want something that can be easily slipped into a pocket and therefore very portable, but I could be wrong.
davidy
£150 gets you all sorts from very small pocket cameras, right up to Full Bridge Cameras like the Fuji S6500.
If you buy without him deciding then you'll buy the wrong type, ie a samll pocket one when he wanted a bridge camera or vice versa.
I would hazard a guess that he will want something that can be easily slipped into a pocket and therefore very portable, but I could be wrong.
davidy
i've just got my first proper digital camera, a Canon A460 Powershot,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000MS08MU/ref=...
TBH i think its perfect, has everything a keen amateur photographer could want, it would be ideal for your son IMO, keep him busy for hours!
(take a look at TVR spotteds and Cool classic spotters post in a little while to see how good!)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000MS08MU/ref=...
TBH i think its perfect, has everything a keen amateur photographer could want, it would be ideal for your son IMO, keep him busy for hours!
(take a look at TVR spotteds and Cool classic spotters post in a little while to see how good!)
Canon Powershot series very good. We've got an older one (A75) which has been excellent for an cheap camera (lots of manual options, decent optics)...only downside is shutter-lag which you get with all compacts.
A570IS is new and gets good reviews...probably just within budget. Amazon have some offers at the moment too!
A570IS is new and gets good reviews...probably just within budget. Amazon have some offers at the moment too!
Careful though, by "one that does things" he may mean an SLR. Try and find out if his mate has one, or if he has seen something in a magazine etc. It's one of those parent/child things. Child thinks they are getting an <x> for Christmas, parent thinks they want <y> because <x> is expensive. Child gets <y> and is dischuffed, and you've just wasted a chunk of cash.
How about offering a budget of £howevermuch, and promise to go to the camera shop or wherever on Boxing Day, to spend the money, topped up with his other Christmas money and however generous you feel?
How about offering a budget of £howevermuch, and promise to go to the camera shop or wherever on Boxing Day, to spend the money, topped up with his other Christmas money and however generous you feel?
Oh by the way, the single most useful accessory in the world, EVER, is a separate card reader.
In my humble opinion
Much faster than connecting the camera to the PC, plus you don't have to worry about keeping the camera on and wasting battery life.
(Only 10/15 quid)
In my humble opinion
Much faster than connecting the camera to the PC, plus you don't have to worry about keeping the camera on and wasting battery life.
(Only 10/15 quid)
Edited by Famous Graham on Monday 19th November 00:08
Dont get too hung up on the pixel thang. For the less patient amongst us, the really really important thing is how quickly it fires up, and the ability to take spontaneous shots without waiting seconds between the button press and the click.
Oh, and dont supply his own printer at the same time. Ask me how I know
Oh, and dont supply his own printer at the same time. Ask me how I know
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