What Camera! Help please.

[Petey099]

Just come back from Hong Kong and I think its time to get a new camera, Now im not a enthusiast per-say but I do like a good photo.

My current old 6mp Sony cybershot thing is ok but I was trying to take pics of the Hong Kong skyline at night, Some of them came out "ok" most were blurred to hell and back.

So I want a new/better camera, Anyone got any suggestions around the £200 mark tho please.

Ive been looking at the Sony DSC-W90 and the Canon IXUS 860 IS.

I dont nesscesarily want a Ultra compact camera, I just want somthing that will take nice clear pictures and isnt to bad in low light.

Cheers in advance

Pete.

[Gingerbread Man]

Petey099 said:

Just come back from Hong Kong and I think its time to get a new camera

I would have thought about it out there and therefore saved yourself England's rip off prices.

David

[Petey099]

Yes I know but alas im home...

So, any sugestions

[ashes]

This one would do you -

http://www.cameras.co.uk/camera-reviews/canon-ixus-850-is.cfm 

So much choice at this price!

[Petey099]

Would that one be better then the IXUS 860 IS

[Gingerbread Man]

Look at the Canon Powershot range as well.

[fluffnik]

The thing that would have helped you most in HK was a small tripod...

Fujifilm's S5*00, S6500fd, S8000 or S9600 are worth a look if you fancy something a little less point and shoot, but not too complicated.

The Ricoh R7 or any one of several Lumixes (Lumixae?) are worthy candidates too.

[Petey099]

I like the Look of the above ones you mentioned.

Which would be best for a Beginner?

What do you think of the Nikon Coolpix 5000/5100

Edited by Petey099 on Wednesday 5th December 18:09

[fluffnik]

Petey099 said:

I like the Look of the above ones you mentioned.

Which would be best for a Beginner?

I have personal experience of the S5600 and S9600; the S9600 is bigger and has more features and does more complicated things more simply, the cost is some simple things get more complicated.
The S5600 is smaller and more automatic at its most automatic but still has plenty opportunity for manual control when you want it.

The S5700 is even smaller than the S5600 but seems to lack some of its more advanced features.

The S6500fd has the same lens, and bulk, as the S9600 but has next generation electronics, 6mp rather than 9mp and simplified controls - seen some great results from them here on PH though so don't let the reduced pixel count worry you.

The S8000fd has a massive zoom range but a more compact style body and retracting lens with Face Detection like the S6500fd. It also has image stabliisation which could be handy when you've left your tripod behind...

If you want to learn your way toward a dSLR the S9600 or S6500fd are probably the best bet.

If you want a compact(ish) camera with a bit more versatility the S8000fd or S5700 are the ones to look at.

Trusted Reviews have reviewed them all.

[Andy_CTR]

I've got the Fuji S8000. Primarily for the zoom, (18*optical), as I recently went to NY and wanted some detail shots of the skyscrapers. I've found it very easy to use, and with a bit of fiddling with settings got some great shots out of it. I don't know how it compares to others on your shortlist, but would recommend one of these without hesitation.

To give you an idea of the zoom, this is a pic of the observation deck of the Empire State building from ground level, a few blocks from the building itself, and one zoomed out, taken from the same spot, to give you a perspective... TBH the zoom is so powerful, it's hard to frame a shot accurately without a tripod!





NB - Images have also been reduced for photobucket and this site, the originals are more impressive!

Edited by Andy_CTR on Thursday 6th December 01:34