Some p&s advice please
Discussion
Hi folks i'm looking to get a new p&s camera thats suitable for wife & daughter to use as well as having enough things for me to play about with when the mood takes me. I have read the recent what camera type threads on here which have been helpful but i could use some help with the following;
1, Is it worth getting one that shoots HD? I could download onto my laptop and ps3 for HD slideshows so i'm quite tempted or isnt it worth it?
2, Whilst i'm aware most of the newer compacts have the rechargable battery systems are there any poor ones worth avoiding? One of my pet hates is running out of power on camera's, camcorders etc.
3, Any poor menu setups to avoid?
4, Touchscreen - i'm thinking best avoided right or wrong?
I'm not a brand w
e and am happy to buy an end of line model if it means a good deal, i've seen a couple of Sonys, couple of kodaks (HD) and a canon all on offer, any thoughts? I'm quite tempted with the Kodak HD model
Any of these worth avoiding? Thanks in advance.
1, Is it worth getting one that shoots HD? I could download onto my laptop and ps3 for HD slideshows so i'm quite tempted or isnt it worth it?
2, Whilst i'm aware most of the newer compacts have the rechargable battery systems are there any poor ones worth avoiding? One of my pet hates is running out of power on camera's, camcorders etc.
3, Any poor menu setups to avoid?
4, Touchscreen - i'm thinking best avoided right or wrong?
I'm not a brand w
e and am happy to buy an end of line model if it means a good deal, i've seen a couple of Sonys, couple of kodaks (HD) and a canon all on offer, any thoughts? I'm quite tempted with the Kodak HD model Any of these worth avoiding? Thanks in advance. Just some thoughts.
HD is fine, but as soon as you put it onto a DVD, it loses the 'HIGH' bit. It looks stunning on the 'puter though).
Most modern P&S cameras go for weeks without a charge.
All menus are crap - which is why top end DSLRs do (almost) everything via buttons. I can change most stuff whilst still looking through the lens - bliss). I have Canon, Rioch and Lieca P&S - Canon (S80) is the most tricky. (But it's still a great camera).
I have no opinion on touchscreens.
HD is fine, but as soon as you put it onto a DVD, it loses the 'HIGH' bit. It looks stunning on the 'puter though).
Most modern P&S cameras go for weeks without a charge.
All menus are crap - which is why top end DSLRs do (almost) everything via buttons. I can change most stuff whilst still looking through the lens - bliss). I have Canon, Rioch and Lieca P&S - Canon (S80) is the most tricky. (But it's still a great camera).
I have no opinion on touchscreens.
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 2nd June 17:56
In my house hold we have out own cameras simply because each has their own preference for controls/simplicity/complexity. etc.
Unless your family are happy to deal with the slightly more complex aspects you want don;t push them that way. You can get some perfectly acceptable 'snapshot' cameras that can, if used well, do much more when required without spending a fortune. So get 2 - a cheapish one (not more than £100, possibly a good deal less for an 'old' (ie 6 months since launch) model for 'family' use and then a little more than that, but probably not more than £200 unless you want to get quite fancy, for the one with the extra controls.
If you want the smallest you need the bespoke batteries. If a little more bulk is accesptable there are a number of units around that run on AA (or a few on AAA) batteries, rechargeable or regular replacement vedrsions.
You probably don't need to go for more the 8 Megapixels. In fact you may want to avoid anything over 10Mpix.
Shop around - price variations are huge for the same products from different suppliers. Places like Boots can be a great source when they are having their 'promotions'.
Unless your family are happy to deal with the slightly more complex aspects you want don;t push them that way. You can get some perfectly acceptable 'snapshot' cameras that can, if used well, do much more when required without spending a fortune. So get 2 - a cheapish one (not more than £100, possibly a good deal less for an 'old' (ie 6 months since launch) model for 'family' use and then a little more than that, but probably not more than £200 unless you want to get quite fancy, for the one with the extra controls.
If you want the smallest you need the bespoke batteries. If a little more bulk is accesptable there are a number of units around that run on AA (or a few on AAA) batteries, rechargeable or regular replacement vedrsions.
You probably don't need to go for more the 8 Megapixels. In fact you may want to avoid anything over 10Mpix.
Shop around - price variations are huge for the same products from different suppliers. Places like Boots can be a great source when they are having their 'promotions'.
Hi thanks for the advice. I got fixed up today, i came across a great deal on the Panasonic TZ5 so just went for it!
I had looked at them but dismissed it on price, it seems a lot of camera for the money.
Its got a 28mm wide angle lense 10x zoom and a whole load of things, half of which i've no idea about but will enjoy finding out.
I had looked at them but dismissed it on price, it seems a lot of camera for the money.
Its got a 28mm wide angle lense 10x zoom and a whole load of things, half of which i've no idea about but will enjoy finding out.
bigdavy said:
Hi thanks for the advice. I got fixed up today, i came across a great deal on the Panasonic TZ5 so just went for it!
I had looked at them but dismissed it on price, it seems a lot of camera for the money.
Its got a 28mm wide angle lense 10x zoom and a whole load of things, half of which i've no idea about but will enjoy finding out.
Great choice - you'll love it.I had looked at them but dismissed it on price, it seems a lot of camera for the money.
Its got a 28mm wide angle lense 10x zoom and a whole load of things, half of which i've no idea about but will enjoy finding out.
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