Some advice on a new digi cam ...

[iChimp]

Hi all, wondering if any of you can offer me some advice ...

For the last year ive been using a 2mp Sony CyberShot camera but am looking for something new ...

I want to start taking better pictures, better quality etc. and take photography up as a hobby but I am not really sure where to start in picking a camera so thought you guys on here would have some advice.
I am looking to get one with a pretty good optical zoom and 5mp+ if poss for around £200.
If possible id also like it to take the memory stick due thing if possible because i have a 512mb memory card in my W800i phone i would like to use ...

I would like one in the style of the camera pictured below - not sure if they are called anything different heh.

Thank you anyone that takes the time to read this and offer any advice!

Ta

Andy

[BUFF]

The 1 that you have pictured is a DSLR (digital single lens reflex).
The particular 1 that you have pictured is £1300 body only (they have interchangeable lenses).

Cheapest DSLR that you will find is probably still going to be £400 + so outside your budget.

Have a look at sites like DPReview & Steve's digicams for reviews of cameraas that fall into your budget..

[behappier]

I would recommend the Canon A520 or higher spec if you can afford it (A610, A620). They offer enough manual control to be creative and the picture quality is so much better than Sony IMHO. The A520 retails at around £150. You would need some SD memory, only £18 for 512Mb.

Hope this helps

[hoodmeister]

Originally Posted by behappier

I would recommend the Canon A520 or higher spec if you can afford it (A610, A620). They offer enough manual control to be creative and the picture quality is so much better than Sony IMHO. The A520 retails at around £150. You would need some SD memory, only £18 for 512Mb.

Hope this helps

If you're looking to get into more "serious" photography, and this is strictly your budget range, then this is one of your best bets... Also check out the Fuji Finepix 3500. A lot of camera for your money...

Consider seriously, though, whether you're willing to save some more. Saving up to c. £300 will net you a higher quality SLR style camera, and saving further still to a shade over £400 will have you looking at full blown low-end dSLR's (don't let the "low end" put you off... These puppies stretch to the thousands )

That's not even taking into account the great deals you can sometimes get on them (dSLR's)

Food for thought.

[iChimp]

Thanks everyone ill look into them.
hoodmeister i dont really want to spend over 200ish because im only starting out, i will spend out on a really good camera if and when i ever get good at it, im just looking for a decent one to get started on, a kind of practise camera.

And BUFF i didnt mean that sort exactly (as in over a grand!) hehe, i just meant that look of a camera as apposed to those camera's that look like more 'fun' cameras.
I dont know if i have described that very well but I know what i mean even if no one else does! hehe.

Thanks people but keep some ideas coming and if anyone can explain what camera type i mean please feel free to explain better than me! hehe.

Andy

[hoodmeister]

I know where your coming from...

I "started out" on a coolpix 7900. Good compact cam, but doesn't offer a massive amount of control... I was enjoying photography so much that it was less than a month after that when I decided to splash out on a Nikon D70 (dSLR). I've not looked back since, and think if i'd gone for something lower end, i'd be dissapointed...

[oshta]

Might not be what your looking for, but we have a PentaxOptio S5i.
- Very happy with it, takes great photos, and you can take it everywhere.
- Also, get the 'deluxe' add-on with the leather case, well worth it.




Daniel

[BUFF]

Originally Posted by andy_nico

And BUFF i didnt mean that sort exactly (as in over a grand!) hehe, i just meant that look of a camera as apposed to those camera's that look like more 'fun' cameras.

Yes, you want a DSLR (which is what that style of camera is).
As I said they start at ~£400 & go up & up

[DeludedGuy]

The Canon A520 can be bought for £130, and it really is an impressive camera. You can find reviews on google, and lots of very high quality sample pics.

[iChimp]

I have seen this camera below for, i think it was £156 something online.
Its the Kodak Z740.

Anyone got any impressions on this one?

(p.s. thanks again for all your input!)

Andy

[Gunbuster]

My defacto answer is the Canon A Series these days as they are so consistently good. Also the A610/620 look abit more serious. I picked up the Casio P700 for £250 and I have to say I am well chuffed with it as well. This looks to be in the style (if not the actual type) you want http://www.savastore.com/productinfo...82&rstrat=7966 Its the Fuji 5600 Review (american name 5200). Though memory cards would be extra.

[hoodmeister]

Originally Posted by andy_nico

I have seen this camera below for, i think it was £156 something online.
Its the Kodak Z740.
[IMG]snip[/IMG]
Anyone got any impressions on this one?

(p.s. thanks again for all your input!)

Andy

First thing that strikes me about that is the 38-380mm equiv. lens.

380mm is nice and telescopic, you'd be pleased by that... But 38mm is by no means "wide angle". You'd find it hard to shoot a lot of things (landscapes, buildings, cityscapes etc...)

[Gunbuster]

A few good comparison sites:
DPReviews' Side by Side http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp
DCviews www.dcviews.com
French photo comparison site http://www.lesnumeriques.com/duels.p...11&p2=348&ph=6

[andyjhill]

yep ive got one fo the z740 very good camera and easy to use and memory cards for it £20 for 512mb from ebuyer.com.you getb a adaptor with the camera to take diffrent lenses as well.