Buying a Camera....

[neonplanet40]

Problem is, I don't know a thing about them! Im bringing it with me to New Zealand where im expecting to see some wonderful landscapes that I want to shoot and take home with me

Basically I have around £200 to spend. Not a lot? It probably isn't but Im not exactly a pro so I just want some suggestions on what to get before I buy a brick

Many Thanks

Mark

[Bobster]

Fujifilm Referb site

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Problem is, I don't know a thing about them! Im bringing it with me to New Zealand where im expecting to see some wonderful landscapes that I want to shoot and take home with me

Basically I have around £200 to spend. Not a lot? It probably isn't but Im not exactly a pro so I just want some suggestions on what to get before I buy a brick

Many Thanks

Mark

You should look to get a camera with at least a 24MM or 25MM equivalent lens on the wide end if you want to take landscape pictures.

Here is a comparison of how much wider 24MM is compared to the more typical 28MM wide end found in many compact cameras:

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...m%20vs%2028mm/

I would look at either the Panasonic TZ6 or TZ7:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...text%3ETZ6.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...earchTerms=TZ7

Both have a 25MM to 300MM lens range.

Here is a review of both cameras:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q209...zoom/page4.asp

One of my mates has the TZ6 and he has used the camera extensively when he has gone abroad (including China) and he has taken some nice pictures with it. The camera is very easy to use too.

[neonplanet40]

Panasonic TZ7 ordered on Amazon for £199.99

Many thanks guys

[Gerrard]

I was also looking for a decent compact for when it's not practical to bring my SLR around with me, and also for some sort of reasonable video quality as well. Thanks for recommending the Panasonic, as it does seem to fit most of what I want. It lead me to a group review from DPReview. It puts the TZ7 top, but the difference between the models were marginal.

However, I was also considering the Canon SX200 IS, mainly for the manual options that I get with my SLR. Since I can get it for £200 from Jessops (so same price as the TZ7), and there's very little difference between tham really (not quite as wide-angled, but still has HD video), I was wondering if anyone knew any reason for going for the Panasonic over the Canon? I'll hopefully be able to get to a Currys or Jessops later on during the month to have a hands-on with both which might my decision easier.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

If you want manual controls the Canon looks the better bet. OTH, the Panasonic has a more useful lens range IMHO. The Panasonic also has far better video abilities as it uses AVCHD Lite and supposedly also has a stereo mic too unlike the Canon and allows zooming too.

Here is a comparison of the two cameras:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Ca.../verdict.shtml

A TZ7 with more manual controls would be an even better camera and it is strange that Panasonic has not done this.

[Barakka]

Im bringing it with me to New Zealand where im expecting to see some wonderful landscapes that I want to shoot and take home with me

There's a very good chance...



I would also suggest you have a play with AutoStitch before you go, as sometimes the shots are just far too wide for one shot, and Autostitch is very easy to get a panoramic shot looking very good from any camera.

[TheAnimus]

I would also suggest you have a play with AutoStitch before you go, as sometimes the shots are just far too wide for one shot, and Autostitch is very easy to get a panoramic shot looking very good from any camera.

ICE > Autostich imo!
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/...s/ivm/ice.html

Much better at handling the 3d perspective

[neonplanet40]

Can anyone reccemend a good hardy case for hiking and stuff which can hold an extra battery etc?

Also can anyone reccommend a battery that doesnt cost as much as Panasonic charge!! Near £50

Im not sure how long a battery charge lasts in these cmaeras but I think a spare would be good for holidays. I also ordered a 16GB Class 4 SDHC card for it.

[Barakka]

Battery wise have a look on Amazon, they list the Panasonic for just under £40 and lots of compatibles for around the £15-20 mark , go for good reviews on these, but to be honest you take your chances unless it's a major brand like Hama or Duracell.

Case wise you can't go wrong with LowePro gear, something like the Apex 30 AW (about £15) looks like it should accomodate the TZ7, and if not they will do a very similar one that does, sold at most high street camera shops if you want to prod and poke first...

Well padded, and pretty solid with a weather cover for if it rains, room for spare battery and memory cards, just make sure the battery doesn't fall out, the spare battery for my G11 ended up left (we think) down the side of the seat in a hire car in the US- Doh!

Battery life should be around 300 pics, but depends how long you spend setting up the shot using the screen on the back, according to this chart...



The 16 GB card you've ordered will hold around 4000 pics so no worries there, other than all your pics are on one card so back it up as you go.

Also, do you have a Gorilla POD ?

Where in NZ are you going and what time of year... ?

[neonplanet40]

http://www.hakatours.com/haka-tours/...lified-nz-tour

Going on this trip in New Zealand so we are going all over. Going on the 3/9/10.

What is a gorilla POD? :s That case is nice but im thinking I might want something like that but also which has a hard shell inside it for the camera? In case I drop it or something :s

[kalniel]

http://www.hakatours.com/haka-tours/...lified-nz-tour

Going on this trip in New Zealand so we are going all over. Going on the 3/9/10.

What is a gorilla POD? :s That case is nice but im thinking I might want something like that but also which has a hard shell inside it for the camera? In case I drop it or something :s

Soft shells should be fine for dropping cameras - they're tougher than you think. My canon A720is has been yanked from shoulder height onto a wooden floor in a soft case and it was fine.

A gorrilla pod is a flexible tripod.

[Barakka]

http://www.hakatours.com/haka-tours/...lified-nz-tour

Going on this trip in New Zealand so we are going all over. Going on the 3/9/10.

What is a gorilla POD? :s That case is nice but im thinking I might want something like that but also which has a hard shell inside it for the camera? In case I drop it or something :s

Looks good, when we did our skydive in Queenstown last year we jumped with a German girl who was on a bus tour, either huka tours or something similar and she was having a great time on the tour. BTW If you were thinking about it - skydive wins over a Bungee every time You're covering pretty much everywhere on that trip too, the scenery in NZ is out of this world, the shot above is Lake Tekapo BTW which is stunning like all of the south island... jealous now, need to plan a holiday

As Kal said the case is quite substantial, really thick padding and a good belt loop to attach it to something, you've got plenty of time to pick a case though.

Sorry, GorillaPOD was a ninja edit afterthought, just can be very useful for getting shots of yourself without having find *something* to stand the camera on, or someone you don't know to hold it, and doesn't take up much space to carry...

[neonplanet40]

Hehe we are doing alot, the list we have booked and paid for so far is

Canyoning – Auckland
Sea Kayaking – Whitianga
Lost World Caving – Waitomo
Rafting – Rotorua
Skydiving 15,000ft - Taupo
Across Country Quads – Franz Josef
Half Day Glacier Trek – Franz Josef
Nevis Bungy – Queenstown

We really can't wait but we are having to work dam hard all year and this summer to pay for it! Its our own graduation present

I ordered the Lowepro Apex 20AW Compact Pouch (Arctic Blue) from play.com as people have said it fits the TZ7 with spare battery etc nicely so hopefully its fine!

I'll get a battery when I have more money

Many thanks guys!!!

[mayan]

i took my tz7 travelling last summer through thailand cambodia and laos, i took a chance and bought a really cheap waterproof case in thailand which cost me around a tenner, filled it with tissue paper and tested it out underwater and stuff and it seemed fine.

ended up going kayaking, had it in another waterproof bag but that got soaked since i forgot to close it properly, also took it caving and strangely enough the cheap case kept it more than dry enough to keep functioning. i took a risk but managed to get videos and photos of things that most people don't! and the camera still looks brand new

[lazer]

Is it possible to buy a good SLR type Digital camera for around £200? 2nd hand i suppose. If so, which model?