Recommend a digital camera

[jamena]

I reckon the optical viewfinder on most compacts is really only useful for conserving the battery? They're also not through-lens view or whatever you call it on SLRs - which I gather you mainly use for manual focus? You might as well use the LCD for framing as it'll be accurate for that. I reckojn the fujis are looking like the best option. The canon a700 has a lens-thread so you can add filters and suchlike, and it has other manual functionality, but it lacks the image quality and low-light sensitivity that the fujis purportedly have? Then again the dpreview review of the f30 said you'd want to know about photography settings to get the "best" out of the f30 ... not sure what that means

[dkmech]

It is done now.

Went for the Ixus 800 (one with image stabilisation). It ain't cheap, but seems rather good and image stabilisation should allow for lower iso's to be used where fuji's would shine with high ones.

The issue of viewfinder is more about the feel of operating it - you look through something at your target, rather than looking at the screen. Personally i could cope with that, but my parents are more set in their ways.

I do think that the f11 and a700/a620 are much better value for money though. If I was buying it only for myself it would have been f11 i reckon...

I'm sure the Ixus will be good though.

[dkmech]

Had it a few days now and I like it. Didn't get much chance to do proper photography with it yet, but I do like the intuitive interface and its size. Picture quality seems good too. 709 photos in best quality on a 2gb card is nice too

[Syd]

Had it a few days now and I like it. Didn't get much chance to do proper photography with it yet, but I do like the intuitive interface and its size. Picture quality seems good too. 709 photos in best quality on a 2gb card is nice too

Glad you like it, had some really good results with mine, its a great camera to carry with you all the time, let us know how you get on