Burst mode on a budget?

PARUK · 13 May 2008 at 13:48

Can anyone recommend a digital camera that has a reasonably fast burst mode (e.g. 3 fps or better) but doesn't cost the earth? I'm not heavily into photography so I don't want/need a pro solution, but I'd like to have a chance at getting photos of our energetic beagle pup at play!

Jotun · 13 May 2008 at 16:16

What sort of budget have you got in mind? Also is size much of an issue?

PARUK · 13 May 2008 at 17:01

Budget - I could stretch to £300
Not really bothered about size

Raikiri · 13 May 2008 at 17:11

You could pick up a d40x/400d with kit lens for £300.

I can shoot at 4fps for 53 highest quality Jpegs on my 400D (it's 3fps officially).

PARUK · 13 May 2008 at 18:55

Thanks - the 400D does look very impressive. The only drawback is I'd have to stretch the budget further to get another lens for moderate telephoto shots. Do you know of any compacts with a decent optical zoom (10x would be more than enough) that come close in the burst mode department?

a1ex2001 · 15 May 2008 at 10:58

I think rather than burst you will see a bigger improvment in the number of keepers you get by having a camera with the shortest shooting delay so when you see the shot you want you press the button and you have it, sadly again this points to a DSLR allthough some bridge camera like the fuji s6500 will give you very respectable shot delays.

PARUK · 15 May 2008 at 11:51

a1ex2001 said:
I think rather than burst you will see a bigger improvment in the number of keepers you get by having a camera with the shortest shooting delay so when you see the shot you want you press the button and you have it, sadly again this points to a DSLR allthough some bridge camera like the fuji s6500 will give you very respectable shot delays.

Thanks - I hadn't considered that. I've no doubt a dslr would give me superior results but I couldn't justify the extra expense, plus the hassle of lens changes etc.

krisboats · 15 May 2008 at 12:34

350d second hand for around £200 then something like a Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC (Canon AF) which is available for around £100 at most major high street camera shops.

FreeStream · 15 May 2008 at 13:05

krisboats said:
350d second hand for around £200 then something like a Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC (Canon AF) which is available for around £100 at most major high street camera shops.

Agreed.

Im afraid decent burst modes are the realms of upper end bridges which are the same as lower end SLRs.

I had a 350D and it was great, ok its a pain sometimes but you get some cracking shots

robertgilbert86 · 15 May 2008 at 13:27

You don't need a high FPS to take photos of your dog playing. One well-timed shot is better.

What you instead is a fast lens. By fast I mean it has a wide aperture. So consider the 50mm f1.8 (£55) or the Tamron 17-50m f2.8 (£200) to go with whatever you buy.