Help with buying a camera

TriedandTested · 6 Jun 2007 at 12:45

I basically need a good quality camera, that can do sport photos very well. Budget is £300 or under.

Any suggestions from people in the know would be much appreciated.

King4aDay · 6 Jun 2007 at 12:59

You'll be wanting something with decent zoom for sports, which puts a dSLR out of your budget because although you could get one for £300 you'd need a telephoto lens on top which would be at least £100 and probably considerably more - I guess you could manage it if you bought second hand, but I'm not sure a dSLR is really what you're after?

So you're probably looking at a bridge superzoom, something along the lines of a Fuji S-series, Sony H-series or Canon S3 IS.

I havent really looked at these sorts of cameras in while so wouldn't like to say which is the best option, but they all have their fans (I had a Sony H1 for a while which was a very nice little cam).

Check out www.dpreview.com for reviews and user opinions on their forums.

a1ex2001 · 6 Jun 2007 at 13:24

have a look at the fuji S6500FD can be had with a bag an memory card for less than £170 and looks pretty much spot on for what you after. If you want to spend you whole budget it's worth looking at it's big brother the s9500 allthough you may want to hold off a few weeks as it is due to be replaced!

Dano · 6 Jun 2007 at 14:36

a1ex2001 said:
have a look at the fuji S6500FD can be had with a bag an memory card for less than £170 and looks pretty much spot on for what you after. If you want to spend you whole budget it's worth looking at it's big brother the s9500 allthough you may want to hold off a few weeks as it is due to be replaced!

Got any firm information on the replacement or is it just a feeling?

TriedandTested · 6 Jun 2007 at 16:18

King4aDay said:
You'll be wanting something with decent zoom for sports, which puts a dSLR out of your budget because although you could get one for £300 you'd need a telephoto lens on top which would be at least £100 and probably considerably more - I guess you could manage it if you bought second hand, but I'm not sure a dSLR is really what you're after?

So you're probably looking at a bridge superzoom, something along the lines of a Fuji S-series, Sony H-series or Canon S3 IS.

I havent really looked at these sorts of cameras in while so wouldn't like to say which is the best option, but they all have their fans (I had a Sony H1 for a while which was a very nice little cam).

Check out www.dpreview.com for reviews and user opinions on their forums.

Thanks for the info, will check that site and reviews for the models you've mentioned.

a1ex2001 said:
have a look at the fuji S6500FD can be had with a bag an memory card for less than £170 and looks pretty much spot on for what you after. If you want to spend you whole budget it's worth looking at it's big brother the s9500 allthough you may want to hold off a few weeks as it is due to be replaced!

The Fuji S9500 is available for £199..so not much more than you said the s6500 would be. Worth the extra few quid i expect after looking at some demostrations etc. Think this could be the solution. If not...do say!