Help With Camera Choice

B1gbeard · 28 Jul 2011 at 15:37

Complete n00b here looking for first camera advice.

My requirements or description of what I want are probably going to sound very basic to some of you guys but I'm looking for a camera that will take nice stills but also allow me to produce videos good enough for Youtube.

Budget probably in the £200-400 range. Is that enough info?

Cheers.

kidloco · 28 Jul 2011 at 16:19

Sounds like your just after a decent qualty point and shoot. Heres a few good new ones for you. Any of them will easily do what you want, you could spend less no doubt.

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V
Nikon Coolpix S9100
Canon Powershot SX230 HS
Panasonic Lumix TZ20

B1gbeard · 28 Jul 2011 at 16:32

Cheers.

I've been having a read and the Nikon D3100 looks pretty neat. Worth the money over what you have suggested?

kidloco · 28 Jul 2011 at 19:45

The D3100 is a DSLR. Great if that's what your after. Depends what you are after. SLRs are great if you don't mind putting in a bit of effort in getting the most out of them. If your interested in that and want to get ion photography as a hobby then it's worth a look. If you just want to switch it on, take nice snaps, and not faff with settings then go for a point and shoot.

James J · 28 Jul 2011 at 20:06

kidloco said:
The D3100 is a DSLR. Great if that's what your after. Depends what you are after. SLRs are great if you don't mind putting in a bit of effort in getting the most out of them. If your interested in that and want to get ion photography as a hobby then it's worth a look. If you just want to switch it on, take nice snaps, and not faff with settings then go for a point and shoot.

If he wants to get into photography and really have it as a hobby he could use the D3100 in auto mode until learning how to use the camera properly. Its an option, but its hard to say either way without knowing exactly why he wants a camera.

B1gbeard · 28 Jul 2011 at 21:36

Certainly a hobby is part of it. I spend a lot of time walking and most of that time wishing I had a camera.

I'm also interested in the science and art of what makes a good picture.

I guess as a beginner I'll find out what I want specifically as I go along and get a feel for things.

James J · 28 Jul 2011 at 22:07

B1gbeard said:
Certainly a hobby is part of it. I spend a lot of time walking and most of that time wishing I had a camera.

I'm also interested in the science and art of what makes a good picture.

I guess as a beginner I'll find out what I want specifically as I go along and get a feel for things.

Defo go into a shop and have a go on a nikon D3100 then mate as it would suit your needs pretty much perfectly.

pecnarf · 28 Jul 2011 at 22:21

fuji HS10 is a nice bridge camera to get you going before you move on to Dslr camera and a lot cheaper. as if you find you don't like it then you haven't just spend £450-£1000 on a dslr camera.