Spec me a camera (please!)

Ewaf

Ewaf

Ewaf

Soldato
Joined
22 May 2007
Posts
3,899
Hey guys,

I can see that spec threads are quite common,, and aplogies for making one but after doing some digging I haven't really made any progress!

As my first child is due to be born in the next 3 weeks, I'm after a camera as we currently don't have one. Looking at a budget of around £150 (with accessories if possible) that meets the following specs:
  • Relatively Compact/Easy to carry in a bag
  • Good quality, respectable brand
  • Continuous shooting for taking pics of baby?
  • Auto modes so my other half can use it as a point and shoot

I have my eyes on this so far:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006YW43CY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A230Q07CL2JWPH

Any recommendations? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
I'm not sure why I picked bridge to be honest, I just selected various criteria from Amazon that I wanted and they are the type of cameras it showed me. I want a step up from the bog standard point and clicks so I assumed it would be a good choice? The one I linked doesn't seem that bulky, I doesn't need to fit in a pocket so not completely compact.

Sorry if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about, because I don't :( Any further advice is appreciated
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. Unfortunately I'm not looking to splash out a significant amount at this moment in time, so I have narrowed it down to these two:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-Fi...2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350977665&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-S2980-Digital-Battery/dp/B006YW43CY/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

Is it worth the extra £10 for the S4200? Only difference I can see is that it has 24x zoom as opposed to 18x.

I haven't had a camera before so I have no expectations, as long as it takes good pictures I will be pleased.

Thanks
 
Russinating said:
I don't know why you're still looking at bridge cameras. Just because the body looks a bit like a DSLR doesn't mean it's any better.

I've given my advice and you're obviously just ignoring it so buy whatever lump of plastic you want.
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I didn't find any of your help remotely useful, to be blunt. You are a "professional" photographer so maybe you struggle to see things at the lower end of the spectrum.

Addicted, vanandjuanunited, thank you for the useful suggestions, I just chcked out the canon refurb ebay and will be keeping an eye on it, definitely leaning towards the SX210 now.

Cheers!
 
Russinating said:
I told you not to buy a bridge. You then list nothing but bridges. Whatever *shrug*

Oh, and I'm not a "professional" photographer (whatever that is). The only camera I actually own is a point and shoot.
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Apologies for being an arse.

I am looking at "Compact System Cameras" on Amazon, and it's showing this kind of stuff:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0082B35VU/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=photo

Isn't that still a bridge? I really not clued up on this stuff. I realise Amazon isn't the definitive place for buying cameras but I have a voucher with them. What is a better place to buy cameras on the web?
 
Thanks for such an in depth answer Russinating, that's definitely cleared some questions up and clearly justified a compact over bridge. Didn't really think about the possibility of returning an item, Amazon is clearly a no brainer in that case.

Glyndwr I checked out that one before, but it doesn't have an in built flash? Isn't that a bit of an annoyance?
 
lordrobs said:
It is a camera with interchangeable lenses, in layman's terms a bit like a smaller version of an SLR, and not really suited to your needs at all.

I have an SLR and a compact, if I could only have one camera I'd have a compact (and until recently that was the case) as it is always there ready to get a shot. Out of pocket, point, click, done! Exactly what you need to capture those times that you are enjoying with the family.

As for recommending one... The Canon Ixsus range seems to do a good job, I'm also pleased with my Nikon Coolpix S4300 but that was at less than half your budget due as I don't treat my compacts well (Mountain bike, beach, thrown in the bottom of bags etc.) so probably wouldn't be of use as a direct recommendation.

What I would recommend is getting yourself down to your local Jessops or wherever has cameras on display ready to go and actually give them a try. The picture quality of most cameras is very good these days (just stick with a decent brand) and the bigger difference IMO is in the feel and usability of various models. I would personally start with Canon and Nikon then see how you go from there.
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I see, thanks for clearing that up, didn't realise that about the NX100. The fact that you need the lens for zoom puts me off slightly.. Will carry on researching!
 
Thanks again for the advice, appreciate it. I can't get into a shop till the weekend, so will keep one eye on the net at moment. I have read some really conflicting reviews about the NX100 which hasn't really helped, but based on comments here I think I'm going to avoid.
 
That does look very very nice, but it's not a case of saving up. I would happily spend a significant amount on one but I would get murdered by the missus (yes yes man up etc.). I will talk to her tonight approaching it from your angle, "But if you buy wrong you buy twice, If you buy right you buy once." I like that ;)
 
Thanks for the advice. Is it safe to purchase from that site? I would usually be apprehensive doing so from such a far away place! Especially if returns are concerned.
 
Russinating said:
What's with all the random capitalisation Natasha? :p

If you're considering the RX100 price bracket then that opens up a whole host of other options.
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It is hugely over the initial budget so I'm not really considering it..just looking at it from the corner of my eye really.
 
D.P. said:
I would look at Canon S100 (perhaps the G12 types cameras but these are not really any better than the smaller S100), Panasonic LX5 or LX7 (if released yet), olympus xz-1, Nikon P7100.
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Thanks for the suggestions, they are all quite over the budget though unless my Google Fu sucks.

I gave my photographer friend a call and he said he saw a bargain on the Argoose ebay outlet , of course it was the one mentioned previously.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAMSUNG-N...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item4d05efb87f

I know there are some negatives highlighted in the previous comments, but for my needs would it not suffice? Looking on Amazon and it retails for £218 for the camera alone, and the reviews seem decent?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B00472MGPE/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Again, not saying that Amazon reviews are the be all and end all, but I generally prefer reviews from actual users as opposed to publications.


Cheers for all the help so far, really appreciate it.
 
jorzeh said:
Just going to say, If you're investing into Lenses you're going to be sorry when you decide you want a DSLR, I'm not saying you will ever need a DSLR but if you ever go DSLR all that investment is going in the Bin.

Nat.
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I see what you mean there. But that's I got really into it.
 
Hi Guys,

Been having a dig around. I am definitely put off the NX100 now, due to its lack of view finder, and the fact you need to invest in an expensive lens to get it's best performance.

All in all I'm still struggling to decide on something!
 
Russinating said:
Lack of view finder shouldn't be putting you off; can't think of a P&S that has one!
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Humm, I suppose. It was just one of the things, theres a pretty indepth discussion about the NX100 here :

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/sam...lashgun-accessories-149-99-argos-ebay-1342694

Reading that put me off abit. Seems like it has poor performance indoors.

What about:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-COOLPIX-L310-Compact-Digital/dp/B00729YXP0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I get the impression Nikon are highly regarded? That isn't a bridge is it? It seems the only drawback as it is completely auto, meaning I couldn't tinker with anything if I got more confident.
 
Thanks for the insightful post D.P. I will be making an informed decision later to night but I'm pretty sure based on the feedback here I know what I'm going for. Bridge cams are well and truly off the shopping list due to comments here!

Will let you know how I get on.
 
Sorry for 101 questions, what is the best capacity memory card to get? 8 gb? Is there an industry standard or do some cameras use specific types?
 
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