New Digital Camera query?

colmjeffrey

Hi everyone, I'm hoping you might be able to help me out with my query. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I'm looking to buy a new good digital camera, so far I've been making do with crappy disposable cameras that cost a bomb for developing
I have two questions:
1. What is the best way to buy a camera? Options include online (at camera manufacturers website/ebay/komplett), the buy and sell (risky buying 2nd hand?), in a shop (dixons, argos). Or any other option I can't think of.
2. Is the any cameras you would recommend and why? I was thinking about 5 megapixels, a good zoom function and good storage space for lots of photos (I'm hoping to go travelling next year and won't always have easy access to a pc to copy photos onto CD).
Any feedback on either of these questions will be a great help. Thanks

rymus

you might get a better response on the photography forum...

TommyGun

colmjeffrey,
I have bought 3 off Komplett for myself and friends.

- The first thing you need to do is understand what you need it for?
When you have defined this it is easier to find the perfect camera for you.

You need to know what you want from the following

- Optical zoom (ignore Digital zoom - it is useless) unless your requirement are very minimal i would get a minimum of 3X optical zoom

- The Mega pixel - 5 is more that what you will need unless you want to print photo's bigger than A4

- Battery - go for a camera that has a lithium rechargeable battery as it cost alot to replace normal battery's all the time.

- Storage - Normally you get very little with the camera so you should budget for at least 512Mb (buy online it is the cheapest)

- Other Feature audio capture etc. if this interests, take a note of it.

- Also get a good make

- Check online reviews on the one you want to make sure your getting a good one.

Ponster

TommyGun wrote:

colmjeffrey,

- Optical zoom (ignore Digital zoom - it is useless) unless your requirement are very minimal i would get a minimum of 3X optical zoom

- Battery - go for a camera that has a lithium rechargeable battery as it cost alot to replace normal battery's all the time.

- Storage - Normally you get very little with the camera so you should budget for at least 512Mb (buy online it is the cheapest)

- Other Feature audio capture etc. if this interests, take a note of it.

The largest optical zoom is about x12 at the moment but x3 is certainly the minimum to look for.

I use rechargable AA batteries. I find them easier and chearer than the lithiums.

As for storage, I find it's cheaper to buy this yourself as opposed to an offer with the camera. 1g and 512Mb cards are dirt cheap these days but make sure you get a high-speed card is available (as for the SD cards).

Some cameras come with optical stabilisers wich allow you to take photos in lower light conditions than normal and also lets you use a camera with a powerful zoom to the full.

hobie

I like this site for reviews ....

http://dpreview.com/

TommyGun

Also Check

http://www.steves-digicams.com/
www.cnet.com