Need advice on a camera - €200 ish budget

SheRa

Ive read the FAQ's and Im looking for something in this range below.

Sophisticated compact cameras
Small size, better image quality, bigger range of focal lengths, more control of the camera and therefore the picture, faster reactions and nicer design.
Typical use: Everything you would like to expect from camera. Allow more creative attempt to photography, image quality usually better than cheaper sisters but the design... Lots of shapes and colours.

I always relied on my OH to take photos. We're no longer together so its time for me to get my own camera. Im going skiing this Saturday (last minute booking) and so am buying the camera this evening..

Will be putting the pics on my laptop, so would like camera of around 7megapixils id imagine. Its important that it is compact enough so that I can just pop it into my handbag. My budget is €250 ish. If by spending an extra few quid I could get much more value for money Id be willing to spend that bit extra.

Thanks guys:).

Mellor

SheRa wrote: »

Will be putting the pics on my laptop, so would like camera of around 7megapixils id imagine.

Just one small point on this.
Megapixels have become marketing tools and are no longer a function of the camera. Alot of people don't understand pixels.

It is very common these days (especially with compact cameras) to snap photos and store and view them only on a laptop or computer screen.
All modern compacts will shoot at a res higher than the screen can output, so when viewing as a slideshow or in windows picture viewer it will be scaled.

Consider this, a high resolution for a laptop (most will be below this) is 1920x1080. This is just over 2 megapixels. Shots above this will be scaled down and pixels lost. The is probably no difference between 5, 7 or 10 megapixels scaled to this range.

The only advantage of more megapixels is that you can zoom further in digitally. This is a bit of a mute point as the sensor is so small that it can't utilise every pixel.
Also, optical zoom is better than digital.

The disadvantage to more megapixels is increased file size, takes up more space.

So in short, i'd happily sacrifice some megapixels if I got either a slightly larger sensor, better zoom range/focal length or other features.

SheRa

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500194961&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012926.Photography%3EC%24cip%3D1500012934.Digital%2Bcameras%3EFC%24Brands%3DSony.Sony&categoryId=1500012934&clickfrom=name

As I dont have much time to decide on a camera and I dont know where to start I tried Argos. The Sony Cybershot had been recommended to me and I like the look of this one. You'll see the spec above.

Howver a review on Amazon which states "Also, the fact it doesn't use AA rechargeable batteries like my old Sony does make you particularly vulnerable to running out of battery, whereas with my old camera you could just throw a couple of ordinary AA batteries in to get you by in an emergency" does concern me, as being able to put a few rechargeable batteries in, when needs be would be very useful.

opti76

SheRa wrote: »

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500194961&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012926.Photography%3EC%24cip%3D1500012934.Digital%2Bcameras%3EFC%24Brands%3DSony.Sony&categoryId=1500012934&clickfrom=name

As I dont have much time to decide on a camera and I dont know where to start I tried Argos. The Sony Cybershot had been recommended to me and I like the look of this one. You'll see the spec above.

Howver a review on Amazon which states "Also, the fact it doesn't use AA rechargeable batteries like my old Sony does make you particularly vulnerable to running out of battery, whereas with my old camera you could just throw a couple of ordinary AA batteries in to get you by in an emergency" does concern me, as being able to put a few rechargeable batteries in, when needs be would be very useful.

if you going skiing try the olympus sw range its water proof and crush proof and it takes prety decent images..

3rd one here

http://www.connscameras.ie/flat_areaEQLproductsAMPCategoryIDEQL43_entry.html

or here


http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500191575&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012926.Photography%3EC%24Brands%3DOlympus.Olympus&categoryId=1500012926&clickfrom=name

tywy

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500199151&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012926.Photography%3EC%24cip%3D1500012934.Digital%2Bcameras%3EFC%24Brands%3DCanon.Canon&categoryId=1500012934&clickfrom=name

I have this camera and I really like it. It is a bit bulky but has manual functions unlike smaller cameras. I like the fact that it takes AA batteries but that's because I did a trip last year where I knew I wouldn't be able to charge batteries for a week so it was good just to by 20 AAs in the airport and be happy with that.

Typhoon.

hi Shera I stayed up late last night trawling the net looking for my new ultra compact and i finally settled on this one to accompany my slr

http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/588005/art/canon/digital-ixus-860-is-black.html

the reasons i chose this one are

8mp
image stabalised
fast start up time (1sec)
verrrry little shutter lag (0.38 sec) (time it takes to take pic after you press button)
Wide angle lens (can get more into the pic than 95% other cameras)
very small (ultra compact)
very big lcd screen (3 inch)

enjoy the holidays

Pigletlover

I'm also looking for a 'sophisticated compact camera'. I've read the FAQs and searched through previous threads, but some of the information was a bit technical I'm just looking for a camera to take good quality pics on nights out, holidays etc. I've looked at lots of different cameras on several sites and I like the look of the Sony Cybershot DSC-T200. At nearly €300 it's at the top end of my budget, do people think it's worth it? Also, it's available on e gear for only £175.99, does anyone have any experiences of this site? Thanks in advance.

eoindc

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001101&productId=1500198635&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012926.Photography%3EC%24Brands%3DKodak.Kodak&categoryId=1500012926&clickfrom=name


I would recommend the kodak z1275,
12 mp,
30fps hd video,
5X optical zoom,
Up to 3600 iso setting.

I would also recommend a pack of 4X rechargeable 2700 mah AA bateries to go with it - €11 in maplin. The camera takes 2X AA's but regular ones wont last long. very compact and looks great, I got one a few weeks ago and its brilliant! only €180 in argos

Pigletlover

Thanks for that, I'll take a look, but I like the touch screen feature and face/smile detection features of the Cybershot...I'm just wondering if maybe there's other features that I should be looking for that the Cybershot doesn't have.