Suggestions for a new camera

Einhard

Hey,
I've quite a good camera on my phone, but a recent trip abraod exposed its limitations. Yes, that fuzzy light on the hill is supposed to be a giant, illuminated statue of Buddha!! :pac: So I'm thinking of buying a decent camera, and maybe taking photography a little bit more seriously. I don't want to lug around a huge piece of kit, so I'm looking to balance performance with price and size.

I live in the UAE, and a local supermarket is selling the PS SX500 for the equivalent of €260. There's a €50 vouched included, so I'd be getting it for just over €200.

Thing is, I know next to nothing about cameras so would appreciate your comments on this particular model. And also your suggestions for other models.

The specs are:

18 megapixels
24mm wide angle lens
30x optical zoom up to 60x
HD movie
Made in Japan

I think this is the model: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon---PowerShot-SX500-16.0-Megapixel-Digital-Camera---Black/6364218.p?id=1218731589757&skuId=6364218

So is it worth it? I've always heard that Canon is a good brand.

PopeBuckfastXVI

Einhard wrote: »

Hey,
I've quite a good camera on my phone, but a recent trip abraod exposed its limitations. Yes, that fuzzy light on the hill is supposed to be a giant, illuminated statue of Buddha!! :pac: So I'm thinking of buying a decent camera, and maybe taking photography a little bit more seriously. I don't want to lug around a huge piece of kit, so I'm looking to balance performance with price and size.

I live in the UAE, and a local supermarket is selling the PS SX500 for the equivalent of €260. There's a €50 vouched included, so I'd be getting it for just over €200.

Thing is, I know next to nothing about cameras so would appreciate your comments on this particular model. And also your suggestions for other models.

The specs are:

18 megapixels
24mm wide angle lens
30x optical zoom up to 60x
HD movie
Made in Japan

I think this is the model: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon---PowerShot-SX500-16.0-Megapixel-Digital-Camera---Black/6364218.p?id=1218731589757&skuId=6364218

So is it worth it? I've always heard that Canon is a good brand.

Canon are a very good brand. Go for it.

condra

If you're planning on taking photography reasonably seriously, I would strongly recommend you get a new or used DSLR (camera with detachable lenses)
This will allow you to have full control over your images, and the digital image sensor will be bigger and better than a compact.

The Canon 1100d is their entry level DSLR. Reasonably compact and capable of amazing results.
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/9044924/art/canon/eos-1100d-body-only.html

example images:
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/cameras/?camera=1633

If you're thinking about a DSLR on the cheap, you could do worse than pick up a Canon 400d or 1000d for around 200 on adverts.ie, though those models don't shoot video.

If you want great image quality but insist on staying compact, I would at least spend a few quid and get a 'G' series Canon. Good luck.