Camera for trips abroad

nice_guy80

I'm looking to get a camera (new or second hand) that will provide me with good photos of landscapes.
I'm a bit clueless about cameras.

I'm heading to Canada/USA and New Zealand/Aus in the next year and I'd like to take some snaps that will do justice to the beautiful scenery.
I already have a digital camera http://www.cnet.com.au/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fs3-339286132.htm, but feel it doesn't take the best photos.

something compact with a good lens.
I have a healthy budget :cool:

all suggestions welcome

M5

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I'm looking to get a camera (new or second hand) that will provide me with good photos of landscapes.
I'm a bit clueless about cameras.

I'm heading to Canada/USA and New Zealand/Aus in the next year and I'd like to take some snaps that will do justice to the beautiful scenery.
I already have a digital camera http://www.cnet.com.au/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fs3-339286132.htm, but feel it doesn't take the best photos.

something compact with a good lens.
I have a healthy budget :cool:

all suggestions welcome

define healthy... cameras range from 100 quid to 30/40k....

nice_guy80

M5 wrote: »

define healthy... cameras range from 100 quid to 30/40k....

not that healthy
€500.

syklops

Well for 500 you could get an entry level DSLR, but if you are new to photography you could also end up with pictures which don't do the scenery justice or even worse take pictures which come out terrible, like the pictures I have of my sisters graduation.

If you are still learning about photography, a point and click camera is all you need, with a DSLR there is a lot more to f%$£ up.

If I had 500 to spare, I would spend a few hundred on photography lessons and then go buy a camera with whats left.

nice_guy80

syklops wrote: »

Well for 500 you could get an entry level DSLR, but if you are new to photography you could also end up with pictures which don't do the scenery justice or even worse take pictures which come out terrible, like the pictures I have of my sisters graduation.

If you are still learning about photography, a point and click camera is all you need, with a DSLR there is a lot more to f%$£ up.

If I had 500 to spare, I would spend a few hundred on photography lessons and then go buy a camera with whats left.

thanks for the advice
I don't have time for lessons. heading off next week.
I'll be sharing the camera with the girlfriend, so anything too fancy would be a waste

syklops

nice_guy80 wrote: »

thanks for the advice
I don't have time for lessons. heading off next week.
I'll be sharing the camera with the girlfriend, so anything too fancy would be a waste

In that case I wouldnt get a DSLR. If I was buying a camera for the sort of trip you are going on I would get this:

Nikon Coolpix S3500 20MP 7x zoon

Bluefoam

I will recommend a Pentax Q. It's small & easy to travel with; its cheap at the moment; uses interchangeable lenses; is simple to use in automatic mode; has a full range of professional fuctions; fast autofocus; built in flash...

It has a small sensor, but out performs many other cameras with similar sensor size and it has a reputation for encouraging creativity in its user... I would recommend the 02 & 06 zoom lenses for travelling with, but the fish eye is great, as is the 47mm prime.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentax-12-75-MP--inch-LCD/dp/B006OTXBVG/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1377084191&sr=8-10&keywords=pentax+q

M5

Yeah, best to stay away from the SLR

Samsung NX210 got some decent reviews as did teh Nikon Coolpix P510, both well within budget

cnocbui

Olympus XZ-1 for £220 or XZ-2 for £315 from Amazon.

muppetkiller

Fuji x20
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/fujifilm-x20-refurbished.html

or the rx100
https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/Digital-Cameras/RX-Series

jdee99

Canon SX50 - lots of pluses for it

dirtyghettokid

muppetkiller wrote: »

Fuji x20
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/fujifilm-x20-refurbished.html

i was waiting for someone to finally say the fuji x20!!
deffo the fuji. deffo deffo. without a doubt.
i wish i had one!

muppetkiller

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

i was waiting for someone to finally say the fuji x20!!
deffo the fuji. deffo deffo. without a doubt.
i wish i had one!

And don't forget the 10% code to get another £40 off
P832A4V3T8MES

nice_guy80

thanks again

will check them all out.

nice_guy80

was in dublin today, checked out a few camera shops

http://www.camera.ie/products/sony-cybershot-dsc-hx-50-mega-free-kit-offer

http://www.camera.ie/products/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz-40-kit

I find the camera shops tend to bombard you with technical information, and not enough of 'why this is a good camera to buy'

Bluefoam

nice_guy80 wrote: »

http://www.camera.ie/products/sony-cybershot-dsc-hx-50-mega-free-kit-offer

http://www.camera.ie/products/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz-40-kit

Meh....

nice_guy80

Bluefoam wrote: »

Meh....

I like your positivity!
purchase has to be made next week, so any more suggestions welcome

I'd consider second hand cameras. I'm not picky.

Bluefoam

The cameras you linked above seem to be consumer level compacts, and while they will take good photos, they wont encourage you to frame shots well or to develop your abilities.

You mentioned landscapes, and to me that suggests getting a good perspective from your lens. I am very much a photography newbie, but I would suggest a system camera, with interchangeable lenses, that will grow with you and your skills. But more so, a good lens will help you get a better shot.

I still recommend the Pentax Q as it really is great fun to use, and produces great photos, but you could also consider a micro 2/3 system (should be plenty of cheap models available).

On the site you linked above, there are a couple of Sony NEX cameras listed for €300-400, why not get one of these and use the rest of your budget to get an extra lens to suit your needs.

If you really want a fixed lines camera, or a compact, I would support the poster above who suggested the Fuji X20.

muppetkiller

There's actually someone on adverts selling the GF1 for about 100 euro !! You'd need a lens for it though so probably pick a second hand 14-45mm in Conns or someplace for 100 euro.

Also the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ 40 Kit I think is on sale for 199 in Currys at the moment. cameras.ie looks crazy expensive.

muppetkiller

Or get this
http://www.adverts.ie/digital-cameras/canon-1100d-ef-s-18-55-is-ii-kit-dslr-camera/3633975

nice_guy80

the main issue is, I will be doing lots of hiking and 'outdoorsy' stuff

so I don't want to have to be fiddling with lens and other stuff when I take out the camera.
plus, the extra weight (makes a difference when its on your back for a few days!)

when I say landscapes - I mean when I point the camera at a nice mountain range in Canada or New Zealand I want it to capture the scene very well. And if it has some sort of panoramic feature then all the better

muppetkiller

nice_guy80 wrote: »

the main issue is, I will be doing lots of hiking and 'outdoorsy' stuff

so I don't want to have to be fiddling with lens and other stuff when I take out the camera.
plus, the extra weight (makes a difference when its on your back for a few days!)

when I say landscapes - I mean when I point the camera at a nice mountain range in Canada or New Zealand I want it to capture the scene very well. And if it has some sort of panoramic feature then all the better

Get the x20 or the rx100 , Perfect Cameras for traveling . The rx100 is more expensive but it's tiny.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/51339205

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2095626@N24/pool/tags/rx100/

nice_guy80

muppetkiller wrote: »

Get the x20 or the rx100 , Perfect Cameras for traveling . The rx100 is more expensive but it's tiny.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/51339205

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2095626@N24/pool/tags/rx100/

seems to be issues with the RX100 and using it in tropical climates
I'll be in Australia and Thailand after Christmas

dirtyghettokid

so get the x20. x20. x20. x20!