Buying a new camera

[nautim]

I'm thinking about buying a new digital camera. I like taking photos, but don't know much about the more technical side of it all.

 

I have an oldish Kodak which pretends to be like one of the big chunky SLR cameras, but I'd like something smaller which is more convenient to carry around. I like the x10 optical zoom on the existing camera and would like to get something which is comparable. I'm happy to pay between £200 - £300, but would prefer it to be the lower end.

 

The Camera Centre on the street had just sold their last Panasonic TZ6 which seems to be the sort of thing I had in mind, but obviously I couldn't see it.

 

What I would like to ask is - does anyone have any particular advice/views on suitable cameras to dig out information on or cameras to avoid?

 

Thanks

N

[nautim]

Thanks Shetlandpeat,

 

I'm still rather taken by the reviews of the Panasonic camera, biggest problem is that the Camera shop have sold out. I'm now debating whether or not to order one from south - I want to have it in time for going on holiday, but there isn't a guarantee that it will be here in time. Some of the places south are cheaper, but I don't know how efficient/trustworthy some of them actually are.

 

Regards

N

[Frances144]

I love my Canon Powershot G9 - fantastic little camera. Small and easy to keep with you. I have taken some lovely shots with mine.

 

I went to Cecil (the Camera Centre) with my shopping list (yes, there was another camera involved) and asked him if he could match the prices I found on the internet.

 

He was close and I thought, well if anything broke, I could just throw it back at him and he would sort it out since I had bought it from him, the sale contract was with him and I wouldn't have the hassle of trying to pack up and send back to some unknown face in the UK or US my broken camera with costly postage.

 

He met the challenge and supplied with me with my photographic requirements. One of my kids' cameras died within warranty and it was all sorted out with just a quick trip to Lerwick.

 

So, yes, again, I would thoroughly recommend the G9 Powershot by Canon - it has a good lens and takes superb photos. You can also add lenses and specialise, such as extra macro lenses. Get a big, decent make memory card too. It has its own battery that lasts for ages, a point-and-squirt mode for those that don't want to think much and RAW facility if you want.

 

A rather famous photographer who came up here two years back for photos of Shetland ponies for his book, recommended this camera to me and said he had bought one to go on holiday and loved it!

[JustMe]

I went to Cecil and looked at a camera and then bought one on-line. Yes it was a good bit cheaper but looking at the paperwork it looks very much like this was a "grey" import from a non EU country. This is despite buying from what looked like a reputable UK website. Not illegal but probably not that good looking for help if the camera went wrong.

[trout]

Quite an important point when purchasing online. Buying cheaply from outwith the UK and you end up without the same consumer protection you would had you bought within the UK.

[Guest Anonymous]

A little tip, although maybe a bit obscure.

Don't accept that any camera which you buy is up to it's optimum standard or performance.

 

My first digital camera was a Kodak, which I thought was great. But on an impulse I bought a factory reconditioned Olympus C740 from eBay about 3 years ago. Only 3.2 Mp but with 10X optical zoom.

Best think I ever did.

 

My partner has the later model of the same camera, and it is crap. Reason being it is a standard 'off the shelf model', and not factory reconditioned.

 

I didn't realise what the difference was until I was given another Olympus as a present. It had a minor fault and had to be returned to the manufacturer for repair. When it came back it was absolutely stunning. The simple reason, as far as I can see it, is that cameras come off the assembly line set to a basic standard, but when they have been returned for repair, or reconditioned, they are set up by a real human technician to give the best performance possible. So, might be worth considering a cheap reconditioned one from eBay. The one which I love cost only £90, when a new one would have been over £200.

 

And, just a personal opinion. Ignore the Megapix, because when it comes to Megapix, size doesn't matter. Concentrate on the lens, if it looks big it's likely to be good, in which case, size does matter.

 

PS. Totally agree with Trout. The reconditioned camera I bought was from a UK supplier. When it arrived the driver CD was damaged, but I phoned Olympus, explained where I got the camera, and they sent a replacement CD in 3 days, at no charge.