Question:
Usually I try and help answer IT questions, so I thought I'd pose a query on something I don't know that much about!
I've been looking at Digital Cameras for the past few days. I need one for casual use, nothing too fancy it may only get used once a month on the odd special occassion. The need has really come about as the wife said we need something a bit better than the 2MP on my Nokia phone for her sister's wedding in a couple of months.
I've narrowed the choice down to 4 within my spending range and they all have their pros and cons as you'd expect. I'm kind of leaning towards the HP, but I'm a little concerned about reports of high noise even at lower ISO modes.
I guess what I'm looking for is advice from any other owners of these models and any major problems you've had, or if you're an expert any advice you can give that might sway me one way or the other.
Canon Ixus 60
Fuji Finepix F11
Hp Photosmart R817
Sony Cybershot DSC-W50
Answers:
I'd drop the HP from your list all together.
The other 3 a very competitive next to eachother.
I have the Fuji F10, the only difference between the F10 and F11 really is the screen has a larger resolution. It's also worth noting the Fuji FinePiz F10 was voted Best Compact camera 2005. And since the F11 has come out you can get a real bargain for the F10, i didn't buy mine long ago, i got the camera and a 1GB Fuji branded mem. card for under £170!
My sister has the Sony W50, its a lot sexier looking than my F10, and slimer. But my camera takes better pictures in low light conditions compared to the W50.
Can't say much about the Canon, ive never used it but hear good things. My dads got a Canon DSLR, fantastic bit of kit so Canon would also be a good choice.
But my recommendation based on value for money is the F10.
Hope that helps, cheers.
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I found site very helpful. It takes some reading but worth the effort. Like many things, it comes down to personal needs and money.......
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I found site very helpful. It takes some reading but worth the effort. Like many things, it comes down to personal needs and money.......
Thanks Zahc, I've already used this site and looked at the specs, reviews etc. As viru.doshi said, there doesn't seem much between them on the face of it.
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Also have a look at
I think it is the best review site for digital cameras, very in depth reviews. I have the Sony W5 and my mum has the W30 (the only difference between the W50 & W30 is the screen size) and I am very impressed with the qulaity of the pictures that the cameras take. Very highly recomended.
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Yeh, I know. If you're anything like me, I hate to think I'm missing out on anything. IMHO you can't go wrong with a Canon, but you can't beat information from someone who owns one (I don't).
The one thing that annoys me about some cameras is the amount of time they take to switch on, and the amount of time between being able to take pics, so that's a big consideration for me. Having said that, the choice of storage card can make a difference as far as speed is concerned; oh brother!
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I recently offered some basic advice on buying a video camera and I think it will apply to you too.
Now you have decided on the ones you like go to a photograpic shop like Jessops and get a feel for each of the cameras. You may find you will be better help in deciding. The camera look, ease of use, the bottons,the menu etc.
Then decide where you want to buy it from.
Answers:
I went thru' a similar "which camera?" process around xmas time. In the end I went for a Canon A610 and have never regretted it. In particular the multi-angle screen is really useful. Do a google search for reviews - I'm sure you won't find a bad one.
Polybear.
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I went thru' a similar "which camera?" process around xmas time. In the end I went for a Canon A610 and have never regretted it. In particular the multi-angle screen is really useful. Do a google search for reviews - I'm sure you won't find a bad one.
It looks like a very good camera, it's a shame it isn't a bit lighter, at 285g, it's nearly twice as heavy as the Sony.
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If it was my choice I would opt for the Canon. Canon make some decent kit, and it looks pretty cool as well.
However I would, as others have said, check out the reviews on Steve's digicams, DP Review and DCResourse. They are / were the three sites I have used in the past when researching cameras.
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These have really good high ISO and low light capability when compared to the opposition.
This will be very important in situations in a club or a restaurant when you cannot always use the flash.
However the best thing is to actually handle the cameras in the shop though!!
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If it was my choice I would opt for the Canon. Canon make some decent kit, and it looks pretty cool as well.
However I would, as others have said, check out the reviews on Steve's digicams, DP Review and DCResourse. They are / were the three sites I have used in the past when researching cameras.
Thanks pin, I've already looked at those sites in my research. I still can't seperate the ones on my shortlist!
Answers:
The Canon is a good choice. Was on my shortlist too. The main let down (for me) is the poor battery life.
I personally went for the Casio Exlim Z850 (only two weeks ago). It gets some very good reviews. It's main points are the 8.1 mega pixels (don't get too sucked in by that though), the huge array of manual settings (very handy) and the phenominal battery life (around 3x that of the Canon). It's also quite robust too, I just got back from the bull run in Pamplona and it survived me taking quite a heavy fall.
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I just got a Canon EOS 350D Digital (SLR), with the 18-55mm lens (it was the silver one, so it was USM).
Amazing piece of kit, cost me a small fortune (£509 to be exact), but if you can afford it, its definitely worth it!
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I bought a Casio Exilim z600 a couple of months ago and the battery life is amazing! It also turns on very quickly and takes photos quickly too. Steves digicams gives it a good review. If I was to choose one of your list I would go with the Canon because the Ixus range have good reviews and people always speak very highly of them, although I have no experiance of them myself.
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Don't forget to go along to a shop to see how they feel in the hand as well. You don't want to buy one that has awkwardly positioned buttons for your/your wifes hands.
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Don't forget to go along to a shop to see how they feel in the hand as well. You don't want to buy one that has awkwardly positioned buttons for your/your wifes hands.
The wife won't be getting her hands on it! I'd never see it again in one piece!
Seriously though, I've been to Jessops and had a look and I'm still deliberating. I might even make a decision in the next few days!
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Mate, seriously, dont include the casio in your deliberations, it may have had good reviews but i really don't think it compares to the other cameras.
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Mate, seriously, dont include the casio in your deliberations, it may have had good reviews but i really don't think it compares to the other cameras.
Eh? So the reviews are good but you "think" it doesn't compare. have you used or compared the two? I've got an Ixus v3, Ixus 50 and a Casio Exlim Z850 so can speak from some experience of both brands.
The first mistake to make would be to assume that Casio only make cheap watches. If you look at any of their cameras they're hugely innovative and also great value.
Read a few reviews (, , ) and then go into a shop and have a play around with the cameras yourself. Exactly what I did and I ended up choosing the Z850 over the slightly more expensive Ixus 800 (and the Sony T9 which my flatmate has). I'm not saying it's a better camera, it just met my needs more. Any of the Casio range (Z600, Z750, Z850, Z1000) are worth looking at.
Answers:
if you have the memory cards to go with the cameras (somehow) take them and test them out in the shop.
see how fast they can be switched on and ready to take a shot
see how long it takes between single shots, and if it takes progressively longer the more photos you've taken
how quickly the user interface responds to button presses
ergonomics
and all the cameras are great bits of kit and not to worry too much about it in the end
lol it was the sony v3 and canon g6 dilemma for me a few years ago