Camera For The Missus

[y0z2a]

It's the missus's Birthday in August and she wants a camera.

I am thinking either a top of the range point and click or a cheaper Digital SLR. £500 maximum budget really - Really would like to spend £400.

I was planning on going and getting a few copies of some magazines to see what they suggest - What are the ones to look at - Which Guides? or are there any better ones?

Its mainly going to be used when we are travelling about as we go away quite a lot, and I am looking for something that will work doing good panoramics, as well as close up pictures. I don't however want her lugging lenses and all that crap around with her, as I will end up carrying it all. I want an all in one solution for her really.

We are going to Hong Kong for a few days towards the end of the year. Am I best waiting until we go out there or is that days gone by now and prices are quite similar over here to there, as ebay still seems to suggest otherwise.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I am looking at Pentax, Nikon, Sony and Canon brands - things that aren't going to fall apart.

/y0z

 

[Justin]

Nikon D40 is a great starter camera!

 

[® Andy]

Might find a bridge camera aka superzoom fits the bill better. What you loose in absolutely photo quality, is made up for in terms of a single lens that'll go from wide to very long. I racked up over 50k shots on my old Sony DSC-H1! The new Sony DSC-HX1 has a very trick panoramic mode that has been seen as a great innovation by various reviewers.

 

[steven.m]

Nikon D40 is a great starter camera!

+1

Or Canon 450D. Think the 500D is within budget but also has HD video recording and HD, but heard AF during video recording is pap or something like that.

You say you dont want to be carrying lenses around a lot so also consider a bridge camera? Cross betwen P&S and DSLR, but doesnt require intercahngeable lenses.

 

[y0z2a]

I have never heard of a bridge camera. I will look into that too.

Would you even think about buying something from London Camera Exchange? 2nd Hand?

/y0z

 

[steven.m]

Not heard of London Camera Exchange but guess buying refurbed stuff is same as evrything else. Would be ok I imagine.

wikipedia bridge camera http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_digital_camera

Dont know a lot about them myself tbh, but can get a Fuji for sub £300. Perhaps a more "in the know" member will be a long soon...

 

[JJ!]

Women have small hands and like small cameras:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1031371

 

[GeordieClioDriver]

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5561874/Trail/searchtext%3EFUJIFILM.htm


Or

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0561893/Trail/searchtext>CANON+POWERSHOT.htm

The G10 gets good reviews in the magazines!

 

[y0z2a]

OK.

I will look at all of these over the weekend.

Thank You,

/y0z

 

[dk]

Nikon D40 is a great starter camera!

not for someone who doesn't want to have interchangeable lens's though really, i'd be +1 for the bridge camera.

plus, isn't the d40 in a museum yet, its sooooooo old isn't it?

 

[ukaskew]

Well under budget, but the Panasonic TZ-3 would be my choice, my folks, in-laws, bro-in-laws and cousin all have one, none of them have a bad word to say about them really.

Compact, massive zoom, wide-angle, it does pretty much everything, and does it very well.

 

[Lee]

Well under budget, but the Panasonic TZ-3 would be my choice, my folks, in-laws, bro-in-laws and cousin all have one, none of them have a bad word to say about them really.

Compact, massive zoom, wide-angle, it does pretty much everything, and does it very well.

+1.

My old man wanted a digital compact and was looking at the Panasonic range, mainly due to the adverts on TV at the time. I suggested he go for the TZ3 due to the massive 10x Optical zoom, which really makes it versatile. He's taken it everywhere with him since he's got it, and has taken some really stunning photos. For a compact it's hard to fault.

Remember y0z, if it doesn't fit in her bag you'll end up carrying it.

 

[Leeds_VTO]

The slrs would be great if shes into photography but if she just wants something she can pop in her bag id go for a canon ixus or nikon Coolpik .

Canon
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1030497

Nikon
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1030591

Or maybe a powershot more of a bridge camera ,

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1028301

 

[y0z2a]

Right you lot.

I have identified a few extra requirements:

Must really be SD and it must be possible to use AA batteries.

This has led me to the following camera:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001EO750O/?tag=cliospnet01-21

Canon Powershot SX110 IS.

What is the concencus?

/y0z

 

[y0z2a]

I have actually found it even cheaper:

http://www.johnlewis.com/230510214/Product.aspx?source=35735

my friend (a photographer) suggested that the only thing to think was is it worth spending £200 extra on a G10 - yes - but it is twice the price & doesn't run on batteries...

/y0z