Digital Camera Advice Please?

[BenzComander]

Hi everybody,

We have £200ish to spend on a digital camera. Does anybody have any advice on which one to go for?

We will be using it for family photos, and the od item onto Ebay.

Many thanks,

Nik.

 

[stats007]

I've always been a fan of Sony cameras for budget models - though they obviously use the Memory Stick format as opposed to SD / Compact Flash cards etc.

 

[glojo]

I've always been a fan of Sony cameras for budget models - though they obviously use the Memory Stick format as opposed to SD / Compact Flash cards etc.

Totally agree and use the Internet to get both reviews and the best bargain. Sony have a reputation for using a good lens and I put this item way above the so called bells and whistles that might be offered by other manufacturers.

Good luck,
John

 

[BenzComander]

Found this Sony CyberShot DSC-P200 Black here

7.2 megapixels etc seems like good value.

 

[stats007]

It's a good camera, but I prefer the ergonomics of the DSC-W or DSC-S range:

DSC-W15

DSC-S90

Review here:

DSC-90 Review

 

[pammy]

Crackin' camera - you won't be disappointed with one of those.

 

[BenzComander]

Thanks stats007, would we see much difference in the picture quality from 5.1 to 7.2 megapixels??

 

[pammy]

generally no - but if for some reason you wanted to blow one up to massive massive size then you might 5.1 is plenty for most people's needs. The bigger your pixel count too then the more RAM etc you're going to need on your PC to handle the images something to think about too.

 

[BenzComander]

generally no - but if for some reason you wanted to blow one up to massive massive size then you might 5.1 is plenty for most people's needs. The bigger your pixel count too then the more RAM etc you're going to need on your PC to handle the images something to think about too.

Are you saying big is not always best Pammy

Seriously though, the Sony looks value for money for the spec, and as John says it has a a lens from a very good manufacturer.

 

[stats007]

The RAM issue is fairly irrelevant if you have a newish PC. An uncompressed TIFF for an A4 print is ~30Mb - compressed to JPEG ~1.5Mb. This shouldn't be a reason for not buying a camera as you can always alter the image size and storage format in the camera. I agree that a 5 megapixel CCD is more than enough for a budget camera though.

 

[BTB 500]

I have a Sony P200 which I carry everywhere ... I'd recommend it to anyone. I even got mine from Pixmania, and the black version looks great too!

For general shots in reasonable light you'd be very hard pressed to tell the difference between shots from my little P200 and ones from the £££ digital SLR I have for more serious stuff.

 

[glojo]

I very rarely, if at all take pictures bigger than 2.5mb. It is indeed nice to have the ability to take pictures that use more memory but it is certainly not a neccesity.

Regarding the camera's memory capability,
You always want to think what the camera is going to be used for and allow for this when perhaps purchasing it.

If you intend going away for a fourteen day holiday without access to a computer then make sure you have the means to take as many pictures as YOU want, and the capility to cater for this.

Battery life is also a consideration, some of the earlier Sony range had a very short battery life, check on this.

Good luck with the decision,
John

 

[BTB 500]

Battery life on the P200 is outstanding. With max. resolution and the LCD screen on it does 370 images using the CIPA standard test method (1 shot every 30 secs, alternately zoomed to full wide and full tele, flash on every other shot, power turned off and on again every 10 mins).

If you think of that in terms of ten 36 exp. rolls of 35mm film that's pretty good ... would see most people through a holiday on a single charge (given plenty of Memory Sticks! )

 

[GrahamC230K]

I like FujiFilm cameras. Anything over 3 mpixels unenhanced is fine (if they go as low as 3 these days).

Make sure you have a decent optical zoom. Memory is cheap, buy a 256 or 512 card and not look back.

Why do you need the camers, where will you take it and how will it be carried - ie get a size and weight suitable for you.

Make sure you like the feel of the camera and it's controls. Read reviews. Find it cheap and get Jessops to price match so you buy from a friendly store.

 

[glojo]

If your easily frightened look away NOW

I have a Sony P200 which I carry everywhere ... I'd recommend it to anyone. I even got mine from Pixmania, and the black version looks great too!

For general shots in reasonable light you'd be very hard pressed to tell the difference between shots from my little P200 and ones from the £££ digital SLR I have for more serious stuff.

First off I think the Sony P200 is an excellent camera, but in life you get what you pay for.

For general family snaps the P200 will certainly take pictures as good if not better than the digital SLR, but I am merely pointing out that the price of the digital SLR is falling and they have the flexibility to take this type of picture.

The stupid dragonfly head butted our patio window and was concussed long enough for me to take a few pictures.

I am not showing off, I am merely pointing out what can be acheived if you can afford that bit extra.

Regards,
John

 

[stats007]

Two entirely different cameras - ideally you want both. I have a little Sony U for eBay photos and taking out as it's small - I also have Nikon equipment for more serious stuff. One doesn't replace the other.

 

[glojo]

Two entirely different cameras - ideally you want both. I have a little Sony U for eBay photos and taking out as it's small - I also have Nikon equipment for more serious stuff. One doesn't replace the other.

I'm not sure I understand your statement? I only have the one and could not justify having a fairly expensive non SLR and an SLR digital camera.

The Sony is certainly easier to carry and is 'less conspicuous' The SLR can perform every task the Sony can including taking small pictures for Ebay, what it cannot do though is slip into a small handbag. Battery life and memory of the SLR are far greater, but the instigator of this thread is talking about £200'ish digital camera's and I don't think any of them have quite dropped to that price? How flexible is the 'ish' remark?

John

 

[stats007]

The SLR and £200 budget digital camera are two different cameras. It's like being in the market for an SL350 and being told to buy an SL55 AMG.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup, Nik's stated price range is around £200 ... you're not going to get a D-SLR and lens for that.

Incidentally, macro isn't bad on the P200 (for a point & shoot). I didn't have a dragonfly handy so used a pound coin

 

[BenzComander]

John and BTB500 pics look great!!

Only said 200 as that would not break the bank this month, and I cant really justify spending great sums of money on another SLR (even if it is digital!) Been up that route before, and have a perfectly serviceable Canon Eos100 which I have been told is now worth didly

Just looking for a good, all round camera that is a little future proof, will take great pics of the kids, and is easy to use. The Sony is looking good at the mo, unless anybody else can suggest anything else to look at?

Cheers for everybodies feedback!