I am really getting into my photography at the moment and want to buy a nice camera, but there are so many out there. I dont want to spend a fortune, but want something that is going to do the business.
it would need a decent zoom, and I've heard that they have a steady shot motor for close ups..think that would be quite cool too.
If anyone knows the best place to buy, the best make and what i should be looking for, it would be much appreciated.
cheers

Jon

I have a Panasonic FZ20, it wasn't my first camera and its not the simplest, but it has a 12x zoom, 5mpixel and optical image stabiliser (which youreally do need at full zoom unless you have a tripod!!!)
Its really the next best thing to an SLR!
It cost me a bit but i think its worth it and should be a camera that will last me many years.
The only problem is it takes SD cards which apprently aren't the best (apperently compact flash is better for some reason)

http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/fz20/

there's also a slightly smaller version (the fz5 i think) out now, might be worth a look!

Em

When i say its not the simplest, it IS easy to use, but it has some more complicated functions for when you are used to it. You can start off using it for point-n-click, and end up using it like an SLR, with shutter and aperture priority settings etc!!

Most digital cameras are point and shoot and so don't lend themselves to a phographers creative talent.

I really like this camera the AX580 (http://www.chiphead.co.uk/acatalog/AX580_Digital_Camera.html)

Its much cheaper than its branded counterpart coming from Robert who imports them. Give it a whirl and see what you think. Anything less than a 3MPix and you loose the creative side when editing in Photoshop or similar.

Or you could try this for £180
http://www.fotosense.co.uk/shop_details.asp?productid=584

My tip of the week - Never be fooled by digital zoom, it's a waste of time!

Originally posted by matsalleh
Or you could try this for £180
http://www.fotosense.co.uk/shop_details.asp?productid=584

Hey matsalleh, I'm in the market for a new digital camera. How would this compare to This (http://panasonic.co.uk/digital-cameras/dmcfz5b/index.htm) Panasonic camera that i believe can be found at £300?

Is it really worth the £120 difference in price?

Thanks :)

I bought Olympus because my film SLR of many happy years is also an Olympus. I was not disappointed. I've had it three years now and have a computer full of pictures I've taken with it. I use a AA battery charger on rechargeable batteries which will fire off about fifty shots before recharging. As someone else has ponted out digital zoom is useless. Try to get as close as possible and rely on your edit crop software to enlarge.

Originally posted by vidster
Hey matsalleh, I'm in the market for a new digital camera. How would this compare to This (http://panasonic.co.uk/digital-cameras/dmcfz5b/index.htm) Panasonic camera that i believe can be found at £300?

Is it really worth the £120 difference in price?

Thanks :)
If money is not a problem I think I would go for the Panasonic.
5Mp,12X optical zoom,Image stabilizer,Leica lens should be excellent quality. Fuji:-
4Mp,10x optical zoom,no stabilizer(tripod or very fast shutter speeds,would be needed),Fuji lens proven excellent lens.
It depends what you want to do with the camera really.
They both seem to be excellent cameras,your choice mate.Ask em3978 if he can post or send you some sample pictures.
Good Luck.

Originally posted by matsalleh
If money is not a problem I think I would go for the Panasonic.
5Mp,12X optical zoom,Image stabilizer,Leica lens should be excellent quality. Fuji:-
4Mp,10x optical zoom,no stabilizer(tripod or very fast shutter speeds,would be needed),Fuji lens proven excellent lens.
It depends what you want to do with the camera really.
They both seem to be excellent cameras,your choice mate.Ask em3978 if he can post or send you some sample pictures.
Good Luck.

I'm not sure how much kudos is available yet :?
Our next camera is going to be a replacement for my Minolta Dimage XT. We just wanted something with a good, non digital zoom so we can take decent pictures of wildlife etc.

Originally posted by vidster
I'm not sure how much kudos is available yet :?
Our next camera is going to be a replacement for my Minolta Dimage XT. We just wanted something with a good, non digital zoom so we can take decent pictures of wildlife etc.
For wildlife I would say the more zoom the better.Then the fuji@10xzoom + fuii teleconverter @1.5 =15 optical.The converter is about £85,but a tripod is a must.Olympus also do an excellent converter which fits 2x(I think), so do Raynox but they are not rated very highly.If you are serious and have a few more bucks to spend a digiscope is the way to go with digicam mount.
http://www.eagleeyeuk.com/erol2eu/erol.html

I don't think we'll be getting that involved matsalleh :wink:
Just something to carry around while walking the dog or for a day out really. The Panasonic looks like the way forward (money permitting).