Advice for a friend

[gadgeteer]

I have a friend who has just asked me for some advice on getting a bridge camera. She basically wants to take better photos of her children, family days out etc. I'd say it's unlikely that she'd ever want to go very serious with photography.

The kicker is that her budget is around £120. Having had a quick look around, the cameras available look pretty crap and I'm thinking of telling her to spend the money on a decent compact instead. But before I do that, anyone got any inspiration on a decent bridge camera for that price range?

 

[PJ S]

At her budget, she'd be better to buy a decent camera of 3-4 years old, which cost £400-500 in its day.
Alternatively, if she jumps up to £200-250, she's more chance of grabbing something new with warranty or 1-2 year old, still capable of holding its own.
If she's thinking of brand new at that price point, tell her to stick with her iPhone 4 or Sony Xperia phone, it's as good as she's likely to get without spending a fair bit more.

 

[stu.artd]

Your friend could have a look at an Olympus SP620 at £130 or a Samsung WB100 at £110, both prices from argos just now.
They look good value and I'm sure they will provide better results than her current mobile phone.

Edit - Fuji Finepix 4500 is under £120 as I type this at Amazon.

 

[Bluetooth]

Just got my other half the samsung wb100, seems like a good buy for the price.