Compact Digi Cam Ideas?

Boo

Messages
214
Edit My Images
Yes
Until I can get a DSLR I was wondering if any of you could recommend a good compact digi cam. Ideally I would like something small around the £200 mark, but I don't mind sacrificing size for features.

I'm looking for one that is excellent for macro work, would be nice if I could have a bit of aperture control, an AF assist lamp etc..... and able to cope indoors with out wanting to use the flash every 5 minutes. Ah also I wouldn't mind spot metering lol (I'm maybe asking too much for too little eh)

Any pointers would be great 'cause its mind boggling the choice thats out there. :ponders:

Thanks :)
 
Not sure of all the features, but have been very impressed by shots taken with the Fuji S7000. Some examples here
 
DJW said:
Not sure of all the features, but have been very impressed by shots taken with the Fuji S7000. Some examples here

...or you could look at the slightly cheaper S5500 which can be set to manual, automatic, or anything between. Plenty of features and more than enough flexibility to get you started.

Heard good things about the Kodak Z700 although I haven't actually used one. This may be a little too basic for your needs but have a look at the spec and see what you think.
 
I have an S5500 at the moment... does everything I want it to, my problem is just finding time to use the damn thing!! :)
 
Hi Boo - the two very worthwhile cameras, recommended by DJW and GfK are I suppose what you would call SLR look-alike. If we are to take you at your word and you mean compact then at £209 I would have to recommend the Canon Powershot A610.....and it's got spot metering.

• Sensor: CCD - 5.3 Million pixels
• Image Size: 2592x1944 pixels
• Lens: 35-140mm - f2.8-4.1
• Focus: TTL Auto, Manual - 1cm Macro
• Exposure: Programme AE/AP/SP/M
• Metering: Evaluative/Spot/CW
• Monitor: 2.0” P-Si TFT
• Movie Mode: Yes
• Storage: SD Cards
• Batteries: 4x AA
• AC Adaptor: Optional
• Video Output: Yes
• Size/Weight: 105x66x49mm-235g
• Transfer: USB 2.0

Full spec and review can be found here. Hope that helps.

regards
 
Jan has a Panasonic Lumix DMC FX9 - Full review HERE.

She has the version with the black non slip covering , which I'd recommend for looks and practicality. Jessops were selling these recently for sub 250 quid which is a 100 quid less than they were 6 months ago.

It's the size of a packet of fags, so there's no excuse for not taking it everywhere, it easily slips into a breast pocket. It doesn't have a fully manual mode but there are more than enough settings to satisfy a serious shutterbug when you don't want to cart the SLR around. It's beautifully made and has image stabilisation, a Leica lens, and large LCD screen.
 
CT said:
.....and has image stabilisation, a Leica lens....
I wonder if my wife would like one of those? :whistle2: Thanks for the pointer CT.

regards
 
stepheno said:
I wonder if my wife would like one of those? :whistle2: Thanks for the pointer CT.

regards

Jan looked at a load of cameras, but fell in love wth this one as soon it was put on the counter, and I'd guess your wife wont be any different. ;)
 
Ah, if we are loking at really small cameras then try the Fuji F10 ....around £180 on currys. Has everything you are after plus goes to ISO1600 so you can use indoors with no flash if req'd, plus has huge LCD panel on back.....put it this way, I bought one as backup to my Nikon DSLR ;) See thread I started here that may help
 
Thanks guys, thats given me a couple of options to mull over. :thumb:

Its so difficult when money is an issue isn't it. I desparately want to get into digital photography so want to get a camera asap. The trouble is not knowing what to start off with. Do I get a small digi cam (had my eye on Ixus 50) so I can put it into my handbag everywhere I go, then save up like mad to get a pro DSLR, or do I go for a compact that is more SLR like with more features but one thats more bulky and take my time learning, getting and SLR only when I'm more proficient? Am I fooling myself that an SLR like compact is going to be enough? Is it false economy? Are they worth the bulk and price as oposed to a tiny and tidy one?

Oooh lol I think I'm going round the bend here and I've probably confused you all...... thats what typing as you think does!!:doh:

Does anyone rate the Ixus 50, or have any pikkies taken by one, or any of the others that you've all suggested.

thanks... and sorry to be a pain.:whistle2:
 
I think if you're used to a film based SLR then you won't be happy with a compact or SLR-like for very long.
 
SammyC said:
I think if you're used to a film based SLR then you won't be happy with a compact or SLR-like for very long.

Yeah thats true, but I've not got much if any working knowledge with the film SLR, I just got to the stage where I was working either with Ap. or shutter prority, just started getting familiar mid tones, stopping down for extra saturation etc but never fully manual or anything like that..... I've forgotten all the terminology and gone back to basics with the bits I had picked up. I've not touched a camera for donkeys and had given up on the film SLR but now I've got my enthusiasm back and am raring to go.
 
Someone here just bought the Fuji F11 and like it a lot. Thing is though we often have conversations along the lines of 'Couldn't get X correct' -- 'Oh, you'll need to use Y for that' -- 'Oh, it can't do that'

I would go for an SLR-like if you can't stretch to a full SLR body.
 
Thanks for the input. In mind of this the camera I'm currently looking at that is SLR like is the fuji 7000 or the 9500.

The 9500 has a 10x optical zoom, is there much degredation with zooms that have such a broad range? (the 7000 has 6x optical)

I can't seem to find the 7000 in Jessops or PC world. Is there anywhere else reputable I can find one, I've not got a clue how much it is.

what is attracting me also to these cameras is the super macro of 1cm. Again I don't know what is the maximum that is any good for digital macro....??
 
A different chap has the 9500 and loves it! Seems to do most things that an SLR does, by that I mean we haven't found anything that it doesn't do! ;)

What it does do well is the live histogram.
What it doesn't do well is the menu system. For example, Jpeg settings are at the top level menu, but to switch to RAW you have to go down about three menus apparently.
 
Seems to take good photos though. Oh, and its bigger than my 350D with the kit lens on it.

Oh, and it devours batteries so get rechargable!
 
Boo said:
Thanks for the input. In mind of this the camera I'm currently looking at that is SLR like is the fuji 7000 or the 9500.
Dont forget to look at the Panasonic Lumix FZ20 or FZ30. John Lewis supposedly had the FZ20 for sub £200 which is an absolute steal. Take a look at Gandhi's gallery for some excellent sample shots.

Mark
 
If you want to go for the S5500 (very capable camera indeed), then it can be found ridiculously cheap here: http://www.fuji.co.uk/shop/refurb/shop.php

Tis refurbished, but I have had no problems with mine, and at £150, there is no competition (especially given that fact that I am a poor student :))

Kimmett
 
just a heads up if you're still looking Boo warehouse express have a "as new" fuji 7000 advertised in their mail order returns section for £260 linky
 
Gemok said:
just a heads up if you're still looking Boo warehouse express have a "as new" fuji 7000 advertised in their mail order returns section for £260 linky

Arrrr thanks Gemok for finding that for me, I'll check it out. :thumb:

I've got myself in a right muddle trying to decide what it is I want and even I'm losing patience with myself lol. :banghead: I've got drawn to the Ixus 40 for sheer sleekness and size to take absolutely everywhere and being a woman I just have to fit everything into my bag lol.... However thats only going to pacify for memory shots etc. Then I got drawn to the Fuji 7000 and the 9500 to try and get the best of both worlds as far as budget and features but if I'm going to pay £400 on the 9500 would I be better just getting myself the Ixus 40 for now and save up to get an entry level DSLR?????? Is the 9500 much better than the 7000

the 9500 is causing me some concern I've read some very mixed reviews and its scaring me. Alot are saying they preferred the 7000 and noone seems to be mentioning how good the macro is and this is an important feature for me. It seems to struggle in low light conditions and people are complaining of soft pictures...... Does anyone on here have one and have some pikkies to show me, particularly macro, and indoors.

Failing all of this, What is the best DSLR-like out there, which is the best ultra compact, which is the best entry level DSLR that will give me room to grow and finally - yes I'll stop waffling now :exit: - where do I go after an entry level DSLR.

Ok.... you guys are really going to get fed up with me I'm sure, but thanks for any help. :embarasse :ponders:
 
Have you considered a 2nd hand DSLR Boo? :)
 
Boo said:
Arrrr thanks Gemok for finding that for me, I'll check it out. :thumb:

no probs I regularly browse that section in the hopes of finding a bargain DSLR for myself no luck so far though :banghead:

Currently I'm using a fuji E900 which is basically a smaller version of the s9500.
I wanted a pocket sized (well it's almost pocket sized) cam that had full manual controls. Which when I bought it was a bargain for £250 looks like they've up'd the price now though.

CT said:
Have you considered a 2nd hand DSLR Boo?
What second hand dslr would you recomend? for example is it worth considering a canon 10d? Getting on a bit now but I'd have thought still a pretty good camera? Oh isn't canon heavilly rumoured to be anoucing the 20d replacement this month at some point maybe we'll see a few deals spring up for them
 
Gemok.

I'd certainly consider a 2nd hand 10D, it's a superb camera, but your choices are pretty good really with 2nd hand cameras like the Canon 300D (Digital Rebel) 350D, and Nikon D70 and D50 being pretty abundant in the market place. Any one of them is more than capable of producing top class results. There are other brands available of course, but for me the choice would only ever be Canon or Nikon, purely on the huge system of lenses and accessories that you buy into with both brands.

The 20D is now heavily discounted to what it was at at launch and when the replacement model comes out shortly, no doubt prices will plummet and there'll be some real bargains to be had, but it all comes down to what you want to spend.

Boo

Where you go from an entry level DSLR is up to you - that's the beauty of it. Whatever you want to do there'll be a lens or accessory available to help you do it - the SLR is probably the most flexible photographic tool ever invented. Once you have the basic camera it's just the old question of money, money, money, but you add as when you can afford it. :)
 
If you are drawn towards the DSLR lookalikes, I'd definitely recomrnend the Fuji S7000. I still have mine as a back up to my Canon 350D ( but I may sell if I get a decent offer for it ;) ). As you say the S9500 has had mixed reviews, which is why eventually I went down the DSLR route. The S7000 is capable of 'macro' shots, I use mine with a add on macro lens too, the Raynox DCR-250. You can also purchase close up filters, but whichever you use, you will need the Fuji AR-FX9 Adaptor ring to attach them to, this is an extortionately priced (over £20!) 'must have' accessory which enables you to attach 55 mm thread filters and lens adapters like the TCON-17 1.7 Tele Converter.

Mike
 
Mike said:
If you are drawn towards the DSLR lookalikes, I'd definitely recomrnend the Fuji S7000. I still have mine as a back up to my Canon 350D ( but I may sell if I get a decent offer for it ;) ). As you say the S9500 has had mixed reviews, which is why eventually I went down the DSLR route. The S7000 is capable of 'macro' shots, I use mine with a add on macro lens too, the Raynox DCR-250. You can also purchase close up filters, but whichever you use, you will need the Fuji AR-FX9 Adaptor ring to attach them to, this is an extortionately priced (over £20!) 'must have' accessory which enables you to attach 55 mm thread filters and lens adapters like the TCON-17 1.7 Tele Converter.

Mike

I've noticed though that the S7000 ISO starts from 200, now that seems pretty high to me. Is this very noisy? Bearing in mind I do like my macro work but will also be using it for landscapes etc.
 
So do most the DSLRs (eg. Nikon D70). Noise is less prevalent with Digital & with the likes of Photo Shop & specialist noise reduction programs, it's not a problem until you usually hit 600 & above.
 
The Fuji S7000 takes the most wonderful macro shots....

strawberry.jpg


I did use a +4 close up filter, this strawberry was only about 1.5cms across :)
 
Nice strawberry, nice and sharp, and the colour is lovely. I hadn't realised that you can use filters on the DSLR-likes. I also hadn't realised that most DSLRs start from ISO 200 so this takes some getting used to. I know its a bit old fashioned but I like the idea of being able to take a pikkie without having to mess about with it too much unless its to crop or be creative. Besides I've not got anything like PS infact thats a whole different ball game all together, what and where do I start with software like that what are my options and the least expensive without being cheap and nasty.

The 7000 is looking more and more attractive I must admit, I just wish there were more positve reviews about the 9500 as that has 9mp, 10x zoom and and ISO starting from 80.
 
Whatever camera you buy, you'll most likely get some image editing software with it m8.
 
Re filters, lots of the B&W shots I linked to for S7000 were taken with a RED filter to give that dramatic contrast.
 
DJW said:
Re filters, lots of the B&W shots I linked to for S7000 were taken with a RED filter to give that dramatic contrast.

Ahhh right, thats good to know, I took a look and there is some lovely work there isn't there.
 
Back
Top