Camera options.

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Devils Advocate
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Camera options.

Postby Devils Advocate » Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:02 pm

Never been in to cameras so always struggle with this one. Just need something to take decent pics whilst on holiday, and a decent zoom would be nice.

Beachy recommended a little Ixus many years ago which gave great service from a tiny compact, that was circa 275 quid at the time and did feel like a quality piece. Sadly that camera expired and I bought another compact, this time a Lumix compact with the Leica lens. It was cheaper in price, but also cheaper in build quality and quite flimsy in comparison to the metal cased Ixus.

As mobile phones have moved on I now find my Galaxy actually out performs the Lumix (apart from the zoom feature) and is easier to see what you're taking a pic of, the screen on the Lumix is a PITA on anything else other than a dark and cloudy day.

So, just been out this morning to a high street specialist shop. They seem to recommend what they call a "bridge" camera. The one that stands out is the Canon sx50. Once I've also bought the bits needed to go with it ie case/card etc. I'm looking at circa £350.

I've not a clue about it really. So for that price range has anyone bought something recently they'd recommend me to look at?.....or any comments on the sx50. I'd still really like a true compact but they don't seem to do a sturdy little beast like the Ixus I once had.
Many thanks all.
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El Cid
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Re: Camera options.

Postby El Cid » Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:26 pm

There is no need to spend more than £100 on a decent compact for decent holiday snaps. Prices have more than halved and there is little demand for them as everyone has got a phone. I take your point about a zoom - that's the only thing holding back cameras in phones.

The sx50 is not a compact - it certainly won't slip into a pocket and why on earth would you need a 50x zoom apart from bragging rights - assuming you could hold it still enough to get a decent picture.

If you liked the Ixus why not buy another one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/*beep* ... mera016-21

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Re: Camera options.

Postby Devils Advocate » Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:37 pm

Correct, I had hold of the sx 50 today and it is a bit bulky if truth be told, not something I'd like to carry around with me all the time.....the bloke was just raving on about it though for the price, when the shop was full of other cameras.

They only had 2 Ixus compacts in, again as you say half the price of what I paid years ago........but very flimsy and plasticy like the Lumix, and no view finder, which is a big issue in Spain.

SX50 is probably not what I'm after come to think of it.

Thanks for that.
Edited, Sid, I can't get your link to work.
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Re: Camera options.

Postby El Cid » Mon Jan 12, 2015 4:24 pm

Try this link http://goo.gl/Ve4rJS

It is almost impossible to find a compact with a viewfinder. I still have a nice Canon Powershot A700 if you are interested. Decent screen, 6x zoom and a proper viewfinder.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PowerShot ... B000EMWD9U

If you really do want a viewfinder then this is the best (expensive) option http://goo.gl/0jqy8B

If you want something made out of metal, not plastic, this is for you http://uk.leica-camera.com/Photography/ ... era-System - don't look at the price though!

Sid

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Re: Camera options.

Postby Devils Advocate » Mon Jan 12, 2015 4:38 pm

Cheers Sid. Yep, the 265 would be the great but it's the bloody viewfinder issue again.

That old camera of yours will be of far better quality than the current breed, similar to the old Ixus I had.

Even the chap in the old school shop we were in this morning kept pushing me towards the bridge cameras, saying at one point that mobile phones had decimated the compact sales and product range.

It's a struggle as I say, can't find anything of quality with a viewfinder in compact, so the next step seems to be bridge or full SLR which I'm just not that interested in.
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Re: Camera options.

Postby El Cid » Mon Jan 12, 2015 4:40 pm

I've just added a couple of other options to my post - have a look.

Sid

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Re: Camera options.

Postby Devils Advocate » Mon Jan 12, 2015 4:44 pm

:mrgreen: Thought so!! There was a ltd edition Leica compact in the shop today, in gaudy red/white/blue, a snip at 2k
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Re: Camera options.

Postby chrissiehope » Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:34 pm

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who wants a compact camera with a viewfinder :) My old camera, which was state of the art when I bought it about 12 years ago, doesn't have one & it drove me mad trying to take a decent shot in bright sunlight or gloomy/dark conditions. I swore I wouldn't get a replacement until I found one with a viewfinder, and so far, I haven't (but I am now using late hubby's camera, also without a viewfinder, but it takes better pictures than mine :wink: )
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Re: Camera options.

Postby El Cid » Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:46 pm

A viewfinder, or lack of it, was a major consideration when I upgraded from my Canon Powershot to a Panasonic.

At the time, about three years ago, the screen on the Panasonic was deemed to be the best available and as yet, I am not aware there are any better ones.

I can cope with it, but have to admit that in bright sunlight, especially if you are wearing sunglasses, which you probably will be, it is a struggle. That said, so long as you don't zoom in too close, inaccurate framing can usually be corrected by cropping. Basically, take a wider angle shot and sort it out with your preferred editing program. Most cameras have more than adequate resolution (ie megapixels) to allow this without any significant loss of quality.

Sid

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Re: Camera options.

Postby ebbnflow » Tue Jan 13, 2015 1:29 am

I went a slightly different route.

I have a decent but now somewhat old compact, a Panasonic TX3, good zoom and wide angle, the newer versions a little more powerful but still no viewfinder. I use this for casual to goodish photography that the phone can't handle.
I also purchased an immaculate Panasonic FX150 bridge camera (deal on old model) for when the occasion requires a "proper" camera. Having been down the SLR route in analogue days I didn't want to go there again.
The two together with basic accessories cost me a tad less than £300.

Thus far, approx 8 years on the compact and 2 on the bridge, both have served me extremely well.

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Re: Camera options.

Postby morlandg » Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:58 am

Can I say first off that I am not a camera techie. Whilst in the UK over New Year on the advice of my son in law I purchased a Sony DSC-HX400V camera for 149 GBP. This was via hotukdeals and a Sony cashback deal of 40 GBP. Brand new with 20.1 mp, 50x zoom and a viewfinder. My previous compact was giving me out-of-focus pictures. The Sony , so far, is always in focus and I can take pics one-handed. I cannot get the Wifi to work because I'm not a techie - so stand by Sid for a posting for help later on!!
I don't know if the above offers are still running but I've got a 300+GBP for half price.

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Re: Camera options.

Postby Devils Advocate » Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:15 am

Thanks guys. However I just posted a reply to all of this and it vanished!! That's twice that has happened in the last couple of days.

Gist of it was that I'm still floundering though!!
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