New camera needed - but not too pricey!

JennyS · #1 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 10:58 AM

I've been needing another camera for a while, but not being technically-minded can't make sense of most of the info when I try looking for one .....

Most of my photography is of plants, flowers, grasses etc so I need something that can do very good close-ups, is small enough to live in my bag, light enough to operate single-handed when using other hand to hold plant-stem steady in wind, and not too complicated to use!
And preferably not needing an additional fit-on macro-lens....

At present I've got a Fuji FinePix F10 (my first go at photography) but it got dropped

and the macro-focusing is not as good as it was..... I got a Canon PowerShot A710 IS a while back, but whether its me or the camera I didn't like it at all, wasn't happy with the results and went back to the Fuji....

I don't have the money (or the know-how) for a really professional camera but I was hoping for some suggestions for a replacement/upgrade.
Thanks in advance for advice, suggestions and useful tips.

Oy · #2 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 12:05 PM

For your needs I'd recommend one of the small er bridge cameras like the Fuji S5700 or Panasonic FZ-8

JennyS · #3 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 12:39 PM

Thanks oy - can you give a bit of detail and explanation on the two you've suggested?
Price-wise I could afford about to £350 ish

And

Quote:

Owning a camera makes you a photographer in the same way that owning a guitar makes you a musician

pretty much sums me up on that score!

Cazzie · #4 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 03:44 PM

I've got the FZ-8 - love it!

Take a look at my Gallery and you'll see why

It's not too big, but won't fit in your pocket, but it's light and has tonnes of functions that I don't use (yet!) but for point and shoot and macro it's a good one in my opinion and you don't need an extra lens either!

Paid £299 + £40 for a 1gb memory card.

nightshade · #5 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 05:07 PM

I used a couple of Panasonics recently and demonstrated the macro
which the owners did not realise they had! I cannot remember model
numbers one may have been TZ3 (I know it was pricey) the other had
image stabilisation as well but was very much cheaper sorry to be so
vague but it was a leaving do

rscott74 · #6 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 05:31 PM

Jenny one thing I would say is don't buy online unless you are absolutely sure it's the camera you want. The best bet is to go to a decent camera shop and ask to use the camera before you buy - does it feel right, does it do what you want, is it simple to use, does it have useful features etc. I suppose you could then look online or try to bargain with the shop. Don't be hasty whatever you do.

JennyS · #7 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

don't buy online unless you are absolutely sure it's the camera you want

Yes, thats the mistake I made with the Canon.....

Ukwildlifeo · #8 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cazzie

I've got the FZ-8 - love it!

Take a look at my Gallery and you'll see why

It's not too big, but won't fit in your pocket, but it's light and has tonnes of functions that I don't use (yet!) but for point and shoot and macro it's a good one in my opinion and you don't need an extra lens either!

Paid £299 + £40 for a 1gb memory card.

Ive got an Panasonic fz7 and its great. Ive seen the fz8 for less than £200 online. In the £350 budget is the new fz18 (18x zoom and 8mp) and the fz50 (12x zoom and 10mp) both about £300 and with leica (translation: very good) . also in that price range are the fuji finepix high zoom cameras range which ive also heard good thgings abou. Theres also the olympus ultra zoom cameras. These seem to have macro focus down to 1cm and the panasonics (and possibly the others) have supermacro which lets u take full zoom macros from 1m away, saving you from leaning down for low down things and scaring of butterflies etc.

Cazzie · #9 (**permalink**) 22-09-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rscott74

Jenny one thing I would say is don't buy online unless you are absolutely sure it's the camera you want. The best bet is to go to a decent camera shop and ask to use the camera before you buy - does it feel right, does it do what you want, is it simple to use, does it have useful features etc. I suppose you could then look online or try to bargain with the shop. Don't be hasty whatever you do.

Agreed! Purchased mine from the local camera shop, tried it out, no pressure at all - got to support local businesses methinks!