Decent 'compact' camera

richnfamous · #1 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 01:31 PM

Hi all

I'm thinking of buying a new camera.

First things first: I'm not a serious photographer. I take my camera with me when I'm walking - not just day trips, but week-long rambles where I stay outdoors. I take the odd decent picture

I've been using a Kodak Z740 which was cheap as chips (£110).

Kodak EasyShare Z740 review from UK Digital Camera Reviews - Kodak digital camera reviews and cheap prices

Things I like about it are:

- small size & weight - important!
- decent 'auto' functions, good presets and manual functions too
- 10x optical zoom
- decent lens for such a cheap camera
- shoots video too, with surprisingly good sound (that's quite important to me)
- uses AA batteries as well as lithium
- it's very quiet

What I don't like:

- the silver colour. I'd prefer something less conspicuous
- battery use can be a bit heavy if you use the screen and not the viewfinder
- time between shots can be a bit long, when you're not in 'burst mode'
- the Easyshare software is rubbish. I just plug the memory card into a card reader

Can anyone suggest a camera that fits the bill? I've used a Lumix which I liked - I hardly had to wait between shots. About £300 would be fine, and I don't mind buying secondhand.

nutmeg · #2 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 03:21 PM

I've had a Canon Powershot A640 for a couple of years or so and really like it. It doesn't have the optical zoom of your Kodak, but I've mainly used it for its pretty decent close-up ability. I dare say newer versions have better optical zoom, but I haven't followed developments in compacts recently.

diggleken · #3 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 08:29 PM

Canon Powershot A720is and its replacement, A2000 or something I believe - terrific ability for macro for a compact. 8mp and 6x optical, image stabiisation, lots of modes/priorities, with good software.
Have a look at my Gallery pics - all with that camera. not as good as a DSLR, but pretty fair I hope!

Cheers
Ken

ellen h · #4 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 08:58 PM

A friend of mine recently bought the Lumix TZ7 for around £255 on Amazon.Its a 10mp,12 x optical zoom with 3 inch screen really nice camera.
She has had some great results from it.
I am thinking of buying it for my mum as its very easy to use-and I can borrow it too

ellen

captaincarot · #5 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 10:33 PM

i can vouch for the fuji finepix S series bridge cameras being very good, i have an S7000 and bornwild has an S6500.

both of them produce good pics,

DaiTheDragon · #6 (**permalink**) 14-08-2009, 03:38 AM

I recently bought the Canon G10. Fantastic camera.

Dai

richnfamous · #7 (**permalink**) 14-08-2009, 08:41 AM

Thanks for the replies. I've got somewhere to start now.

Tringa · #8 (**permalink**) 14-08-2009, 10:18 AM

I bought a Lumix FZ28 last weekend - about £270 in Currys. It is not as compact as some, unless your pockets are big it won't fit, but is not huge either.

Can be used in full auto mode but also allows lots of control. if you want it.

10Meg, Leica lens is the 35mm equivalent of 27mm to 486mm and has an image stabaliser - all the photos were handheld except the one of the water.

Here a few of my first photos

Markulous · #9 (**permalink**) 14-08-2009, 12:25 PM

I too would recommend the Canon G10 - recommended to a number of my friends and I've seen/heard nothing to change my view (sorry - pun not intended!

)

FungiJohn · #10 (**permalink**) 14-08-2009, 12:48 PM

I have the Canon G9 which fits nicely in a shirt top pocket (I binned the shirts it didn't fit

)

It is a very good camera and has excellent quality video /time lapse functions too.

Here are a few images. The Mole and Cranefly images would have been near impossible using my DSLR given the short time frame in securing an image.

John