Advice on Cameras please

[stba2006]

I was wondering if any of you could give me recommendations for a camera.

The one i have at the moment is pretty good, but doesn't zoom in that far when setting up to take the picture, so i know that i want one with at least x 4 zoom.

I also want to be able to take good pictures of in the evening eg at illuminations, dreams and fantasmic. The one i have at the moment doesn't take good photots in the evening at all and they end up really blurry.

I don't want anything too bulky, and also if it had a record feature that would be great.


My friends have said i should try a few in the stores, but this is what i did with my last one and when it came to taking the night photos i felt really disapointed.

Any ideas??

Thankyou

 

[DISWolves]

Quite a lot of compact cameras now have Image Stabilizer or 'steady shot' as an included feature. Also when considering the zoom range look for Optical as opposed to Digital zoom. Other popular features on some cameras is a 'stitch' or panorama mode that will join a number of shots into one long narrow photo. HD video is also quite common and a few also allow to be used underwater.
Sony, Canon, Nikon and Panasonic are a few brands to look at.
I can recommend the Sony TX5 as I have just purchased one. These were recently for sale at a greatly reduced price from Best Buy.
http://www.bestbuy.co.uk/Catalog/Br...tsLayout=ListLayout&NumberOfResultsPerPage=12

 

[rpbert1]

I bought this one , takes great photos, had a Panasonic before , and was more than happy with it.

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/4869601/art/panasonic/lumix-dmc-tz10-black.html

 

[wayneg]

We have the TZ8, excellent camera so would go for the TZ10 myself (advised relatives to buy a few weeks ago) Unfortunately you are a little late to get a bargain on it, Bestbuy.co.uk had some at £218 less £32 cashback(Quidco) and £30 refund from Panasonic, final price £156, I was almost tempted and sell my Digi SLR but didn't.

 

[Goofyish]

Another vote for the Panasonic TZ10 here

It takes HD video and has a few other features like face recognition and GPS (stores the GPS location details when you take a picture) - not really used these two features in anger yet

 

[BethEJo]

I got the Sony DSC-HX5V camera in December. And I LOVE it

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsc-h-series/dsc-hx5v

It's a compact, but has 10x optical zoom. It also has a great function for taking photos in low light without the need for a tripod. I gave been really impressed with this.

I also love the sweep panorama function which is appearing more and more on Sony cameras.

All in all, I really recommend it

 

[stba2006]

Quite a lot of compact cameras now have Image Stabilizer or 'steady shot' as an included feature. Also when considering the zoom range look for Optical as opposed to Digital zoom. Other popular features on some cameras is a 'stitch' or panorama mode that will join a number of shots into one long narrow photo. HD video is also quite common and a few also allow to be used underwater.
Sony, Canon, Nikon and Panasonic are a few brands to look at.
I can recommend the Sony TX5 as I have just purchased one. These were recently for sale at a greatly reduced price from Best Buy.
http://www.bestbuy.co.uk/Catalog/Br...tsLayout=ListLayout&NumberOfResultsPerPage=12

I quite like the look of this one. Sounds like it would do the job perfectly for me. Just need to keep an eye out for some deals now

 

[DISWolves]

I quite like the look of this one. Sounds like it would do the job perfectly for me. Just need to keep an eye out for some deals now

The feature that won it for me was the fact that it can be used up to 3 meters underwater (pictures & HD Video) without adding any bulky waterproof housing.
This makes it ideal for the pool / beach
Also the front lens does not protrude out when using the zoom. The cost of this is that it is only 4X as opposed to 12X zoom.
Can't wait to try it out at Discovery Cove in August

 

[wayneg]

Can't wait to try it out at Discovery Cove in August

Glad we decided not to go with you. With you lurking underwater with a camera, dread to think what pics you could have posted.

 

[stba2006]

The feature that won it for me was the fact that it can be used up to 3 meters underwater (pictures & HD Video) without adding any bulky waterproof housing.
This makes it ideal for the pool / beach
Also the front lens does not protrude out when using the zoom. The cost of this is that it is only 4X as opposed to 12X zoom.
Can't wait to try it out at Discovery Cove in August

That was one of the things i liked the sound of too. Were hoping to go to DC in September and would love to take some good photos when snorkeling. Last time we only had a disposable for the water and wish i hadn't wasted my money on it when they came out.

 

[matt1902]

Heya, hope you dont mind but rather than taking about a specific camera I thought I would give you some more general advice, especially since you are talking about evening shots.

When you shoot at night you have 2 choices, flash on or flash off.

Flash on - Doesnt really require a steady hand or image stabilisation but dont expect to get a good shot of anything further away than 1 to 4 metres (check the camera you are buying for the flash effective range.

Flash off - Allows you to shoot things further away (parades, fireworks) but the camera needs to keep the shutter open a lot longer, image stabilisation will help a little, but to get the best chance of a good shot you need something solid to support the camera on (a tripod is the best but since this isnt really practical in a park you can either use a fence or pillar), a good investment is a gorrillapod (a tripod you wrap around a fixed point but is must smaller and easier to fit in a bag or big pocket).

I will be taking 3 cameras abroad:

My Digital SLR - for the best shots you cant beat a pro camera but not practical to carry all the time

Casio Exilim - Best all-round compact I have seen

Pentax Optio W90 - Waterproof for the water parks - not great at evening shots so will mainly use it underwater and during the day.

Also, as one of the other posts has already said, ignore digital zoom, it's not worth the paper it is printed on, optical zoom is what you need

Hope this helps

 

[2Tiggies]

Glad we decided not to go with you. With you lurking underwater with a camera, dread to think what pics you could have posted.

Are you implying that Nigel lurks? Nigel, I'd say something if I were you ....

 

[stba2006]

Heya, hope you dont mind but rather than taking about a specific camera I thought I would give you some more general advice, especially since you are talking about evening shots.

When you shoot at night you have 2 choices, flash on or flash off.

Flash on - Doesnt really require a steady hand or image stabilisation but dont expect to get a good shot of anything further away than 1 to 4 metres (check the camera you are buying for the flash effective range.

Flash off - Allows you to shoot things further away (parades, fireworks) but the camera needs to keep the shutter open a lot longer, image stabilisation will help a little, but to get the best chance of a good shot you need something solid to support the camera on (a tripod is the best but since this isnt really practical in a park you can either use a fence or pillar), a good investment is a gorrillapod (a tripod you wrap around a fixed point but is must smaller and easier to fit in a bag or big pocket).

I will be taking 3 cameras abroad:

My Digital SLR - for the best shots you cant beat a pro camera but not practical to carry all the time

Casio Exilim - Best all-round compact I have seen

Pentax Optio W90 - Waterproof for the water parks - not great at evening shots so will mainly use it underwater and during the day.

Also, as one of the other posts has already said, ignore digital zoom, it's not worth the paper it is printed on, optical zoom is what you need

Hope this helps

Thanks for the advice. I love coming back with as many good photos as possible so hopefully this should help.

 

[DISWolves]

Are you implying that Nigel lurks? Nigel, I'd say something if I were you ....

I'M BEHIND YOU !!!!!!

 

[wayneg]

No idea on cost but in the next few weeks this will be launched, looks great with x16 optical zoom.
http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_...TZ18+Cameras/6906837/index.html#anker_6906840

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_...per+Zoom/DMC-TZ20/Overview/6914524/index.html

 

[DISWolves]

The TZ18 for pre order is around £299 and TZ20 £349
Both look nice cameras

 

[ChristieK0310]

Panasonic TZ7 is also fantastic and very similar to the TZ10 (no GPS for your photos).

Had to buy a new one in June last year and spent ages looking at all the options and TZ7 was a brill all rounder! I couldn't justify the price difference in the TZ7 and TZ10 for features that wouldn't matter to me - both take fantastic pictures and I love the zoom on the TZ7 (main reason for buying a new camera!)

Also bought a gorilla pod thing for it and it works well for firework / night time shots and also v handy for setting the timer and getting everyone into the pic when no one around to take group shots for you!