Recommend a camera...

[Saitek]

Hi guys... I am wanting to buy a camera. I haven't a clue where to start.

First off, for those who don't know, I'm in the UK. We own as a family a Nikon Coolpix 3200. It has been a brilliant "snapshot" camera and for general use perfect. We are just a few shots away from photo 5,000! The flash is still going good too. BUT, it has an awful time delay when taking pictures (slow shutter speed) and the zoom isn't very fancy. I would like to be able to take moving shots without a 2-3 second delay with the flash on.

I can't have anything to complicated, but while I'm not wanting a professional ulta style camera I'd prefer an upgrade on this:






I'll be buying off ebay and want to spend between about

[Craig.]

All non-slr/ DSLR digital cameras will have a time lag.
when taking pictures. its getting better as they are getting more advanced though. Just so you know.

[Saitek]

Thanks for the tip -  but any suggestions?

[Hagar]

Hi Ben. There's plenty of people on this forum more knowledgable than me on this subject but here's what I think. I've been thinking of upgrading my camera for a while & to get any vast improvement over what I have involves more than I can can reasonably afford. I hadn't considered getting one from eBay so this might be different but all I can say is to be very careful.

The worst thing about my Fuji S5000 & most other cameras in that price range is the shutter delay you mention. This might be improved on the latest models but the next step up is a proper DSLR & the ones I've been looking at are the Nikon D70 & the Canon 350D. To do what I want I would also need to purchase a decent zoom lens. The Nikon works out cheaper but I've decided it's far too expensive. I haven't learned how to use the one I have properly yet.

[Saitek]

I would wait until after Christmas and only get a new or barely used camera Doug.

You mention about the complications of learning the big manual cameras.... and that is what I want to avoid.

[Craig.]

I would wait until after Christmas and only get a new or barely used camera Doug.

You mention about the complications of learning the big manual cameras.... and that is what I want to avoid.

Its not that diffcult to learn if you have time. Thats the key thing, time. If you want something thats going to give you good clear pictures without doing anything to them then of course you dont go with the DSLR's but if you want a camera that will allow you to do things a standard digital camera wont go with a dslr.
try here, it gives you all you need to know on almost every make of digital camera available.
http://www.dpreview.com/

I must admit I havent kept up with the digital market since I got my 300D, its almost paid itself off in terms of cost of film saved and I am still learning so I am happy.

[Saitek]

Doug here are some examples of yours (and I do like your shots! ): (Infact this one looks so good I'm tempted to buy it).
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fuji-FinePix-S500 ... dZViewItem

[Saitek]

That looks great Craig... I'll ahve a look at it later.

[Hagar]

I would wait until after Christmas and only get a new or barely used camera Doug.

You mention about the complications of learning the big manual cameras.... and that is what I want to avoid.

In actual fact the S5000 was a step backward from my little Fuji F401 in one very important respect. The S5000 has a digital viewfinder which is actually a reduced version of the digital image you see on the screen. Because of this I much prefer using the old one with its conventional optical viewfinder as the digital viewfinder makes focussing on moving subjects in some light conditions very difficult.

The camera manufacturers are continually updating their products. I would hesitate to recommend one as everyone has different opinions & there's simply too much choice. I think the best thing is to go into town & have a look at what's available. You're not obliged to purchase anything.

[Hagar]

(Infact this one looks so good I'm tempted to buy it).
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fuji-FinePix-S500 ... dZViewItem

Better speak to Woody then. I happen to know that he purchased an S5500 recently & is very pleased with it. Bear in mind that unless they've improved it on this model the shutter delay will be similar to my earlier S5000 & your Coolpix. It also has the digital viewfinder I mentioned earlier. It's basically the latest version of mine.

Take my advice & go & look at one in your local camera shop. If it's a decent shop with experienced assistants they will let you hold it & try it out for yourself.

[Craig.]

Firstly, dont buy an older model. Cameras like computers upgrade so fast there will be a new version for the same price within a few months. There should be a much newer version of Dougs available. No offense meant Doug but I think you'd agree that buying a newer model would be a better idea?

Some you might want to consider looking into.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/C ... n_a610.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/F ... s5200z.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/K ... k_p850.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/K ... magez6.asp

Those are just a couple of good cameras roughly in your price range. Pleanty more to choose from on there though:)

[Hagar]

There should be a much newer version of Dougs available. No offense meant Doug but I think you'd agree that buying a newer model would be a better idea?

I believe the S5500 Ben is thinking of is the latest model. It's an update of my S5000.

What you say is true to some extent. I often buy the earlier model just as it's being replaced. This way you can usually get a much better deal. I did the same for both my digital cameras & never regretted it. I think the results speak for themselves. It really depends on what you want to use them for.

They might both be a slightly lower spec than the later versions but many of these improvements are features that I will never need or use. I still think the best thing is for Ben to go & have a look for himself. If he can find a decent camera shop like my local one the assistants will be able to give the best advice. They are all photographers themselves & will know the best cameras for the price & often the best deals.

PS. Most high street shops will match the best online price if you print it out & take it along as proof. This has to be a genuine offer.

[Saitek]

Thanks Doug and Craig. Well I wasn't thinking of any particular model, but the name Fuji says "quality buy" to me.
I can get the S5500 for about

[Hagar]

Oops. I just noticed that link you posted is for the S5000 which is the same as mine. If your main reason for changing from the Coolpix is the shutter delay don't waste your money.

[Woodlouse2002]

I would recommend my S5500 to anyone and once I fork out for the wide angle adaptor it should be perfect for everything I want. The shutter delay however is still present yet an improvement over Dougs S5000. Fuji have just brought out the S5600 with an even smaller delay and with an extra megapixle.

According to the blerg on the Fuji website the average shutter delay on the S5500 is 0.05 seconds while the claim the new S5600 to be 0.01 seconds. I cannot find this data for the S5000 but it will be slower than the above.

But don't let me make your mind up. In the end it's your money. But I will just say i've never had anything but praise for the results my camera has given me.