Cheapish digital cameras

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 3rd, 2007, 19:15

Rightio, planning ahead a bit here I know, but I'm thinking of getting the missus a camera for christmas. I really don't want to spend more than £50, and cheaper the better. It doesn't need to be anything fantastic, just small and easy to use, and around 5MP should be fine. I know fuck all about cameras really, so if anyone has any recommendations, I'd welcome the guidance!

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » September 4th, 2007, 8:18

I'd certainly suggest going to jessops or such and having a play with a few around your budget.

I'd certainly recommend not going anywhere near the cheapy no-brand cameras.

The first 4 on this here should do it.

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 4th, 2007, 8:37

Dr. kitteny berk wrote: I'd certainly recommend not going anywhere near the cheapy no-brand cameras.

That was pretty much as far as my thinking had gotten me. I'll have a tinker when I'm next in town then.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » September 4th, 2007, 8:42

Also, if you find a camera you want and don't want to pay for shipping.

look on ebuyer for it, print the page off and go to jessops.

I think they still to price matching for uk based shops.

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 4th, 2007, 8:58

Well that's nice to know!

MrGreen · Post by **MrGreen** » September 4th, 2007, 9:56

It's also worth having a look at the two photography shops on Gosforth high street, not great for value, but they usually give the most sound advice outside asking a very informed mate.

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 4th, 2007, 9:58

MrGreen wrote:It's also worth having a look at the two photography shops on Gosforth high street, not great for value, but they usually give the most sound advice outside asking a very informed mate.

Cheers - that's not far off my route home so I might check them out too.

Post by **FatherJack** » September 4th, 2007, 10:23

Think a few of those have the same internals, so have a play with them in a shop to see which controls you like. I have the Samsung, but my Mum found the Fuji easier to use.

Those one all eat AA batteries at an alarming rate, though. Was quite annoying until I discovered these - expensive but outlast cheap and normal rechargables 100x. Taking them out of the camera when not in use helps, too.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » September 4th, 2007, 10:26

I'd suggest buying a few pairs of >2300mah nimh rechargables, they're not too cheap but they last forever.

Post by **tandino** » September 4th, 2007, 10:35

both my keyboard and mouse run on Uniross 2300s and roughly one charge a month is all that's required, that's from something being on pretty much all the time. Avoid the catalogue shops at all costs though. Shite.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » September 4th, 2007, 10:37

tandino wrote: both my keyboard and mouse run on Uniross 2300s

That's exactly what I use in my camera, They utterly rock.

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » December 1st, 2007, 14:47

Well, went into town today, and I think that £50 is perhaps a little cheap to try and get a camera that isn't going to be outclassed by most mobiles within 12 months. Jessops had a Fujifilm Finepix A820 Blue for £80, which seems to be the best compromise between cheap and goodish. 8MP and has a 4x optical zoom, so I'm thinking I may just blow the budget and get it regardless. I know virtually nothing about this kind of stuff, so any of you opinionated buggers have strong views for or against this camera? Money is overrated anyway.

MrGreen · Post by **MrGreen** » December 1st, 2007, 15:38

I don't really rate Fujifilm past their old SLRs, but it looks decent enough.

Ricoh make nice cheap-ish digital stuff, but they're a bit fragile IME.

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » December 1st, 2007, 15:43

Yeah, the cheaper ones I saw elsewhere in town looked like xmas cracker gifts, and ones that wouldn't last past boxing day at that.

thewombleofdeath · Post by **thewombleofdeath** » December 1st, 2007, 17:33

I know it's a bit over budget but I spotted THIS a few days ago.
A Samsung S1030, 10MP, 3x Zoom and a free £150 Virgin Holiday Voucher (or £250 if you spend over £2000 on holidays).
I know it's from Pissy World but it's got free delivery or free store pick-up and it was £200.
Just a thought.

Post by **HereComesPete** » December 1st, 2007, 23:35

Try Currys.digital! We win on stuff!

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » December 1st, 2007, 23:56

I did, that was where I saw the shitty £50 one that looked like it was made by a 5 year old. Seems you're not the only ginger working there!

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » December 1st, 2007, 23:59

MrGreen wrote:I don't really rate Fujifilm past their old SLRs, but it looks decent enough.

I kinda like fuji, the older ones anyway, they're pretty well built.

Post by **HereComesPete** » December 2nd, 2007, 0:14

Lateralus wrote:I did, that was where I saw the shitty £50 one that looked like it was made by a 5 year old. Seems you're not the only ginger working there!

Was it a praktica? They are shit. I'd suggest spending a bit more, but every time you set a limit, you end up near the next step up in terms of quality, my next camera is going to be a digital slr, most likely an olympus e410, most likely the one I opened, then marked as non-pristine so I can have nearly 50% off.

And yes, there are a few copper topped genetic freaks in there, one of them happens to be an idiot, I make him do stupid jobs, such as giving him a hand brush and asking him to sweep the stockroom, an area of multiple floors and quite a few hundred square feet, he got a few minutes/metres in before I stopped him.

I have the power of working in the stockroom as well, if sales staff are rude to me, they don't get anything sent down when they need it, then the customer complains and they get shouted at.

/job blog ramble

Woo Elephant Yeah · Post by **Woo Elephant Yeah** » December 4th, 2007, 17:27

I'd highly recommend the Sony Cybershot W35 which I bought and love, but that's around the £130 mark, but like everything you get what you pay for.

Recently tried to look for a digital camera for someone else for around £50, and you are basically limited to shitty brands, and the best deals at that price are actually found in supermarkets.