Ok, so originally I was going for a DSLR, but i've changed my mind and want to start off with a cheaper, digital camera, but i'm once again in the blue with what to get! There are so many out there!

Price range up to £250 (can probably squeeze a bit more if needed). I'm looking for a camera that will be good for any type of shot and good quality (obviously).

Once again thanks for the help!

-Morrison

PS- Forgot to say, I have relatives in america so I can get it cheaper that way, so in reality, I have up to $480.00 to spend.

see the initial replies from both myself and Piner in your first post on this - there is a list there of good cameras to suit your budget.

Hmmm, from reviews online is the G7 a good choice?

Sorry if I seem rubbish at choosing, i really want to get the best for my money!

Yeah, what Phil said.

Like I said in the other post, the list I gave you all have 5 megapixels or more and at least 10x optical zoom. These are good cameras for the intermediate photographer that is not ready to shell out the $$$ for a DSLR but wants more control and features then a compact point & shoot camera. I use these type of cameras myself, I am quite happy with my Fujifilm digital. Check out my gallery and you will see what I have done with this type of camera.

personally I'd go for either the Olympus SP-550 UZ, the Fuji FinePix S9600 or 6500FD or the PowerShot G7 from Canon - but thats a bit pricer. the Olympus has the widest optical zoom range followed by the Fuji's and the Canon in last.

All will serve you equally well I'd imagine.

Yes, I have looked at both lists and can't decide between:

Canon PowerShot G7
Fuji FinePix S9600 or S6500fd
Olympus SP-550 UZ
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ7
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 or H7

What would you say is "best"?

if you want a longer lens go for the Olympus or Cyber-shot H7, the H9 maybe over budget a bit - if you want cleaner images go for the Canon - if you want more SLR like functionality go for the 9600, the Olympus or the Sony's.

As to which is best - thats a bit subjective really - they all perform comparitively well with each other.

Ok, this is going to be my last question, does "longer lens" mean it will be good for long distance "close ups" like taking photos of birds and such? And will it still be good for landscapes?

If this is so, will the olympus be best for these things, or is image quality a real seller for the canon?

i dont think the image quality is going to be massively different between any of them really. yes the longer lens bit referred to the zoom. the Olympus is the daddy of the bunch with an 18X optical zoom which equates to a 28-504mm f2.8-4.5 conventional lens. that means you will go from fairly respectable wide shots to extreme zoom without the need for digital zoom which degrades your image. the Sony is the runner up with 15X optical zoom.

so, your thoughts on the image quality produced ...by the lens...of an 18x optical zoom on the compact, as opposed to it's counterpart that gets fitted on a DSLR would be...?

my thoughts would be a DSLR is out of the question on the budget available so the comparison is academic - strictly going for a most bangs for your buck flexibility here :-)

*jumps in*

...inferior.

*edit* ignore phil's post b4 this one...i didn't expect sum1 to post the exact SAME minute an hour after the question was made!

Well, I spent $ 444.00 USD not including S&H. Here's the bargains I found...

Canon S3 IS Black 6.0 MP Digital Camera 12X Optical Zoom - Retail

SEDEC BG Series BG-004 Digital Camera Case - Retail

DIGITAL FOX DCR-MT2 25-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader - Retail

LENMAR PRO120 Batteries & Charger - Retail

DNJ DJC-003 Cleaning kit for photo and video - Retail

Transcend 1GB Secure Digital (SD) Flash Card Model TS1GSDC - Retail

$ 353.00 (combo package) from Newegg.com, however I don't think Newegg ships to UK, it's just to give you an idea.

Tube adapter (to protect your purchase) $ 25.00 from lensmateonline.com 58mm

Hoya HMC Super 58mm UV filter (to go on your tube adapter)..on eBay for around $ 18.00

Joby Gorilla Pod (if you have a camera, you gotta have a tripod), around $48.00

And you got enough left for a steak dinner!! Sweet!!

I 'hink i mentioned this b4: buy a UV and polarizing filter...you'll find them useful.

Noah - of course they are inferior - if they weren’t there wouldn’t be a market for DSLRs would they but as I said under the circumstances and the budget it’s an academic point that only serves one purpose discussing it and that is to confuse the issue. Again.

The budget also doesn’t cover shipping overseas or the obligatory robbery at the hands of the HM customs & excise office which can in the worst case scenario run to the same amount as you spent on the product. All the kit you mention there Randy would cost about $800 in the UK.

If you build it...they will come!!

You don't have some company over in the UK that specializes in the aforementioned? Tsk, tsk!!

I will have to ponder the query more Uncle Phil. So sorry!! I was only giving an example in USA dollars and trying to lead a pathway of shopping online…in the UK of course mate!!

Randy - the prices I have quoted on these are all from cheaper online retailers in the UK.

I use the S2 IS and the Canon SD450 on all my pics and am very happy with the results...no, it's not PRO quality, but, I'm not a PRO so I guess all's well.

Just shop around, there's always a bargain to be had!! That was my point, I guess. All the prior cameras mentioned would do just grand I'm sure.

Cheerio

~snuffs some Queen's Extra Strong~

Ahhhh!!

Hmm, the olympus looks bad, might wait for the sony H7...

Take a look at the olympus shots- http://www.photographyvoice.com/pv/features/cameras/CameraImages.aspx?sc=OSP550UZ

Sorry- double post!

Ok, so i've narrowed it down to either the the Canon G7 or the Sony H9. Both I can afford without trouble and I want to know what would be best out of those two, there seems to be no reviews really of the sony yet so and advice would be appreciated.

Edit- Oh, the Sony isn't out yet....

bad as in? you cant judge a camera by images uploaded by one amatuer reviewer who may themselves be a terrible photographer - you'll have to track down impartial reviews on it to get a better picture. I doubt there wil be much info available on the Sony until it is officially released at the end of the month.

** edit ** I read a few user reviews of the Olympus on store sites from people who have actually bought them and are using them - they all seam to say it is fine in general use but performs better when you use it in manual mode like a normal SLR.

and thennnnnnnn… Ms. Cheapo came along.

I don't know if it works works in the U.K. but so far, I've had ALOT of success deciding on the product I want and then shopping for it on Froogle.

This included getting 3 Motorola phone headsets (1 for me, 1 for A1, 1 for his mom) and expedited shipping for the price of 1 if i'd walked around the corner and bought it.

yes it works - just tried a few examples there - but no cheaper than warehouse express - in some cases about 10% more.

tha' link is busted, my dear :| wanna do it right this time? :P

okey doke, link fixed - and if it works right there, it should be pulling up the same prices as warehouse express. maybe it isn't quite as widespread coverage there yet?

it's still a beta by the looks of it

Yes sorry Phil (about the Olympus) I puller that comment straight from dpreview.com. :D

Also, I would like to post there regarding this but I cannot sign up without using a different e-mail or something (not an "online" E-amil address). So if anyone could make an account for me I would be very grateful!

i'm not sure this would be a viable option for some, but B&H offers used cameras as well. they're graded on condition, and priced accordingly. for someone looking to buy the most 'bang for the buck', maybe this might help.

click here :o)

I like how some of the old 4mp dslrs are still in the 4k range....they should also price on what year we are in!

noah, look again. there's more than MP's in those cameras...

DP review dont have a review of the Olympus yet. they have generally positive reviews from users and one guy who griped about it in the forums because he couldnt focus on a bird whilst flying in a plane but thats about it.

i still can't get my mind off the fuji S9100/S9600. it's not quite the DSLR dreams are made of, but has a mighty whallop for the price. i'm still considering it as a travel alternative.

yes - it was a bit pricey when it first came out but succesive price slashes have made it a bit of a bargain.

I want one of these: Panasonic LX2

I have one of those back at home but rarely use it because - as is the case with most 10MP sensors - the colour noise is unacceptable in any situation other than a nice sunny outdoors shot at low ISO - you can sort it out to an extent with NoiseNinja but who can be bothered with that on every shot you take. it will be getting sold as soon as I go home me thinks - possibly replaced by the new Sigma compact - the DP1 depending on how much that costs.

You know...i still want it. =P

Its so small! Other than the noise, i don't like the fact that it doesnt have a bulb mode...but still, 60 secs is good enough for cloud streaks/streeks.

streaks

I dread to think what the noise would be like on a minute long exposure :-) would probably resemble an impressionist painting - and not in a good way.

...its an aquired taste.

so is caviar, but that's an overated experience too :-)