Entry-level Camera Recommendation

[redm4lc]

If I'm being honest, my iPhone's camera is more than fine for me. I take it out my pocket, snap some pictures and the quality looks great on my laptop. However I'm off to Mexico in June, New York in October and a few other events throughout the year. So, I reckon 2012 may finally be the year I buy a camera.

I'd preferably like one that'll slip into my pocket or at least sit pretty flat on my chest with a neck lanyard... maybe one of those with a lense that comes out (sorry for the technical term). And one that's pretty good for under £200 but if you can wow me with one a little more, I'm probably willing to go that little further.

Can anyone recommend one?

[T_J_G]

So you're after a compact camer that you can slip into your pocket? A bridge or DSLR will be no good for you.

Maybe something like this:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-canon-powershot-sx220-hs-grey-digital-camera/p1523931

Or (has less zoom)

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-canon-digital-ixus-230-hs-black-digital-camera/p1527060

If you're going for a compact may be worth ordering one odf these while they're cheap!

[redm4lc]

Good stuff! Will these be significantly better than the 4S camera (I'm guessing so...)? And it doesn't necessarily have to fit in my pocket, I'd just prefer it. I don't mind having a larger one as long as it doesn't look ridiculous or heavy around my neck

I can probably handle adjusting the focus but I'd prefer the camera to adjust it's settings prior to a photo being taken. Also I'd prefer the shutter speed to be relatively instant. I'm guessing this is only increasing the price...

[T_J_G]

Yep they'll be a lot better than the 4S. When you mean large what do you mean? A DSLR is large and you'll still have to keep on buying lenses whereas a compact is the complete package. There's no need to adjust the focus on a compact it's all automatic.

With shutter speed it depends on the light conditions, ISO range of the camera and  aperture. These all control the shutter speed.

[redm4lc]

Oh I see what you mean. Compact camera may be the better option then. With regards to shutter speed, I thought it was more down to the technology in the camera and how quickly it can adjust to find the focus/light? I'd be willing to pay more if it was fast. I'm guessing most store their pictures on SD cards?

Borrowed a camera off my Dad's friend for my Graduation. That was pretty compact but had this lense which came out for times when you wanted to zoom pretty far. Really good camera actually, very good quality images and excellent clarity.

[T_J_G]

May be worth looking at the first one I linked that had a big zoom. To get similar in DSLR you're looking at £3-400 (second hand body and zoom lense)

GO to Jessops/Comet/Currys and try a few out, storage tends to be on SD.

[redm4lc]

May be worth looking at the first one I linked that had a big zoom. To get similar in DSLR you're looking at £3-400 (second hand body and zoom lense)

GO to Jessops/Comet/Currys and try a few out, storage tends to be on SD.

Good stuff, thanks mate. I'll update this if I find anything

[DubFan]

With regards to shutter speed, I thought it was more down to the technology in the camera and how quickly it can adjust to find the focus/light? I'd be willing to pay more if it was fast.

I think what your referring to isn't "Shutter Speed" (which is the time taken for the shutter to open and shut once to take the pictures), what you mean is the reaction time from pressing the shutter button to when the photo is taken.
This was one of the big reasons I swapped from a bridge camera to a DSLR. With a DSLR the photo is taken almost the instant you press the button (the better the DSLR the faster it does this, generally).

If that is a serious issue, then the new Nikon V1 and J1 cameras might be for you, they feature the ability to record 20 images before and after you press the button so that you shouldn't miss a shot.
But these are a bit more expensive:
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-1-j1-black-digital-camera-with-10-30mm-lens/p1527501

Generally speaking though, a proper compact camera will be quicker and better at taking photos than an iPhone.

[T_J_G]

Was going to suggest the J1 (which looks SO cool!) but it's double his budget and with that lense he won't get the zoom of the compact.

[Diamond Hell]

semi-pro photographer I know recently got one of these, which he is VERY impressed with:

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equipment/reviews/compactcameras/129187/1/sony-cyber-shot-hx9v-review.html

It's around the £200 mark, too.