Log in

View Full Version : Another camera thread by Allan


allantheboss
12-05-12, 12:09 PM
This time, looking for a camera potentially less complicated than a DSLR.

I want better quality snaps than a proper compact, but whilst being as simple. DSLR's have 2 billion buttons and functions, and then some. I just want a camera that can change basic things like aper, shutter et cetera, with a good autofocus and lens and potential for adding a good flash. Sort of like a bridge (I think), but people are really dis-recommending those to me.

TL;DR A not bulky camera that is very simple to use but has a great lens and takes better pics than a compact.

Bluepete
12-05-12, 06:20 PM
Panasonic TZ10.

Always recommend it cos it's awesome.

Pete ;)

carpet monster
12-05-12, 09:00 PM
Olympus PEN

Dabber
12-05-12, 09:42 PM
SLR's can be complicated, but they do have a selection of functions where you can set just the one setting, then it works out the rest for a correct exposure.

Bridge might be best if you are not fussed about changing lenses.

allantheboss
12-05-12, 11:30 PM
Panasonic TZ10.

Always recommend it cos it's awesome.

Pete ;)

I've owned one! But I want a better lens, and better flash capability!

SLR's can be complicated, but they do have a selection of functions where you can set just the one setting, then it works out the rest for a correct exposure.

Bridge might be best if you are not fussed about changing lenses.

I've been highly dissuaded from bridges by friends, who say they're light and the zoom is weird so they make photographing difficult.. Is that right? They say that the body is light so it makes shaking more significant.

Stuuk1
13-05-12, 08:14 AM
Don't know much about them but what about these new type of cameras coming out e.g. The Nikon One.

No built in flash (only hotshoe type)...?

Kenzie
13-05-12, 10:33 AM
I have a Fuji HS10 bridge camera at the moment. Can't justify the cost of lenses on a DSLR at the moment however I may return to DSLR. The lens zooms by twisting the barrel similar to a DSLR and has the equivalent zoom of 30x. They are sealed so there is no worry about dust getting inside and you have a wide angle and telephoto lens all in one. The HS10 was replace by the HS20 and soon the HS30. They are good cameras and the later one uses Fuji's EXR sensors which give great results. The other option I guess would be a four thirds compact. It has a compact body but with interchangable lenses.

Some samples from my (now classed as outdated) HS10

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/Rougham%20Airshow%202011/S0824787.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/Rougham%20Airshow%202011/S0624647.jpg

The reach of the lens is pretty amazing

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/HS10/2010_0704hs100044.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/HS10/2010_0704hs100043.jpg

fizzwheel
13-05-12, 10:53 AM
What's your budget ?

maviczap
13-05-12, 10:58 AM
The reach of the lens is pretty amazing

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/HS10/2010_0704hs100044.jpg


A a picture of my office :p

Kenzie
13-05-12, 11:33 AM
Would mind finding a job at PoF, anything going?

maviczap
13-05-12, 11:36 AM
Not in our mob

Keep an eye out here

http://www.portoffelixstowe.co.uk/vacancies/

allantheboss
13-05-12, 05:49 PM
What's your budget ?

Good question Don. Up to about £300, willing to go 2nd hand too though so it could include cameras with RRP up to at least £500

StewartR
13-05-12, 10:01 PM
I just got a Fujifilm HS20 from Jessops. Successor to the earlier mentioned HS10 and obsolete itself now so priced down. Full auto or full manual and all steps in between. Manual zoom and 57mm filter ring which is rare on a non DSLR. Only downside is a laggy viewfinder - When focussing, the VF image freezes momentarily. Means you may lose your subject if it's moving fast of you're handheld at full zoom. Quality of image through the viewfinder is a massive plus with a DSLR.
If you're thinking Fuji, check out their own online outlet for fully guaranteed refurb units at very good prices. TBH I think a second hand Canon DSLR is the way. The quality of the image is so much better on a DSLR that you can make up for limited zoom by cropping and the results are similar.
Anyway, here's some sample pics from my HS20...
Wide
http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r583/dodrlk/5a8e03b1.jpg
Zooooom (same scene as above)
http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r583/dodrlk/82a8d793.jpg
Panorama
http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r583/dodrlk/74f4dda6.jpg
Long exposure and manual zoom silliness
http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r583/dodrlk/5299914a.jpg

Paul the 6th
13-05-12, 10:33 PM
My canon power shot produces some sterling pics for a £130 camera. Good macro, good zoom, fits in your pocket, action shooting (2 or 3 frames per second upto 10-15 seconds iirc, but this is a 2010 camera so the most upto date power shot is probably far superior now) great low light reproduction. I do like my canon stuff but Nikon is equally highly regarded as I guess they're both exceptionally epic in their own little ways :)

Sir Trev
14-05-12, 08:59 AM
Was talking to a press photographer yesterday - we were comparing the Cannon DSLRs she had with her with my Powershot. Her view (as a pro) is that although a compact or hybrid can do a lot they all take longer to set up and only work at their best in good light. If you're going to be using your kit in challenging situations you are better off going DSLR.

Littlepeahead
14-05-12, 09:27 AM
What about something like a Canon G12. A few friends who work for Getty carry this as a pocket camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonG12

But something like a Canon EOS 400D can easily be set on the green square button when you can't be bothered to set up anything complicated.

fizzwheel
14-05-12, 09:38 AM
Good question Don. Up to about £300, willing to go 2nd hand too though so it could include cameras with RRP up to at least £500

Umh... OK what I had in mind then doesnt fit your budget.

Look at the Nikon 1, either the J1 or V1 ( V1 ) is more expensive.

Works like a DSLR, but gives the ease of use of a compact and easier to carry about. I am very tempted by one for those times where I just can't be bothered to carry my DSLR about.

Also dont forget some of the entry level DSLR like my Nikon D40 have a full auto setting, so just set it to that and snap away...

markc123
14-05-12, 01:29 PM
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Photographers-Bag/Canon-Digital-SLR-Cameras-/_i.html?_fsub=2155808018&_sid=543964598&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

£120 for a 350d body, plus £40 ish for a lens. Try DSLR - you only need the PASM modes and one wheel to set things. Purchase a book dedicated to the model and you can then learn as much or as little as you like. No substitute for the handling of a full sized camera if you have the room and willingness to carry it with you.

allantheboss
23-05-12, 11:44 PM
I'll put it to y'all. If you had £350 and had to buy a camera RIGHT NOW, which was as simple to use as a compact, and not as bulky as a DSLR, what would you buy?

carpet monster
24-05-12, 01:55 PM
This http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-E-PL1-Compact-System-Camera/dp/B0036DE108/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1337867726&sr=1-1

SoulKiss
24-05-12, 02:19 PM
If you decide on a Canon, let me know befor you buy, I work with a guy that works for Canon and gets staff discount :)

allantheboss
24-05-12, 06:06 PM
(Terry Tibbs voice) I do like the canons, yesh I doo. How much of a discount?

Anybody else? I assume Nikon 1 by Fizz?

SoulKiss
24-05-12, 07:45 PM
(Terry Tibbs voice) I do like the canons, yesh I doo. How much of a discount?

Anybody else? I assume Nikon 1 by Fizz?

Don't know a number, tell me a model and I'll get you a price.

allantheboss
26-05-12, 05:30 PM
I'm considering the G12, would you be able to get discount on that? Thanks!

allantheboss
29-05-12, 10:23 AM
Don't know a number, tell me a model and I'll get you a price.

I'm considering the G12, would you be able to get discount on that? Thanks!

Any luck?

I think the Nikon J1 looks the balls. So sexy, and I think it's exactly what I want, slim, ****easy to use but better lens and image quality than compacts.
But it costs £300,000,000...

SoulKiss
29-05-12, 10:40 AM
[QUOTE=allantheboss;2718661]Any luck?

Should have a price for you tomorrow- the guy at work is seeing his Dad tonight :)

Viney
29-05-12, 12:36 PM
Panasonic TZ10.

Always recommend it cos it's awesome.

Pete ;)
Viney likes this. I have a TZ7 that deos not have manual contraol, but its a darn good all in one package

Viney
29-05-12, 12:37 PM
If you decide on a Canon, let me know befor you buy, I work with a guy that works for Canon and gets staff discount :)mmmm, Really!! Does this stretch to Lenses?

SoulKiss
29-05-12, 02:42 PM
Ahh that would be telling :p

I'm going to see what I can do for Allan, but beyond that, I really don't want to become a Discount Canon Distributor, so sorry to anyone else, I should have just PM'd Allan.

allantheboss
29-05-12, 03:53 PM
:winner:

allantheboss
02-06-12, 12:43 AM
Any news? Sorry to bug, I just want to get buying!

allantheboss
18-06-12, 05:12 PM
The time has come again, I get paid soon.

I've discovered the name of the type if camera I seek: "Compact System Cameras"
I'm quite sure than any camera falling under this category will suit me. Here are examples:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compact-system-cameras/344_3775_31502_xx_xx/200-400-criteria.html

Any come recommended? I like the Nikon V1 the most but OUCH, is that baby expensive. Price range absolute max £400. I want slim, and super simple to use (really good auto function). I prefer editing afterwards on the computer than playing with settings during the moment.

fizzwheel
18-06-12, 07:23 PM
What about the Nikon J1, which is more aimed at where you are coming from, it'll do what the V1 does, but is a bit more basic. £320 on the curry's website...

allantheboss
18-06-12, 07:33 PM
Yeah, have been considering! It's been top of the list in my price range because I only hear people flatter Nikon, but will I really ACTUALLY not get better than the J1 for the same sort of money? I seek a genuinely non-biased towards Nikon/Canon opinion.

Also, what are the improvements of the V1 compared to J1? It's all jargon to me

fizzwheel
18-06-12, 07:38 PM
Also, what are the improvements of the V1 compared to J1? It's all jargon to me

V1 has a view finder, where the J1 doesnt, the V1 is aimed at a more experienced user, which means it has features on it that you probably dont want or need. The V1 also has a slot for external flash, whereas the J1 has the flash built in.

Here's a comparison of the two

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikonv1j1

Canon / Nikon is a difficult one. I went with Nikon because my mates have Nikons and I knew that if I got stuck I could ask them for help or more importantly borrow their lenses. Its really down to which one you like the look and feel of and which menu system you prefer. Both are good brands and you wont be disappointed with either. I also have noticed that if you wanted to higher a lens for taking sports pictures etc over a weekend, you get a lot more choice with Canon lenses over Nikon.

Do canon do something like the J1 / V1 though...

allantheboss
18-06-12, 08:54 PM
Yeah, apparently the Canon G11, which I was asking about earlier in this thread.

On this link, are cameras within my price range. Would you disrecommend the Sony or Panasonic? A bit cheaper, and bigger sensors than the J1, but I know you can't choose just from specs..

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compact-system-cameras/344_3775_31502_xx_xx/200-400-criteria.html

fizzwheel
18-06-12, 09:18 PM
I'm not going to recommend anything I havent used and I havent tried anything by those manufacturer's.

TBH all you are going to do is go round and round, there is to much choice !

Best thing you can do now, is go into Jessops and tell them what your budget is, let them recommend a couple of camera's and then ask them to let you handle one in the shop, play with the buttons and see what it feels like to use.

That way you can make your own mind up and I've always found the sales people in Jessops to be pretty decent and know the kit they have in the shop.

allantheboss
18-06-12, 09:27 PM
Great recommendation. Thank you very much, I'll keep this thread posted! I asked another friend who is a pro photographer and she said the classic "go with Nikon/Canon" because other cameras like Panasonic tend to be grainy on inflation, but surely these companies are always working hard to reach the same grade and a better price? I'll have a look. It's just slow because I'm not very experienced so I don't know what to look for. Thanks Don!