Another recommend me a camera thread

[MisterTommyH]

I'm looking to get my dad a digital compact for his birthday - looking for something that's really simple to use because he's not exactly technical.

I'm guessing that he won't notice the quality difference from an expensive camera or make any prints big enough to require a large amount of MPs.

Am I better going with something like a CoolPix?

I reckon so, he will just use it in auto mode though, there's loads of cheap good cameras about, what budget are you looking at?

[Viney]

In my experience as in i have one, the Panasonic Lumix range is good value. They have a good lens, which is more important than megapixels. Samsung also has a good lens but the maddest menu system i have come across. Sony also has a good lens, but not had any experience of the brand.

Nikon, is a good all rounder but there are better.

[MisterTommyH]

I've got a Sony DSC-HX5 and I like Sony, but it would confuse the hell out of him. Not sure what the simpler operating ones are like.

Price wise I would think I'm looking under £100. Just because he's not going to see the benefit of anything more than that.

Second thoughts maybe I haven't looked into the price thing completely. Not sure on budget anymore after looking around.

We've got one of these

http://www.fujifilm.eu/uk/products/d...finepix-xp150/

which seems to be idiot proof. Ideal for when we can't be bothered to take the SLR

I'm a fan of the sony compacts too.
I've got one of the TX-5 waterproof, HD jobbies and get some great results with it.
The menu isnt the simplest but once you get used to it, its like all things.

I bought the wife a nikon coolpix s3100 last year for her birthday, 14mp and 5 times zoom, very good compact.

Quite a few manual settings if you want to play but good in auto too.

panasonic tz20 - stick it on auto mode

[Sir Trev]

For compacts you have a couple of things to bear in mind.

Size. Small is not always better. Some of them are so small they're awkward to handle and have tiny buttons. If he's in any way ham-fisted bear this in mind.

Rear screen. What's his eyesight like? Most have reasonable screens on the back now but some are bigger/beteer clarity than others.

Image stabilisation. Pay a little more and get IS. My last camera didn't have it and despite being keen I'd get the odd duff image. Current camera has it and I get crystal clear pics almost every time.

Batteries. Will he use it lots? I snapped away like crazy yesterday at the Pioneer Run and swapped my AA batteries over when the warning flashed up. Internal lithium batteries may be smaller but you need a charger and when they go flat through use or lack of planning you're stuffed. Every newsagent/garage/etc. sells AAs but a spare lithium pack will be expensive.

[MisterTommyH]

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

For compacts you have a couple of things to bear in mind.

Size. Small is not always better. Some of them are so small they're awkward to handle and have tiny buttons. If he's in any way ham-fisted bear this in mind. Needs big easy buttons.

Rear screen. What's his eyesight like? Most have reasonable screens on the back now but some are bigger/beteer clarity than others. Eyesight isn't great so the bigger the screen the better.

Image stabilisation. Pay a little more and get IS. My last camera didn't have it and despite being keen I'd get the odd duff image. Current camera has it and I get crystal clear pics almost every time. Good Point.

Batteries. Will he use it lots? I snapped away like crazy yesterday at the Pioneer Run and swapped my AA batteries over when the warning flashed up. Internal lithium batteries may be smaller but you need a charger and when they go flat through use or lack of planning you're stuffed. Every newsagent/garage/etc. sells AAs but a spare lithium pack will be expensive. I think he's probably better with a specific battery for it. If he has to buy batteries he probably won't bother, but he's usually quite good at keeing something charged (I managed to get a Li replacement for a Sony for a tenner on fleabay so I wouldn't be that bothered if I had to guide him with that).

Some good points. Thanks.