Digital Camera Advice

Posted by: Paul Hutchings on 05 September 2004

Just had a call from my mum and her 35mm camera's packed up (yet to look at it but apparently the chap at Jessops confirmed it's knackered).

As I see it, it probably makes sense to go digital, camera costs are falling, there's the obvious "no film or processing" arguement, and I think the quality on even the cheapest cameras should be suitable for the normal 6"x4" prints that my mum gets?

The broken camera is a Konica 30-90mm (I think) zoom, she uses it pretty much as a point and shoot, nothing that I'd call "creative".

I'm after thoughts on what to look at, criteria are easy to use, reasonable zoom good quality build and lens - not after the cheapest but don't want to pay for things that won't be used.

She's coming back with a copy of "What Digital Camera" or similar, so I have some reading to do!

Also, does anyone know how much those booths in Boots and Jessops charge to print your pictures from a flash card?

regards,
Paul
Posted on: 06 September 2004 by reductionist
So many options!

I would go for something with long battery life and most improtant short time between button press and picture taking. The Casio cameras are really fast and cheap at Dixons et. al.:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Casio/casio_qvr40.asp
Posted on: 06 September 2004 by Paul Hutchings
That's what I'm finding.. too much choice.. so much it make it difficuly to narrow down the field.

So far I seem to be steering toward 3mp minumum, optical rather than digital zoom, something that can use recharchable AA batteries, and that's about it.

Any thoughts anyone on the Panasonic LC50?

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/digital-cameras/dmclc50zr2/index.htm

regards,
Paul
Posted on: 06 September 2004 by Julian H
Hi Paul

I'd consider a 3Mp Canon Powershot A75, a cracking camera for about £140 if you shop around.

Then get a 256Mb card and a battery charger pack from 7dayshop.

Camera

CF card

Battery charger and batteries

I have recommended this set to several friends and they are all delighted.

Julian
Posted on: 06 September 2004 by DavidY80
I can heartily recommend the HP R707. Currently around £200. 5MP 3 x optical zoom. Excellent UI.
Good reviews everywhere.
Posted on: 06 September 2004 by Mike Hanson
quote:
3Mp Canon Powershot A75

Yes, that one's very good.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-