Any Camera Experts Available Please?

[threebikesmcginty]

Managed to drop and ruin my Canon Ixus last week and as Crackle can't mend it I'm looking for a new one. Nothing too fancy just a point and shoot type affair. One thing I found disappointing with the Canon was indoor photos without flash, always grainy and blurry, with a flash they would always be too bright. I'm sure you can adjust settings but I'm rubbish at that sort of stuff and the terminology means nothing to me.

I've looked at loads of reviews online, but for every camera that seems good there's always someone who'll give it a right slagging!

Out of all the stuff I've read, the Panasonic Lumix FS35 (link below) seems to be good value at £100 (Amazon price) - is this likely to be a reasonable camera for the dosh or am I likely to get loads better for a bit more outlay, or indeed same for less?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-L...KP5C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320309817&sr=8-1

The other one I like the look of, mainly because I'm a shallow buffoon for this type of stuff, is the Pentax H90 - ain't it cute?

http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/digital-compact/optio-h90.html

Appreciate any comments on these or thoughts on an alternative.

 

[al-fresco]

I have no experience of the Lumix FS35 but I'm impressed with Panasonic Cameras in general. I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 when I don't want to lug a DSLR around and it's a great little camera. If you like taking photographs in poor light then a 'fast' lens and image stabilisation are important. Nobody seems to want to say what the maximum aperture on this lens is so it can't be anything to write home about - on the other hand Leica wouldn't allow Panasonic to use their name if it was crap. One thing I would regard as relatively unimportant is the 16.1 megapixels - how they cram so many onto a tiny sensor is beyond me. For most people in most circumstance 6 megapixels is plenty - it's what my old Nikon D50 has and that still sees plenty of action.

Anyway, the Lumix FS35 seems to be a perfectly useable camera, the sort that my wife loves and around £100 seems to be a reasonable price these days. If you wanted something substantially better I would expect to pay 2 or 3 times that.

 

[Crackle]

I don't know either. Not only can't I fix it but I'm not much help finding another. The models change so fast, what you know one month is obsolete the next. Pansaonic make good cameras and I think you'd have to pay double to get a better camera.

Of course the Pentax in orange would match your Day One

 

[MacB]

Of course the Pentax in orange would match your Day One

Nope not even 3BM could be that big a...............

 

[threebikesmcginty]

 

[rich p]

I have been very pleased with my Panasonic Lumix DZ10 after receiving numerous recommendations for it on here. The model no's keep changing but they only differ in amount of gizmos I think.

I would go so far as to say it's the best camera I've ever owned.

 

[Moodyman]

I was (and still am*) in the same position as 3BM.

I asked a similar question on here and Panasonic were recommended repeatedly for the average Joe.

I also came across this good advice from John Lewis:

http://www.johnlewis.com/Magazine/Feature.aspx?Id=3

*Not bought owt yet - had other priorities.

 

[Norm]

The Lumix is an excellent camera.

 

[Proto]

Don't know if this is quite what you are looking for, Panasonic DMC-FZ45 bridge camera, but well worth considering. My daughter bought one to take on her travels, and it proved a great success. Incredible zoom range, quality optics, and a not too big.

http://www.comet.co....l-Camera/670804

 

[2PedalsTez]

I owned a Sony camera that had the same problems with picture and exposure indoors (it seemed worse when being lights were fluorescent tubes).
Bought a basic Lumix (about £100) and it has been spot on.

 

[Fletch456]

I like the reviews on this site My link (to their review of Panasonic FS37) - they are in-depth and they don't tend to slag off. Longer than many reviews and a list of "main rivals" for others to consider.

My knowledge is better with Digital SLRs but Panasonic do make very good cameras and include good lenses. The quality of the lens is one of the very most important things.

Finally I'd recommend going to Jessop's and find someone who knows their stuff - the managers always do and so do some of the staff. Plus if an online price is from a reputable site like Amazon they will match it. If your local store has been refurbished as I think many have now all the cameras are powered up so that you can walk in and pick them up and have a bit of play - assuming the battery is charged.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I like the reviews on this site My link (to their review of Panasonic FS37) - they are in-depth and they don't tend to slag off. Longer than many reviews and a list of "main rivals" for others to consider.

I looked at that site and thought it was good.

Bought a Lumix FS35 in the end.

Thanks for the input folks, except MacB of course.

 

[MacB]

I looked at that site and thought it was good.

Bought a Lumix FS35 in the end.

Thanks for the input folks, except MacB of course.

you all sorted then Flash?

 

[Fletch456]

Thought that was meant for me for a mo as an old and still used nickname is Flash.

I looked at that site and thought it was good.

Bought a Lumix FS35 in the end.

Thanks for the input folks, except MacB of course.

You should get some very nice photos. Leica lens (they make some of the best in the world), 12mn MegaPixels and after a quick read the only difference I could spot with the FS37 was the lack of video anyway.

 

[al-fresco]

Thought that was meant for me for a mo as an old and still used nickname is Flash.


You should get some very nice photos. Leica lens (they make some of the best in the world), 12mn MegaPixels and after a quick read the only difference I could spot with the FS37 was the lack of video anyway.

Yeah - don't get too hung up on the 'Leica' tag here - I believe that Panasonic makes the lenses 'under licence' from Leica. If Leica actually made the lens there would be a 12 month waiting list and the camera would cost a couple of grand. On the other hand Leica aren't going to licence anything that would damage their reputation so I tend to think of Panasonic being allowed to call their lens 'Leica' as a sort of upmarket 'kite mark.'