Digital Camera advice required

[pubrunner]

Hi All,

After years of using low-budget point & shoot digital cameras, I find that my iPhone usually gives better quality pics. Accordingly, I'm looking to purchase a digital camera which will produce results which are at least as good (better) as I get from my phone, but has a decent 'zoom' facility.

I know nothing about photography, so I'm looking for an easy-to-use, smallish digital camera - importantly, it must work well in 'Auto' mode. The primary shortcomings of my current digital cameras, is that they seem to take a while to focus on the subject; if I were to try to get a couple of pictures at (for example) a sports event, I find that I seem to 'miss' getting pics because the camera seems to take so long to calibrate itself - there always appears to be a delay, even when the timer is on the minimum setting. Another failing, is that if I'm at a party or function (such as the CC Awards Night ), there always is a significant delay, before a pic is taken - perhaps the flash needs warming up.

I know very little about photography and the associated terminology and jargon, I know even less about ISOs etc, so any technical expressions are wasted on me - I leave all that kind of talk to @al-fresco .

I want a smallish camera which has a decent 'zoom' and can take reasonable action shoots. Is there a compact camera that will meet my needs ? A camera with lots of features, would be money wasted - I simply can't be bothered to learn how to use them. Oh yes, it'd be advantageous, if I could get a camera which takes standard batteries of the AA or AAA type, rather than rechargeables.

Are 'Bridge' cameras worth considering ? The Nikon Coolpix L340 gets good reviews on Amazon and the Canon SX410 IS gets good reviews with Which?

Can anyone suggest a suitable camera ?

 

[Electric_Andy]

The bridge cameras are good if you take the time to figure out the settings. Point and shoot is fine if there are pre-sets. I took mine on my year in New Zealand and the pics were great. That said, if you're at anything more than 10x zoom you'll need a rest or tripod, as a tiny movement at full zoom will make a massive blur. Likewise the lighting - a far away object in low light will need a very still camera and longer exposure so tripod is critical.

That said, those are just simple photography basics. I was well pleased with my "old" Panasonic Lumix (12MP and 14x zoom if I remember rightly). These days for the same £180 I paid you can get a far better one like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-...&pf_rd_p=d27d8c2b-9158-4bad-b049-7562c2fc59af

. The higher pixels doesn't necessarily mean better picture, but the Leica lens I've always found to be excellent. Also the whole range of Panasonic cameras are (or used to be) very simple interfaces. I'd suggest going to a shop and trying them out first.

 

[Salar]

Bridge cameras, I've a Fuji Finepix S5800 which I picked up at Cash Converters for a very low price, they'd described it wrongly.
Can't fault the pictures really for what it is.

However Bridge cameras aren't that small and due to their shape not so easy to put in your pocket.
I've a couple of DSLR's and to be honest they aren't that much bigger with the lenses off, but are much more flexible to use.

 

[Crackle]

Here you go Pubby

 

[DaveReading]

Bridge cameras, I've a Fuji Finepix S5800 which I picked up at Cash Converters for a very low price, they'd described it wrongly.
Can't fault the pictures really for what it is.

One of the less obvious areas where some manufacturers cut costs with their bridge cameras is the sensor size.

My trusty Nikon P510 takes great photos, but only when the light is good.

 

[Salar]

Very true about the sensors, my bridge camera comes on the bike, goes fishing, visits building sites.

I just use it as a point and shoot even though it is quite sophisticated, but it is limited to decent light conditions.

 

[Ed Phelan]

What about a Sony Cybershot? I've heard pretty good things about his camera. It is a point and shoot - so similar to what you are used to but has the features and ability of a more 'professional' DSLR style camera. The fact that it's small and compact should hopefully make it a little less intimidating for you? Good time to be looking for a camera though there are Black Friday camera deals everywhere, the camera i mentioned is on offer here for Black Friday https://www.calphoto.co.uk/black-friday

 

[MossCommuter]

Whatever you get, DSLR or bridge, set aside some money for an introductory course.

I went on exactly the same journey as you and got so much more from my DSLR after spending just under £100 for a one day "getting off auto" course that is recommend it to anyone.

I'm still rubbish but I do at least know what most of the words mean and, yes, my DSLR is never on auto. It's so much more fun.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

What about a Sony Cybershot? I've heard pretty good things about his camera. It is a point and shoot - so similar to what you are used to but has the features and ability of a more 'professional' DSLR style camera. The fact that it's small and compact should hopefully make it a little less intimidating for you? Good time to be looking for a camera though there are Black Friday camera deals everywhere, the camera i mentioned is on offer here for Black Friday https://www.calphoto.co.uk/black-friday

Yeah I just bought my wife a Cybershot - http://www.ukcamerastore.co.uk/acat...BoBVfjy7eSpjd3VqnZlKOYPsY7TRo9ZPAQaAt7t8P8HAQ

That was a week ago. I'll let you know what it's like as it seems very complicated with loads of tiny controls and fiddly settings.

 

[MossCommuter]

Those Cybershot cameras and the like are lovely things but fur every day I use my phone. For "photo days" it's no hardship carrying the DSLR and the kit lens.

 

[byegad]

Panasonic bridge cameras get a good write up from users. I'm a member of a camera club, some DSLR users also use Panasonic bridge cameras as they are far lighter than a DSLR with detachable lens(es) and offer comparable photos in all be the most challenging circumstances.

 

[Cycleops]

I have had a Sony RX100 for a couple of years now and it's fantastic. There are mk2, 3 & 4 models now which add features but the basic one is great. Has the same sensor as their SLR. You can fiddle with the setting or just put it on auto. Highly recommed. Also known as a Cybershot.

Most come with a rechargeable battery now.

This is a review of the II:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/sony-rx100-ii-review

Takes some nice pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j1e80k2r0f8f3z7/2015-07-24 11.45.19-1.jpg?dl=0

 

[MichaelW2]

Most of the major brands, canon, panasonic, sony, fuji make excellent compact and bridge cameras and it is hard to tell the difference in normal photos on screen. Pixel numbers have gone beyond enough. 12 megapixels will print to A4 at maximum quality. I prefer to have more wideangle in the lens than telephoto because in small rooms you can photograph groups better, eg xmas dinner groupshot. Look at the equiv focal length in 35mm. This is a way of comparing magnification power of different lenses in different sized sensors. Bigger sensors produce better photos in poor light.

 

[MichaelW2]

Look at older cameras from a few years ago that are still in the shops. AA batts are no longer used. Make sure the lithium one is a common form factor used by several models. I dont like touch screens, they are slow and fiddly compared to real controls.
My compact camera is a Canon powershot s200 which was under £100 and takes excellent 10mpimages with a very wide angle zoom of equiv to 25mm lens for 35mm film

 

[Doseone]

Hey Pubby

You've said yourself that you know nothing about photography, so unfortunately just buying a camera and sticking it on auto will not necessarily get you any better results than you will get on your phone. You can get much better results from a camera than a phone but you do have to invest a bit of time in to learning how.

Don't get too hung up on which make you buy. Try and get to a good camera shop where you can try them out in your hand.

Happy shopping and hope all is well with you