Complete beginner

[summers0211]

Hi All,

I'm a complete beginner and looking to get my first digital camera but after some advice of what to get.

I would really like a camera with the picture quailty a SLR gives but the ease of a compact that can slip in your pocket.

Really cant decide.

Any help or opinions appreciated

[Strobe]

Hi there, Give us an idea of budget, please.

[summers0211]

£300 tops I guess, so think that automaticially puts me in compact camera territory??

[Strobe]

A compact will never compare to a DSLR image-quality wise, if you want/need DSLR image quality then get a DSLR. The main manufacturer's beginner DSLR's start at around the £350-£400 mark for body and kit lens.

As for compacts, there are a few off the top of my head which come very well reviewed; ie. ...
Panasonic LX3
Ricoh CX2
Canon G10 (soon to be replaced by the G11/S90 but these are much more money)
These are all creative, higher end compacts. Can be used in auto modes but have manual controls as well if you are so inclined.

[mark800]

Personally, I wish that I had bought a digital SLR camera sooner.
So many years and memories that I could have recorded in stunning clarity.
Stretch to a digital SLR if you can.

[cherokee1111]

maybe a second hand DSLR? a Canon 350d or 400d which all do the point and shoot modes as well but give creatives modes when you feel 'comfortable' or creative

I also wanted ease of use and opted for the Canon DSLR after good advice here and its soooo much more fun

[MadaCup]

I'd go down the second hand route, how about a Sony A200? I picked one up yesterday from Argos for £179.99 + £8 postage from the Argos Outlet on eBay. They are refurbished but it varies as to the reason why from what I understand.

12 sold yesterday in hours but keep your eye out and you can pick up a bargain!

[cherokee1111]

theres this for sale here at AV forums
http://www.avforums.com/forums/digit...s-all-vgc.html

the sigma 17-70 he's also selling is a very good lens or you can get a 'KIT' lens for £40 also on the classifieds here at AV

[TG V1P3R]

Originally Posted by cherokee1111

theres this for sale here at AV forums
http://www.avforums.com/forums/digit...s-all-vgc.html

the sigma 17-70 he's also selling is a very good lens or you can get a 'KIT' lens for £40 also on the classifieds here at AV

A very good suggestion if I do say so myself

Just to reiterate, both the Canon 400D body and Sigma 17-70 lens are in fantastic condition. I can't see a single mark of note on either of them - they really are 'as new', and not had an awful lot of use over the past 12 months or so.

Anyway, that's enough blatant plugging from me - hit me up in my For Sale thread if you're interested.