Best digital compact for around £100

[chum_2000_uk]

Hi guys,

I have to be honest I'm not that hot when it comes to digital photography. I have used a variety of compacts over the past 5 years or so, I know the basics and thats about it. I am looking to buy my girlfriend a compact digital camera for her 21st. Looking to pay around the £100 mark, and would like some of your opinions as to which makes and models may provide me with best bang the buck. Have been looking at a few of the cybershots, but you dont seem to get a lot for your money there, also been looking at a few of the Pentax (such as the A30) and even the Casio's e.g. the Z1000 etc.

Probably want a camera with a rechargeable battery, and also I know I have plenty of SD cards lying around so it is definitely worth me going for a camera that uses this format

Dont mind spending a little more if you think its really worth it, or a little less.

Cheers in advance guys

[chum_2000_uk]

just read over the first post, was meant to read "best bang for the buck" - its late and i'm tired ok!

[chum_2000_uk]

I'm quite liking the look of the Sony DSC-W80 and W90 now to be honest..... ok i'll wait for some replies now

[chum_2000_uk]

Anyone got any input?

[md644]

Canon Ixus 70 possibly?

£115ish from Amazon....

[jonnypb]

Canon A570IS seems a good starter cam. Under £110 here

[kavster]

Canon A720 IS, picked one up last year as a general P&S. Excellent value for money, has real Image Stabiliser, (not the ISO shift like other cheap cams). Has all the usual features of a P&S, and video.

Also a tiny optical viewfinder for when you don't need to put on the LCD to increase battery life. Takes SD, and AA batteries.

Now, can't expect everything at around the £100 mark. Bit on the plastic side, but the other features make up for it and the best set of features I could find in the price range.

K.

[Nu Breed]

By far the best purchase you can make at this price point is the Samsung NV8. its a £200 cam, recently reduced to £160, now available for about £105. I think play.com have it with free del for £104.

Top quality lens, rechargeable lithium battery, knockout pics @price point.
I have seen pics 1st hand, bloody amazing. Keep away from NV20 NV10 etc, higher numbers = higher prices = higher quality doesnt always follow!

computer shopper reviewed it here. (they are owned by dennis publishing, who in turn publish MacUser mag. so, they are appealing to a 'pro' market, people with eye for detail)

http://www.computershopper.co.uk/sho...msung-nv8.html
http://www.macuser.co.uk/macuser/buy...msung-nv8.html

you could try searching Flikr for NV8 pics?

[chum_2000_uk]

Cheers for the replies guys.... I am really liking the look of that samsung, the reviews are outstanding! One problem though I was kind of running out of time as we are flying out to prague on the weekend and needed to order something fast - I ordered up the Sony DSC-W90. Got it for £125 delivered with 2 years warranty. Do you think this was a poor purchase? Wish I'd seen that samsung before now, probably would have gone for that!

The only thing that puts me off slightly with the samsung is they say the automatic mode uses iso 100 to 200 and tends to cause blur due to the long shutter speeds. I wouldn't personally mind this, as I would change the iso manually, but I think my girlfriend just needs something that is point and shoot without the need to mess with any settings. Thats kind of why I went with the Sony.

Anyone have any opinions on the Sony? It arrived today so I will have a little play with it and see what I think - guess there is still time to order the samsung off play if need be!

[Nu Breed]

did a quick search of flickr, really is worth your time looking at the larger versions.


http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nv8&w=17692778%40N06
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nv8&w=17671264%40N03
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nv8&w=93472573%40N00
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nv8&w=40805123%40N00

£100 pocket cam.

[theshabster]

Chum - where did you get the W90 for that price ?

I might have to purchase 1

[lmccauley]

Originally Posted by Nu Breed

did a quick search of flickr, really is worth your time looking at the larger versions.


http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nv8&w=17692778%40N06
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nv8&w=17671264%40N03
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nv8&w=93472573%40N00
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nv8&w=40805123%40N00

£100 pocket cam.

Quite impressive high ISO performance for a compact. ISO800 isn't too bad, and even 1600 isn't a disaster. I think I've just found my girlfriend's birthday present

[Moodie UK]

sony w80 is a good shout.
i just bought one from John Lewis for £130-reduced from £170. (plus i got staff discount ).
stunning camera, and, unlike the other sonys, you get your monies worth, and your not paying for the style which is where other sonies go wrong.

john lewis isn't dirt cheap, so you may pick it up for closer to £100 with patience.

Good luck .

[theshabster]

I can get the W55 for £100 from Curry's - it's in their clearance section.

Wish I could get as good a deal as chum got - that was DIRT cheap.