6MP Compact Camera - sub £80? Recommendations?

[lovethechang]

I am looking to replace an ageing Nikon coolpix 5200 which was given to us by a relative. The old camera started to ghost a lot of the images we were taking and thought we should get a new one. Also because we will be needing a decent camera for when the new baby arrives (well in about 6 months anyway)

I am looking for at least 6MP, with a decent screen on the back and hopefully sub £80, but if possible below £60.

I have had a look around, but the details given dont mean much to me. I know i need optical zoom rather than digital.

I have had a look and found the Kodak easyshare c613/c713, Pentax Optio E30/E35 and a Vivitar V8400. all of which are under £60.


Can anybody help me understand what i need to be looking for, and also to recommend a camera, as I don't want to end up with a duff camera.

[social_lurker]

of the 3 you've short listed, I'd go for the Pentax and avoid the Vivitar like the plague.

[lovethechang]

Originally Posted by rasputin

Take a look at these.

Remember, you will also need to get a memory card (from ebay or somewhere cheap like dvd.co.uk).

Some cameras like the Canon PowerShot Aseries (e.g. A560, A460) run on AA batteries, so unless you have rechargeables it will cost a fortune in batteries.

p.s. do you like elephants, or just Thai beer?

i appreciate your reply to my question however I have looked through that list, I couldnt tell you what was good from bad, good manfacturers to ones you shouldnt touch with a sh**ty stick.

If i were to get one that ran on AA's I have some rechargeables, and if needs be I can obtain some high capacity ones in the near future.

[lovethechang]

Originally Posted by social_lurker

of the 3 you've short listed, I'd go for the Pentax and avoid the Vivitar like the plague.

I kind of gathered Vivitar are a bit poor cnsidering some of the reviews i've read in the past few hours - more so to do with battery life and general build quality of the camera.

Is Kodak a good name to buy into? or should I be looking at pentax, olympus, sony for a quality camera?

[lovethechang]

Originally Posted by rasputin

.

p.s. do you like elephants, or just Thai beer?

I gather you are talking about my username - its more to do with supporting Everton FC. Elephants are lovely creatures, alongs with beer in general

[dazza74]

Panasonic LS60 is worth a look, was voted best compact under £100 by digital photo mag last month and can be had for under £80

[lovethechang]

thanks for the reply dazza74 - it looks like a decent camera, but the cheapest i can find it for (from a respectable retailer is £90. I have put sub £80 in my opening post, but I would prefer to be spending more in the region of £60 due to baby on the way (all money saved is a bonus)

[dazza74]

The runner up in the test was this :

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...tml?P36=7RCXET

I'm a bit out of touch with regards compacts to be honest with you, so can only really go on what I read in the recent photo magazines.

[lovethechang]

based on yor thoughts, where would you say kodak (as a manufacturer) come in relation to other camera brands? Are they a decent brand or a bit cack? Should I be looking at pentax and nikon primarily?

[dazza74]

Originally Posted by lovethechang

based on yor thoughts, where would you say kodak (as a manufacturer) come in relation to other camera brands? Are they a decent brand or a bit cack? Should I be looking at pentax and nikon primarily?

I have an older 3.1 megapixel kodak digital compact and was perfectly happy with it until I got into D-SLR last year. I'd have no trouble recommending Kodak based on my experiences. Brand wise I think you could throw in the mix panasonic, fuji, canon and sony as brands that have been banging out compacts digitals for quite a while as well as the ones you suggested. I wouldn't get to hung up on megapixels though, some of the best buys in cameras are yesterday's model that they are phasing out.

[ash]

Don't get the Fuji A series because they require AA batteries... and that is just bad.
Also I would personally avoid Samsung's.

Fuji F20/F30 are very good models! Not sure if you can still find them, but have a look.
Also Nikon and Casio EX-Z__ ranges are good.
Just find a model, and read a few reviews on them.

I have the Fuji F20, and bought that after much research. Plus side it can take very good pictures, but it is a bit thicker compared to the Casio.

[lovethechang]

Originally Posted by ash

Don't get the Fuji A series because they require AA batteries... and that is just bad.
Also I would personally avoid Samsung's.

Fuji F20/F30 are very good models! Not sure if you can still find them, but have a look.
Also Nikon and Casio EX-Z__ ranges are good.
Just find a model, and read a few reviews on them.

I have the Fuji F20, and bought that after much research. Plus side it can take very good pictures, but it is a bit thicker compared to the Casio.

I did think i found a bargain last night on the argos website - A Samsung D75. That is, until I did a little research into the camera itself, and found everyone who bought one found it was a load of rubbish.

I recall yesterday in asda, hearing over the tannoy, that they are selling the Kodak C613 for £49, which is the cheapest i have seen it for. TBH, based on what i have read and what dazza74 et al have said, I think I will go for this as it is cheap and I like the look of it.

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this thread.