Newbie needs advice on buying camera

Hi there,
I am currently looking for a digital camera. I would like it to be small and compact (so it'll fit in a jeans pocket). I need this because I am planning to take it to live gigs a lot and don't want to have to hold onto it for the whole gig.
I'd like the resolution to be at least 3.0mp and would also like it to record movies.
I was looking at the Fuji F420. Good idea?
Any comments/suggestions would be gratefully recieved!
Thanks for reading!

[Mac Man]

Have a look at the Pentax Optio
http://www.pentaxeurope.com/

and the Casio Exilim. cameras.http://exilim.casio.com/

Both very slim. Especially the Casio - not much bigger than a credit card.

CL

Thanks for the reply.
Do both of them record video for an unlimited amount of time (i.e. as much as can fit on a memory card) or do they only record for 30ses or something?
Cheers!

[seany]

Most dont take unlimted film, most are round 3 mins and under though you can just start again after then edit with softwear. Another thing you'll have to think about if its using any small digi cam at gigs is the darkness. The optio S4 is a fine lil cameara you're going to want to be right up at stage to capture picture with the flash that comes with such small cameras.

go to www.pricerunner.com for the best price on the pentax optio s4

[woody67]

I have the optio s, which I chose instead of the casio exilm as it was smaller and more pocketable, and also has a zoom.

Its a great camera for taking anywhere, and being able to have with you at all times.

It takes 30 second movie clips with sound, with about 5-8 seconds to record to the card between captures.

Only annoying bit is the shutter lag, which could lead to some missed shots. Its OK if you remember to pre-focus with half press of the shutter release button though. The casio exilm has the fastest startup and shutter release time though, as it has a fixed focus and no zoom optics

[Mac Man]

Just been flicking through a PC mag and noticed the New Minolta Dimage Xg. This looks to be a very compact 3Mp camera and is only £148 compared to the Optio S4i at £244 in the same publication.

It looks ideal for the back of pocket portability you were after.

But for double the price the new Sony DSC-T1 at £299 looks very slim indeed and comes in with a 5Mp image.

CL

Originally Posted by Chris Lamle

Just been flicking through a PC mag and noticed the New Minolta Dimage Xg. This looks to be a very compact 3Mp camera and is only £148 compared to the Optio S4i at £244 in the same publication.

It looks ideal for the back of pocket portability you were after.

But for double the price the new Sony DSC-T1 at £299 looks very slim indeed and comes in with a 5Mp image.

CL

Where is it £148?? The cheapest I've found it is £159.99. Its funny you should mention it, I think I'm set on that one. Was thinking of going to Jessop's later. They said they would price match the amazon price too!

[Mac Man]

Ooops. Just double checked the magazine and the figures are ex VAT . Sorry about that.

Actual price was £175 inc VAT.

I only ever look at ex. VAT figures as this sort of gear gets put through my business.

CL

hehe no worries! Thought I'd found a bargain then!
Thanks for the info!

[woody67]

This months PCPro magazine (Aug 2004 !) has a review of 14 of the smallest cameras currently available

The Exilim EX-S20, Optio S4 and Ixus i, get good reviews

This site gives good reviews with pictures.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/DIGCAM01.HTM

[seany]

For serious indepth review go here http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html Has to be the best site for camera reviews on the around