[graemewh]

I am looking at getting my gf a digital camera she has always wanted one, just dont know wat is best to get her,obviously needs to be slimto fit in her handbag etc good megapixel and modern if that makes sense, ive seena few but not sure whats best for value for money not looking to spend too much, thanks

[Yandros]

What's your budget?

How about a Canon Ixus 80 IS for £126

Cameras & Lenses - Cameras - Digital Compacts - Canon - Warehouse Express

Very classy little cameras, and even come in a variety of colours. 8MP is just perfect btw, and you get image stabilisation too.

[andrew markwort]

How much and what type of photography do you do? If you are purely using it for happy snaps (and don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong in that) then my advice would be to get something by a well known manufacturer (e.g. Canon, Sony) that's in your price range and you think looks nice. Don't be bowled over by the pixel count. Unless you're planning to print out poster sized pictures, then anything at 5 megapixels or above will look pretty much the same on postcard size prints.

Several things to look out for:

(1) remember that you'll need to buy a memory card (the equivalent of the roll of film) - the camera itself will at best only hold a handful of snaps. Bear in mind that with a digital camera, you can take loads and then reject what you don't want, so it may be better to get a larger capacity card than you think you will need.

(2) check that the camera isn't so small and neat that you can't use it; some really tiny cameras can be a swine to use if you have larger hands

(3) if the camera is going in a handbag or shirt pocket, make sure that the lens is automatically covered when it's switched off

(4) if battery life is going to be a concern, buy a spare battery (I know this sounds obvious, but the number of people who forget this ...)

(5) make sure the camera has a reasonable OPTICAL zoom - at least 3x and if you're paying more, you might aim for a 6x. Be VERY wary of digital zoom - this magnifies the image by basically magnifying what's on the sensor plate in the camera and rapidly makes everything look grainy. Many cameras offer digital zoom as an option whether you like it or not (and you're best not using it) - but where the zoom on the lens is stated, look carefully at the small print to see how much is optical and how much is digital.

(6) Image stabilisation is handy - it compensates for shaky hands. But don't expect miracles.

(7) Face recognition is offered by some cameras. It generally works (and tries to get the faces in focus and correctly exposed). But again, don't expect miracles.

(8) I doubt this will be an issue, but bear in mind that most compact digital cameras can't swap lenses or similar (though at least some of the Sonys can).

(9) Nearly all compact digitals offer a small LCD screen to see what you're taking. Not all of them offer a traditional viewfinder. If this is important to you, bear this in mind when buying. However, don't get too enamoured with the quality of the screen - it's only there as a guide, when all said and done.

(10) If you find that a lot of your photos look like everything is on a slope, you may want to consider a camera which offers feedback when the picture is level.

(11) If you're going to print out a reasonable number of pictures, you're probably better off buying a computer printer that will print them out. I have a personal weakness for Canon printers, but there are plenty of good ones out there.

Hope this helps.

[Soulfire909]

Girls normally aren't too worried about image stabalisation, just make sure it's pink.

[graemewh]

wow thanks for all the info guys,basically looking at about £100 spending money,she willuse it for happy snaps but alsoholiday ones as well places of interest etc so wil have tobe decent, and Im worried may get the wrong optical zoom etc as dont want it to be grainy,if you could recommend models that would be great and thanks once again

[andrew markwort]

In that sort of price range, I'd personally recommend one of the Sony Cybershots. There are several model numbers in the range that are sub-£100. I'd go for the W130, which is about £90 from Amazon.com (you may be able to pick it up cheaper elsewhere - this was just the first place I looked). This has a good lens (Sony often use Zeiss lenses and certainly do with the W130) and has 4x optical zoom. It also (if memory serves me correctly) has a good solid metal body (some cameras in this price range look great, until you handle them and feel the flimsy plastic everywhere), and is pretty compact (you can get smaller, but you may find that build quality isn't as good, or the controls are too fiddly). However, there are others, and I'd definitely advise going to a store and looking before you buy.

Whatever you get, I'd advise trying to get something in a natural metal finish. As far as I can see from friends' cameras, the painted ones almost inevitably show scratches after they've rattled around for a while. Or, you could consider getting a latex 'skin' for one - this is a thin near-transparent sheath that fits over the camera body, leaving essential components (e.g. lens) free to move but protects everything else. They can be bought for peanuts on e.g. ebay.


You will also need a memory card (I know this sounds obvious, but make sure you get the right sort for your camera; it's an easy mistake to make).

Girls normally aren't too worried about image stabalisation, just make sure it's pink.

Why feminists get so annoyed with men. Example 1.

[Ned Senior]

Originally Posted by andrew markwort

You will also need a memory card (I know this sounds obvious, but make sure you get the right sort for your camera; it's an easy mistake to make).

I got the memory card first

[Sorj]

Graemewh

i recommend the Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z9 Black 8.1mp 3x Optical Zoom Digital Camera - Black - Ebuyer
I know from fact that Casio are fast to startup and decent under low light conditions. The video function is not bad as well. The great thing about this is that it a brill portable compact. Its under £100 and with the spare you can get a 4-8GB SDHC card for less than a tenner.

[Soulfire909]

Originally Posted by Sorj

Graemewh

i recommend the Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z9 Black 8.1mp 3x Optical Zoom Digital Camera - Black - Ebuyer
I know from fact that Casio are fast to startup and decent under low light conditions. The video function is not bad as well. The great thing about this is that it a brill portable compact. Its under £100 and with the spare you can get a 4-8GB SDHC card for less than a tenner.

Good choice, it also comes in pink - bonus

[graemewh]

I take it you were kidding about it coming in pink? as she would have liked a pink one! but couldnt find it in that model on ebuyer

[Soulfire909]

Originally Posted by graemewh

I take it you were kidding about it coming in pink? as she would have liked a pink one! but couldnt find it in that model on ebuyer

No I was being serious.

Amazon have it in pink for £99

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Exilim-EX-Z9.../dp/B0014UZE7Y

I'm sure with some google power you could find it a bit cheaper somewhere

[graemewh]

Whats the difference between the black model and the pink apart from the colour?
The pink didnt get the best reviews only got 2 reviews and one of them said 6 pics took with is andf the display screen then broke and the zoom lever folded

[dragonzuiko]

Currys have a pink olympus x15 for £69.99

[andrew markwort]

I got the memory card first

You muppet ...

Then I guess go for a camera that matches the memory card ...

If you want a good camera (but not the most compact and definitely not in pink) you could consider the Canon PowerShot A550 (which just creeps under the £100 mark).

Not sure about the Casio that's been mentioned as I think it's fair to say it's had mixed reviews. If you want something pink and cheerful, why not also consider the Samsung S1070? That is well within your price range and play.com offer a pink camera kit at a special price if you order it at the same time.

[Ned Senior]

Originally Posted by andrew markwort

You muppet ...

Then I guess go for a camera that matches the memory card ...

Nah I was meant to get a D60 but the shop failed to get one in for me so ended up ordering a D40 from amazon last night however during the melee I ordered the card so I could fire off some shots to test condition as soon as it came
hi yah

[andrew markwort]

Nah I was meant to get a D60 but the shop failed to get one in for me so ended up ordering a D40 from amazon last night however during the melee I ordered the card so I could fire off some shots to test condition as soon as it came
hi yah

Ah, that makes more sense. Have fun!

[stormchaser2005]

Originally Posted by andrew markwort

Why feminists get so annoyed with men. Example 1.

I think he may have just saved himself with the word normally added into the sentence but it would certainly be close....... until OP ruined it by admitting he was right....

[graemewh]

HI it doesn’t have to be pink by the way! : ) Just looking for one that’s compact (but not too small) and will produce quality pictures etc but not too expensive, cheers

[graemewh]

Hi could anyone give their opinion on this please?

Samsung S760 7.2mp 3x Optical Zoom Digital Camera Black With FREE 1GB Secure Digital Card - Ebuyer

If the link doesnt work its a Samsung S760

another question is, are the cameras that take normal AA batteries okay as imused to one battery that you just recharge when needed imnot sure if the camera above takes rechargeable batteries?

[graemewh]

Also wanted to enquire about the memory card for this camera a 4gb is £8 on play.com is this cheap?
also would I needto get a reader with it tomake it easier to transfer pics?
as it says SDHC but will it take normal memory cards aswell? just want tomake sure it allworks etc as I did read some cmputers dont recognize the reader?