[Derwentrocker]

I hate to say this, but i have never owed a digital camera and need one for a holiday this year to California and las Vegas. I always felt abit aprehensive going in to shops as i do not know what is a good camera for the spec i require (or think i do).

I haven't brilliant eye sight so would require the screen to be more than 2.5. I basically require a good zoom lens and i suppose mega pixels are a must as well. I do not want anything that is to high tech for my first one, a point and click sounds good to me

I would also like one that i can do little videos on one, as well to put on my computer. But that isn't an necessity.

I also want one that can take long battery life, eg, lithium if they are the best, do not want to be charging all the time.

Please can you help me with some advice, i do not want to spend more than £150, the less the better.

Thank you

[icemanonline]

Check this out.......it answer your question....

http://www.avforums.com/forums/digit...ct-camera.html

icemanonline

[Derwentrocker]

Thank you for the information and your reply. If anyone else can offer their ideas, it would be advantageous thanks.

[mark1000]

The Panasonic TZ5 is a good choice, 10x zoom 720p HD video and a full IA auto mode that selects the scene for you in a relatively compact body.

And here is the but, its £20 more than you want to pay, but the best £20 you will spend IMO.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 Silver Digital Camera


Or £26 over budget and you can get it on the high st at Jessops.


http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...3867/Show.html

Full and trusted review here.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review


Mark.

[Derwentrocker]

Hi, Thanks Mark

I was actually looking at the Panasonic TZ5 and the FX37, i am not quite sure what the difference is, except one is newer.

Have you ever used or know of UKdigi cameras? They have the FX37 at £169.99 or with 2 gb as an offer at £191.99p.

This seemed cheaper than jessops and John Lewis, although maybe they may do a price match? who knows......

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by Derwentrocker

Hi, Thanks Mark

I was actually looking at the Panasonic TZ5 and the FX37, i am not quite sure what the difference is, except one is newer.

Have you ever used or know of UKdigi cameras? They have the FX37 at £169.99 or with 2 gb as an offer at £191.99p.

This seemed cheaper than jessops and John Lewis, although maybe they may do a price match? who knows......

Get the FX37 at Dixons mate, code SALE25 gets you 2.5% off too

[Derwentrocker]

Hi DH

Your swayed towards the FX37 over the TZ5, in your opinion what is the difference and why should i go for the FX37, i am intriged

Thanks
Michelle.

[Dirty Harry]

Im starting to be yes, was set for the TZ5 but the FX37 is smaller & lighter with the only thing i can see majorly different is the TZ5 has a better viewing screen, which for the usage i will have wont make a jot of difference.

FX37 has good reviews at C-NET & Reevoo too

[mark1000]

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

Im starting to be yes, was set for the TZ5 but the FX37 is smaller & lighter with the only thing i can see majorly different is the TZ5 has a better viewing screen, which for the usage i will have wont make a jot of difference.

FX37 has good reviews at C-NET & Reevoo too

The main difference is the zoom 10x + 16.9x EZ zoom on the TZ5

FX37 has 5x zoom.


Mark.

[mark1000]

Originally Posted by Derwentrocker

Hi, Thanks Mark

I was actually looking at the Panasonic TZ5 and the FX37, i am not quite sure what the difference is, except one is newer.

Have you ever used or know of UKdigi cameras? They have the FX37 at £169.99 or with 2 gb as an offer at £191.99p.

This seemed cheaper than jessops and John Lewis, although maybe they may do a price match? who knows......

Please don't pay an extra £20 for a 2gb card, thats daylight robbery, pay £3/4 at the most.

I have highlighted the zoom difference in the post above.

Memory card here

7dayshop.com - Online Store



Mark.

[cambsos]

Reckon a Canon A720is would do the job
8m pixies, 6X Optical Zoom, 2.5" screen and viewfinder
Also a good bit of manual control, only minus from your list is it takes AA's
I prefer them though and NIMH rechargeables last ages, also the option to get batteries anywhere or use Lithiums for extra long life.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by mark1000

The main difference is the zoom 10x + 16.9x EZ zoom on the TZ5

FX37 has 5x zoom.


Mark.

What would you choose between the two mate ?

[mark1000]

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

What would you choose between the two mate ?

As your asking, i already have the TZ5 and am happy with it as a pocket camera with HD video and a really good zoom, but it wont fit your shirt pocket in the summer if thats what your after, the FX37 however will.


Hope you make the right decision for you.


Mark.

[Dirty Harry]

Thanks, starting to lean towards the FX37 due to its size now.

Can get it for around £160 at Dixons & Fotosense right now, do you think its worth holding on for anorher price drop or will that be about as good as it gets ?

[Derwentrocker]

I am looking at prices and think that the tz5 looks like the one for me, besically because i need one with a bigger lcd screen, and like the better long zoom. As Mark has tried and tested it, i shall find somewhere that sells it reasonable without ripping me off.

Thanks Mark for the link reguarding the memory card, will use that also.

Its a shame that no one on the forums sells these cameras

Michelle.

[Derwentrocker]

Hi Mark

Bought my first digital camera the panasonic lumix TZ5

As i haven't looked on instructions yet, as sleeping (on nights), could you tell me, is it a lithium battery i am charging?

Also from the web site on the memory card, will they be compatible for this camera, and which one would you advise so i can take videos and still please.

Would i need a 4gb for both?

Thank you for your help

[mark1000]

Originally Posted by Derwentrocker

Hi Mark

Bought my first digital camera the panasonic lumix TZ5

As i haven't looked on instructions yet, as sleeping (on nights), could you tell me, is it a lithium battery i am charging?

Also from the web site on the memory card, will they be compatible for this camera, and which one would you advise so i can take videos and still please.

Would i need a 4gb for both?

Thank you for your help

Hi, you would be best to get a class 6 SDHC card if you intend to use the HD video that way you won't get any problems with the cards write speeds.

I personally bought a 8gb SDHC card from 7dayshop and am completely happy with it.

Transend 4gb class 6 £5.49

7dayshop.com - Online Store


Mark.

PS.........yes your battery is lithium.

[Derwentrocker]

Hi Thanks again mark.

Just looked at the 7 day shop and there are a lot of 8GB sdhc cards, which one is best in your opinion?
7dayshop.com - Online Store

Cheers

Michelle.

[mark1000]

Originally Posted by Derwentrocker

Hi Thanks again mark.

Just looked at the 7 day shop and there are a lot of 8GB sdhc cards, which one is best in your opinion?
7dayshop.com - Online Store

Cheers

Michelle.

I'm using a Transend 8gb class 6 that has a 5 year warranty without any issues, i have another 2gb Transend that i have been using for about 2 years on a daily basis and that has worked without problems too.

8gb card here for £9.99.

7dayshop.com - Online Store

Mark.

[Derwentrocker]

Thanks

So am i right in thinking you use the 8gb one just for video, then take it out and use the 2gb card for normal photos?
Or can you use the 8gb one for still photos and video? Without switching
I did tell you i had no idea

Michelle x

[Derwentrocker]

Mark - Hi

Just ordered my 8gb from the shop you recommended, and i have also took pictures for the first time ever and they are very good, well pleased.

Soon i wont wont be a dunce

Thank you for all your help

Michelle.

[mark1000]

Originally Posted by Derwentrocker

Thanks

So am i right in thinking you use the 8gb one just for video, then take it out and use the 2gb card for normal photos?
Or can you use the 8gb one for still photos and video? Without switching
I did tell you i had no idea

Michelle x

Once you have the 8gb card just use that all the time for both video and normal pictures, but for future info, you can use any SD or SDHC card in your new camera its just that the SDHC card operates at a faster speed than your standard SD card, thats not to say your standard card is not any good, its just slower.


Mark.

[Derwentrocker]

Hi Mark

Just received the 8GB card from the link you provided, thank you so much for your advice

Just one thing.......on the TZ5 it states around 1757 for photos etc, is that right?

Michelle.

[mark1000]

Originally Posted by Derwentrocker

Hi Mark

Just received the 8GB card from the link you provided, thank you so much for your advice

Just one thing.......on the TZ5 it states around 1757 for photos etc, is that right?

Michelle.

Hi Michelle, depends on what you have set your picture size too, larger the size the less pics per gb, cant actually check my TZ5 for you at the moment as my 8gb card is in use in my G1.

My TZ5 in 9mp 4:3 aspect mode gives me 438 pics with a 2gb card, so i would assume that 8gb would give you approx 4 x that
1752 so it looks like its about spot on.


Hope you enjoy your new camera, Mark.

[C225]

I just got my TZ5 which is my first proper camera. Ordered from ebay as i wanted a blue one which is only made for America so have an import so will have to be a bit careful with no warranty. Came with a 4GB transcend class 6 card for £190

The 4GB card gives me 872 pictures.

Not done much with it yet but a quick few photos and i'm quite impressed as well as teh HD videos

[Derwentrocker]

Hi

Does anyone know if the 7dayshop sells memory sticks for my Panasonic TZ5? If so can anyone point out which one i need as never had one. Just learnt how to transfer photos to my IMAC, but my daughter said i need to back it up in case my computer gets poorly

Thank you

[granty_]

Not quite sure what you mean with your wording but here are my interpratations:

Something like this will go in your TZ5 fine 8GB SD Card

Or a back up flash drive (used for putting photos on to the card as well as your pc if your computer does ever get wiped)16GB Flash Drive

However if your feeling super rich, buy a external hard drive, around 500gb or more, will cost around £50 but LOTS more storage and can be useful for backing music and videos etc (im sure you'll run out of 16gb flash drive quick if you record HD movies on the TZ5).

And how much have TZ5's gone up recently?! I was going to get one to go along with my Sony A200 for when I didnt wanna cart around hefty kit but its seeming less worth it!