I have a Canon Power Shot S3 IS which has more functions than I have evr used. Shutter speeds etc which I dont really understand.
I would like a new camera which does a great job in getting pics of the dogs without spending mega bucks. Maybe upto 200-250. The one I have is great in bright sunlight but when ts cloudy takes ages to focus in. Would like a video function too if possible.
basically something that can take good if not great pics of dogs in most situations. am I being unrealisrtic in what I want for the money.
Any suggestions?
Cheers

Not unrealistic because you can get all singing and dancing digital cameras with 10 mega pix etc for under that price. I know what you mean about all the functions & they seem good at the time but you hardly ever remember to use them! its like a washing machine with 20 programs but in the end you probably use 3.

A camera with less options will be quite cheap but you would probably compromise on quality of the photos. Not sure if you went for one of the more professional digital cameras that are bigger and more expensive for the basics but you have options to buy extras like zoom lenses.  perhaps pick up one the the camera magazines for advice or the Which? site.

Most cameras have  a green program which means all functions are automatic - thing is to get something that fits into your hand comfortably with a fast lens. Go for a point and shoot type but not too small, forget about the mega pixels as that is unimportant.

Go to a proper camera shop or if on line a specialist camera dealer and ask for a fast lens on a point and shoot camera. You will need a camera that will take a series of shots as well if you want to catch dogs on the move. All cameras need light although some work better in poor light than others.

I'm a Pentax fan but I also have a Nikon but everyone has their own favourite make and it is best you choose something that you can handle with easy and like the viewfinder.

Thanks Currys have a Canon Power Shot at a good reduction so may go for that one. My other Canon has always been good.

i have just bought a new camera, mainly for taking the dogs photos. it is a sony nex c3. it is simple once you accually take time to read the instructions.

I've had a Canon Ixus which I loved. But, sadly, as all things you love, eventually it died :-(

I now have a Panasonic Lumix TZ8 (newer version is TZ18) ... I absolutely LOVE IT. Yes, you heard right I LOVE MY PANASONIC LUMIX TZ8!

It is automatic, or it is manual - depending on your, no not the camera's, but your abilities :-)

It is has a fast shutter speed - I'm not professional but am now using my doggy photos for income purposes.

It has very good video capabilities. I just love my Lumix :-)

The new model is around £150 I think, that's considerably cheaper than I paid for my TZ8 last year. If you can get a TZ8 cheaper then go for that ... you wont be disappointed. If you are, then it's down to you inability rather than the camera's :-O

DO NOT go for the TZ10, or it's new equivalent, which has a GPS. Runs batteries down tons and is a noddy-version of it's grown up TZ8.

Hope this helps :-)

Oh, just to add, some excellent camera review sites at the following :

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_tz8_review/
and
http://www.cameras.co.uk/reviews/panasonic-dmc-tz8.cfm

I have the Sony NEX-5 and I absolutely hate it.  It has such inadequate zoom, which I didn't realise when I bought it (stupid me!), and £600 for a new lens?  I don't think so...

So I'm about to sell it and just go back to my old Sony

dogs a babe, I agree that the lens isnt great for distance.  the 18-55 zoom is just over £200-00 . which for wildlife ect is adequate, for me anyway.  I love the simplicity and the qualitly of pics.

Don't really know what kind of camera you want but I have a Nikon Coolpix and for the money it's really good at taking photo's of the dogs and videos.  If you want to PM me I'll give you details of my website which has pictures and videos on there that I've taken with it.  It was originally around £200, Tesco's had it at half price at £99.00 at one point and you never know it may be even cheaper at the moment.

I have a Sony DSC-HX9V fab little camera, excellent for taking pictures in dark places without a flash, good flash, good zoom, battery life is absolutely fantastic, just a great little camera.