I have been dropping some VERY big hints to my beloved for a Digital Camera off Santa ;)
What sort of features should Santa be looking for when he chooses one and which makes do you recommend ( and which would you steer clear from ? )
I have never used one before ( yes, we live in a cave in  prehistoric times) :rolleyes:
and would appreciate as much help as possibe in choice :D

The things to look for are the more pixels they have the better the picture quality and the optical zoom is important to make things appear closer.
You also need to know how many pictures the memory card can store.
Some good makes are sony, olympus, casio or fuji.
Something like a 5 million mega pixels, 6x optical zoom and a removable 32 meg card.

Have you considered a video/digital camera combined?
Takes video and at the touch of a button changes to camera mode.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Linda

Ha ha.

Good step forward Lel, getting a camera increases my chances of getting a PICTURE !

Karen:D

:D
The one I have is just a bog standard camera and I really wanna be able to take "professional" shots .
I know thats down to me and not the camera :rolleyes:
Karen- pics will soon be on their way .

My hubby did loads of research and ended up with a Fuji FinePix F601. Had it about 18 mths so I guess there will be lots of better ones about now although we are really pleased with it and it suits us 'point and pressers' !!. One thing to consider though - lots of specialist camera shops really know their stuff and are very helpful. We used a tiny shop that was charging the same as the 'big boys' but gave us a fantastic trade in on 2 really old 35mm cameras that we hadn't used for years.
Hope you find one you like.

Val

It depends so much on what you want to do. I have a 2 megapixal Fuji with a 3x optical zoom. it gives me lovely A4 size prints but if you want to magnify a part of the picture to A4 then you will need rather better then 2m. Dearer cameras have rather more bells and whistles so cope better with unusual conditions, tricky light and the like.

I love my Fuji, it can go in my pocket and cover those sudden moments. For the really special stuff I still prefer 35mm and would not part with my Nikon.

Best wishes, John

for ease of use and especially if eyesight is a problem the the Kodak ones are brilliant.

I have the 2 million megapixels and bought a card (online) to up the storage capacity.

The one I have is sufficent for ordinary use, but they do ones with a lot more megapixels, but the easy to use features.

I started out with a Kodak dc215,good pics but ate the batteries like crazy,especially when I used the viewer,so I resorted to using rechargable aa batteries which helps.
Now I've got the Pentax Optio 550 5megapixel,5x optical zoom,plus digital zoom and 128 meg.memory card.Runs on pentax rechargable battery which lasts ages before needing recharge.Also does low resolution movies! and sound!
I got both on hols. in the states,so I got good prices,but the Pentax is great.I have to keep referring to the book for all the different functions and settings, if I want to do something complicated or different,but luckily there is a fool-proof setting too which I find v.good!
I just recently bought a photo printer ,so I can just put the card direct into the printer and print off really good quality A4 size photos for family and friends.
If you want a good 'starter' camera though,Argos are doing a bargain one at the moment 4meg and 6x zoom for only £114 (just bought one for my son for xmas,ssshhh don't tell him;) I was 'testing' it out last night seems good quality pics.
Hope this helps you give some more hints,also I would possibly wait for the 'sales' to get one, if you don't go for the Argos model.
Happy shopping :D

I bought one of those from Argos today - and I've already had to take it back, and the second one isn't looking to hopefully either!

The first one kept coming up with 'memory error' with the extra memory card in (and yes I formatted it as per the instructions if you get that error message), then the battery display kept flickering and then it told me the battery was dead!

The second one STILL has the 'memory error' message and the battery display thing is looking a bit iffy too!  I think it's the seal on the battery compartment not locking as firmly as it needs too.

Such a shame though because the pictures are great and the software dead easy to load.  I'm hoping it is OK so I can keep it :D

I have a Sony DSC P10 5 megapixel and a Fuji F601zoom, to be honest I much prefer the Fuji, to the extent I have somebody coming to look at my Sony camera tomorrow, what's the point in having a £300+ camera when it's still in the box.

This is my 2nd Fuji and I think I would go for another when a better model crops up, but at the moment I'm very happy with the F601zoom

Santa bought me the Fuji finepix 4800 2 yrs ago and I have never had a problem with it - apart from 16yr old son unplugging the cradle/charger so he could plug his stereo in.  Very user friendly and takes fantastic piccies.

Hi, I got my Fuji A203 from Boots, as I had been saving up my points, so got it for free!  It is great, easy to use for a none tec hnical, none photo savvy beginner, has 2mill pixels, optical zoom and easy to use software.  Handy size too,  and gives super pics up to A4 size.  If you have a Boots points card and sent Santa for your camera on one of the weekends between know and Christmas when they have a tripple points event going Santa would get you enough extra points to dosome additional Christmas shopping for free!
bye
Gwen

Have had a Nikon for some years and have just bought a Pentax SLR type off Ebay. Have no problem with the Nikon and don't think you can go far wrong with any that carry a name you would recognise. Some offer manual adjustment as well and automatic, others are just auto. The super small ones are not the easiest to use but you can put them in your pocket. Best thing would be to go and handle a few and see which fits your hand with comfort. Most those I have seen give a reasonable picture, of course if Hubby is thinking along the lines of say £2500.00 for a camera body and then throw in a few lens as extras, well, that's out of my league. They all make a big thing about the number of megapixel but remember that a/ what ever you buy will be out of date in a couple of months and b/ the picture you get is only as good as the equipment you use to print them out, finally c/ your ability to take the picture you want in the first place.

Hi Lel
          If I can make a suggestion having bought a digital compact Kodak cx4200. these compacts are very good for taking general type shots the only problem I find is if you need to take distance photos.If this is the case definately go for a digital SLR type camera with interchangable lenses somewhere around 6 pixels if you can afford it. It appears that most of this type of cameras is a body only with the lens type being left to your own choice.  As regards make most of the well known brands are very good the only thing I would point out is for you to make sure that the camera can accept different lens makes.
When I buy a digital SLR next I think the first thing I would go for is the best camera body I could afford then later on look around for the lens I was interested in possibly on e-bay or such like there are plenty of choices out there .
Bazza

Hiya
Ive got a bog standard fugi fine pix somehing or other.. for around 130 pound
It works for me
Suppose it depends what you want it for...
I usually just use mine for taking pics of the dogs and a few ebay items other than , i dont really use it.
Maybe you could start off with a beginners one then progress if and when you need to

Donna and charliex

well pixels are not everything....its far more important to get a manufacturer whose processor/sensor can interpret the pixels rather than the actual pixel size. Also find one that gives you a white balance option.

Are pixels any relation to elves, sprites and fairies? :D

????   ????
Sam now you have lost me !!

Apart from the pixels -look for optical zoom rather than digital zoom -Optical is 'real' zoom whereas the digital is enhanced and blurs the picture

I've been re-reading this thread because I'm thinking of going digital (though I'll never get rid of my beloved 35mm SLR!) and am still confused! Time for a trip to a specialist shop to pick their brains I think!

I've just brought the Fuji Finepix S7000 JG and am very pleased with it. It is SLR shape so fits in the hand well. Has a good optical zoom (6x) and 6 megapixal resolution. Prices on the internet range from £599 down to £345!! The cheapest being a firm I have used several times in the past and the camera arrived in 3 days.

Best wishes, John

I'm going to have to buy from a shop, not the net, because I'm spending vouchers I won in a competition, so unfortunately can't shop around too much. But I've made a note of your recommendation! Thanks John!

Ive won vouchers due to an award at work which i wanted to put towards a digital camera, I have to chose between shops and I think I can chose between Dixons, Comet, Currys and Argos (or a whole stack of clothes shops ;) ) I want to spend about £200 but want a small camera which will fit into my pocket or even fit into my hand bag, at the mo I have a fantastic SLR with detachable lenses etc which is great but not really the sort of camera I can take out when im out with my mates or out cycling :)  Any ideas would be much appreciated, even any ideas as to which shop to get my vouchers from :D :D

I have a Nikon Coolpix 3700 and it's brilliant.  I'm always taking photo's of the dogs, for long distance shots it's not brilliant but have to say I'm really pleased with it.  Cost £200.

can you get them from places other than specialist photo shops (the only place where I cant get vouchers for :rolleyes: )

I think Comet do digital cameras BB. Try their web site.

Best wishes, John

Oh yes, I totally forgot about looking on websites, I keep meaning to make time to go round the shops to have a look :rolleyes:

I shall look now :)

  Santa in June????  :D

I have a Pentax, which is great and very easy to use.

Earl
this is an old post ( started in early December) :)

Dont worry I havent started hinting for this Christmas (yet) ;) :D

By the way I got the Canon Powershot A80 - easy to use and download to PC although it has lots of features I have no idea of ! But its small and light and does the job

:D  Ahh, I see!  Even I don't start hinting to Santa before August!   :D :D :D