Camera Choice for Newbie??

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djpaulc247

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Hi there, I just found this forum through google and am hoping somebody can help me with a choice of new camera

I like taking photos but have only ever used various phones and currently have an iPhone 5, and a basic digital camera which is a few years old so my knowledge is very basic. However, I am going on holiday to Vegas and New York in September and would like a decent camera in order to take some good snaps of various land marks and tourist spots. There will be varying degrees of light from day to night so this could affect which camera to choose. I would also like something with a good zoom but which takes good quality images when zoomed in, I’m thinking close ups of buildings, the statue of liberty, Vegas strip, etc. I will also be going to a boxing match so would like good photos within the arena which may also require a good zoom

I don’t have much budget wise as I’ve already spent so much on the holiday, I am probably looking at around £200 which I realise will restrict me quite a bit. However, I so far have two options which I am looking at:

Canon PowerShot SX500 IS 16MP 30 x Zoom Bridge Camera - £139.99
Fujifilm FinePix SL240 - £109.99 (with case + 4gb memory card)

Looking at some reviews there are pro’s and cons to each and it seems the Canon is better for daytime shots but the Fuji is better for night time so I am undecided on which is the better choice or whether there are better options elsewhere?

As I say, I have very limited knowledge and experience so am looking for some advice and guidance on making the right choice. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks :thumbs:
 
Hi, thanks for the reply. I did actually use the search function but admittedly it was only for the two cameras I have listed, the Canon did not offer any results and the Fujifilm did not offer much

I'll keep looking through some old threads
 
Maybe on second thoughts you should consider the Nikon Coolpix L820.
 
Hi, thanks for the reply. I have had a look at the Coolpix L820 and it seems quite good but no viewfinder, only a screen, and requires AA batteries. Is this worth worrying about?
 
At this price range, this model is probably as good value for money as you can expect. The lack of viewfinder is a disadvantage, but again in this price range, viewfinders in general are a waste of space. AA batteries are seen by many people as an advantage as spares are readily available. I like the basic spec and claimed image quality, but then you must appreciate that I use a full frame Nikon professional camera, so I am probably biased. For a compact, mirrorless bridge I use a Canon EOS M, which is a wonderful little camera, but without a viewfinder. It's a superior camera to those in your price range, but it is really a bit too pricy.
You have to decide, but the main thing is, whatever you get, if you're keen, it won't be your last and you will go on to better things. Go for it and practise with lots of shots and learn to do without the auto setting. Good luck and have fun!
 
What you don't tell us is what camera you have now.
Based on what you've said you're going to be doing and what you want the camera to do, you're not going to find something that does everything - it just simply doesn't exist at any price range.
Whatever you get will only be a compromise.
 
BrynBoru said:
At this price range, this model is probably as good value for money as you can expect. The lack of viewfinder is a disadvantage, but again in this price range, viewfinders in general are a waste of space. AA batteries are seen by many people as an advantage as spares are readily available. I like the basic spec and claimed image quality, but then you must appreciate that I use a full frame Nikon professional camera, so I am probably biased. For a compact, mirrorless bridge I use a Canon EOS M, which is a wonderful little camera, but without a viewfinder. It's a superior camera to those in your price range, but it is really a bit too pricy.
QUOTE]

Good point on the AA batteries, I suppose it is beneficial to be able to replace your batteries quite easily anywhere in the world

I'm still looking around but really need to get a move on as I travel in 4 and 1/2 weeks and want some experience with the camera before I go. I just don't want to make the wrong decision and regret it

You have to decide, but the main thing is, whatever you get, if you're keen, it won't be your last and you will go on to better things. Go for it and practise with lots of shots and learn to do without the auto setting. Good luck and have fun![/
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Thanks, I guess you're right and if I get the bug I will no doubt upgrade in time. Thanks for your help and advice
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What you don't tell us is what camera you have now.
Based on what you've said you're going to be doing and what you want the camera to do, you're not going to find something that does everything - it just simply doesn't exist at any price range.
Whatever you get will only be a compromise.
Click to expand...

I did say in my OP that I have an iPhone 5 and a basic digital camera. I have never owned a bridge or DSLR so this would be my first of either of those types
 
djpaulc247 said:
I did say in my OP that I have an iPhone 5 and a basic digital camera...
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That was why I was asking the question.
You say that you want help buying a new camera, but don't really tell us what it will be replacing.
A "basic digital camera could be anything from a point and shoot to something like a 350d or similar.
We don't know that you've
djpaulc247 said:
never owned a bridge or DSLR so this would be my first of either of those types
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It might seem obvious to you, but that's because you know that - we don't.
 
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Ok, sorry for the sketchy description. It is just something like this:

Fujifilm-FinePix-AV100.jpg



Regarding camera choice I have now been looking at the Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR. Review here:

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/fujifilm_finepix_hs30exr_review/

Sounds pretty good from the reviews and is available on Amazon for just under £230. Just wondering if anybody has experience with this camera and thinks it would suit my requirements?
 
I would go for any camera you can find that has a viewfinder! There is nothing worse than holding the camera up and just trusting to luck that it is looking at the same thing as you are because you can't see the screen in the bright light. An SLR solves that but you would be lucky to get one at that price. A friend of mine had a Fujifilm bridge camera on a holiday in Scotland recently, could even have been the same as the one you've seen, and it took wonderful pictures. The zoom function was far superior to my rather basic SLR's (she got a decent picture of a far off eagle) and I began to wonder whether I had made the wrong decision in my Nikon! Obviously the picture quality wasn't as good at that magnification but at lower levels of magnification there was no difference in performance.
 
guineapig said:
I would go for any camera you can find that has a viewfinder! There is nothing worse than holding the camera up and just trusting to luck that it is looking at the same thing as you are because you can't see the screen in the bright light. An SLR solves that but you would be lucky to get one at that price. A friend of mine had a Fujifilm bridge camera on a holiday in Scotland recently, could even have been the same as the one you've seen, and it took wonderful pictures. The zoom function was far superior to my rather basic SLR's (she got a decent picture of a far off eagle) and I began to wonder whether I had made the wrong decision in my Nikon! Obviously the picture quality wasn't as good at that magnification but at lower levels of magnification there was no difference in performance.
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Thanks, I ended up going for the Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR anyway. I put the link in Flubit and was offered it at £214 so decided to go for it. Looking forward to receiving it and getting some test shots going :)
 
Congratulations! Lots of good features to get on with. Make sure you use it every day, even just for a couple of shots. That way the controls and settings become second nature.
 
You've made a good choice with a bridge camera. I went to New York and Vegas some years ago and I used a bridge camera Sony DSC-H9 it gave me some very good picks which I still use in my digital photo frames oh and I still have the camera which is still great.
If you look at my photo of the New York Policeman on my album it was the Sony Camera I used.
 
DesZ06 said:
You've made a good choice with a bridge camera. I went to New York and Vegas some years ago and I used a bridge camera Sony DSC-H9 it gave me some very good picks which I still use in my digital photo frames oh and I still have the camera which is still great.
If you look at my photo of the New York Policeman on my album it was the Sony Camera I used.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm looking forward to using it and getting some great snaps :)

I ordered it a week ago and it's only just been delivered so going to get to grips with it this weekend

Cool pic of the NYC policeman
 
What type of memory card should I get for this? I've been looking and didn't realise SD cards came in different classes?!? I've seen Class 4 up to Class 10, what is the difference and do I need a particular class or higher in order to get the best out of my photos / videos at all?
 
djpaulc247 said:
What type of memory card should I get for this? I've been looking and didn't realise SD cards came in different classes?!? I've seen Class 4 up to Class 10, what is the difference and do I need a particular class or higher in order to get the best out of my photos / videos at all?
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Higher the class higher the read/write speed, you should see what Fuji recommend I suppose so that the card keeps up with the camera.
 
WelshNoob said:
Higher the class higher the read/write speed, you should see what Fuji recommend I suppose so that the card keeps up with the camera.
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Thanks, any ideas where I could find this out? Have tried searching the web but cannot find a recommendation from Fuji

I had a mess around with the camera last night and love it, can't wait to get out and start experimenting with it :)
 
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