Compact camera recommedaion please

[RickMezza]

Hi,
I'm after a new compact camera for work and wonder if anyone can recommend me a good 'un.
Required spec;
6 megapixel (does'nt have to be more)
IS or VR
Zoom lens
Good macro (quality and close focus)
Good build quality (sturdy, not cheap flimsy plastic)
Splashproof (preferably).
Budget - around £250

So far I've seen the Canon Powershot S3 IS, which looks good, ( 'cept its a Canon ). Looks good but the DPreview write-up doesn't rate the macro too highly and thats pretty important.

Will be used for close-ups of leaves, plants, insects mainly (not landscapes etc) if that helps.

TIA ,
Rich

BTW this is my 1000th post (got there eventually )

 

[RobertP]

Buy an Olympus 780 then tell me if it is any good in low light. Not sure how it is on macro but it seems to do the other stuff you list - and I can't find a single review anywhere. Plenty of rewrites of the publicity material around

Jill wants a new camera but it must be good in low light for her concert snaps.

 

[minimeeze]

No idea re compact cameras, but congrats on your 1000'th post

 

[RickMezza]

anyone else got any suggestions ???

 

[Dave P]

Have a look at the Panasonic TZ3Lb Lumix.
It has a 10 Mp and a good zoom ratio as well. The normal price
is £300 but i have seen it for £250 somewhere. I was thinking of
getting one of these myself for a handy walk about instead
of lugging all the big stuff on non special shoots.

 

[Dave P]

My mistake ,
panasonic has 7.2 mp, and a 10x zoom.

 

[richmond]

Just got a Fuji F30, neat little camera. Pretty good on macro and great at low light. Cost £143 from Currys. I've seen it on the web for £133 but after adding postage there isn't any saving.The upgrade to this is the F31fd. But as I don't 'do' portraits decided against it.(and saved £30)

Let us know what you get.

 

[dougdarter]

Just got a Fuji F30, neat little camera. Pretty good on macro and great at low light. Cost £143 from Currys. I've seen it on the web for £133 but after adding postage there isn't any saving.The upgrade to this is the F31fd. But as I don't 'do' portraits decided against it.(and saved £30)

Let us know what you get.

I agree - I have heard great things about the F30 and it's siblings.

 

[kevin_c]

Just got myself a nice little nikon Coolpix P5000 for £228 from pixmania.co.uk - 10Mp, vibration reduction, P, A, S & M, as well as the usual 'mickey mouse' modes... solidly built as well.

 

[RickMezza]

thanks everyone. I've already ordered a Canon S3 IS, but its taking ages to come (Dabs.com ......arghhhh, never again :bang: :thumbsdown: )

Rich