Decent compact

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robbie t

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Rob
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I'm looking for a decent compact for my mum's birthday which is coming up fast and need some of you guys knowledge. She will be using it for point and shoot stuff, mainly holiday snaps as they go abroad quite a lot.

The criteria she has laid out (albeit quite basic) :

Lots of megapixels :D
Large screen for liveview
A viewfinder also
A decent zoom

She has seen this Sony Cybershot which seems fairly good but has ISO 1000 max.

Has anyone got this compact or recommend an alternative and the cheapest place to get?

Thanks in advance
Rob
 
The Mrs bought a Pansonic DMC TZ3 it's got a fantastic viewfinder a large zoom and a Leica lens on it too
 
Canon A580 a good camera - can take some awesome pics in decent light, although it gets noisey in low light.

Has lots of preset modes on the dial, and manual functiosn like a dSLr - maybe too much for a P&S person !

Also takes AA batteries, so factor in another £20 for dcent rechargeabls and a charger.
 
The Panasonics have improved a lot over the last year or so.

Have a look at the Panasonic TZ5.

Well worth the money.
 
The Panasonics mentioned have no viewfinder just a quality big screen. The Canon powershot cameras can be used as simple point n shoot cameras but also have more manual options than any other compact but give overall good image quality. The Sony's mentioned may be better for her simple point n shoot. The Canon A720IS is a very good compact around £120-£150 with 6X optical zoom which can be zoomed in video mode which is also very good quality. I have the Canon A710IS the only difference is the A720IS as face detection and 8 MPixels and a little bit better noise control at higher ISO but side by side the look the same. Plus you can had on filters and lenses on at a later stage if she wants to take it that far.
 
Cheers for the input folks, most of those mentioned don't have the viewfinder as Outlaw said though.
The A720 does look like a capable unit but some of the reviews do say it's a bit on the big side. I'll keep on the search, cheers

Rob
 
I have Sony W110 and it's a cracking little camera. PM me for link to samples if you're interested.
 
robbie t said:
Cheers for the input folks, most of those mentioned don't have the viewfinder as Outlaw said though.
The A720 does look like a capable unit but some of the reviews do say it's a bit on the big side. I'll keep on the search, cheers

Rob
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The a720is its not going to win any beauty contest but it feel well in the hand because of the grip the menus are easy to navigate. It will fit in a jacket pocket better than a shirt pocket but most of all it offers great IQ. I wouldnt say it was that big my wife had a Fuji F20 but thought it was to small to get your hands on to get a good hold on it. She prefers the a720is so do the kids. :thumbs:
 
If she wants a large screen and a viewfinder in a compact package then I think she needs to change the principles of geometry...
 
Outlaw said:
The a720is its not going to win any beauty contest but it feel well in the hand because of the grip the menus are easy to navigate. It will fit in a jacket pocket better than a shirt pocket but most of all it offers great IQ. I wouldnt say it was that big my wife had a Fuji F20 but thought it was to small to get your hands on to get a good hold on it. She prefers the a720is so do the kids. :thumbs:
Click to expand...


I think you've sold it then, i prefer a personal review than a faceless one! Providing your mrs hasn't got massive hands :eek:;)
 
My little fuji film compact f650 has 5x optical zoom. and is a bout 90 quid, has aperture priority and shutter priority. Not a bad camera actually and a whopping 3 inch screen!
 
pleased with canon ixus 70, 7MP, very basic and small and nice feel to it.
 
robbie t said:
I think you've sold it then, i prefer a personal review than a faceless one! Providing your mrs hasn't got massive hands :eek:;)
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:nono: No shes not got big hands quite dainty, I have though. By the way I have the a710is not the a720is but its the same near enough. Also if you look on ebay you can get the a710is for around £70-£80 inc P+P with 12 month warrenty its alot of camera for that kind of money. As ever go to a shop and feel some. Check this link. :thumbs:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outlet
 
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