Recommendations - Digicam under £150?

[sparkyrob]

Looking for my first digital camera. I have no experience with cameras since I'm upgrading from a 10 year old Canon 35mm brick. :lol:

Something with a fairly quick shutter speed (or even the ability to choose the speed!) would be great as I hate camera that take 3-5 seconds to take a pic after you hit the button. Would like a decent size display too.

Other than that, I'm fairly easy on make/model as long as it's durable. Throw some ideas out here, I'm not looking at entering the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, I just want something for holidays, occasions and nights out which can give me nice results.

Suggestions welcome :)

[Faythur]

What about a Fuji F40? http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/f40/index.php?&flash=9

There's a link to a video here http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/prodinfo2.php?prodid=5133&start=1&keyword=fuji%20f40&catsel=all

A couple of reviews here http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2007/06/05/Fujifilm-FinePix-F40fd/p1 and here http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_f40fd-review/index.shtml

[sparkyrob]

Thanks - will check it out :)

Any other suggestions?

[Highlander]

Same suggestion from me, although the F40 doesn't let you chose shutter speed. The F31fd, however, does have some' manual controls - shutter priority and aperture priority. So depends if you want this manual control or not.

[Jonny G]

Just ordered one today for £124 delivered as my needs are similar and I'd been trying to find a similar camera myself

[sparkyrob]

Just ordered one today for £124 delivered as my needs are similar and I'd been trying to find a similar camera myself

Where did you see this? Cheapest I've seen it for is on Amazon.co.uk (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000O57OWI/thedvdforums-21) for £139.98!

[Jonny G]

I took a punt on one at www.bestpricedbrands.co.uk . They had at £129 inc P&P and promptly said my order qualified for a £5 reduction - so I'm taking a punt on it actually turning up

[sparkyrob]

OK - narrowed it down to three possible cameras.

1.) Fuji Finepix F40d
2.) Nikon Coolpix S200
3.) Sony DSC-S800

The Nikon is cheaper and the Sony has 6x optical zoom compared to the other 2 (who have 3x).

But is there much difference between the three?

[sparkyrob]

Anyone else got experience of the above cameras?

[sparkyrob]

Well, in the end I decided to go for a Canon Ixus 75, completely ignoring my other 3 choices :)

Played with one in the shop, and also a Fuji F40 and the Canon was a lot easier to use, and also seemed like a better piece of kit.

[Jonny G]

I took a punt on one at www.bestpricedbrands.co.uk . They had at £129 inc P&P and promptly said my order qualified for a £5 reduction - so I'm taking a punt on it actually turning up


It turned up today (24/9) which was pretty good service. I don't know if it's common knowledge but the site ships from the US. The camera arrived via FedEx and wasn't hit for Customs. They also put in a UK plug adaptor as it's a US one on the charger. Still, for the saving I'm still pretty happy.

Glad you found what you wanted too Sparkyrob

[Jonny G]

Just spotted that Amazon have reduced their price on the Fuji F40 to £125. Could be of use to someone.

[Tempest]

Just spotted that Amazon have reduced their price on the Fuji F40 to £125. Could be of use to someone.

I still dunno if I should plump for a F40 or a F31d

I know the F40 has more pixels and takes SD cards (two plus's) and I think I heard it's a fraction better with bright sunlit shots.

However the F31d still has better low noise/grain photo's and would could easy photoshop the 6mp to 8mp size and get a better result if the starting pic has less noise.

Dam, I can't decide.

[sparkyrob]

My IXUS 75 arrived Tuesday, very happy with my decision in the end :)