SheepDip
11-10-2009, 18:25
Well, I'm looking for a new camera, as I've decided that my Canon Powershot A710 is pretty ok, but I'd really like something a bit more compact to carry around "just in case" or such.
So the options are to get something for £70 in Tesco, or pay somewhat extra and get something actually worth taking pictures with.
I went in then, to an independent camera shop in town, staffed by old guys who have worked there for years - thinking that I might actually get advice from someone who knew what he was talking about, as opposed to going to Currys (Yes you might get someone who knows his stuff, but like many on here, I've had some hilarious comments about tv's in Currys over time).
So the point of my post is, I started by saying that I've heard if you're spending a little bit more than Tesco budget, you're better off getting Panasonic or Canon.
He said "No, It's been a few years since Canon were the best manufacturer out there". Went on to say that there weren't any really "bad" manufacturers anymore, but it was more a case of getting what you paid for.
He told me that there was a lot of heresay about cameras - "People think they're getting Leica lenses, and are they buggery" (I read this as a pop at Panasonic)
He said that under the £100 mark, you're not really going to get anything special, but the Samsung ES55 was as good as anything.
Went on to say that Samsung were becoming one of the best imaging manufacturers out there, and that my Canon A710 was possibly made by Samsung, except that the sensor part in Canons are usually made by Toshiba.
When I asked him then what would he recommend if I didn't mind spending a higher budget (For compacts of course - sky's the limit for SLR), I expected him to bring down one of his large stock of Canons or Panasonics, but instead he brought out the Samsung WB500.
Now granted, many Samsungs are "sexy" looking cameras, that WB500 seems to be, and gets some ok reviews - but this guy, in an independent shop, with presumably no axe to grind (He sells Canon and Panasonic too), tried to sell me a Samsung as "the best".
I always had Samsungs down as also-rans. Well confused now.
Is this something that's escaped me? Or is he talking balls :lol:
So the options are to get something for £70 in Tesco, or pay somewhat extra and get something actually worth taking pictures with.
I went in then, to an independent camera shop in town, staffed by old guys who have worked there for years - thinking that I might actually get advice from someone who knew what he was talking about, as opposed to going to Currys (Yes you might get someone who knows his stuff, but like many on here, I've had some hilarious comments about tv's in Currys over time).
So the point of my post is, I started by saying that I've heard if you're spending a little bit more than Tesco budget, you're better off getting Panasonic or Canon.
He said "No, It's been a few years since Canon were the best manufacturer out there". Went on to say that there weren't any really "bad" manufacturers anymore, but it was more a case of getting what you paid for.
He told me that there was a lot of heresay about cameras - "People think they're getting Leica lenses, and are they buggery" (I read this as a pop at Panasonic)
He said that under the £100 mark, you're not really going to get anything special, but the Samsung ES55 was as good as anything.
Went on to say that Samsung were becoming one of the best imaging manufacturers out there, and that my Canon A710 was possibly made by Samsung, except that the sensor part in Canons are usually made by Toshiba.
When I asked him then what would he recommend if I didn't mind spending a higher budget (For compacts of course - sky's the limit for SLR), I expected him to bring down one of his large stock of Canons or Panasonics, but instead he brought out the Samsung WB500.
Now granted, many Samsungs are "sexy" looking cameras, that WB500 seems to be, and gets some ok reviews - but this guy, in an independent shop, with presumably no axe to grind (He sells Canon and Panasonic too), tried to sell me a Samsung as "the best".
I always had Samsungs down as also-rans. Well confused now.
Is this something that's escaped me? Or is he talking balls :lol: