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[Darth Loo-knee]

I have a Fujifilm look and shoot thing which is a few years old now that takes pretty good pictures. But when I see some pictures that are fantastic the colours seem to be jumping out at you, what cameras are being used?

Our eldest daughter is asking me to get her a camera, not really sure why she doesn't like the one we have. I don't mind buying a good camera but dont want to pay £500 out on a Wim....

She has seen some Fujifil Bridge Camera in Argos for £150 and a Pentax Bridge camera for £219.99

An suggestions on what would be a good one?
 :-?

[Chris_H]

This topic was covered a bit in a thread a few months back.  Very complicated subject really.

Can she get involved in a photographic club and try other people's cameras first?

[aaronjb]

I have a Fujifilm look and shoot thing which is a few years old now that takes pretty good pictures. But when I see some pictures that are fantastic the colours seem to be jumping out at you, what cameras are being used?

Photoshop.

No, really, though quite likely post-processed from RAW files out of a high end camera.. I can use my EOS 5D (high end dSLR) and turn out pictures that look worse than a point & shoot, or I can take a decent picture and post process it into a 'wow' picture.

'course I lack a bit of talent, so the former happens more often than the latter 

If you really want pictures that sing, though, go for a mid range 'bridge' camera (like the ones you linked to) but be sure it can produce RAW format files for post processing. Then send her on a decent Photoshop college course..

Or a second hand dSLR if you want future flexibility (like decent glass).

[Shimmy]

Correct use of the camera and being able to use photo editing software makes the biggest difference.

Does she want a compact camera or a proper SLR sized camera?

[PhilRich]

I have had my Fuji S7000 for nearly 5 years now Daz & can truthfully say it's the best camera I have ever owned for picture quality & the the standard lens is excellent! You can pick a good one up on e-gay for around £50 - £100. As said though, cameras are a very personal choice, what suits one wont suit another & 'Bridge' cameras are a different animal altogether to a 'fits in your pocket point & shoot'. Yer pays yer money etc. 

[TheBoy]

Depends if the requirement if a small, compact point and shoot, or a professional DSLR type.

Thats a personal decision.

I stick with point and shoot now, as I found I wasn't taking the big camera anywhere, due to size and inconvenience.



Personally, I use an aging Canon IXUS 700, which is an ultra compact, 7 or 8 years old, around 7MP, and creates quite usable pictures, though modern ones should be significantly better

[Broomies Mate]

I can only speak from my own experience of photography.

Compact Digital Camera or dSLR Camera.  Go for Canon.  Excellent build quality, fantastic array of features (some of which baffle me) and brilliant results whatever the weather, subject.

I have bought my parents, my girlfriend and my in-laws Canon Compact Digital Cameras as I cant fault them.  All getting good results. 

[Taxi_Driver]

Daz, whichever camera you go for, have a look here...

http://photography.shop.ebay.co.uk/Digital-Cameras-/31388/i.html?rt=nc&_catref=1&_dmpt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&_ipg=&_ssn=digigood&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

I bought my current camera from them last year....saved £100 on the price other retailers were selling for...tho i suspect they maybe imports so check out warranty/etc . Some of them are manu refurbished and state that, others are new.....the one i bought was new.

[Mr Skrunts]

I like the Fuji range

Had the S5000 (£325) for a few years, thet developed a problem (£35 fix) So bought a S2000HD (£sub £200) If I were to opt for another I think it would be the Fuji Ds10 as it has a multi anle back screen, allows for taking low or awkward shots with ease.

[Kevin Wood]

It's not so much the camera as the photographer, in my opinion. Some of my mates who I would rate as very good photographers can do wonders with the camera in an iPhone whereas I am sometimes disappointed armed with a decent SLR.

I would say, if she's keen, take her along to the local camera club. They often run courses for beginners to get them started with the basics and this will make a real difference.

As to camera choice - that depends on the type of photography and what she's prepared to lug around. Macro shots of insects up close, action shots of motorsport and night photography require the flexibility of a digital SLR but inside those extremes compact and bridge cameras can come up with decent results, are much cheaper and easier to carry.

The problem, IMHO, with compact cameras these days is that most have dropped any kind of viewfinder and it's just a joke trying to frame a picture (and hold the camera still) with the camera at arm's length peering at the LCD screen on the back.

A bridge camera is much more awkward to lug around but at least most have an electronic viewfinder.

Remember that photographers like to upgrade. The second hand market is therefore quite good. Compact cameras are a bit too fragile to risk it unless they are cheap, IMHO, but for a nice bridge or DSLR, second hand might be worth a look.

Kevin

[razzo]

are you looking for a camera just for pix now & again eg holidays, hi days & general stuff or something for a budding snapper. Bridge cameras do just that they bridge the gap between compacts & dslr's. If you fancy a second hand dslr a good dealer can tell you how many pictures its taken since it left the factory so beware of second hand pro stuff no matter how cheap.