Which camera do you recommend?

[Lov3shy]

I've grown tired of my point-and-shoot camera (Samsung PL200), mostly because of the lack of manual controls. I could be described as a budding photographer yet my current camera just doesn't cut it for me any more; I want to have more flexibility, more customisation.

The problem is that I don't have enough money for a DSLR and I've been looking up bridge cameras too, which may be better in terms of budget. I want a camera that is more modern, has very good image quality, manual controls (full manual would be good) etc.

My budget is £200 so I understand that I'll probably have to get a camera second-hand, but which camera would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

[Answerprancer]

Get a second hand Panasonic FZ38. I picked one up from Gumtree for £170 - it's excellent.
12 M/P, 18X optical zoom, shoots in RAW, 1 cm Macro.

[Answerprancer]

http://www.photograph...sonic_lumix_dmc-fz38/

[mjwman]

Get a Nikon DSLR off eBay. Most are little used and have plenty of life.
D70, D40, D3000, anything really.

[gingejbee]

I'll second the Panasonic Lumix FZ38- mine was new from John Lewis and wasn't much more than £200.

[Answerprancer]

Here are a few examples I took with my FZ38 recently :
http://i1028.photobuc...48/Photator/Deers.jpg
http://i1028.photobuc...Isabellawaterfall.jpg
http://i1028.photobuc.../Smallblueflowers.jpg
(The middle one is HDR)

[bhg481]

I always recommend this review site to people looking for cameras.

https://www.dpreview.com

I always use it myself if I'm looking to upgrade either my or my wife's camera.