Buying a digital camera.

[mistys]

Hiya, I want to buy a digital camera but I know nothing about electrical stuff and have no idea what's a good one or not. I've seen three that I think sound good, can anyone help me decided which sounds best? I'll list all the details found about them.

1) Kodak Z710 7MP
Optical zoom - 10x
LCD Screen - 2in
Anti- Blur - No
Face Detection - No
Battery type - LI-ION
Format - SD/MMC
Max ISO - 800
Style - High zoom
Additional Features - Movie capture and sound recording. 9 scene modes.

2) Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd 7MP
Optical zoom - 3x
LCD Screen - 2.5in
Anti- Blur - Digital
Face Detection - Yes
Battery type - LI-ION
Format - SD/XD
Max ISO - 1600
Style - Slim
Additional Features - ISO sensitivity up to 1600 for photography in low light conditions. CCD sensor delivering 7 million pixels, IrSimple (fast infrared). LCD screen with reinfprced scratch resitant glass.

3) Kodak Easyshare 2885 8MP
Optical zoom - 5x
LCD Screen - 2.5in
Anti- Blur - Digital
Face Detection - No
Battery type - LI-ION
Format - SD
Max ISO - 3200
Style - High zoom
Additional features - Movie capture with sound. 18 scene modes.

OK thats all I have on them, they are all the same price at �129.99. Can you please help me, I have no idea what any of that means and want to get a decent one. Thanks - xx

[Tichfield]

It really depends on what you want to use the camers for, does it not?

Having a 10X "optical zoom" is fine, if you want that. If you don't want it - or won't ever use it - then it's not worth making a decision on that basis.

[Tichfield]

To legend:

You asked: DTH?

I doubt it helps a lot.

[vehelpfulguy]

> Optical zoom - 10x

This figure shows how much you can zoom in to get closer to an object. The bigger the better. Good for photos of animals at a zoo for example.

> LCD Screen - 2in

Size of the small screen on the back of a camera so you can look at the picture after you have just taken it.

> Anti- Blur - No

For camera shake.

> Face Detection - No

Will focus on a persons face if it is in the picture.

> Battery type - LI-ION

This is the type of battery used in video cameras. As opposed to AA or AAA batteries. I think Li-Ion are better.

> Format - SD/MMC

The type of memory card that goes in your camera. You need a large memory card to hold all your pictures.

> Max ISO - 800

The speed of the "film" (I know it does not have film, but the higher the number the better the camera reacts to light. A begineer can ignore this

> Style - High zoom

Just a marketing buzz word.

> Additional Features - Movie capture and sound recording. 9 scene modes.

You can capture small video clips.

[mistys]

Thank you vehelpfulguy - xx

[pug100]

Just bought the Fuji Z10 myself and it's a smashing little camera. Small and light with very simple controls, just 3 buttons on the back as well as the shutter.
Pics are sharp as you could wish ( I take mine at 4MP rather than 7MP cos of space and that most snaps I take will only be printed at 6x4 or 7x5 )
Only bad thing is that unless you're careful fingers can stray into shot as the lens is top left where most people hold the camera.

Best thing you can do is get yourself along to a camera shop, pref one selling all 3 so you can compare them side by side. I did this with my final 3 choices based on web reviews and discarded 1 as it was just so confusing even the camera shop guy didn't know what all the icons and buttons meant.

Make sure you choose a camera that feels right, sits in your hand, all controls are easy to operate and is intuitve to use.

Got mine from Jessops as they were doing a deal with mem card and carry case (essential items) The Z10 comes complete with a USB cable and battery charger.

[4candles]

I found this site very useful:

http://www.cameras.co.uk/

[vehelpfulguy]

Let's look at each camera.

Kodak Z710 7MP

You say this is �129. Well here it is at �79.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124910?gclid=CN7 Ui6O0v5ICFQHD1AodC31bbg

I have to say this looks a large camera, so are you prepared to cary a carry this big around with you?

Good size zoom, but you pay for that with the size of the camera.

You do not say what you want to use it for but if all you want is a "point and shoot" camera you can get a far smaller one than this.

[mistys]

I was looking in the Argos catelogue to get an idea of prices. I don't want it for anything in particular just to take pictures at parties, on holiidays etc. I did think that one looked a bit big tho- xx

[vehelpfulguy]

Next Camera: Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd

Again you say �129, but here it is less than �100

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-Z10fd -Digital-Camera/dp/B000UUHKV2

This is the other end of the scale from camera 1 (in fact I am surprised you had a list that included 2 such different cameras).

This is a very small and light camera, and ideal point and shoot camera.

Good if you want a small camera to fit in a handbag or pocket.

[vehelpfulguy]

Next Camera: Kodak Easyshare Z885 (note it is letter Z at the front not number 2)

Again you say �129, but here it is at �94.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000P GRGC4/interactiveda3021-21

Again a slightly larger camera, although not as big as the first camera.

Probably too big for just a point and shoot camera.

[mistys]

Thank you so much for taking the time to go looking for these. I think I'm gonna go for the second one, it seems simple enough for me to understand and be able to use. Also the reviews I've just read sounded very good. You have really helped me and it's greatly appriciated, thanks - xxx

[vehelpfulguy]

Now can I suggest one NOT on your list.

The Canon Powershot A460. You can get it here for �50.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PowerShot-A460-D igital-Camera/dp/B000MS08MU

This is an ideal "starter" camera for someone new to digital photography. For want you want to do with the camera I dont think you need to pay �129.

Canon are a very good make. It is 5 Mega pixel and 3x optical zoom which is fine for what you want.

It has built in flash and red eye reduction.

It uses two AA batteries, but you can buy rechargable batteries and a charger so you always have spare batteries.

[mistys]

Oooh ok, I'll have a look through that one - xxx

[vehelpfulguy]

I notice Argos have reduced the price of the Fuji FinePix Z10 to �99 so may be a good time to buy (if you can find any in stock)

See here (they do have other colours)

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumb er/5590168/Trail/C%24cip%3D1500011801.Photogra phy%3EC%24cip%3D1500011809.Digital%2Bcameras%3 EFC%24Brands%3DFujifilm.Fujifilm.htm

Note you will have to buy a memory card to go onto top of that as well.

You will also have to buy some recharagable batteries and a charger.

[vehelpfulguy]

In fact Argos have quite a few cameras reduced if you go to their web site.

This looks quite good at �59.99 and would be good for what you want it for (and it seems to be in stock)

It is the Kodak C713

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/zone/pri ceCutsZone/partNumber/5607460/C$PRICECUT/1/Tra il/zone%3DpriceCutsZone.Price+Cuts%3EC%24cip%3 D1500011801.Photography%3EC%24cip%3D1500011809 .Digital%2Bcameras.htm

[jno]

I think technically they're all ok, from reputable manufacturers. If you're a newcomer to photography you might want to go for smallest and cheapest - ones with bigger zooms are generally bigger cameras