Best point and shoot for the budget?

[isee]

Hi, looking for a nice holiday camera. bought a mini SLR with a x16 optical zoom (Fuji) 2 years ago. Monumental piece of ste.

Friends have a sony point and shoot and although it does look pretty advanced, it makes infinately better pictures and it comes with a pretty decent optical lens, plus most of their photos are in focus, whereas most of the photos on my mini SLR (taken at the same occasion as my friends') are blurred and poorly coloured.

I have no idea what's decent these days, or how much it costs, am hoping to get away with £150 say.

thanks

[K12beano]

Why don't you go with the Sony model that your friend has? Sounds like, for you, that would be a known quantity.

Generally the technology and market for cameras is reaching a sort of plateau where there aren't really ones to avoid. Occasionally there are duff individual items out of the box, perhaps your Fuji was, but that's few and far between.

Other than that go and handle some in your local Jessops and buy from somewhere that will let you return within 7/14 days if it's not what you want. Or save money with last year's model or a refurbished item. Only use "trusted" sources if Mail Order - i.e. Amazon or Jessops etc.

[isee]

K12beano said:

Why don't you go with the Sony model that your friend has? Sounds like, for you, that would be a known quantity.

Generally the technology and market for cameras is reaching a sort of plateau where there aren't really ones to avoid. Occasionally there are duff individual items out of the box, perhaps your Fuji was, but that's few and far between.

Other than that go and handle some in your local Jessops and buy from somewhere that will let you return within 7/14 days if it's not what you want. Or save money with last year's model or a refurbished item. Only use "trusted" sources if Mail Order - i.e. Amazon or Jessops etc.

I have seen them with that camera for a couple fo years now though, so though a more up to date one would probably make more sense.
thanks for your advice though, jessops feels like the way forward, I just don't feel it's right using one shop to try and touch and then going somwhere else to buy cheaper.

[isee]

damn my mate is away on holiday, will just have to use google then.

[tenohfive]

If you can stretch to £200 or can find one second hand within budget the Canon S95 seems to be the MX-5 of point and shoots on these forums, particularly if you're willing to use manual settings. No personal experience mind.

[TheD]

Canon IXS?

[Hunky Dory]

Can't argue with the "try before you buy" advice. What feels right for you makes a big difference.

Once you've made your mind up, you may find something here. Jessops have a clearance sale on, but TBH I haven't checked to see if their "special" prices are that good of a deal. Just for info really

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Cur...

[FunBusMk2]

I asked for similar advice on here and following that and advice from the shop it came from I got a Canon IXUS 220 HS, £129 from John Lewis.

It's everything I need from a camera - simple to follow menus, lots of features (some gimmicky), great size HD video ability (I got a HD compatible memory card too). Image quality and video quality is good. It's got a rechargeable battery too and comes with charger (some run on AA's).

[raptor600]

I would go for one of these two OP - both have excellent reviews and don't think you will do better for the money

Panasonic Lumix TZ18 Digital Camera - Black (14.1MP, 16x Optical Zoom) 3.0 inch LCD - £163

Canon IXUS 220 HS - Black (12.1MP, 5x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD - £124

and don't forget some memory!

[isee]

raptor600 said:

I would go for one of these two OP - both have excellent reviews and don't think you will do better for the money

Panasonic Lumix TZ18 Digital Camera - Black (14.1MP, 16x Optical Zoom) 3.0 inch LCD - £163

Canon IXUS 220 HS - Black (12.1MP, 5x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD - £124

and don't forget some memory!

Thanks Raptor, was just about to pull the trigger on the lumix but then saw it's only 720 movie res. I am not buying it for movie recording but think it still should come with a 1080p as even cheaper camers have that these days.

the canon on the other hand has pretty mediocre optical zoom.

One good thing about it at least I now have some sort of criteria and requirements to go on for myself. thanks

[sjg]

If optical zoom is important, find another £10 and get a Canon SX220:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80189...

Or there are deals to be had on the predecessor:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/G%2...

[Xaero]

The equivalent modern Sony might be the HX9. It's one of the best compacts available at the moment and discontinued soon. It's a bit out of budget though tat £220ish. Jessops is a good place to buy cameras from, just as long as you don't get caught into buying accessories - that's where they make their money.

[isee]

Xaero said:

The equivalent modern Sony might be the HX9. It's one of the best compacts available at the moment and discontinued soon. It's a bit out of budget though tat £220ish. Jessops is a good place to buy cameras from, just as long as you don't get caught into buying accessories - that's where they make their money.

Funnily enough I was just looking at one and am very tempted.
Is it worth waiting until it's on a clearance sale you reckon and any idea when that might be? (if it's likely to be £10 cheaper on clearance then don't bother )

[raptor600]

isee said:

Funnily enough I was just looking at one and am very tempted.
Is it worth waiting until it's on a clearance sale you reckon and any idea when that might be? (if it's likely to be £10 cheaper on clearance then don't bother )

I have the HX9 - currently £216 on Amazon (although it is out of stock but should be back in the next few days).

To be honest I don't see it dropping that much as it is leagues above anything for £150-200.

I bought it at £250 and am very pleased with it so at £216 it is a steal - the video quality in particular is awesome with very good stabalisation.