You must get this a lot... Which low-end (£150) Digi Cam?

[anonymous-user]

Hi all,

Apologies - I can see you guys get a fair few questions like this.

I'm going on holiday soon, and haven't got a camera to take with me. I like having a camera (I don't take, or even try to take, amazing photographs - just like a few snaps here and there) but made the mistake of buying something too bulky last time (5+ years ago) and it got used a lot less than it should have done.

Anyway - I'd like something for a max of £150 - no stretching this, or it will be "just £10 extra" then "just £15 extra" as all these things go!
I'm pretty careful with my gadgets, so it doesn't need to be "rugged" in any way. Just to be used for a few holiday snaps and thrown in a backpack for when off cycling etc. Maybe a few low light/night shots.

A couple of models caught my eye, was wondering if anyone could make a recommendation on which to go for please? The Canon is currently "winning" for me

Thanks in advance

Canon IXUS 117 - A colleague has a nice Canon PAS which is what put me on to this one. Plus it comes with a Gorilla pod
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80186...

Panasonic Lumix DMC FSC35 - I like the sound of the Leica lens
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80701...

ETA - I've removed 2 of the options, as I think it is between the Canon and Panasonic - unless anyone else can come up with something different?

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 5th August 19:20

[anonymous-user]

Anyone? Thanks

[anonymous-user]

Anyone at all?

[NiceCupOfTea]

No experience of either of those cameras, but I have found Lumix more reliable than Canon.

[HereBeMonsters]

I've always been a fan of the Panasonics. I have a couple of Leicas, including the compact which is basically a rebadged Lumix.

[Engineer1]

Both are re-chargeable batteries which may be an issue depending on where you are going on holiday and how likely you are to 1. need to re-charge the battery, and 2 how easily you will be able to, considering voltages or socket availability.

[HereBeMonsters]

Engineer1 said:

Both are re-chargeable batteries which may be an issue depending on where you are going on holiday and how likely you are to 1. need to re-charge the battery, and 2 how easily you will be able to, considering voltages or socket availability.

Try finding a decent camera that takes "normal" batteries these days. Nigh on impossible.

The 10mp Sony I bought for that very reason is utterly crap.

[anonymous-user]

Hi, thanks for the replies.
By a "rechargeable battery" you mean it takes one of the block type batteries as opposed to a few AA's? If so, that shouldn't be a problem - I'm going to Hungary so should be able to charge frequently.

So the general consensus is that the Panasonic is the one to go for?

Anyone got anything else to recommend in the price range?

Thanks

[Engineer1]

Or budget for a second battery,

[anonymous-user]

A check on amazon reveals that the FS35 is £119, whereas the FS37 is £147.99.
Is there much to choose between them? Am I better off spending the extra cash on the FS37?

[sgrimshaw]

Nyphur said:

A check on amazon reveals that the FS35 is £119, whereas the FS37 is £147.99.
Is there much to choose between them? Am I better off spending the extra cash on the FS37?

Not much difference between them.

Only real difference seems to be that the FS37 has a 3.0" touchscreen LCD, which gives you "Touch Control"

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/popup/pressrelease/...

[anonymous-user]

sgrimshaw said:

Nyphur said:

A check on amazon reveals that the FS35 is £119, whereas the FS37 is £147.99.
Is there much to choose between them? Am I better off spending the extra cash on the FS37?

Not much difference between them.

Only real difference seems to be that the FS37 has a 3.0" touchscreen LCD, which gives you "Touch Control"

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/popup/pressrelease/...

Ah, and thus a thousand grubby prints on the screen which I will constantly clean...

Thanks

[HereBeMonsters]

Nyphur said:

Ah, and thus a thousand grubby prints on the screen which I will constantly clean...

Thanks

If you can select your focus point via the touchscreen, like most modern smartphones, then that might be a feature worth having.

[anonymous-user]

HereBeMonsters said:

Nyphur said:

Ah, and thus a thousand grubby prints on the screen which I will constantly clean...

Thanks

If you can select your focus point via the touchscreen, like most modern smartphones, then that might be a feature worth having.

From what I've read you CAN nominate your point of focus - I hadn't considered that, thanks

[sgrimshaw]

HereBeMonsters said:

If you can select your focus point via the touchscreen, like most modern smartphones, then that might be a feature worth having.

You can, that's why I posted the link - it gives details.

Sounds pretty neat trick.

At the price differential on Amazon, I'd go for the FS37 personally.

Actually, the FS37 in Black is only £140.57

[littleredrooster]

Panasonic DMC-FT10 is within your budget and it is waterproof, dustproof and shockproof. Great little camera, I love mine.

[anonymous-user]

littleredrooster said:

Panasonic DMC-FT10 is within your budget and it is waterproof, dustproof and shockproof. Great little camera, I love mine.

Thanks - I've just checked that out. I don't really need it to be rugged particularly - I can't remember ever dropping a "gadget" (having said this - I will now obviously be cursed...) and would prefer the greater zoom offered by the FS37 over this ruggedness.

Thanks for the suggestion though - I'm going to place an order for the FS37.

Thanks for the advice everyone.