FOAK: Digital cameras (again)

I know that lots of you can bore for hours about photography. I know nothing
about the technicalities, but require a camera for some upcoming touring. I
have no requirements other than "vaguely documenting my trip". I suspect that
anything will be good enough for a non-expert like me, so I was looking at
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/180996.

However, if the FOAK feels that even for someone like me, that is a false
economy as it's *too shit*, I am willing to spend a *little* more if there's
going to be tangible benefit.

Any recommendations?

 

Not me.

I'd spend a bit more to get higher optical zoom. Maybe
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/219667 or preferrably a Panasonic Lumix
if the budget allows http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173983

 

This ^

Or even a TZ6 if funds allow, or a decent TZ4/5 from eBay if not.

 

Yes, get something with a better optical zoom, as 3X is pretty pants.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/197596 for example

 

First, let me say this is *painful*. So many models, numbers etc.

Naturally, I had started to forget myself and was quite tempted by a Lumix
FX550 but don't think I could quite afford it. So I looked at the TZ6 and it
looks good enough to last me forever.

Why is the FX550 more expensive for what appears to be less functionality? Is
it just more compact? Size is important, although the TZ6 doesn't appear to
be massive. I also note that the FX550 does 720p video which would actually
be quite handy, although if the stills will be better with the TZ6, the 480p
video will be adequate.

 

Not that I'm any expert but I've got a Fuji J something or other which
I use for cave photography as well as general snaps. It's pretty good
and does pretty much every thing you want. Of course you might need
more zoom than 3 times.

 

Given your original point of "vaguely documenting my trip", most any
modern digital compact will probably be adequate, but I was confirming
Krusty's point that the higher optical zoom you can get, the better.
It was certainly why I got my TZ5.

Panasonic seemed to release their Lumix TZ range in pairs, with two
slightly differing specs, so TZ4 & TZ5 were replaced by the TZ6 & 7
respectively. I thought that going on your first link that the TZ7
would be out of budget, so went for a TZ6.

Jeez, now you're asking! In short, dunno. Suffice to say that my TZ5
fits easily into a pocket.

 

+1 for the TZ4/5/6 range. You don't *need* the massive extra megapixels
of the newer ones, so if you can source an older model go for it. I took
my TZ4 on my recent trip to Spain and it was brill.

 

Under £100 is hard to go too wrong if you stick to known brand names.

For what you need though, I think I'd look at the Olympus 'Tough' range.
They are sand/water/drop resistant, and can take a bashing quite well.
That might suit the needs of a bike tour more than some of the more
fragile cameras.

I use an Olympus E510 DSLR most of the time, but for those odd times
when conditions are to be unpredictable, I still use an old Olympus
Mju500, has a metal body, is moisture sealed, and works well enough.

 

FWIW the PCPro A-list recommendation is Canon Digital Ixus 95 IS

 

Switters escribió:

Yes, but how are we to know that? How was the dormitory, by the way? Perhaps
we might not want to see *all* the pictures...

 

See other thread, pictures to follow, but really the rules for there are
the same as for the *OSM.

 

I got my Mju at a good price on eBay some three years ago. It's only
5Mp, but is sufficient for quick holiday snaps.

 

Switters escribió:

There are rules?

 

What, with its wanky 3x optical zoom? *snort*

(What with the Internet, it doesn't take long to feel like one is an expert on
any subject these days.)

 

They like its build-quality, compactness, picture quality and auto-macro.
YMMV, as may mine

 

My Canon Ixus 100 IS survived me falling off a dirt bike and rolling
halfway down the side of a volcano with it in my pocket, closely
followed by the aforementioned dirt bike.

Gets my seal of approval every time.

The camera, that is, not the falling off and landing on pointy rocks.

 

I can highly recommend the lumix cameras. Mine has been solid as a rock and
takes great pics. For a tiny little camera it is great. Of course an SLR will
shit all over it but then you are taking serious size and weight (and cost).

Fraser

 

I took a friends olympus tough camera to samoa with me on a dive holiday with
an underwater housing. It took ok photos underwater and was tough as old boots
but my lumix shat on it for above the water photos.

Fraser

 

That's quite possible. I was only pointing out the 'Tough' range as a
rugged option.

FWIW, I'm a big fan of the Lumix cameras, they have one of the best IS
systems for a start.

Having said that, it depends on what models were being compared. You
could easily pick one generation wrong and get a pup, or get it right
and have a real gem.