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Thread ID: 125189 2012-06-12 07:37:00 "Best" digital camera for $300 or less tuiruru (12277) Press F1
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1281303 2012-06-12 07:37:00 Hi

As usual I'm boldly going where I've never been before, and therefore don't really know what to look for or where the fish hooks are.

So, let's set a benchmark with this (www.dicksmith.co.nz) and work up or down from there. It doesn't look too bad to me apart from the fact that the "on board" memory is stated as 10 MB as distinct from this (www.dicksmith.co.nz) which has 1GB (but overall "less" other stuff if you use the "Compare" function on the DSE website).

Any comments/advice/admonishments gratefully accepted, so "Thanks" in advance :thumbs:
tuiruru (12277)
1281304 2012-06-12 08:22:00 canon sx150 (www.noelleeming.co.nz), or do you only want a 'tough' camera? Don't worry about inbuilt memory, a SD is cheap. Most cameras don't come with much internal storage. Nick G (16709)
1281305 2012-06-12 08:30:00 Well I’ve got an old Canon Powershot A590 and it’s has been brilliant.

Stick a couple of eneloop aa batteries in it and away you go. (Forget the built in batteries, they’ll cause you more problems than enough).

You can install whatever size memory card you like. I’ve got 1200 photos on mine and still going. Got a spare 2Gb card in the case for when the original is full so no problems there. Comes with some fairly useful software too, including a stitching programme. All for A$120 at “The Good Guys” in Aus.

The model is well and truly superseded now, but you can’t go far wrong with Canon.

Well I’ve never had a problem with Canon Cameras or Printers for that matter.

Check the Canon Powershot range, I’m sure you’ll find something that suits. :2cents:
B.M. (505)
1281306 2012-06-12 08:43:00 I concur with both above, In my opinion Canon first and a close second Sony, I wouldnt look at any other brands. Iantech (16386)
1281307 2012-06-12 08:57:00 Features-wise, the Fuji XP20 doesn't seem too bad. I would be happy with that

But how well are things implemented? (lens quality, whether the stabilisation really works, etc).

I also think a small camera should be small enough to go in a pocket. The Fuji XP20 seems a bit too large and heavy for that. (99 x 68 x 24mm). My Lumix FX38 is 95 x 52 x 22mm and weighs 146g with battery. It is ideal for a pocket. The Fuji camera obviously weighs a ton, why else would they hide the weight

My preferred manufacturers are Panasonic, Sony, Canon in that order.

I think it is generally agreed that Panasonic have the best optical stabilisation??
BBCmicro (15761)
1281308 2012-06-12 09:49:00 canon sx150 (www.noelleeming.co.nz), or do you only want a 'tough' camera? Don't worry about inbuilt memory, a SD is cheap. Most cameras don't come with much internal storage.

That does look good Nick.
tuiruru (12277)
1281309 2012-06-12 10:43:00 Well it depends what you want it for really. I got a Canon A2200 (li-on battery tho) and 4gb card from Dick Smith for $116 the other day on special. Look around thees heaps of bargains. Wasn't after a flash one, just the odd photo for trademe. Didn't get AA battery one as had trouble with that sort previously plus its so much easier just plugging the camera in instead of mucking round with batteries & charging etc. That said if your taking lots n lots of photos easier to carry spare AA's. Clod (7853)
1281310 2012-06-12 11:08:00 I like Canon - I had a Canon PowerShot S1 iS stop working years out of warantee with admmittedly a known issue. They replaced it free of charge with the latest at the time (PS S5 iS). I was very pleased with their service. johnd (85)
1281311 2012-06-12 21:57:00 That does look good Nick.
Yup, I use its predecessor, the sx130 as a backup to my fuji hs10. It's a really good camera, better in some ways than my fuji. Really like the image quality and hoq when you make manual adjustments you can see on screen how the photo will look. The only real downside is that it is a bit more bulky than other $300 cameras, but the truely amazing image quality for the price makes up for it.
Nick G (16709)
1281312 2012-06-12 23:05:00 Well I’ve got an old Canon Powershot A590 and it’s has been brilliant.

Stick a couple of eneloop aa batteries in it and away you go. (Forget the built in batteries, they’ll cause you more problems than enough).

You can install whatever size memory card you like. I’ve got 1200 photos on mine and still going. Got a spare 2Gb card in the case for when the original is full so no problems there. Comes with some fairly useful software too, including a stitching programme. All for A$120 at “The Good Guys” in Aus.

The model is well and truly superseded now, but you can’t go far wrong with Canon.

Well I’ve never had a problem with Canon Cameras or Printers for that matter.

Check the Canon Powershot range, I’m sure you’ll find something that suits. :2cents:

Well I must have bought the "dud" one then !!!. Canon PowerShot A590 IS model.

Uses batteries as if they were going out of production.

Bought August 2008 and taken back 3 times due to this battery problem, but given different batteries to try, they then gave different charges at discounted prices, still no good.

Asked for a exchange under the CGA, but as it was an exclusive 1 day offer to Members/Staff ( cost price +10% ) it was not covered.

Enelope baterries seem to be the best and when not taking photos, then take them out.

Will take 16gb card.

Lurking.
Lurking (218)
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