The Mid Range Mark - June 2008

This is the category that is currently flooded, but only 3 really stand out for me:


Canon IXUS 80 IS - This little one comes from a long line of legendary cameras, most people believe that you can't go wrong with an IXUS, 3x zoom with image stabilizer, 8mp, still has the viewfinder and it's really small - if it wasn't for the 38mm focal length it would be the only one to look at in this category


Panasonic FS3 - I like this one, 33mm field of view is noticably wider than the IXUS, leica designed lens with image stabilizer and a nice strong screen on the back, 8mp, lithium battery and looks great in black - this is the one I would buy

Last and probably least (because it's more expensive) is the Sony W150 - it's a really good camera, but costs just that bit too much more than the other two - and I don't like sony's memory cards - it does have a 5x zoom that starts at 30mm (wide) and has a good strong screen and viewfinder - it's quick and the images are great, only slightly larger than the other two

The Better Budget Camera - June 2008

This is a pretty clear choice for me, but there are two:

The Fuji F480 - This is the one to get if you only care about image quality - this is the one I would buy - it has a 28mm wide angle lens, 8mp resolution, a nice big screen and a lithium battery - you just can't beat a wide lens for groups of people and landscapes
Downsides: it's lens is soft in the corners - it's video mode sucks (320x240)



Samsung L730 - 7mp resolution, nice tough camera with a good strong screen and the best video mode in it's price bracket (800x592), buy this one if you care about video and don't think you need a wide angle lens

The budget camera - june 2008

Nikon L10 - it's 5mp with a 3x zoom takes 2 AA batteries and you can pick it up for around $98 (in Australia - mid 2008) if your lucky enough to find it. Great for the kids if you don't want them playing with your camera.
Can you get better - yes definitely, PLEASE - just pay the extra $$$ and get something good, but if you want to be cheap then this is your best bet - 5mp may not seem like much but it's pixels are larger than most 8pm cameras, and unless you need to blow-up the prints to above A4 your not going to see any difference - if anything the clarity is better because of the larger pixels

What I shoot with

I figure we may as well start with what I have owned and currently own.


My first digital camera was one of those credit card size cameras that had a whopping 640x480 pixel resolution - after less than a month it was time to step up a notch - so I bought a 1.3mp Mustek camera which i then modified for manual focus. Hooked on digital photography (I've had many film cameras but we'll get to those in a later post) I saved up for a Canon A80 in 2003 - for $800(aus) I got 4mp with a 3x zoom and a swivel screen, it took 4 AA batteries and had full manual control!!!


I then progressed to the world of Digital SLR's with the purchase of a 6mp Pentax *istDS - I then upgraded to the Pentax K10D which I used for almost 2 years before finally upgrading to my current camera in early 2008 - the Canon 5D. My main point and shoot for the last 2 years has been a Panasonic LX2, I also have in the house an old Canon "ixus i" (the 4mp one with the good lens) and a Panasonic TZ3

Through this I have learn't that you get what you pay for and if your passionate about it, it's worth getting the best you can afford.

Welcome

My Name is Simon and this is my Blog designed for people who just want to buy a camera, a good camera. It is also my attempt to be able to quit my weekend job of 4 years as a camera sales person and concentrate on pursuing my career as a pro photographer.

This blog will answer the many questions I am asked at work each day by almost every customer and I will give my recommendations on which cameras are good, just like I do in-store. My advice is not (and has never been) sales orientated, I believe that finding the right camera for the right occasion/person/style is important but never at the expense of image quality, after all, the resulting images are the reason for any camera purchase (well... should be as far as i'm concerned).

I will give simple no fuss opinions and recommend cameras in each price category based on performance, ease of use and image quality. My recommendations might be different to others and you may not agree with me, but I have learn't alot working in retail and hope that you - like my many satisfied customers - will appreciate my advice.

If you do appreciate my advice, please use the links to online sites when making your purchase or show your appreciation via paypal - your help will keep this blog running and help me stick it to the man (on weekends at least).