£250 to spend, best digital camera please?

Question

I need one with good performance indoors and in bars/clubs, don't care how many pixels, just how the pictures look .... any tips, thanks

Answer 1

not sure about the model number where you live but Canon SD450 (5 megapixal) or SD550 (7 megapixal) are the best cameras combining quality, style, and size.

I have the SD400 (pretty much the same as 450 except the screen on the back is smaller). The pictures are great, the zoom is great. When I pull out my camera, even the people that have good digital cameras (sony, nikon, whatever) always are envious of the style.


Canon does not give you the biggest SD card, so buy a 256 or 512 meg card. Extra battery is important also.

Answer 2

Now this is actually a very interesting question because it really cannot be answered to suit everyone......however, if you are allowed to use flash in these bars etc there is a vast choice and any, quite frankly will do the job. REMEMBER TO USE THE SETTING WHICH GIVES THE LARGEST APERTURE (having said that the camera will be automatically set if YOU set it up for auto) But it depends, as you will get different results the nearer or further you are away from the main part of the subject. I am assuming you want to take 'snaps' by the way.... to do this kind of low light photography-job expertly you really need an SLR camera BUT THAT IS OUT OF YOUR PRICE RANGE.
If you are using a digital camera in low light conditions, then you need to be aware of something called 'noise' this term is used to describe the deterioration of the picture quality in low light conditions especially with digital cameras. Usually with conventional cameras you would need a very fast lense and some good quality fast film to get over the problem.
With digital, it depends on the quality of the sensor.
Now with everything ''yougetswhatyoupaysfor''
I would go for the Panasonic LUMIX range of cameras with the famous LEICA lense and the anti-shake device. I think SOME come within your price?
I have such a camera and I think it is the best camera I have ever used.
At the price you are willing to pay you will get a good camera anyway, but make sure you take someone with you who REALLY KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE ON ABOUT. Also be sure of the use you wish to put the camera ,and whether or not size is an issue. There is a trade off if you want a thin camera for putting in your pocket/handbag as a manufacturer can't get as much in' unless there is more case to put it in.....if you get what I mean?
Here should be your priorities
1 size and usability
2 flash distance...You get a longer flash distance the bigger the camera.
3 size of digital screen....2.5 is quite large! AND GOOD.
4 view finder size. Thin cameras dont have wiew finders, which save on batteries. THEY HAVE A DIGITAL SCREEN INSTEAD.
5 make and lense
Go for PANASONIC (LUMIX) fantastic cameras! ''LUVERLYJUBBLY'' big LEICA LENSES....LOL!
'Noise' is a nuisance but dont let it be an issue. I quite like a soft picture and noise does not affect me. In any case if you know what you are doing it can be compensated for when the pictures are manipulated in a good photo program like photoshop on your computer. Dont forget that all pictures are improved by holding the camera VERY STILL when you press the shutter button. If you are using flash then camera shake is not an issue unless you are an expert who wants to use syncro flash.

Answer 3

If you need indoor capability, you need to use a lens with the widest aperture possible. To me, this says "SLR." Buy something like a Nikon D50 that will hold the shutter open as long as 30 seconds if needed, and buy a relatively "plain" lens (not some huge zoom lens) that has a maximum aperture on the order of f:2.8 or even f:2.0. If you look for more opening than this, you will blow your budget!

Answer 4

Fujifilm F30. It's in a class of its own for low-noise high ISO shots. You can't better this one for indoor photography unless you buy a DSLR.

Google for the recent reviews - all consistently praising it.

Answer 5

I would look at the Casio Exilim series. The new models are very easy to use, take great photos, and even take high-quality videos.

http://exilim.casio.com/

Answer 6

Nikon

Answer 7

Get a Kodak Easyshare, we have one and it takes brilliant good quality photos.

Answer 8

kodak
the easyshare 1's great and u can get a printer dock with it too
the pics come out great

Answer 9

only sony

SONY Cyber-shot DSC H2 or SONY Cyber-shot DSC-H5

pixmania do some of the best euro deals.

Answer 10

take a look at: http://dpreview.com/