Need help on what camera to get.

[DrakeN2k]

Hello, It is coming up to christmas,"YAY" and I want to get someone a new camera. My budget is around ?200 ($320). I am hopping to get something like a DSLR but I dont know what is good out there. I understand the basics like MP , ISO, est. But I am not a big photography guy.

So any suggestions on good cameras I can get with that sort of money.

 

Thank you.

[Skiver Veteran]

To be honest for that kind of money you are going to struggle to get a DSLR. You've already stated you're not big on photography so what do you plan on using it for?

[francescob]

What's with this obsession with DSLRs? I see people spending thousands of euros on Canon Mark models yet using them with stock lenses, it's like those 700? smartphones owners not wanting to spend even a single cent on apps.

 

You need extreme long focus lenses? Buy a DSLR.

 

You don't need extreme long focus lenses? Then buy any camera with backlit sensors (like the Samsung EX2F), those camera will perform much, much better than most more expensive DSLRs used without the proper, extremely expensive, lenses.

 

Unless you need to photograph your food, in that case you need the most expensive camera money can buy.

[DrakeN2k]

What's with this obsession with DSLRs? I see people spending thousands of euros on Canon Mark models yet using them with stock lenses, it's like those 700? smartphones owners not wanting to spend even a single cent on apps.

 

You need extreme long focus lenses? Buy a DSLR.

 

You don't need extreme long focus lenses? Then buy any camera with backlit sensors (like the Samsung EX2F), those camera will perform much, much better than most more expensive DSLRs used without the proper, extremely expensive, lenses.

 

Unless you need to photograph your food, in that case you need the most expensive camera money can buy.

 

 

It is not for me but a friend, I would rather just get a point and click.

So do you know any good non DSLR cameras out there.

[chrisj1968]

if you have a say, canon APS-C sensor DSLR like the rebel series and want to go big league, plunk down for a Canon EOS 5D MarkIII so many upsides to that upgrade. already have a 5D MarkII? one MP upgrade and the Digic V processor wouldn't justify plunking down a 3,000 dollar plus for such a small amount of actual advancement.

 

I have a MarkII. I'll hope they will come out with a MarkIV instead. then that might justify an upgrade. 

 

I would only think a MarkII to MarkIII upgrade will be worthy unless you are a pro who puts food on his/her table as a career. but hobbyist? -no way

[Arceles]

This is the best camera you can get that takes DSLR like photos while remaining half cost of it:

 

However it's still quite a bit above of your budget.

 

The remark here is only because not everybody needs DSLR, but definitely below DSLR cameras take photos with a lot of color/light problems, it isn't the case for this one.

[francescob]

It is not for me but a friend, I would rather just get a point and click.

So do you know any good non DSLR cameras out there.

New models come out every 6 months (most models right now in october) so I can't recommend anything specific. The Panasonic LX7 still seems to be the best compact camera available but it's priced higher than your budget (pricegrabber says ?235 is the cheapest price). Samsung has been pretty aggressive with their camera pricings and they also have the easiest softwares, maybe the EX2F as I said above would be a decent choice. It can also save photos in RAW format in case you hate JPG

 

Anyway if it's for christmas you could wait until late november to see if there'll be any new better model worth buying.

[DrakeN2k]

I had a look at Samsung WB800F and the Samsung EX2F, The WB800F has better numbers than the EX2F (MP, Optical zoom). So does the EX2F take a better image?

[Sir Topham Hatt]

A good topic.

 

I have a DSLR but it's a bit too clunky to take around and slow to take photos sometimes so I was thinking of getting my partner a compact.

I used to have a Canon G7, which was great so automatically looked at the latest G15, but I am thinking that will be way over powered so one of these might be a better (and cheaper!) option.

 

Both the WB800F and EX2F look good but the former is newer by 5 months, which makes me think they must have improved something, but the EX2F seems a step up in model terms.

[Skiver Veteran]

I would read these two reviews;

 

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/samsung_wb800f_review/

 

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/samsung_ex2f_review/

 

However to jump to the quick decision part...

 

 

Wb800F - RATINGS (OUT OF 5) Design 4 Features 4.5 Ease-of-use 4 Image quality 3.5 Value for money 4.5

 

EX2F - RATINGS (OUT OF 5) Design 4 Features 4.5 Ease-of-use 4 Image quality 4 Value for money 4

[Ambroos]

Get a Sony NEX. It's pretty much a DSLR without the gigantic body.

 

https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/NEX-Cameras/NEX-3/NEXF3KB.CE.A <- There's one here in Sony's outlet (refurb) for ?250 with the kit lens (and it isn't all that bad). It'll get you pictures far beyond what any compact camera for this price can get you. Sensor inside is the same as what would be in a DSLR and there are some quite good not too expensive NEX-lenses for later if you want to build a collection.

 

Or even better: https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/NEX-Cameras/NEX-5/NEX5RKW.CE.A - I have the NEX-5R and it's a brilliant camera with the right lens, and I paid double that price.

 

Or if he REALLY wants a DSLR: https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/DSLR-%26-SLT-Camera/SLT-A3/SLTA37K.CE.A - but if you're not going to buy some more lenses I'd advise you to go for a NEX, you'll be better off out of the box and it's so much more compact.