Vara
Active member
Can't live without this one;
http://www.johnlewis.com/231008980/...15_JLE866_Gifting5_Thursday&s_emuid=209055506
http://www.johnlewis.com/231008980/...15_JLE866_Gifting5_Thursday&s_emuid=209055506
What camera to buy for Christmas?
- Thread starter Duffer
- Start date
SimonA
Active member
Duffer
New member
Very amusing Vara!
Sorry but I still think the X100 is a 1-trick pony. Great if you've got a couple of other cameras to play with. It reminds me of my first ever camera which had a fixed 35mm lens - I have no desire to go back to something so limited! It would be like saying the best mobo you can buy is one of those old riva speedboats.
Sorry but I still think the X100 is a 1-trick pony. Great if you've got a couple of other cameras to play with. It reminds me of my first ever camera which had a fixed 35mm lens - I have no desire to go back to something so limited! It would be like saying the best mobo you can buy is one of those old riva speedboats.
SimonA
Active member
All depends on what sort of photography you do. A fixed lens makes you think more and if you are stuck with one lens a 35mm F2 isn't a bad choice.
I agree the Fuji X100 isn't suitable for everything and I use mine with a couple of Canon 5DMkII's (and a Canon 1DMkII as a backup), but I reckon I can shoot most of my work on a 35mm and 50mm lens. Rumour is that Fuji are working on an interchangeable lens camera similar to the X100 in style.
The X100 is a lovely camera for documentary photographers and isn't a bad take everywhere camera for keeping over your shoulder day to day. The shutter is amazingly quiet and of course there is no mirror. The veiwfinder allows you to see what is outside of the frame lines, so you can watch what is going on around you (I also keep my other eye open to watch what is going on). Another advantage is the viewfinder doesn't blank out at the point of exposure, so you can see what happens at the exact point the photograph is taken.
It isn't a camera for everyone though and given the price (still cheap though compared to a decent 35mm lens) it's not going to be the camera everyone should rush out and buy. However if you have a need for a small discrete camera with an almost silent shutter it really is great.
Scotty_Tradewind
Well-known member
I've not read through all the postings, apologies if repeated.
Maplins are offering on line for £99.99 an HD waterproof camera which looks similar to the Sanyo/Panasonic Xacti.
Even if you don't trust the waterproof to 3metres bit, it may be worth a punt to have as a video camera that you wont mind being splashed.
They also have one quite a bit cheaper.
Maplins are offering on line for £99.99 an HD waterproof camera which looks similar to the Sanyo/Panasonic Xacti.
Even if you don't trust the waterproof to 3metres bit, it may be worth a punt to have as a video camera that you wont mind being splashed.
They also have one quite a bit cheaper.
jonic
Well-known member
I have been using a Panasonic Lumix LX5 this year and for a compact the quality has been good, especially in low light due to the fast leica lens, but I have never really settled with the menu and handling system so am going to switch to one of these soon. (But with the image stabilized lens)
Does anybody here own one?
Does anybody here own one?
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Also an LX5 owner. Agree, image quality very good, very pocketable, menus difficult, zoom range - no real telephoto. Will hang on to mine though (Already have a Canon DSLR and a bucket of lenses - not very pocketable!)
Duffer
New member
Fair comment! At £850 it is certainly not for everyone. To me a new version with interchangeable lenses sounds more interesting. Ken's earlier link to a photoshoot with an iPhone does show what can be done with a budget camera in the right hands (either skilled or lucky) so you can certainly get good results with a much cheaper camera.
Richard10002
Well-known member
Just bought a Nikon S6200. 24mm wide angle, and 10x zoom. Only a little bigger than the ultra compacts, so more likely to be in my pocket when a shot presents itself.
Duffer
New member
Looks a good little camera. The Nikon S9100 mentioned in the OP has better video and zoom range but costs about £50 more.
The Panasonic Lumix LX5 mentioned above gets good reviews for its quality but is a bit pricey at £300+. The zoom range is 24-90mm (equivalent, i.e. 3.8x) and it can shoot 720p video.
There has been a much bigger response to this thread than I expected so thank you to everyone who has posted. I think it shows that there are more new cameras out there than you can shake a stick at! So if you are feeling bamboozled make a short list and have a look at them - some may be much more comfortable for you to hold than others. Watch out for very high megapixel ratings and very large zoom ranges: they don't necessarily indicate higher image quality (sometimes quite the reverse).
The answer to my original question depends very much on your budget and what you are looking for: it could be a budget compact, a superzoom compact, a bridge camera, a DSLR or even something more esoteric like the X100.
The Panasonic Lumix LX5 mentioned above gets good reviews for its quality but is a bit pricey at £300+. The zoom range is 24-90mm (equivalent, i.e. 3.8x) and it can shoot 720p video.
There has been a much bigger response to this thread than I expected so thank you to everyone who has posted. I think it shows that there are more new cameras out there than you can shake a stick at! So if you are feeling bamboozled make a short list and have a look at them - some may be much more comfortable for you to hold than others. Watch out for very high megapixel ratings and very large zoom ranges: they don't necessarily indicate higher image quality (sometimes quite the reverse).
The answer to my original question depends very much on your budget and what you are looking for: it could be a budget compact, a superzoom compact, a bridge camera, a DSLR or even something more esoteric like the X100.
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