As a follow on from the Cheap Phone thread (Ninja's ended up delivering me an LG KF310 btw), it's time to get a new camera.

I already have access to a huge pro camera that's worth probably more than my life and several dragons combined, but I'd also like a small digital one mainly for portability etc.

I'm a total noob at these, so any recommendations?

Ixus 70 / 75, small and takes good photos, a little slow to take a photo though (in comparision to other 500+ dollar cameras)

why didn't you get just a good camera phone?

Because it's mainly for my missus.

I got one of these for my bday.

http://www.dirtcheapcameras.com.au/lumix-dmclx3-limited-stock-p-1678.html

they are f***ing super ill cameras but arn't SUPER portable. but they are small.

they fit in my handbag quite nicely so i doubt your gf will have any trouble with hers.

not sure if that camera is officially released in .au yet and the price is about 200 cheaper than .au rrp. so its a super bargain if you want the latest kit at the cheapest price.

they fit in my handbag quite nicely

WAT

d0mino has tripple D tits didnt you know

why didn't you get just a good camera phone?

After owning a n95 and a cheap (Fuji Z100fd) point and shoot, there is no comparison between the two.

I'd always pony up for a P&S.

+10000 for the lumix series

yeah +1 for lumix too ... I thought i would be adventerous and got a ricoh caplio r7. the piece of s*** breaks down just about every 2 weeks when i get it and back it goes to warranty ....

+10000 for the lumix series

same. need one for going out shots. droped my speedlight on sat and f***ed it :@

If its just for going out and casual stuff I'd get a low-end Ixus. I have an Ixus 60 which is my main camera and its still f***ing awesome, but if it was just for something really simple I'd look for a not-too-old earlier model, maybe 2nd hand, which you should be able to pick up for really cheap.

newest ixus you can afford

they are super small and compact, and take great photos

even their moofie mode is pretty good

Fuji-Film j10.. awesome little small camera, li-on battery, sdhc support, image stabilization and its quick :D.. i got one a few weeks ago. bout 160ish?

Can I slightly hijack this thread and ask what people recommend for a $350-$450 big zoom camera like this (whatever this style is - i.e. "not-quite-slr?")?
http://www.dirtcheapcameras.com.au/images/sx100is.jpg

Dad wants to buy a better quality (i.e. photo quality/sensir not size) but not SLR expensive digital camera as he does a lot of photography on his trips in mountains and beaches and stuff.

^^ yeah, prosumer cams like that are ok. i started out with one, but got a bit frustrated of the non manual shutter. then you want ot change lenses and end up buying an slr anyway.

you can get a 2nd hand 20d body for £200.

non manual shutter? as in shutter speed?

you can adjust that on the LX3

nah, not talking about shutter speed. talking about lag. sucks when u do action shots.

We just bought a Canon Powershot A470 for $150.

7.1 megapixel

Small, good screen, easy to use... cameras are pretty damn cheap these days.



last edited by CHUB at 07:32:35 25/Sep/08

mooby, you seen the stuff on the new Canon 5D:

http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2008/09/22/amazing-canon-5d-mkii-hd-video-footage/

I want

Get an Olympus shockproof and waterproof camera. I bought a 7.1MP one for $220 a year ago so they must be cheaper now.

Those bloody canon IXUS screens break if you breathe on them. Broke two screens before I decided to go with the olympus. This thing takes an absolute beating! I've dropped it from a bike moving at 45km/h as well as a few times from hip level. Takes better pics than what my IXUS 55 ever managed.

So guys the Canon IXUS 80IS looks really nice, would you guys recommend it?


I need to get it tommorrow, so no online shopping. Where would be best to get it? Not really willing to go above $250.

good luck finding it in a retail outlet for 250ish, i was looking for one myself just this past weekend and they still have old school $400~ pricing

it seems online is the only way to get the cheap pricing you see on shopbot.com.au, unless you can find one of those online retailers in your area with a store front ..

I found one in a target catalogue for 250 but it doesn't go on sale until thursday, and that's really pushing it, if I'm lucky enough to even find one there.

I was also looking at the Canon PowerShot A590 IS as a backup.

I've seen in it Dick Smiths, Big W and the Harvey Norman catalogues ~$250-$270. Go to one store and play them off against each other till you get to $250. You can do it!

Edit: Eg. For $18 you get a bag at Harvey Norman.

last edited by Triamks at 20:46:23 30/Sep/08

yer, suprisingly dicksmith just had em real cheap, but they sold out mega quick;

According to here it's $248 at dick smiths, but here says it's $274 so i'm not sure if the special is still valid, but it does say my local store has stock. Not sure how often that's updated though.

3dee, consider a Nikon D40 SLR. Can be had for under $600 new now.

Way better than any of those Pro-sumer cameras.

Only downside I can see is the standard lens is 18-55, so if you're after a 'Super-Zoom' you'll be up for a new lense as well.

On the plus side they'll give you way better pictures, control and future upgradability.

mission - where are you getting those D40 prices? i'd love to pick up a cheap DSLR, really getting into photography, just can't afford to splash out on one quite yet, but $600 is doable!

I think I saw that price in the Harvey Norman catalogue.

Just give a few places a call, I'm sure it will be easy enough to find under $600.

TED's website has it listed at $649 so that's a start.

I got mine off E-Bay for $540 in Jan 08.