Cheap digital camers - recommendations please

[keiths]

(Yes, I know I've spelt 'cameras' wrong in the thread title :doh: )

My trusty old Canon Sureshot A80 has popped its clogs and I am in need of a replacement. Problem is I don't want to spend much as it won't be used a great deal beyond the odd photo on forums and similar, so maximum budget is £60 total. Second hand would be considered.

Every camera I've bought since the late 1970s has had the word 'Canon' on it (AE-1, T70, T90, EOS 100, IXUS I, A80) so I'm not sure what else is out there to be honest.

So what am I looking for?

Compact digital camera
5 mega-pixels or more
Reasonable low-light performance
Takes 'AA' rechargables
Has 'shutter priority' and/or 'aperture priority' mode
It would be nice if it used compact flash cards, but that's the least important thing on this list


So has anyone any suggestions for makes/models/suppliers - or indeed if anyone has anything they want to sell on...

[Rare Bird]

Fuji Pinepix 'Z300' great you can still get them really cheap. Hamish recommended this to me & my buddy, we both love em..All metal construction, massive screen. Not 'AA's tho

[keiths]

Cheers André.

Bit wary of the non-standard battery to be honest - I prefer the back-up of just buying a few AAs if the battery runs out when I'm away from the mains.

Also I'm not really convinced about the touch-screen? Anyway, I'll look at a few reviews of it before deciding one way or the other. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Roy S]

Takes AAs -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-AV200-Digital-Camera/dp/tech-data/B004G8Q5L0/ref=de_a_smtd

[Reid Malenfant]

Funny, but I'd suggest a Fuji as well :eyebrows: I think you'll only get this secondhand now but the F100fd is a killer ;)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Fuji refurbished stock shop is your friend
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras?cat=49&mode=grid&p=1

as is this thread on money saving expert
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=491568

AA bateries are a thing of the past in all but the low end and hybrid range... you will be fine with a lion they last for ages these days, just dont forget to charge it or buy 2!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Andre's recommendation at a now frankly mental £49.99

http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras/finepix-z300-refurbished.html


there is no point in getting a compact camera with aperture priority/manual they have such tiny sensors DOF is basically infinite ... just use exposure comp for the odd adjustment!

CF cards are only for pro slrs these days

... if your thinking second hand this ticks all your criteria
http://www.dpreview.com/products/fujifilm/compacts/fuji_finepixe900z
apart from that is takes xd cards ... .... ... and they are getting a bit long in the tooth now

[keiths]

Takes AAs -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-AV200-Digital-Camera/dp/tech-data/B004G8Q5L0/ref=de_a_smtd

Thanks Roy - I'll check that one out


Funny, but I'd suggest a Fuji as well :eyebrows: I think you'll only get this secondhand now but the F100fd is a killer ;)

Cheers Mark. So three votes for Fuji...

[Mark Grant]

Four votes for Fuji :) I have a few of them. :eyebrows:

the AX350 might do and takes AA, there looks to be a bit too many mega pixels for a budget camera so maybe not ideal.

A few at fuji refurb shop that take AA:

http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras/compact?ff_battery=88

I would probably buy the F80EXR ( NOT AA batteries though)
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/finepix-f80exr-refurbished.html

costs a bit more but will be good.

The F300EXR is very good and reasonable price but sold out at the moment,
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras/finepix-f300exr-black-refurbished.html

There is a refurb shop discount code valid until 30th November for 10% off, the Code is PSAVE11 :)

This blog has some good settings for various Fuji compacts
http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com/2009/10/fuji-f70exr-how-to-shoot-it-mkii.html

[Rare Bird]

Andre's recommendation at a now frankly mental £49.99



Sure is i saw some even more mental prices at £40.00 the other day..

Your not gonna get compact with 'AA's. The slimline battery in mine lasts ages..

These were taken with it

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12123

[keiths]

Fuji refurbished stock shop is your friend
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras?cat=49&mode=grid&p=1


Many thanks for the info and links Hamish - looks like some of my preferences might be a bit outdated :wheniwasaboy: and that a re-evaluation is in order.

I can't believe how cheap these things are these days - my A80 was the best part of £200 10 years ago...

[keiths]

Four votes for Fuji :) I have a few of them. :eyebrows:


There is a refurb shop discount code valid until 30th November for 10% off, the Code is PSAVE11 :)

Many thanks David.

[Covenant]

I take about 30 pics a day so buy a cheap camera and replace it every year. At the moment I am using a Pentax Optio G90. Its got a rubberised case which takes the knocks.

[Reid Malenfant]

I take about 30 pics a day
:lolsign: Must be job related I reckon...

If I took 30 a month I have something to shout about :eyebrows:

[Canetoad]

Fuji Pinepix 'Z300' great you can still get them really cheap. Hamish recommended this to me & my buddy, we both love em..All metal construction, massive screen. Not 'AA's tho

I have one of these and it is excellent. It also came with 3 batteries, which are easy to keep charged as spares, and a leather case. Can't recommend it enough!

It even takes nice photos! :lol:

[Covenant]

:lolsign: Must be job related I reckon...

If I took 30 a month I have something to shout about :eyebrows:

'Tis indeed. Mostly pictures of Artex on ceilings and floor tiles in housing association houses for asbestos reports.

[keiths]

Thanks everyone.

I mentioned I needed a camera to some friends in the pub last night and one of them has a Fuji FinePix S2800HD that he is willing to sell me for £50. Now this is not a compact camera, but is a larger "SLR-style" half-way-house between a compact and a full DSLR. He's only had it for 6 months or so and says it's "near new" condition. He's recently bought a Nikon DSLR and his Fuji is now surplus to requirements.

I've looked on the Fuji refurb site and they are selling it for £89.99 plus £4.99 delivered, so £50 sounds a good price?

He's going to bring it over tonight and let me have a play for a day or two while I make up my mind.

[Mark Grant]

Well worth £50 and it takes AA batteries.:)

P.S. It's known as a 'Bridge' camera as it bridges the gap between a compact and an SLR.