A new camera

I really don't know where to start. An SLR isn't for me at present, just looking for a decent point and click. Which will take impressive photos for me in South Africa!

I've seen this, was wondering if anyone can offer any advice?

Nikon S000 - this also mentions Panasonic being the market leader. Never actually considered them before. Should I?


Also, my current camera, a Samsung really struggles in hazy light. I don't know if it's the camera or something I am doing wrong. To give you an idea, here are two pics taken on different days with the same camera... so, sorry if this sounds clueless, but will all cameras struggle with certain daylight conditions?

To me, this looks washed out.


When the sun shines.

[Darren Wheeler]

That could be a white balance issue. Most cameras will either have a manual setting for different conditions or a fully auto setting, but that can struggle at times.

My Point/shoot is a Panasonic TZ5 but there have been several updates since. While it doesn't excel, it doesn't really fall down either.

Thanks - the TZ5 came up a few times on searches.

Often easy to fix later - one click:

Sealink

I've got two old Canon Ixus 75's. Story is that I bought one, then an underwater housing (costing more than the Camera). Then I 'lost' the Camera. I thought 'hey' - chance to buy an even more (than 7.2 Megapixel) version. Then I realised that the 'new' version wouldn't fit in the housing. So I bought one just like I had (the model of course, being Japanese, was discontinued) from eBay for £75. Great happiness. Then the first one turned up in the lining of my usual wheely bag - that's how small they are. Anyway, I've now got a pair, and I love them

As regards the 'wash out', it all depends on how you look at it. If you look at the unprocessed image from the camera, yes, depending on the lighting they can look light/ dark/ washed out

But just tap the 'enhance' wand in iPhoto and it all looks a lot better most of the time. I'm not sure what it actually does, but hey, it works.

If you're not using iPhoto or Aperture - the only photo programs I know- there's probably something equivalent in your package

I've 'wanded' your washout photo, but am too stupid to know how to attach it to this mail (I have a mac, 'cos I don't know anything about computers). If you PM me, I'll email it back to you and you can see what you think

Regards

Peter

Often easy to fix later - one click:

fixed.jpg

Haha! Love it!
But that's cheating.

Often easy to fix later - one click:

fixed.jpg

Haha! Love it!
But that's cheating.

Its not really.
All I did was correct the levels.
The better (and newer) cameras will have that built in to a large extent.
For SA I assume you need good wildlife capability.
For that speed is important and the S8000 is good for that - the only problem is keeping enough battery to leave it switched on ready for the moment something happens.
OK a £200 cam will not give you 10fps at high res. (yet) but the 3fps is adequate for most. Older digitals were dire for the point, press, wait 5 seconds for the action to disappear then take. Or the focus that always trailed the action.
Most of the new breed are much quicker and the S8000 writeups suggest it is one of the best.

It's a lot lighter than trailing around with several £ks worth of SLR gear as well

[Darren Wheeler]

Just go to somewhere like 7-day shop and pick up cheap, generic batteries. Usually about a quarter of the price and no obvious difference in performance.

Mrs DA has a Panasonic TZ10 and she loves it. It has some really good functionalities on it.

Mrs DA has a Panasonic TZ10 and she loves it. It has some really good functionalities on it.

You get issue with battery drain, as don't these have GPS??
Must admit to of had good results in panasonic point and shots..

I have a Canon Ixus 130 and I love it, very easy to use and takes brilliant photos.

Bring back the box brownie!

I have a Olympus FE-180 I got about 4 years ago.

Does me fine

Personally I think Panasonic is a very good make for point and click. I only really use my old FS7 or whatever it's called for nights out now as I have my Canon SLR. But they are very good cameras, and if you take abit of time to have a flick through all the settings you can get some really good images out of it.

Mrs DA has a Panasonic TZ10 and she loves it. It has some really good functionalities on it.

You get issue with battery drain, as don't these have GPS??
Must admit to of had good results in panasonic point and shots..

mmmh, should have checked with Mrs DA before posting but she has a TZ4! Shows how quick, this type of camera gets updated!

Mrs DA has a Panasonic TZ10 and she loves it. It has some really good functionalities on it.

You get issue with battery drain, as don't these have GPS??
Must admit to of had good results in panasonic point and shots..

The GPS can be turned off/on really easily. I leave the GPS function on whilst 'out for the day' only and battery power seems quite good. I always carry a spare just in case but only have had to use it after several days/few hundred photos.

The camera itself is superb. The normal Lumix IA and Scene Modes are available as well as full manual functionality. Add to this the HD film mode and stereo sound and you've got a great piece of kit

I have a Canon D500 which very rarely sees the light of day, it's just too big and fussy to bring along to most applications of a camera. It's especially eclipsed when I see the quality of the pictures produced by my other camera a Panasonic TZ-7 which are superb. It has a decent optical zoom too. The HD video recording is usable too. I can only assume the new generation is even better.