Recommendation for a entry level DC

[ussr_1991]

Hi all, new to here.

As I will require to take pictures sometime soon (Before next week), I would like to ask for recommendation for a budget camera.

However, it should have the following features:

1: USB port. This is to avoid meddling with particular memory card whereby I am not sure if that memory card drivers in my laptop works or not.

2: Ease of use. No need for DSLR / Entry Level DSLR. Photography is not yet a hobby for me either.

3: Image stabilizer. The photographs I will be taking is in the museum displaying artworks (Not in dark condition or anything special. Mainly drawings only.) and on a separate occasion, for travel / vacation use.

4: Budget: Camera itself within $200. However, if the camera's price is within $300 +/- $50 is still can be considered so long as the price is worth it compared to those $99 ~ $139 or $229 cameras.

5: Brand: No preference. But I think this is because I know nuts about photography. Haha.

6: Able to record video. HD is preferred, if budget allows.

7: Any other features I missed out, but crucial for quality pictures in travel / vacation / museum use. There is no intention to use it on underwater condition (Except when admission to Underwater World Sentosa), or sporting purpose in near future.

 

[sandywong]

picture only or video also? Museum can be bright to our eyes but can be dark to a camera (our eyes will auto adjust). If you doing small prints or for own viewing should be ok with those point and shoot. If want to step up abit to bigger sensor i think 1 option is the canon s110, i think it is the cheapest among its class( note: zooming during video is noisy). Hope it helps

 

[ussr_1991]

Video also. At least must be able to take videos. Thanks again.

EDIT: But canon s110 Retail price from Canon Singapore @ $499. Seemed like out of budget leh....

 

[sandywong]

Video also. At least must be able to take videos. Thanks again.

EDIT: But canon s110 Retail price from Canon Singapore @ $499. Seemed like out of budget leh....

If retail I am not sure if 350sgd can get a high end compact, maybe an older model. But technology gets outdated fast so i suggest getting new models. Perhaps there are other sources which sell cheaper than retail? Then again everyone have different expectation of image quality, you might find a decent point and shoot within your budget as well. You can check out dpreview website, they have sample photos from almost all camera available where you can compare. I think it will be worth getting a better model if you are planning to use it for a long time.

 

[ussr_1991]

Just to clarify, if let say in pure technical aspect, if 2 point and shoot cameras are the same except one is a 24mm lens and the other is 28mm lens (Assuming their F, the brightness is the same also), which is better?

 

[sandywong]

Just to clarify, if let say in pure technical aspect, if 2 point and shoot cameras are the same except one is a 24mm lens and the other is 28mm lens (Assuming their F, the brightness is the same also), which is better?

F stop and lens width are separate and doesn't affect each other. A 24mm lens can capture a wider image compared to a 28mm when standing on the same spot.

Advantage of 24mm is that you can stand closer to the subject but still get a wide image(e.g. a tall building). For a 28mm to get the same building in the frame, you might need to move further away from the subject.

Normally compact cameras will have a small amount of zoom so for telephoto it will not be much difference.Other aspect such as macro depends each camera specification. So there is really no better or worse. 24mm is an advantage but picture quality is more important. Once you try out both you might think 28mm is good enough, better to hands-on both models.

 

[celsus]

4: Budget: Camera itself within $200. However, if the camera's price is within $300 +/- $50 is still can be considered so long as the price is worth it compared to those $99 ~ $139 or $229 cameras.

If your budget is this low save yourself the trouble and buy a new phone. You will get nearly as good a camera with your phone and save yourself $200. There's a reason the compact segment is dying out.

 

[Providence]

If Nikon CoolPix L810 is still available, you can try to get that. The price is not that expensive.

 

[Norman Chan]

Canon Cameras - Compact Digital Cameras - Digital Cameras | ValueBasket

Take a look at this web site , the Canon is super cheap.

 

[ussr_1991]

Thanks for the recommendation though. Somehow, I had shopped Samsung WB30f at the expo for $199. 24mm, 10X Optical zoom (Seemed like only model with 10X for Below $200 category) and still come with Wi-Fi function which is extra and never expected one....

 

[Norman Chan]

Think you should look at the IXUS 500 HS (made in Japan) or the 510 HS (think also made in Japan) with 12X optical zoom and full HD video recording...the IXUS 240 HS with 5x Optical zoom and full HD video....both are values for money selling at Values Basket and their listed price is inclusive of shipping all the was to your door step...think for these model easy cost save between S$150 to S$200.

Digital Cameras | Cameras | Courts Online Store

The above link you can check the local offer price

Canon Cameras - Compact Digital Cameras - Digital Cameras | ValueBasket

The above link is the offer price.

For me , I had bought two IXUS 500 HS and the taken picture quality was super....