Digital Camera Suggestions

[littl_flier]

Well the time has come again and I've got Duty Free shopping on the brain.

I was looking for suggestions on a good digital camera (with so many IT guys out there). Budget is about $500 and the smaller the better. I really like the idea of the waterproof and shockproof cameras but I'm open to any suggestions.

I don't think it needs to come from Down Town because I'm hoping to use TRS and buy it in a couple of weeks. (depart 24 November)

If anyone could provide some thoughts and advice it would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
littl_flier

 

[ksthommo]

Gave my wife an Olympus 725SW last year for Christmas, it's waterproof
and shockproof. Highly Recommended.

Olympus MJU725 Digital Camera - Digital Cameras | Compare Prices & Save shopping in Australia

 

[smithym]

Gave my wife an Olympus 725SW last year for Christmas, it's waterproof
and shockproof. Highly Recommended.

Olympus MJU725 Digital Camera - Digital Cameras | Compare Prices & Save shopping in Australia

Got the same last year as well, awesome camera with a great lens as well. The underwater feature is fantastic, especially if you have kids.

 

[moa999]

not quite shock or waterproof but take a look at the.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
- 10x optical zoom and wideangle make it a very versatile camera

 

[Travel Guru]

not quite shock or waterproof but take a look at the.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
- 10x optical zoom and wideangle make it a very versatile camera

I'd also recommend the TZ3, fantastic camera and with a 10x optical zoom is packed full of features yet still quite compact.

Definately no buyers remorse on this one, id buy it again anyday.

TG

 

[NM]

A few suggestions:

• Do your pricing research. There is no duty on cameras any more, so the only saving is GST and you can often find better deals in local stored with sales than from duty-free shops, especially at airports.
  
• Look for a camera that uses replaceable batteries such as AA size. Then buy a few sets of high quality, high capacity rechargeable batteries (2700mAH are now common). At least if it uses AA batteries and you run out of charge you can pick up some new batteries from any local store for a reasonable price. If it uses a proprietary battery, be sure to buy a spare and not just reply on putting the whole camera on a charger since you can't use it while its sitting on a charger.
  
• Don't relay on digital zoom. That is a trade-off for picture quality. Get a camera with enough optical zoom to meet your expected photographic needs.
  
• May cameras with large amounts of optical zoom do not provide very wide-angle capabilities. So if you want to take in a large landscape (say at The Grand Canyon), a camera with say 8x optical zoom will often not be wide enough angle when used at 1x zoom.

I am not in a position to recommend any particular make or model, but do your research and heed the advice of people who have used specific brands and models.

 

[Maca44]

This site often has some good info about all types of cameras.
Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ

 

[BlacKnox]

A few suggestions:

• Look for a camera that uses replaceable batteries such as AA size. Then buy a few sets of high quality, high capacity rechargeable batteries (2700mAH are now common). At least if it uses AA batteries and you run out of charge you can pick up some new batteries from any local store for a reasonable price. If it uses a proprietary battery, be sure to buy a spare and not just reply on putting the whole camera on a charger since you can't use it while its sitting on a charger..

Some good advice from NM but most cameras these days have remarkable battery power (non proprietary) - not much of a concern for me.

I have several digital cameras including Sony Cybershot, Nikon D70S and a Canon IXUS 75 which I bought for my better half on the first day it was released on the GC on 03/04/07 (Teds Camera Store). It's a wonderful point and shoot, with a 3inch screen which I've found very useful for showing friends after the shot is taken. Go to the store and feel a few models out; if it's social and you'd like to share with friends the photo you've taken - go with a model with a 3inch screen. Cheers.

 

[Flashback]

I can get any brand Digicam at wholesale pricing.... so feel free to PM me for a price once you've decided on a model

I'll also add my name to the TZ3, I have one and it works *very* well.

 

[Platy]

I concur - the LUMIX - their lens is a Leica, which is very good indeed and does have zoom from wide angle (36mm equivalent) to telephoto (about 450mm from memory). The anti shake system is also effective.

I have an older one and have used it for work and have shot several hundred photos between recharging the batteries at the 5 meg pixels level of quality.

It is easy to use and I have rarely been disappointed with the results.

I am not a professional, but have used a wide range of cameras, and always been satisfied with the LUMIX for the price.

Going beyond that quality level you would need a serious budget and to build a full kit of equipment!

However, you almost certainly will have to buy an extra memory card, because they will probably only give you a 16Meg one with the camera which isn't gong to hold more than few shots. You will need to bite the bullet and budget to buy at least one "big" one over the price of the camera, at least a 512Meg or preferably larger - it does sting the wallet to spend on such an small accessory. My advice is to do a deal on the memory card(s) when you buy the camera!

One final thing - these cameras have the large LCD back screens and dicussions with friends suggest that there may be a problem if you try to find a camera pouch/case since these screens might get scratched.

Oh yes, as others have mentioned, it is not a water proof camera, but you probably can purchase a housing (I think I have seen them in the window of the l,ocal dive/photo shop here in Cairns).

 

[Sequel]

I have just bought a 7mp Sony (but that is because I am a Sonyphile rather than the quality of the camera).

I would recomend not buying it duty free. While looking around, I could get the camera I was after cheaper at The Good Guys than duty free/at the airport either in Aus or HKG. In the end I bought it from a shop in HKG city. The beauty of doing this, was although the camera was the same price as the good guys, they through in a memory card, usb card reader, tripod, 2x pouches and a few other useless bits.

I find "Duty/Tax Free" shops, especially at airports, are just for suckers who are passing time, exited because they are on holidays and think they are getting a good deal.

 

[NM]

Price the memory card carefully before going to a camera shop. In my experience, camera shops are considerably more expensive for buying memory cards, even when they do you a bundled deal (such as a memory card for an extra $70).

You can get a feel for street prices of memory cards from eBay or similar sites. Look around and you can get some very good deals. And remember that memory cards don't weigh much, so purchasing on-line from the USA can be very effective now that the A$ is string compared with the US$. Postage via USPS should be no more than a few dollars.

 

[Happy Dude]

I've just bought a Panasonic-Lumix TZ3 too. Like others here, I bought it because of the leica lens which is equivalent to a 28mm-?? lens in a 35mm camera. I'm not sure it's truly a wide-angle lens but it's definitely an advantage. I think one of the canon IXUS range also has a 28mm equivalent. I'm very happy with it's the first DC I've owned, so no basis for comparison really.

Also, at the time, the TZ3 came with a free domestic flight. Dunno if this promotion is still going.

I bought mine through a website based in Perth, and although the price was very good and I got the camera no probs and have had no probs with it, it's not an experience I'd go through again. The camera came from HKG, had a photocopied manual, no english version software, and customer service was non-existent. (I could not claim GST back via TRS because the "tax invoice" had an incorrect ABN). Maybe there are more reputable suppliers out there, perhaps in the US.

 

[Febs]

Canon IXUS75. Excellent camera.

I wanted something small, with good picture quality, no lens cap, a decent size screen and good battery life. The 75 exceeded all my expectations.

I actually originally bought a Nikon Coolpix S6 - great size and screen, but terrible picture quality. Sold it and got the 75 and am very glad I did.

The 3" 230,000pixel screen is fantastic and surprisingly doesn't sap the battery much at all. I've taken about 900 photos in the last few weeks and have charged it twice. That includes a lot of previewing on the screen too (and you have to use the screen for taking photos, as there's no viewfinder).

For well under $400 (parents picked one up a few months ago for ~$380), it's a bargain.

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: DON'T buy duty free. If buying in Australia, buy from the cheapest reputable retailer (or get Myer to pricematch ) then claim the TRS. I've had success with getting Myer to match prices I've found using The Australian Frequent Flyer

 

[simongr]

Hmm - I bought the Lumix DMC-TZ1 just before the new one came out - at a pretty good price as well. The video is great and the nor mal outside shots are fine but the flash function is eitehr way too bright or doesnt work at all. Currently researching what I have been doing wrong - very close to buying a cheaper smaller camera for flash shots and keeping the Lumix as a pseudo-video camera...

 

[markis10]

If your camera does come with a Lithium Iron battery try and make sure it does not get below 40% capacity before recherging, unlike other batteries these ones like to be constantly charged and will ahve a longer life if they are.

 

[tscharke]

if having no australian warranty for your camera or running the high chance of buying a fake memory card doesnt bother you then go right ahead and buy from places like Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan!

After spending many many hours in camera shops all over the place - I only buy my photography equipment right here!

check out sites like

Discount Digital Photographics: Welcome!

Digital Camera Warehouse Australia - Discount Digital Cameras shipped Australia Wide - Home

for great prices on cameras, memory cards and the like...

add this with TRS and you would be struggling to find a better overall package

 

[MAX_1]

http://reviews.cnet.com/Digital_cameras/2001-6501_7-0.html?tag=glnav


c/net has great reviews on all sorts of electricals.phones,cameras, tv etc

 

[Flashback]

As I said... if you find the model you want, whatever brand that may be let me know and I shall pull on my buying power to provide it to you at the best price possible

 

[Hvr]

Once you find your camera have a look at staticice.com.au it will give you the best on-line price in AUS.

Well worth a look for all sorts of camera gear.